For international students, studying in Canada is a fantastic opportunity. Students opt to study in Canada for a variety of reasons, including the greatest institutions and colleges, high-quality education, the ability to work and study or even immigrate after graduation, low tuition rates, and a welcoming environment.
We’ll talk about how much it costs to study in Canada and how to pay for it in this blog post. We’ll also go over the requirements for studying in Canada as well as how to apply. Finally, we’ll go over how to apply for a student visa to enter Canada.
International students opt to study in Canada for a variety of reasons. The following are a few of the most important reasons:
- The quality of education is among the best in the world and universities and colleges rank highly on global rankings.
- Tuition costs are less expensive than in other countries like the United States or the United Kingdom.
- For students who desire to earn Canadian job experience, the ability to work and study is a huge benefit; this work experience eventually contributes toward the criterion for becoming a permanent resident.
- Canada is a hospitable nation with a rich cultural diversity. Living in Canada gives students a sense of security and familiarity.
- If they match the qualifications, international students can apply for immigration to Canada under the Express Entry program after graduation.
The population of International students in Canada
Hundreds of thousands of international students from over 190 countries study in Canada. During the 2019-2020 academic year, Canada has at least 650,000 international students enrolled in schools across the country.
India, China, Vietnam, France, South Korea, and Iran are the top five nations sending international students to Canada. According to current data, India has the most international students in Canada, with 180, 275 students in 2020.
Cost of studying in Canada
In Canada, the cost of education varies depending on the institution and curriculum. Living expenditures, course materials, health insurance (in some provinces), and transportation are also things to consider.
International students contributed more than $21 billion to the Canadian economy in a single year, according to research from the Canadian Bureau for International Education titled “International Students Are An Economic Engine For Canada” (2018). In 2021-2022, this figure is predicted to have more than doubled.
Undergraduate tuition prices range from $12,000 to $30,000 per year, while graduate tuition can cost up to $18,000 per year. British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec have the highest tuition fees, with Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal being the most expensive cities for international students.
Cheapest Universities in Canada
In Canada, there are a number of universities with lower tuition fees. The following are the cheapest universities in Canada:
- Brandon University – Annual tuition ranges from $4000 to $8000.
- Concordia University College of Alberta – Annual tuition prices varies between $2000 and $6000.
- the Memorial University of Newfoundland – Annual tuition prices ranges between $4000 and $8000.
- The University of Manitoba – Annual tuition rates ranges between $5000 and $10000.
- Athabasca University — Annual tuition varies between $3000 and 7000 dollars. Students can also choose to learn at their own speed.
- The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has annual tuition costs ranging from $4000 to $6000.
- Thompson Rivers University – Annual tuition ranges from $4000 to 7000 dollars (international student).
- Laurentian University – Annual tuition prices range from $5000 to 7000 dollars.
- Cape Breton University – Annual tuition prices range between $6000 and $8000.
Cheapest Colleges in Canada
- Bow Valley College – Annual tuition rates range between $5000 and 7000 dollars (international students).
- Red River College – Annual tuition rates range between $6000 and 8000 dollars (international students).
- Vancouver Community College – Annual tuition prices range between $4000 and $6000. (international students).
- Niagara College – Annual tuition ranges from $6000 to $8000. (Canadian citizens and permanent residents).
- Sheridan College — Annual tuition ranges from $7500 to $11,000.
- George Brown College – Annual tuition prices range from $8000 to $15,000 at George Brown College (international students).
- Selkirk College – Annual tuition rates range between $4000 and 7000 dollars (domestic and international students).
Obtaining funding for your studies in Canada
International students can pay for their studies in Canada in a variety of ways. The following are the top five funding options for international students in Canada:
- International student scholarships – usually provided by the government of the student’s home country, the government of Canada, schools, non-profit and private organizations, and occasionally individuals.
- Student loans – Student loans may be available to both Canadian and international students.
- During the summer and other academic breaks, work-study programs, part-time jobs, or full-time positions are available (if you have a valid work permit).
- Private sponsorships from Canadian corporations or organizations cover all of your tuition and living expenses while you are studying there.
- Canadian relatives — Some students may be able to receive financial assistance from relatives who live in Canada.
Requirements to study in Canada
International students must meet certain prerequisites in order to apply for admission, including:
i. Meet the entrance requirements of the institution to which you wish to apply – minimal grades and language proficiency (IELTS, CELPIP, or TOEFL, depending on the school’s preference).
ii. Proof of sufficient means to cover tuition and living expenses – you must demonstrate that you have the funds to pay for your education and to live in Canada.
iii. Passport, visa (if applicable), medical examination, and police character certification (PCC).
iv. A letter of acceptance from a Canadian institution or school.
5 Steps to study in Canada
International students must complete numerous processes in order to apply for admission to Canada, including:
1. Find the right school
Find and apply to a Canadian institution or college depending on your academic interests, career ambitions, financial constraints, and country of origin. Tuition rates vary depending on the course of study (depends on whether it is undergraduate, graduate or doctoral levels).
You can use the Government of Canada’s Find a Designated Learning Institution tool to locate a school in Canada. You can use the tool to look for schools and programs, as well as check costs and admission requirements based on your country of origin.
The Government of Canada also maintains an online database of all Canadian institutions and colleges that provide English and French language programs.
You can also hire an educational agent to help overseas students find their ideal school based on their academic interests, career goals, financial constraints, and home country.
2. Check admission requirements
The next step is to look into the entrance requirements for the institution you’d like to attend. Each institution has its own set of requirements, so be sure you meet all of them before applying.
3. Gather the required documents
Gather and prepare all of the relevant documentation for your application once you’ve met the school’s admission standards. This could involve the following:
– A photocopied copy of your passport;
– Evidence of financial resources (bank statements, scholarship letters, etc. );
– The results of language competence tests (IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL);
– A letter of admission from a school or institution in Canada; and
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
4. Apply for admission
Complete and submit your application online once you’ve acquired all of the required documentation. To avoid any mistakes, double-check your application before submitting it.
You may also be requested to participate in a virtual interview with a representative from a Canadian school or institution, however, this is uncommon.
Depending on the school, a decision on your admission status can take anywhere from a few weeks to many months after you submit your application.
5. Apply for a student permit if admitted
You will need to apply for a student permit and a study visa if you are accepted to a Canadian school or institution.
You can stay in Canada and study full-time at an accredited post-secondary educational institution with a student permit. The study visa, on the other hand, is a document that Canadian visa authorities stamp in your passport.
How to apply for a visa to study in Canada
International students must first get a student visa in order to study in Canada. A student visa is not difficult to get, but it does necessitate some paperwork and planning.
You’ll need your passport, proof of admission from a Canadian institution, financial documents demonstrating that you can afford to study and live in Canada, and a letter explaining why you wish to study in Canada.
An essential document for acquiring your student visa is the acceptance letter from the Canadian institution. When applying for admission to a Canadian institution or college, make sure to get an electronic copy of your acceptance letter, which you can readily download from their website. This will make applying for your student visa much easier.
The following are the steps that you need to take in order to obtain a Canadian student visa:
- Gather all the required documents
- Pay the application fee
- Submit your application
- Wait for a decision on your application
After your student visa has been accepted, you can book flights and make travel plans to Canada. If required, IRCC may reject your student visa application or request additional information.
With a few exceptions, such as studying English or French for a short period of time (six months), completing an exchange program (one year), or engaging in research projects, your student visa is valid for the duration of your studies.
You must apply for an extension if you wish to stay longer than your student visa allows. You’ll need a letter from the school confirming that you’re still enrolled and in good standing, as well as proof of money demonstrating that you’ll be able to support yourself during this period.
A student visa for Canada (or an extension) costs C$150. The application procedure takes four to six weeks on average, but it can take longer during busy times.
