Why study in Canada?

So you want to study in Canada, but you need just a few more facts before committing to the full experience? Here are a few of the many reasons why others have chosen Canada for their study abroad experience.

Qualifications valued around the world

Canada’s high academic standards and rigorous quality controls mean that you’ll be earning a high-quality education that will open doors for your future and benefit your career over the long term. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is globally recognized as being equivalent to those obtained from the United States or Commonwealth countries.

Canada’s high academic standards and rigorous quality controls mean that you’ll be earning a high-quality education that will open doors for your future and benefit your career over the long term. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is globally recognized as being equivalent to those obtained from the United States or Commonwealth countries.

Affordable education

The quality of education and living standards in Canada are amongst the highest in the world, but the cost of living and tuition fees for international students are generally lower than in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. As such, Canada is often the preferred choice for students attending college or university.

Multicultural society

With almost all of the world’s ethnic groups represented in Canada, it’s hard not to find ethnic foods and recreation activities associated with specific cultures. In fact, your international student advisor can help you get in touch with any number of ethnic clubs and associations for you to join while you’re here.

Healthy and safe communities

While you may have heard of or experienced Canadians’ friendly and open nature, you may not have known that the United Nations consistently ranks Canada as one of the best places in the world to live. As an international student in Canada, you’ll enjoy all of the same freedoms which protect Canadians – respect for human rights, equality, and a stable and peaceful society.

World-class language education

Did you know that Canada is a bilingual country and is considered a world leader in language training? Since teaching French and English as a first and second language is an integral part of a Canadian education, you will be able to improve your fluency and capacity for either language as you further your studies.

Exciting campus lifestyle

Canada’s post-secondary campuses aren’t only wired with the latest in sophisticated technology, but countless other modern amenities as well. From Olympic-quality sports facilities to public concert halls and art galleries, Canada’s post-secondary campuses offer you enormous possibilities for learning and leisure. Plus, you’ll have incredible opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and gain valuable experience through student-run governments, radio, newspapers and businesses.

Innovative and abundant research opportunities

Since research is one of the key components of a Canadian post-secondary education, you’ll have ample opportunity to become a part of this vibrant aspect of education. In Canada, government and industry together support research including: telecommunications, medicine, agriculture, computer technology, and environmental science.

Land of possibilities

Under Canada’s highly dynamic and hands-on academic environment, you will not only acquire knowledge and skills in analysis and communication, but you will also learn how to express yourself, demonstrate your creativity, and develop your self-confidence! Teachers and professors are always available and eager to help with lessons, and studies fuse academic excellence with interaction and collaboration in the classroom.

Possibility of immigration

Did you know that some international students with Canadian credentials and Canadian work experience may apply for permanent residency without having to leave Canada? For more information about the possibility of immigration to Canada once your schooling is complete, please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

Work and study in Canada

Gain valuable work experience and supplement your spending allowance with a student job.

While you must supply sufficient evidence that you can pay for your tuition and living expenses before you arrive in Canada, there are a number of opportunities for you and your spouse/common-law partner to work while you study in Canada.

Working in Canada can go a long way towards helping you establish business contacts for the future and can even help you immigrate after graduation.

Jobs for international students in Canada

On and off campus jobs

Find out if you’re eligible to work on campus or off campus without a work permit while completing your studies at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) website.

Co-op/Internship

If your studies in Canada include a co-op placement or internship as an essential part of your program, you may be eligible for a co-op/internship work permit.

Travel and work in Canada

Many young people come to Canada through International Experience Canada. Eligibility for IEC is based on specific agreements between Canada and other countries, which usually include three streams:

• Working Holiday: Travel and experience Canada while earning money to fund your holiday.
• Young Professional: Gain professional work experience in Canada and develop your career to compete the global economy. 
• International Co-op: You’re enrolled in post-secondary studies elsewhere but have a job offer for an internship or co-op placement in Canada to complete your post-secondary program. 

Internships and co-op programs

If you’re looking to gain valuable international work experience while you’re studying in Canada, a co-op or internship program might be right for you!

Many Canadian colleges and universities offer these work placement programs as a means of enhancing the curriculum with real world industry experience. Typically, students spend alternating semesters learning in the classroom and then applying that knowledge through on the job work in their field of study.

Co-op or internship programs are an excellent way to:

• Make supplementary money for each upcoming academic semester;
• Bolster your resume with work experience; and
• Gain invaluable business contacts.

Co-op and internship eligibility for international students

Find out if you’re eligible to work as a co-op student or intern at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.

Working after graduation

There are many options available to you once you have completed your studies in Canada. You may choose to:

• Return to your home country armed with a globally recognized degree or diploma and invaluable international work experience.
• Continue your studies in Canada for advanced credentials.
• Gain additional work experience in Canada.

Stay in Canada after graduation

Gaining valuable work experience in Canada after graduation can go a long way towards helping you permanently immigrate here. The following programs can help facilitate this process for eligible candidates:

Post-graduation work permit

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through Express Entry.

Learn more about the Post Graduate Work Permit at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.

Express Entry

Express Entry is the first step for most people who wish to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker. After you have studied and worked in Canada, complete an online profile to see if you have the education, skills, work experience and language ability to be accepted into the pool of candidates. The top candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence.

Learn more about Express Entry at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.  

Provincial Nominee Program

Almost all of Canada’s provinces and territories can nominate people to immigrate to Canada. These people have the skills, education and work experience they need to contribute to the economy of that province or territory.

Learn more about the Provincial Nominee Program at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.

Education opportunities

Are you looking for an unforgettable experience of a lifetime? Studying in Canada can be an exciting opportunity for you to experience life – and lessons! – beyond your front door. Learn from leading teachers in world-class modern facilities that inspire innovation, progress and forward thinking.

No matter what level of education you pursue, the cost of going to school in Canada is affordable and you’ll earn globally recognized qualifications that will set you on the path to career success. All of our classrooms reflect the diverse, multicultural society that is Canada. Why not experience it for yourself?

Levels of study

• Elementary and secondary education
• Language schools
• The college system
• Universities

Elementary and secondary education

Canada’s elementary and secondary schools follow a government curriculum and employ government certified teachers, ensuring a high level of quality and a focus on individual student needs. This successful environment is highly acclaimed as school students excel in science, reading, and mathematics: Canadian students have consistently been among the top 5 academic performers in the world and number 1 among English speaking countries according to the OECD PISA studies in reading, mathematics and science. Students may choose from public or private school options.

In addition to the high quality of teaching Canadian schools provide students with a nurturing environment through student services and pedagogical services such as; counselling, academic and professional advisers, community involvement, second language support, special needs learning, tutorial sessions and extracurricular activities.

The facts

• Elementary schools are grades 1 - 6.
• Secondary schools are grades 7 - 12 in most provinces, with the exception of Quebec where secondary school runs from grades 7 - 11.
• The school year runs from September - June.
• Canadian high school diplomas are recognized by colleges and universities worldwide.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) courses are available to support international students.
• Schools are the responsibility of the ministry or department of education in each province and territory.
• All schools must register with and meet the curriculum and graduation requirements set by the Ministry of Education for that province/territory.

Public schools

• Offer co-educational day programs.
• Home stay programs are available for international students.
• Tuition and home stay fees may be found on their respective websites or by contacting the school directly.

Private schools

• Independently funded.
• Co-educational, or boys only, or girls only.
• Smaller class sizes and lower teacher-student ratios.
• Full boarding or home stay programs available for international students.
• Annual fees for a boarding school education in Canada (including tuition, room and board) depend on the institution.

The legal status of private schools varies across Canada as each province or territory is responsible for the regulatory environment of schools in its jurisdiction.
NOTE: Most provinces and territories require private schools to be registered with their ministries of education, and must meet the curriculum and other standards set by their respective ministries; however, they may operate differently.
In Ontario, for example, private schools operate independently without any oversight by the Ministry of Education. However, if a private school wishes to offer credits toward a secondary school graduation diploma they are inspected to determine whether the standard of instruction in credit courses meets ministry requirements.

Language schools

• Private schools and colleges are dedicated to teaching English and French, often exclusively to international students and new immigrants.
• Specialized language training is also available in subject areas like: business English, academic preparation, industry-specific language training, etc.
• Tuition fees may be determined by visiting the websites of the schools of interest or contacting the schools directly.
• Homestays are also a popular option and vary in cost depending on the location. Check with a specific program to determine fees.

The college system

Colleges work very closely with business and industry to ensure that their programs are relevant to the changing workplace and to the needs of employers. Canadian college programs offer diverse options in the technical and professional fields including: business, agriculture and agri-food, health, social services, broadcasting and journalism, hospitality management, design, technology, sciences, information technology, engineering, environment, languages, and arts.
The facts

• Over 8,000 programs at over 135 publicly funded colleges, institutes, CEGEPs and polytechnics in Canada offer credentials that are approved by provincial and territorial governments.
• Offers a variety of recognized credentials like certificates, diplomas, university transfer programs, academic and applied degrees, and post-graduate diplomas.
• Programs vary in length from a few months to 4 years.
• 95% of college graduates are employed and over four-fifths report their studies are directly related to the work they do (National Graduate Survey 2013).
• Practical programs are designed with potential employers that also offer work placements.
• Tuition fees depend on the program. Visit Colleges and Institutes Canada for more information.
• Boarding or homestay and living costs are determined by the institution or organization that runs them. Visit the respective institutions' or organizations' websites for more information.

Universities

Canadian universities prepare graduates with the ability to think critically, to be adaptive to emerging technologies, to become leaders in professional fields and to seek solutions in research. Whether you want to become a teacher, economist, artist or the world’s leading nanotechnologist, Canada’s university system will provide you with the choice that fits your interest. From small liberal arts teaching schools to larger research-intensive universities you can begin your bachelor studies and continue to earn the highest qualification, a PhD. University research makes its mark in Canada and around the world. Did you know that Canadian universities have been incubators for innovation such as the BlackBerry phone, flat-screen technology, SMART boards, and IMAX film?

Highly innovative research takes place in the fields of health, nanotechnology, biotechnology, high-performance computing, environmental technologies, nutraceuticals, and renewable fuels. The university sector is the 2^nd largest performer of research in Canada after the private sector. With only 0.5% of the global population, Canada produces 2.8% of global scientific research (Thomson Reuters list of Highly Cited Researchers).

Three levels of degrees

• Bachelor’s: generally three or four years of undergraduate study
• Master’s: one or two years of study after the bachelor’s degree, including a thesis, practicum, or research paper or course-based
• Doctoral: three years of study including a thesis, usually after the master’s degree

The facts

• There are more than 15,000 undergraduate and graduate degree programs at over 100 public and private not-for-profit universities and university-degree-level colleges.
• Degrees follow the Bachelor/Master/Doctorate system and are equivalent to those in the U.S. and Commonwealth countries.
• Vast choice of undergraduate and post-graduate programs, as well as professional designations, certificate and diploma courses, and short career-focused programs.
• Cutting edge technology and research labs.
• Opportunities for cooperative education and internships, and international students can often work while they study.
• Tuition fees depend on the program.

Cost of Living Estimate

This estimate is a guideline. Living costs vary greatly based on the type of accommodation, whether you are sharing accommodation with roommates, and your overall standard of living. All figures are in Canadian dollars (CAD).