Canada

Canada is the second-largest country in the World. Highest Industrialized Countries in the world. Canada has ranked 35th in population with 35 million people in the country.

• You must be accepted by a designated learning institute in Canada
• You must have sufficient funds to manage your tuition fees and other dwelling expenses
• You must not be involved in any kind of criminal activity
• You must be free from health hazards

High-quality Education

The education system of Canada is a remark of excellence. Canada is home to more than 25 world-renowned universities contributing to educate the youths in the right direction and take the world to new heights of success.

Affordability

Yes, you require funds to study abroad, however, when it comes to affordability Canada leads the list of top overseas student destinations. You can find a huge difference in both the tuition fees as well as living costs when you compare Canada with other optimal choices (such as the USA, UK, and Australia).

Secure Living Environment

Canada is one of the most peaceful countries in the world with a significantly lowered crime rate. Hence the country is ideal to leverage a secure living environment which is, of course, the topmost concern for the students leaving their family, friends, and home country and planning to route to a completely new place.

Great Immigration Possibilities

The Canadian government encourages skilled youths to stay back and work in the country (via short-term work permits) after they complete their study. Hence, the students have a great chance to gain some valuable overseas work experience. Also, the immigration possibilities are higher for talented professionals through the express entry and provincial nomination programs.

Employment of Freedom While Studying

Canadian student visa gives you the freedom to work during your studies (only for restricted hours). Hence it becomes easier for you to manage your livelihood and other primary expenses while you study in Canada.

An Excellent Nature, Technology, and Cultural Mix

Canada is a great blend of high-end technology, nature, and a bilingual environment. The facilities like telecommunication, digital media, and aeronautical engineering hold a strong presence in the boundaries of Canada. Also, the bilingual environment (particularly English and French) is ideal to enhance the language skills required to get ready for the international job market.

Superb Standard of Living

The major cities of Canada like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal hold a strong position in the list of the world’s top 50 student cities. Whether we talk about affordability, security, or employment opportunities, the cities are just perfect to go with.

Wide Range of Available Courses

The Canadian universities offer an outstanding range of courses in a variety of fields. The youths can easily choose a course based on their interest and career preferences without the need to make compromises.

A Degree Valued Across the Globe

A degree obtained from a Canadian university is appreciated all over the world. You can easily get your desired job in any of your dream countries if you hold the degree from a reputable Canadian university.

Canada Student Visa Processing Time

The processing time may vary from application to application, however, the general processing time for a Canadian student visa ranges from two to three months.

Young people and their parents respectively want to invest in their education in the best way possible. This is why they are searching for better schools and universities even if they are in a different country. Millions of students study abroad globally and Canada is one of the best places for that. The country’s high rank in this classification has a lot to do with the variety of courses, their reasonable fees, and Canada’s education system. Canada’s universities have great campuses that are equipped with high-end technology and other niceties for scientific work. This is greatly appreciated by the employers because they receive individuals that are ready for work.

Canada Qualification Framework

The education system in Canada differs from state to state. Generally, the system constitutes four different levels namely,

• Pre-elementary/Kindergarten
• Primary
• Secondary
• Post-secondary

Pre-elementary/Kindergarten

Pre-elementary is the beginning stage of education for Canadian children. The students of age 4 to 5 years fall under this category. Pre-elementary education is not mandatory in all provinces of Canada, however, the provinces like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia strongly encourage the accomplishment of pre-elementary education before children move to the next level (elementary).

Primary

Primary/elementary education (from grade 1 to grade 6) is compulsory for all children and starts at the age of 6-7. The education runs up to the age of 13-14.

Secondary

Secondary education can be further subdivided into two levels- junior high school (grade 7 and 8) and high school (grade 9 to grade 12). As per Canadian law, a student must stay in high school until the age of 16 years.

Post-secondary

The level starts after a student has completed secondary education. There are many high-class colleges and universities in Canada from which students can complete their post-secondary education. The education system in Canada associates many different qualification types at the post-secondary level which can be better understood with the help of the below table

Canada is home to many excellent universities making the country a classic choice to study abroad. The universities not just hold a remarkable local ranking but are admired globally too. A few of the top universities to study in Canada are given below –

Canadian universities offer an enormous range of courses at both undergraduate as well as post-graduate levels. With the presence of this huge variety of programs, it becomes easy for the youths to select a program as per their desire and enthusiasm. The top courses to study in Canada for easy attainment of an employment offer are

• Computer Science and IT
• Business and Finance
• Engineering
• Agricultural Science and Forestry
• Medicine and Healthcare
• Media and Journalism

Computer Science and IT

Talented IT professionals are and will be in demand across all parts of the world. Canadian universities are well-known for organizing many prominent computer sciences and IT programs for international students. A few of them are

• B.Sc. in Computer Science (Honours)
• M.Sc. in Computer Science and Statistical Machine Learning
• B.Sc. in Data Science (Honours)
• B.Sc. in Computer Science

The leading job roles in the field are Project Manager, Web Developer, Software Engineer, and Program Analyst.

Business and Finance

Business and finance are the bedrock of a nation’s economy. Training in the field helps you to learn how the financial system works. The Canadian universities offer a huge range of courses in the field including

• BBA in Finance
• Master’s in Accounting
• MBA in Finance
• B.Com (Hons.) in Finance
• Master’s in Financial Risk Management

Engineering

Engineering is one of the top preferences for international students who seek to obtain a degree from Canada. The top-rated engineering programs offered by Canadian universities to international students include

• Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering
• Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering
• Master in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
• Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Agricultural Science and Forestry

Agricultural science and forestry is an ideal field for students who are endeavoring a career in a non-technical field. The best programs in the field for international students include

• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
• Master of International Forestry
• Bachelor of Forest Management and Environment
• Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
• Master of Sustainable Forest Management

Medicine and Healthcare

Medicine and healthcare are ever-lasting fields that will sustain as long as human life exists. Canada offers many healthcare and medicine programs to international students including

• Doctor of Medicine
• Master in Biomedical Informatics
• M.Sc. in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology
• Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Media and Journalism

The media and journalism have seen a significant hike in recent times, especially after the rise of the internet. Consequently, the need for skilled professionals in the domain is also growing day by day. Some of the eminent media and journalism courses available in Canada are

• Bachelors in Interactive Media Design
• B.A. in Communication and Media Studies
• B.A. in Digital Media and Journalism
• Master of Journalism
• B.A. in Media Production

Secure career options in the field include Marketing, Advertising, Graphic Design, Social Media PR, UI/UX Design, Visual Effects and Animation, and Digital Media Creation. Above is the list of the most recommended courses to pursue in Canada for international students. The other ideal options are,

• Psychology
• Human Resource
• Hospitality
• MBA

Of course, Canada is a craved destination for many international students aspiring to study abroad. However, the dream does not come true for all due to the lack of sufficient funds. Luckily, many scholarship options are provided by the Canadian government, institutes, and universities to help economically unstable students to manage funds for their studies. However, a student must meet the required eligibility criteria to take advantage of the same. The most striking scholarship options available in Canada are as under

Post-study work options in Canada

The Canadian government allows you to stay back in the country and get valuable employment experience after you complete your degree. The prerequisite is – you must acquire a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to work for any Canadian employer.

The maximum validity of a PGWP is three years. To obtain a PGWP, you must satisfy a specific set of eligibility criteria which says –

• You must complete an academic, vocational, or professional training program from a Designated Learning Institute in Canada, and the duration of the course must be at least eight months
• You must hold full-time student status in all the academic sessions of the underlying study program
• You must hold an official letter from the DLI saying that you have satisfied all the requirements needed to complete the study program

Duration of PSW

The PSW duration usually depends on the length of the course you pursue. An eight months course can get you a Post Study Work Permit of eight months. Similarly, the courses involving a long duration of two years (such as master’s or some Post Graduate or undergraduate programs) can avail you of a Post Study Work Permit of up to 3 years.

Alternatives to a post-study work permit :

Open work permit

An open work permit is the other route that gives you the chance to stay and work in Canada in case you do not qualify for a post-study work permit. There is a specific set of eligibility criteria associated with an open work permit as well that you must satisfy to acquire an open work permit successfully. The criteria include but are not limited to the following points

• You must be a student who does not have the funds to manage your studies.
• You must hold temporary residence in Canada.
• You must graduate from a Designated Learning Institute in Canada.
• You must have applied for Canadian PR.

Employer-specific work permit

This is another type of work permit that allows you to reside and work in Canada post your studies but under strict work conditions. You can only work for a specific employer and have to provide the duration of work beforehand you join the employment. Also, details about the employment location are required to be given.

Work rights for international students

An excellent benefit of choosing Canada to study abroad is – the Canadian government gives international students the freedom to work (part-time) during their studies. The cash earned from part-time employment serves as a great help to manage livelihood and other obvious expenses while studying. The allowed work duration is 20 hours per week which can be extended during holidays and breaks.

To leverage the work rights offered by a Canadian student visa, you must be a full-time student in a Designated learning institute in Canada. The visa permits both off-campus as well as on-campus employment to the visa holders. Off-campus employment refers to joining employment outside of the university or college. If you work for the university or college where you study, that comes under on-campus employment.

It is important to note here that your forthcoming employment plans do not affect the financial status you have to demonstrate while applying for the Canada student visa. It means you are still required to prove your financial stability to gain your visa successfully. Also, the employer cannot be started before the commencement of the study program you are enrolled in.

Expense :

Taking admission to a Canadian university requires financial planning. In addition to managing your tuition fees, you have to handle other prominent expenses too. This includes accommodation, stationery, medical insurance, transportation, food, etc. Your cost of living in Canada depends on many factors and can vary based on the city where you live, the institute or university you choose, and so on.

Below is given a breakdown of prime expenditures you are likely to manage while studying in Canada.

• Cost of Studying in Canada
• Tuition Fees
• Other Expenditures
• Cost of Living in Canada

Cost of Studying in Canada

Undoubtedly, you need a huge amount of money to study overseas, however, Canada is considered an affordable option as compared to its counterparts (like the US and UK). Below is given a summary of the cost associated to study in Canada.

In addition to the above costs, you are required to manage other expenses such as health insurance, flight tickets, etc. Hence, the total cost to study can be assumed to be around 14 lakhs to 30 lakhs.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees largely depend on the type of qualification you pursue and the institution you choose. The general tuition fees to study in a Canadian institute/university lies between CAD 13,000 and CAD 35,000 per year.

The cost may also vary depending on your selected course and the level of your desired qualification. The average costs for the same can be seen as under

Other Expenditures

The list of other important expenses and their average annual cost can be seen in the below table

Earning :

Depending on their eligibility, many international students have the privilege to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while they study in Canada. The main industries offering part-time work to international students include

• Hospitality
• Travel
• Tourism
• Foodservice
• Sales and telemarketing
• Retail

Cost of Living in Canada

The cost of living is an important factor making Canada an ideal place to study abroad. Canada’s cost of living is significantly lower than the other options such as UK and USA. However, slight differences in the incomes, as well as expenses, can be observed based on the city, province, and industry sector you choose. For example, Ottawa can be seen as the most economical place to live in Canada whereas Toronto is the most high-priced option.

Earning options

Depending on their eligibility, many international students have the privilege to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while they study in Canada. The main industries offering part-time work to international students include

• Hospitality
• Travel
• Tourism
• Foodservice
• Sales and telemarketing
• Retail

The employment experience you gain this way holds great importance while you apply for Canada PR. Also, the earnings you make can support you to manage your living expenses in the country. While working part-time, the students are paid based on hours. Although the salary varies from city to city and the job role you choose, the average hourly rate for almost all job roles is around $10. The approximate part-time work salary for different job roles can be seen in the below table

Work Rights for International Students

An excellent benefit of choosing Canada to study abroad is – the Canadian government gives international students the freedom to work (part-time) during their studies. The cash earned from part-time employment serves as a great help to manage livelihood and other obvious expenses while studying in Canada. The allowed work duration is 20 hours per week which can be extended during holidays and breaks.