Canada is one of the most preferred destinations for international students. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data for the year 2022, Canada saw 551,405 international students from 184 countries. Out of these, 1,83,310 students were Indian students. As of December 31, 2022, India ranked amongst the top 10 countries in terms of source nations for foreign students studying in Canada.

Every year, Canada welcomes hundreds of thousands of international students from around the globe. Some of the reasons to study in Canada include a high standard of living, flexible and quality education options, a diverse and inclusive environment, affordable education, and long-term return on investment. As per the U.S. News & World Report 2022, Canada ranks at 3rd place globally for the best quality of life. Let us look at an overview of studying in Canada for international students.

Many top-ranked universities of Canada have made it to the top 200 in the world according to the Times Higher Education and QS WUR rankings for 2024. With ample state-of-the-art education institutes present and affordable tuition fees, Canada has become a major study destination for international students who want to pursue higher education.

Top Reasons to Study in Canada

Some of the benefits of studying in Canada for international students include:

World-class universities: Canadian universities are ranked among the top universities in the world. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, a total of 9 Canadian universities are within the first 200 ranks. Whereas, in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Universities Rankings 2023, a total of 7 universities are in the 200 ranks.

Affordable education: Compared to the US and UK, the tuition fee in Canada is fairly cheaper. If we consider the return on investment, Canada is quite a viable option for Indian students. One can also apply for a range of Canadian scholarships to cut down the educational expenses.

Cultural diversity: There are very welcoming and warm people who come from varied ethnic groups with different cultures and lifestyles. This multicultural environment in Canada is one of the noteworthy factors that attract international students as it promotes friendliness and peaceful living like no other country. In Canada, there are more than 250 ethnic origins along with 200 languages from around the world and 70 indigenous languages spoken.

Lively and vibrant campus life: At Canadian universities, students can expect fests, events, and activities to be conducted throughout the year. This creates a lively and happy environment for all the students as it helps in making a network and meeting new people, whilst keeping the homesickness away.

Immigration opportunities: The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP Canada) in Canada shall allow students to stay there and get some work experience after the completion of graduation. The maximum length of a PGWP is three years.

Education System in Canada

As mentioned above, Canada is recognized for providing affordable education. The education system in Canada is managed by the provincial governments. The study levels and educational stages may vary across different clusters. Check the details for the same given below.

Qualification

Duration

Certificates and Diplomas

1-2 years

Associate Degree

2 years

Bachelor’s degree

3-4 years

Post-graduate diploma

1-2 years

Master’s degree

1-2 years

PhD or Doctorate

4-7 years

Post-doctoral program

No time limit

Admission Requirements to Study in Canada

The eligibility requirements to study in Canada will vary from course to course and from university to university. Some of the basic eligibility requirements are given below.

Academic transcripts

Standardized test scores - SAT

Standardized test scores - GMAT / GRE / LSAT

English language proficiency test scores: TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo / CAEL

Statement of Purpose

Essay

Letter of Recommendation

Copy of your valid passport

Proof of finances

Top Courses in Canada

Canada is the most popular destination for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Certificate / Diploma courses are also offered at Canadian universities. Given below is a list of the courses in Canada that remain high in demand.

Business Management

IT & Computer Science

Engineering

Health, Biosciences & Pharmacy

Media & Journalism

Agriculture Science

Architecture

Culinary Management

Hospitality Management

Top Cities Preferred by Students in Canada

Canada is home to some of the top-ranked universities in the world as per many global ranking providers. These universities are located in some of the popular cities like Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, etc. Many big and small cities are there for students to study in Canada. In addition, these cities offer a lifestyle similar to that of the U.S. and provide employment opportunities to students. Check the popular student cities in Canada below.

Montreal

Toronto

Vancouver

Ottawa

Quebec

Edmonton

Winnipeg

Calgary

Saskatoon

Scholarships to Study in Canada

At the time of deciding to study abroad, one thing that lingers generally in the minds of international students is the cost of studying. However, the tuition fee in Canada is less than in other developed countries like the U.S. and the U.K. There are some scholarships available for meritorious students who want to study in Canada. In order to avail of the scholarships to study in Canada, students need to have a track of good academics and extra-curricular achievements. Need-based scholarships are also available for students. Some of the Canada scholarships for Indian students are given below:

QS Undergraduate Scholarship: Maximum scholarship per student is USD 5,000

Jared J. Davis Grant: Maximum scholarship per student is USD 1,000

Hani Zeini Scholarship: The maximum scholarship amount per student is USD 1,000

University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship: Maximum scholarship amount per student is CAD 15,000

UBC Karen Mckellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award

Education Loan for Studying in Canada

Canada is the most preferred destination to study abroad by international students. The cost of studying in Canada entirely depends on the course, university, duration of the course, and the cost of living. Not everyone can afford to study and live in Canada. This is why various banks and financial institutions offer education loans to students who want to study in Canada.

Before applying for an educational loan to study in Canada, check the eligibility criteria in advance in order to get the loan approval. Note that different types of expenses are covered under different schemes, so check with the banks to know what expenses are covered in the loan scheme. Some of the expenses covered under the educational loan are:

Tuition fees

Travel expenses

Cost of buying books and other study material

Hostel fee

Laboratory fee

Purchase of laptop

Expenses for study tours or project tours

Part-time Work Options for International Students in Canada

On the Canadian student visa, students can work for 20 hours/week on a paid job, while studying. Generally, for part-time jobs in Canada, students are paid by hours. On average, the rate of pay is around $13-16 an hour.

However, recently, international students who are in Canada and who have off-campus work authorization on their study permit shall not be restricted by the rule of 20 hours per week. Generally, students can work full-time during school breaks.

Post-Study Work Permit in Canada

Obtaining a post-graduation work permit while studying in Canada depends a lot on the course and its duration. A work permit under the PGWP Canada is generally issued for the length of the study program. The maximum length of PGWP Canada is 3 years.

A post-graduation work permit in Canada allows students to stay there and gain some work experience after completing their graduation. In the long run, getting skilled Canadian work experience through PGWP allows graduates to qualify for PR in Canada within Express Entry.

Study in Canada FAQs

Q. How much does it cost to study in Canada?

A. The cost of studying in Canada can range from CAD 6,800 to CAD 112,500 per year depending on your course, university, and university campus. When it comes to the average cost of studying in Canada, it may range from CAD 12,000 to CAD 35,000. Living expenses in Canada range average around CAD 19,000 per year; however, these depend on your location, lifestyle, dietary habits, etc. Keep in mind that these prices represent averages and may change based on the institution and area. Furthermore, foreign students should be aware of additional charges such as application fees, health insurance, textbooks, and other costs.

Q. Is Canada cheap to study in?

A. Studying in Canada is more affordable than studying in other countries. In Canada, students can apply for scholarships and work opportunities in order to pay for their education. Many eligible international students are eligible to work during their studies and can get a post-graduation work permit after their studies. The tuition fee in Canada is generally lower than in colleges and universities in the UK, USA, and Australia.

Q. How can I go to study in Canada?

A. In order to go to study in Canada, you are first required to apply for a study permit before you come to Canada. To apply for a study permit, make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements. Apart from this, submit documents like proof of acceptance from the designated university, proof of identity, proof of financial support, etc.

Q. What are the top courses to study in Canada?

A. Some of the top courses to study in Canada are Engineering; Information Technology; Biosciences, Medical and Healthcare; MBA, Media & Journalism; Human Resources , etc. It should be noted that this is not a comprehensive list and that Canada offers a wide variety of additional courses and programmes. What course is suitable for you will depend on your interests, abilities, and professional objectives. On the websites of Canadian universities and colleges, you can get more details about certain programmes and courses.

Q. Which are the top universities in Canada?

A. Canada has many top-ranked universities, and here are some of the highest-ranked universities in Canada based on various global rankings: University of Toronto; University of British Columbia; McGill University; University of Alberta; University of Montreal; McMaster University; University of Waterloo; Western University; University of Calgary; and Queen's University. Please take note that the rankings are subject to change each year and are determined by the methods employed by the ranking organisation. Before making any judgements, it is crucial to do some study and comprehend the intricacies of each ranking. Students who are interested in studying in Canada can visit the websites of these universities to learn more about their programmes.