Study in Canada
The quality of education and living standards in Canada are the highest in the world, but the cost of living and tuition fees for international students are generally lower than in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Canada plays host to more than 180,000 International students in any given year. A Degree/Diploma from a Canadian Institute is recognized world wide. International students who graduate from Canadian Institutions enjoy successful and prosperous careers.
Education systems
There are a number of organizations in Canada that promote quality and the use of high academic standards in post-secondary programs such as the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and the Association of Accrediting Agencies of Canada (AAAC). Higher education degrees from Canada are accepted and respected worldwide.
Canada is a federation of ten provinces and three territories. Under the Canadian constitution, provincial governments have exclusive responsibility of all levels of education. There is no ministry or department of education at the federal level.
Canada’s three territories, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, do not have the same constitutional status as the provinces, but with respect to education, the federal government has delegated this responsibility to the territorial governments, which, in turn, cooperate with the provinces to deliver post secondary programs.
At the post-secondary level, Canada offers a range of education institutions:
• University
• University Colleges
• Community Colleges
• Career Colleges or Technical Institutes
Canada also has the highest ranking cities in North America for living according to the Mercer Human Resource Consulting Worldwide Quality of Living Survey 2007. This ranking is based on two important criteria of safety and stability. Five Canadian cities ranked within the Top 25 cities in North America include Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Calgary.
EDUCATION COST • Diploma & Advanced Diploma Courses cost range from CAD$11,000 – CAD$13,000 per year depending on the course.*
• Bachelor’s Degrees cost range from CAD$13,000 – CAd$19,000 per year for most under-graduate degrees*
• Post-graduate Degrees cost ranges from CAD$12,000 and ranges up to CAD$22,000*
* Fees given are of informative nature may vary from university to university
Courses and Universities Students seeking short-term training programs in multimedia, film studies, computer/internet studies, graphic design and hospitality and the like apply to career colleges. The emphasis at these institutions is on practical skills and some may specialize in specific areas such as business, computers and secretarial skills. Career colleges have highly competitive fee structures.
University colleges combine Canadian university and college traditions, with a strong base of applied and academic programs offered in campus environments. University colleges offer students a wide range of program choices of either academically-oriented university degree programs or the more practically-oriented college diplomas and certificates.
As part of the Canadian college system, university colleges are distinguished by their strong student support services, small classes and strong campus environment. They also may offer combined degree/diploma programs and university transfer programs.
Eligibility Test Requirements
Admission and application procedure • All students must have the required English language proficiency with regards to the course.
• Documents like Covering Letter, Application Fees, Application Form, Statement of Purpose, Essays, Resume, Transcripts, Mark sheets & Cert., Bank Statement, Affidavit of Financial Statements, Test Score Report
• Choose your college and course then meet your education counselor to start the visa application process.
Visa Process The Canadian student visa is often referred to as a study permit. To apply for a study permit, you’ll need a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Under Canadian rules, only DLIs are eligible to accept international students. You have the option of lodging your Canadian visa application through the link available at the CIC website
Scholarships
Some Canadian institutions offer scholarships to students with exceptional academics. The amount and type of award depends upon the institution. Canadian scholarships are very competitive and all applications must be made directly with the institution.
Work opportunities
International students graduating from a program of 2 years or more in length would be eligible for a 3 year work permit after graduation with no restrictions on the types of employment and no requirement for a job offer. The experience gained would provide them an opportunity to work in an international setting and at the same time allow them to earn the money invested. Students who study a one year program are eligible for a one year Work Permit.
Exceptions to the general rule • There are few universities which accept 3 year degree students for Masters programs like MBA, MSCS etc.
• There are number of programs and good universities in which you can get admission with your GRE/GMAT or SAT
• There are ‘Pathway’ programs which give you conditional admissions to Tier 1 universities with comparatively low academics and test scores.
TEST REQUIREMENTS • TOEFL or IELTS scores as a proof of English proficiency. Depending upon the institution, the score requirements may vary between 80-100 for TOEFL and 6.0 – 7.0 bands in IELTS.
• For MBA admission a good score in GMAT is required.
INTAKE • Jan /May /September
WORK RIGHTS & STAY BACK POST STUDY
• Part time work right : Off campus 20 hours per week
• 40 Hours per week during vacation. No limit for on campus work
• up to 3 years stay back for ( 2 years study )or equal to the course duration if it is less than 2 years
CANADIAN HIGHER EDUCATION Higher education in Canada is truly world class catering to the changing trends of the global job market. Courses in Canada are highly industry oriented, making candidates passing out highly employable. Government funded colleges in Canada offer programs under the Student Partnership Program (SPP) category, a partnership between the Canadian visa offices in India and Association of Canadian Community Colleges. This program allows Indian student to get student visa for Canada very quickly with minimal documentation, though it is not that easy to get a part time job in Canada, a highly persevering and hardworking Indian student with a mindset to do any type of work initially might not find it difficult to get one. And on completion of their studies also get Canada work permit. Opportunities for internships in Canada are available to industrious students who show exemplary performance in their studies.
HOT PROGRAMS ON OFFER • Engineering
• Information technology
• Business management
• Pharmacy technician
• Hospitality management
GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Though admission process and requirements vary from institution to institution in Canada, there are some general procedures and requirements to get admission in Canadian Universities or Colleges.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDY Though the criteria depends on the institution one chooses, For gaining admission into undergraduate level courses in Canada , student must have completed twelve years of academic education, but for postgraduate level it is sixteen years. All applicants for undergraduate programs must submit:
• A completed application form;
• An official high school transcript (or attested copy) (if applicable);
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (if any);
• A detailed chronological resume to demonstrate educational achievements, work experience, progression, community involvement, volunteer experience, and other related experience;
• A Letter of Intent (LOI) that clearly explains why the applicant is applying and outlines the student’s academic intentions.
• Documentation confirming their high school completion was awarded, if not already indicated on official transcripts
POST GRADUATE STUDY An undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA ( of 3.0/4.0 or its international equivalent depending on your subject area, a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score can also be necessary in certain cases depending on the institution you seek admission to.
IELTS is most widely recognized and accepted English proficiency test in Canada, some colleges and universities also accept TOEFL. The score that you must obtain in these language tests vary from institution to institution and course of study.
STUDY LOAN FOR CANADA Students who are on the lookout for an education loan for Canada study can get his/her loan sanctioned at an expedited pace, provided all documents required for its processing is submitted in advance. It would be advisable to contact a bank near to your residence so that the process would be speedy and that you will have ample time to do regular follow up so that your education loan for Canada will be ready by the time the intake process starts.
Documents Required while applying for overseas education loan in India • Letter of admission
• Completely filled in Loan Application Form
• 2 passport size photographs
• Statement of cost of study
• PAN Card of the student and Parent/ Guardian
• AADHAR Card of the student and Parent/ Guardian
• Proof of identity (Driving Licence/Passport/ Aadhar/ any photo identity)
• Proof of residence (Driving Licence /Passport/Electricity bill/Telephone bill)
• Student/Co-borrower/ guarantor’s bank account statement for last 6 months
• IT return/ IT assessment order, of previous 2 years of Parent/ Guardian/ other co-borrower (if IT Payee)
• Brief statement of assets & liabilities of Parent/ Guardian/ other co-borrower
• Proof of income (i.e. salary slips/ Form 16) Parent/ Guardian/ other co-borrower
WORK WHILE STUDYING IN CANADA While being a student it is possible for you to do part time jobs in Canada to meet your living expenses though you must be realistic in what you can earn while doing your studies. In most cases, you will need to apply for a student work permit. Working in Canada can go a long way acclimatizing you with the business environment building right contacts which can come handy in securing your dream job
• On campus work in Canada
A full-time student at a public post-secondary institution, such as a college or university or a full-time student at a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution, and receives at least 50 percent of its financing for its overall operations from government may work on campus. You will have to submit a filled in application form to then Financial Aid Office at your campus, along with your resume and timetable.
• Off Campus work in Canada
An international student can work off campus if /she has a work permit. The work permit authorizes you to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks (for example, winter and summer holidays, and spring break).
