by IDP IELTS India 07 January, 2024 Home to almost half a million international students, Canada is known for providing the best education at affordable tuition costs. Along with globally recognised degrees, Canada boasts an exceptional quality of life and abundant opportunities for post-study work and immigration, making it among the popular study destinations for Indian students.
There are several benefits of studying in Canada, some of which are mentioned below:
To study in Canada, you must provide proof of proficiency in the English language. You must take an English language proficiency test such as IELTS. IELTS was the first test to be recognised by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Immigration Quebec as proof of English language proficiency for its immigration and citizenship programs. It is the preferred way for the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a study permit processing program for those who wish to study in Canada at a post-secondary designated learning institution.
For an SDS visa application:
Read more: Difference between SDS and Non-SDS visa for Canada
Below are some of the top courses that you can choose for studying in Canada:
Canada provides some of the best universities with courses such as engineering, IT, healthcare, agriculture, sports, management, accounting, economics, mining, petroleum, renewable energies or any other stream, and you will be able to find a relevant program in Canada. Below are the top 10 universities you can choose from to study in Canada:
| S.No. | Institution | QS Ranking 2024 (Globally) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Toronto | 21 |
| 2 | McGill University | 30 |
| 3 | University of British Columbia | 34 |
| 4 | University of Alberta | 111 |
| 5 | University of Waterloo | 112 |
| 6 | McMaster University | 152 |
| 7 | Western University | 114 |
| 8 | University of Montreal | 141 |
| 9 | University of Calgary | 182 |
| 10 | McMaster University | 189 |
Canadian universities and colleges offer scholarships to outstanding international students, helping them finance their education. Additionally, the Canadian government and various public and private institutions provide numerous scholarships, grants, and bursaries. Before applying for any of these opportunities, thoroughly reviewing the eligibility criteria and closing dates is crucial.
Below is a list of various scholarship programs customised for Indian students aspiring to study in Canada:
| S. No. | Name of the scholarship | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute | Offers various fellowships at different levels, from graduate to post-doctorate and from research to training fellowships |
| 2 | Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan | This scheme identifies students with high intellect from Commonwealth countries who are applying to programs of advanced study and research at the Master’s and PhD level |
| 3 | Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program | This scholarship is for graduate students in a wide variety of disciplines. |
| 4 | National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) | Research associateship is offered to master’s degree holders in engineering and Ph.D. holders in natural science or engineering disciplines |
| 5 | Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship | This scholarship is for students studying in Quebec. |
| 6 | Ontario Trillium Scholarship | First announced in November 2010 for doctoral students from around the world to study in Ontario |
| 7 | Partnership Grants by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada | This scholarship is for Ph.D. candidates. |
| 8 | Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships | This is offered by the Canadian government to international students to pursue postgraduate programs within natural science, social sciences, or healthcare research. |
| 9 | Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | This scholarship is awarded by the Canadian government to deserving students who aspire to pursue a doctoral degree at a Canadian institution. |
The amount you spend on tuition fees is determined by the type of qualification and institution you choose. To cover this, you will generally require approximately CAD 13,000 to CAD 35,000 annually.
Generally, humanities, education, and arts courses tend to be more affordable, whereas fields like medicine and engineering may incur higher expenses. For postgraduate studies, tuition fees are generally higher, with costs varying based on the specific program. Like many other countries, MBA programs are often the most costly, with an average range of CAD 30,000 to CAD 42,000.
| S.no. | Study program | Average annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Undergraduate Program | $13,000 to $20,000 |
| 2 | Postgraduate master's degree | $17,000 to $25,000 |
| 3 | Doctoral Degree | $7,000 to $15,000 |
| 4 | Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $30,000 to $40,000 |
It is important to familiarise yourself with the Canadian lifestyle and the cost of living in your chosen location. Quebec stands out as one of the most budget-friendly Canadian cities, offering a lower cost of living than others.
Additionally, when applying for your student permit, you must demonstrate to the Canadian government that you have sufficient funds to cover your finances.
When planning your budget, consider the following expenses:
Under the Canadian student visa, students can work up to 20 hours per week in a paid job while pursuing their studies. Part-time employment in Canada usually pays hourly, with an average rate ranging from $13 to $16 per hour.
Notably, recent changes have granted international students in Canada with off-campus work authorisation on their studies, permitting the flexibility to work beyond the 20-hour per week limit. Also, students can engage in full-time employment during school breaks.
Securing a post-graduation work permit during studies in Canada depends on the course and its duration. The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) in Canada is typically issued for the same duration as the study program, with a maximum validity of 3 years.
The PGWP provides an opportunity for students to remain in Canada and acquire valuable work experience after completing their graduation. From the broader perspective, gaining skilled Canadian work experience through PGWP positions graduates to qualify for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada through the Express Entry system.
Canada is one of the countries preferred by international students. There are many benefits of studying in Canada for Indian students, including affordable and high-quality education with various post-study job opportunities.
Furthermore, IELTS for Canada also plays an important role in the student visa application process. While a high IELTS band score can improve the chances of your visa approval, it is essential to recognise other factors that contribute to the overall assessment.
Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada introduced the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program to streamline and expedite the visa application process. This initiative accelerates the processing time and enhances overall efficiency and convenience. Under SDS, applicants can expect to receive their visas within 2-3 weeks. Furthermore, when an eligible student opts for SDS, it is highly probable that their application will be processed within 20 days of submission.
You must achieve a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 to study in Canada. However, if you are applying through the SDS system, you must achieve an overall band score of 6 in all skill sets.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an unrestricted work permit granted to international students upon completing their studies at a designated learning institution in Canada.
This permit provides an opportunity to acquire valuable work experience within the country, making individuals eligible for various federal and provincial immigration programs. Many programs stipulate that candidates must have qualifying Canadian work experience to meet their eligibility criteria.
The duration of the PGWP aligns with the length of the completed study program in Canada, ranging from a minimum of 8 months to a maximum of 3 years.
While cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa are well-known choices for studying in Canada, the optimal city selection depends on individual preferences and available programs.
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