Study in Canada - A Comprehensive Guide for International Students

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Apr 14, 2023 06:46 PM

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Canada is undoubtedly one of the most diverse nations in the world with 250 ethnic origins and multicultural environment. Every year thousands of international students travel to Canada to gain higher education. So why do so many students choose to study in Canada?

People in Canada are amicable and peaceful.

Live in a bilingual environment and develop your language skills.

Canadian universities provide world-class education. Five Canadian universities ranked in the 2018 top 100 best universities in the world.

Excellent quality of life. Three Canadian cities, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, are in list of top 50 student cities.

Canada offers affordable living and tuition fees.

High-end research facilities.

Plenty of job opportunities.

Before you even start your college application, you will first have to decide what courses you want to study. Then you will have to search for the Canadian institutes that provide a degree in the particular course/program.

And if you are confused between two courses, you can choose a course initially and then change the majors later, as Canadian colleges are quite flexible when it comes to changing majors.

What are the important steps while applying for studies in Canada?

1. Apply for a college or university program. 2. Apply for your study permit 3. Apply for scholarships

What are the basic requirements for a Master's in Canada?

International students planning to pursue their masters from Canada need to complete a three/four-year bachelor’s degree before applying for admissions. Students should also have a minimum GPA of 3 on a scale of 5 and 7 on a scale of 10.Apart from these, students should also prove their proficiency in English.

What Language Proficiency Tests are accepted?

International students must qualify either of the following standardized English proficiency tests to get admission in the intended college.: International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Pearson Test of English (PTE). The minimum overall score for IELTS is 6.5, and for TOEFL is 79.

Some courses might require demonstration of basic proficiency in reading and speaking French.

Do all significant courses require proficiency in French?

No, international students don’t need to be proficient in French to get admissions in most Canadian universities unless you want to study in a French university or apply for a major in French related studies.

How to apply to universities?

Once you have shortlisted the colleges that match your preference and accomplished all the requirements for admission, the next is to apply to the university before the application deadline.

Depending on the college, your application fees might vary anywhere between $75 and $250.

Make sure that all the information provided in the application is accurate.

Do you need a GRE score for master's admissions?

Although GRE is not mandatory, taking a GRE, is highly recommended, especially if you are planning to do your masters. A good Gre score increases your chances of getting accepted, as it makes it easier for universities to distinguish you among the thousands of other applicants.

Are international students allowed to do part-time jobs during their graduate studies in Canada?

Yes, international students on a Canadian student visa can earn while they learn by doing part-time jobs. They are permitted to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week, with an average pay of $10 per hour. Students who are enrolled in time-demanding courses are recommended to work only for 12 hours per week or less.

What are the most popular accommodation options for international students in Canada?

Accommodation Options	Details
Dormitories	Dormitories are usually located on-campus or near the campus. They typically have a shared kitchen, bathrooms, gym, and entertainment unit with one/more students in a single bedroom. It is an excellent choice for freshers.
Townhouses	Although the facilities at the townhouse are similar to dormitories, it has three to six separate bedrooms that is occupied by each occupant living there.
Off-Campus Shared Apartment or Condominium	This type of accommodation is perfect for international students who want to live independently. Canadian universities usually assist themselves or refer you to trusted agencies to help you find off-campus housing The rental cost for such accommodation varies depending on the location.
Host Family	Students who want to enjoy the pleasures of home but also want to live indepently can chose to stay with a Canadian host family
Apartment Rentals	They are generally of two types, furnished or unfurnished, depending on the owner. Students who want to live a private and independent life can choose this option.

The most popular website for accommodation are Flatmates, Gumtree and Airbnb.

What is a study permit?

The most important document you need before arriving in Canada as an international student is a study permit.

You require a study permit if you are going to study in Canada for more than six months.

One must apply for a study permit as soon as you get an acceptance letter from the designated learning institution. A designated learning institution (DLI) is a school approved by the territorial or provincial government to host international students.

How to apply for a study permit?

There are two ways of applying

Online

By visiting a visa application centre in your country

It is better to apply for a study permit as soon as you get the letter of acceptance from a Canadian college or university as it may take up to three months to obtain a study permit, depending upon the country you are applying from.

Make sure you have a valid passport, proof of financial support before you enter Canada.

Is Canada good at research and development?

Canada has massive research opportunities for graduate and post-graduate programs. According to a certain survey, canada holds the record for the highest percentage for top-cited scientists and researchers around the world. Canadian universities are well-known for their research in telecommunications, medicine, agriculture, environment, engineering, and science.

So, what should one do after completing a master?

The Canadian government considers young International graduate students as ideal permanent residents, and therefore the chance of getting a post-graduate work permit is higher for students after graduating.

Canada has a massive demand for jobs like Software Engineer or Designer, Registered Nurse, Aerospace Engineer, Aircraft Pilot, Pharmacist, Psychologist, Electrical engineer, Human resources manager, and Project manager.

What are the types of work permits available in Canada?

You need a work permit to work in Canada after you graduate. The work experience may make you eligible for permanent residence.

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP): Graduates of certain designated learning institutions are qualified for this work permit. You need to ensure if the university you are applying for is a designated learning institution.

Other types of work permit

Open work permits: This type of work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada except for the ones listed as ineligible.

Employer specific work-permits: An employer-specific work permit allows you to work based on the conditions of the work permit – name of the employer, duration of work, location where you can work.

The initial average salary for most international graduate students is around $28,000, which increases with the number of years of work experience.

How to look for a job after graduation?

Some effective ways of job hunting

Visit the Job Bank: The government of Canada has an online tool called Job Bank which lists more than 100,000 jobs across Canada. You can create your profile and search for suitable jobs.

Sign up with a recruitment agency: You can sign up with a recruitment agency to find work in a field that works best for you.

What are the health insurance requirements for international students in Canada?

Some provinces and territories offer free health insurance to international students after a certain period of residency in Canada. In such cases, you will have access to doctors and hospitals in that province or territory. But this type of health insurance does not cover dentists, physiotherapy or chiropractors.

In parts of the country where there is no free health insurance coverage, you will need to buy a private medical insurance.