Benefits Of Studying In Canada
Canada is a top destination for international students who want to pursue a high-quality, research-oriented education at a reasonable cost. A Canadian degree is globally recognized and valued by employers around the world for its academic excellence and high standards. Canada has many institutions that rank among the best universities in the world, and their graduates have a lot of success in the job market.
- Quality Lifestyle: Canada is ranked third in the world for the best quality of life by U.S. News and World Report (2022). This means that as an international student, you will enjoy a high standard of living in Canada. Quality of life also includes the essentials of life such as clean air, clean water, low population/competition, sense of space etc., as well as other aspects of life such as access to world-class healthcare, good education infrastructure etc. You will have the same rights and freedoms that protect Canadians, respect for human rights, equality, diversity, and a stable, peaceful society.
- Safety: Safety is a priority in life. As an international student, moving to a new place can be daunting, even if it is your dream. However, you have nothing to worry about in Canada because it is one of the safest countries in the world. Canada has been consistently ranked as one of the safest nations in the world since 2018 till now. Also, as international students, colleges and universities always take extra measures to make the environment safe for their students. Moreover, Public Safety Canada is a government agency that deals with all kinds of risks to public safety. Canada is among the countries with the lowest number of crime records in the world, and they are constantly improving their security and public safety.
- Work: While Studying Like in other international countries, you can work while studying in Canada. Your Canadian study permit allows you to work while studying without having to apply for a separate work permit. You can work at part-time jobs for 20 hours a week. Additionally, during semester breaks and summer breaks, you can work full-time. Working while studying can be a great opportunity for you as an international student. You can earn some money, gain work experience and network even before you graduate. Canada Immigration Policy Another great benefit of studying in Canada is the stay-back options and work after studies. Compared to other international study destinations, Canada’s stay-back option and work after studies are one of the most generous in the world. You can get up to three years of work permit, which will allow you to stay back and work full time once your studies are over, and you can apply for permanent residency.
- Affordability: The tuition fee in Canada is lower and more affordable than universities in other popular study destinations. The cost of housing, food and other living expenses will depend on your location and your own needs. Tuition fee for international students vary across provinces and programs but below is an estimated fee (in Canadian dollars) for full-time international students.
- Cost to Study in Canada: Canada is one of the most popular study destinations for international students because of its affordable and high-quality education. The tuition fees for international students depend on the type of program, institution and province they choose. In Canada, colleges are more economical than universities. For an undergraduate degree, international students may need to pay between CAD 13,000 and CAD 85,000 per academic year. Humanities, education, and arts courses tend to be cheaper, while nursing, sciences and engineering courses tend to be more expensive. The tuition fees for postgraduate programs are usually higher, and they vary depending on the program. MBA programs are typically the costliest, with an average fee of CAD 30,000-42,000. Other postgraduate programs have an average fee of $17,000 to $25,000. For a doctoral degree, the fee ranges from $7000 to $15000.
- Admission Intakes in Canada: Easy Admission Process Canadian universities have less stringent admission requirements than their counterparts in the U.S.A. Generally, Canadian universities do not require students to take separate entrance exams to qualify for admission. Canada evaluates students’ academic performance in high school (for undergraduate programs) and undergraduate (for postgraduate programs) rather than their scores on external tests such as SAT or ACT. Canada has three admission intakes for international students who want to study in its colleges and universities. These are:
- Fall: This intake starts in September and is the most popular one because most of the courses are offered in this intake.
- Winter: This intake starts in January and is a good option for those who miss the fall intake.
- Summer: This intake starts around April and May and is available for limited programs and colleges.
Requirements To get admitted into Canadian universities.
- A good academic record in high school (for undergraduate programs) or an undergraduate degree from a recognized university (for graduate programs) with a minimum GPA of second class upper for master’s or second class lower for post-graduate certificate. Polytechnic graduates can also apply with a Higher National Diploma (HND) regardless of their grade.
- Supporting documents, such as academic transcripts, diplomas, application forms, essays, letters of recommendation, etc.
- Relevant work experience for some programs.
To study in Canada, foreign national also need a visa called a Student Permit. They can apply for it in their home country if they meet the requirements at the Canadian Visa Application Centre. The Canadian government has increased the number of full-time international students to 450,000 in 2022. The main documents required for the visa application are:
- Letter of acceptance
- Proof of identity
- Proof of financial support
- Letter of explanation
Supporting Documents
To apply for a study permit in Canada, Nigerian students need to submit the following documents:
- A completed and signed study permit application form.
- A valid passport and recent passport photos
- A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution in Canada.
- Evidence of scholarships or any financial aid from the school or a government agency.
- Copies of your academic certificates, diplomas and transcripts for all previous schools you attended.
- Proof that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees, living expenses and return transportation for your entire stay in Canada.
- A receipt of tuition fee payment.
- A medical exam report from an approved panel physician.
- A letter from your employer or sponsor if you are receiving financial support from them.
- A payment of the application processing fee.