Canada is one of the few developed countries in the world that still offers a relatively easy route to immigration compared to many others. Because of this, Canada is becoming a very popular place for overseas students to study. In major population centers the lifestyle is very similar to the US, but the cost of living is generally cheaper. Several of the best universities in Canada such as McGill and University of Toronto enjoy excellent world reputations.

 

Canada is the second largest country in the world and it has vast areas of unspoilt wilderness. Canadian summers are pleasant and not too hot, and winters are long and cold. You will see plenty of snow! Canada and Canadians enjoy a great reputation, with Canada regularly appearing in the top 5 in the annual RepTrak “Most Reputable Countries” survey.

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General Information

 

Students who wish to continue their education in Canada have several options to choose from which include diplomas, degrees, and short-term certificate courses. As well as universities and colleges, Canada also has community colleges and technical institutes that offer a wide variety of professional programs of between 1 and 3 years duration, including a work term. Some community colleges offer university transfer programs that allows students to take courses similar to those offered in the first two years of a four-year university program.

 

Unusually amongst developed countries, overseas students in Canada get a work permit equal to the time they have studied. For example, if you study in Canada for 3 years you will be granted a 3-year work permit. 3-years is the maximum duration you can get a student work permit for in Canada after completing your course after which you can apply for a work visa. The Canadian visa process is rather lengthy and has very specific requirements so it’s best to get professional advice on when and how to navigate the system.

 

 

The Application Process

 

The application process will include key items such as your candidate personal statement, reference letters from tutors or employers, and details of your attainment test scores and any additional aptitude test you’ve undertaken. A good overseas education consultant will be able to guide you as to what to include in your application and how to best present yourself to maximise your chances of successfully navigating the admissions process.

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How much will it cost?

 

Average tuition fees for students traveling from abroad are about CAN $8,000 - CAN $15,000 per year and average living expenses are about CAN $5,500 - CAN $8,000 per year. Fees for students do vary from institution to institution, and some programs such as MBA or other advanced study will have higher charges associated.

 

 

Funding, Scholarships and Loans

 

Scholarships, grants, and bursaries are available for qualifying international students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. Your success in being granted funding in this way depends on the quality of your funding application and the calibre of your academic application. Make sure you get advice on how to present yourself in the best light to maximise your chances of receiving funding.

 

Graduate students are eligible to apply for Graduate Assistantships (this is a research or teaching assistantship) where you can work in the department whilst studying. These awards offer a full tuition waiver and also provide a monthly stipend to cover living expenses. They are much sought after and a strong application greatly increases your chance of success.

 

You also have the option of applying for an education loans from Indian state banks for up to Rs.2.5 Million. You need to aware of the full terms and conditions, and note that security of up to 100% of the loan amount will be needed. You will be committing to repayments for 5-7 years. Make sure you have taken sound advice on the right path to take before entering into a long-term financial commitment to fund your chosen route.

 

 

Student Employment
 

Students who study in Canada are entitled to a work permit equal to the duration of their study, with a maximum length of 3 years and minimum of 8 months. It’s important to factor this into your study plans, as if you are embarking on an advanced 5 year course, your work permit will cease at the end of the third year. Conversely if you wish to study in Canada for a short-form technical qualification that lasts 6 months, you will not qualify for any work permit at all. If you have any doubts, seek professional advice.

 

 

Permanent Resident 

 

If you have gained enough experience in Canada on Study permit, you can apply for permanent residency visa. Moreover, international students can also apply for citizenship in Canada, after spending a sufficient time in Canada. As per the recent announcement the Canadian federal government is also planning to provide relaxation to foreign students in the current citizenship program. This relaxation is likely to be given in terms of the time period required to stay in Canada.