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For international students across the world, Study Canada is an ideal study destination. A multicultural environment, affordable high-quality education, a stable economy, and openness to immigration make Canada an ideal country for international students for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Waterloo, Ottawa, and Montreal. With one of the longest coastlines, vast wilderness, world-class cities, and a culture of tolerance and diversity, Canada is a natural destination for thousands of international students.
Canada welcomes over 500,000 international higher education students each year. Universities in Canada are ranked among the best in the world and are globally recognized and well-respected. Some top Canadian universities as per global university rankings are University of Toronoto, University of McGill, University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo, McMaster University.
Canada’s advanced economy is the tenth-largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade networks. The country has always opened its doors to skilled international professionals, and diverse global students. It clearly reflects in its study permit and immigration policies. On an average, it has welcomed approximately 300,000 immigrants over the past 6 years.
Situated in the northern part of North America, Canada consists of ten provinces and three territories, making Canada the second-largest country in the world. The official languages of the country are English and French, though Quebec is the only province to have French as its official language. Other popular languages include Chinese, Punjabi, and Spanish. The size of the population is 38 million, out of which approximately 80% of the population lives in cities and towns. It is home to over 250 ethnic groups and ancestries. The official currency of the country is the Canadian dollar.
It is recommended that students aspiring to study abroad take a deep dive into the entire journey, from the preparation, the courses and the admission process, to the paperwork and the visas.
Here you’ll find out more about top universities, top courses and reasons to study in Canada.
| Top Courses in Canada | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Business & Administrative Studies | Avg Tuition Fee UG – 550 - 56,000 per year PG - 2150 – 52,700 per year |
| Engineering & Technology | Avg Tuition Fee UG - 1,350 – 55,000 per year PG - 2,150 – 52,500 per year |
| Medicine and Healthcare | Avg Tuition Fee PG – 2150 - 58,300 per year |
| Finance | Avg Tuition Fee PG – 7,875 - 59,388 per year |
| Biological Sciences |
Avg Tuition Fee UG – 24,663 - 39,756 per year |
Avg Living costs / per year-
15,000 –
25, 000
Avg Tuition fee per year
Undergraduate Programme: 12,000 – 30,000
Postgraduate Programmes: 14,000–35,000
Indian Students
172,600 students
International students
572,415 students
Average graduate incomes/ year
31,000
Migration possibility ( yes or no )
Yes
Intakes-
January, September
Scholarships available
Yes
Costs of studying in Canada
Compared to many other countries, studying in Canada is affordable. Although tuition fees for international students vary across provinces and programs, overall you will likely need between CAD20,000 and CAD30,000 annually to cover tuition fees in Canada. In addition, the cost of studying varies immensely across various universities and colleges as well, as each university and college set their own fees structure.Tuition fees
Furthermore, the tuition fees for certain professional programs, like that of a global MBA, is slightly on the higher side. Additionally, if you are targeting top business schools like Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto) or Asper School of Business (University of Manitoba) in Canada, then you will likely need between an average of CAD 35,000 to CAD 45,000 per annum. Many universities in Canada offer financial aid to international students in terms of their own scholarships, so you might be able to apply for a scholarship offered exclusively by the university at which you plan to study. Apart from it several other scholarships, grants, and bursaries are available for international students wishing to study in Canada, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These include specific scholarships for sporting and academic achievement, and subject-specific scholarships. In all cases, it’s important to apply as early as possible as scholarship funding is limited and highly competitive. Besides, international students are allowed to work while studying on their study visa. They can work for 20 hours a week balancing their studies. In terms of ROI, international students are also eligible to stay back up to 3 years depending on the length of their program.MBA
For a professional degree like an MBA, Canada is one place to start with. It offers an attractive post-study-work opportunity. Taking up an MBA today prepares you well to join the competitive business world of today. From Finance Manager to Information Technology Manager, there are varied job opportunities that await you. Take a quick view of the affordable universities for an MBA degree in Canada.FINANCE
There are a multitude rewarding career paths that await you in Finance. The fast-paced finance industry includes everything from banking and asset management to insurance, venture capital, and private equity. In 2018, these sectors combined to form 7.4%, or $1.5 trillion, of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). If you have the entrepreneurial drive in you, then studying finance in a country with the fastest growing economy in the developed world will prove to be advantageous. Popular courses in Finance are BBA in Finance, B. Com (Hons.) in Finance, Master’s in Accounting, Master’s in Financial Risk Management, MBA in Finance.COMPUTER SCIENCE & IT
As (almost) every industry relies on data and software programmes, Computer Science and IT has become important more than ever. From Data Science and Robotics to Cloud Computing and Business systems, a wide range of Computer Science degree specializations are offered by Canadian universities. All programmes offer a balance of theory and practical experience, wherein students are provided research and internship opportunities in IT companies. The demand for Computer Science graduates is sure to rise now with the world experiencing a new normal of remote work and advancement in technology supported by AI and machine learning. Popular degrees in Computer Sciences in Canada are: B. Sc. in Computer Science, B. Sc. in Data Science, B. Sc. in Statistics and Computer Science, and M. Sc. in Computing Science and Statistical Machine Learning.HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Graduates stand a great chance of employment in this course as Canada has been facing a skills gap issue in human resource managers. The highest demand is in Toronto, followed by Montreal and Ottawa. Additionally, the country promotes equal employment opportunities.BIOINFORMATICS
Bioinformatics is crucial in research on molecular biology and drug discovery, and this would only reinforce its importance for the future. Asia-Pacific holds the fastest growth in bioinformatics – something to keep in mind for, bioinformatics graduates in the region.NURSING
Several nursing specialties are included in the 45 graduate degree jobs that pay more than $100K by the US News & World Report. University of Toronto and University of British Columbia offer coursework in B. Sc. Nursing program. For Master’s, these universities accept only transfer students with previous university coursework in nursing. Agriculture and/or Forestry, and Sports Science are other popular courses students opt for to study in Canada. Your Language skills, fluency in English and/or in French will be one of the eligibility points that will be considered for migration, working or applying for citizenship to Canada. For detailed information on the courses, fees, application and visa management, get in touch with our team of relationship managers.Tuition
Having clarified that, universities or colleges in Canada are not tuition free. Canadian students too have to pay tuition fees. The government of Canada does provide scholarships and loans, but usually it’s for Canadian citizens or people who are considered residents of Canada. Very few get a scholarship which gives them a free education. Hence, in order to study in Canada for free, one needs to receive a fully funded scholarship in Canada to cover one’s tuition and accommodation fee.Scholarships
One of the scholarships is the UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award that is given to international students who apply to British Columbia University for undergraduate programs. You can send your application in the month of November every year for the course starting the next year. It covers tuition fee, living expenses, and also provides need based financial support. To be eligible for it, requirements of the program and English language must be satisfied. For international students applying, it must be their first undergraduate degree. Other top Canadian universities like University of Toronto, McGill University, McMaster University and University of Montreal are all internationally recognized as excellent global schools and still offer much more affordable tuition rates than their international counterparts. Another way is for you to perform excellently in your home country and have the government sponsor your education in Canada.Education costs
Additionally, a smarter and independent way to study free of (education) cost in Canada is by choosing to work part-time. A student visa allows you to work for up to 20 hours per week during regular session, and full-time during holidays. Head to Insights to find detailed information on salaries/wages (vary from province to province), and Post-Study Work Opportunities (PSW) in Canada.An international student pursuing a full-time post-secondary school program in Canada and has a valid study permit is allowed to work on-campus. For students that want to work part-time off-campus need to be full-time students at a designated learning institution (DLI). The study program should be for a duration of at least 6 months and should lead to a degree, diploma or certificate.
During the academic session, international students can work in Canada up to 20 hours a week and during vacations they can work up to 40 hours a week. Students can earn anywhere between 11 per hour to 18 per hour. A lot of students take part-time jobs to cover their living costs and if not full, some portion of their tuition fees.
Colleges and universities often advise students to take extra care of their studies when looking to work in Canada part-time. Most colleges and universities ensure that the student is fully aware of the fact that it can be sometimes difficult to manage both studies and part-time work, and hence it is suggested that only if a student is confident about it, they should go ahead with it. While students can work up to 20 hours a week, most universities and colleges recommend that students work up to 12 hours a week, so that they are able to manage both work and studies.
Post completing their studies, when looking to work full time, international students need a valid work permit to work in Canada. According to the latest data shared by recruiting agencies in Canada, the average international student (Employed full-time post completion of their studies) salary in Canada is 52,000 per year. Entry level positions start at 26,000 per year whereas experienced professionals earn much more than the average salary.
Study permit
International students in Canada on valid study permit and studying at a designated learning institute are permitted to work during their study program period to support themselves without a work permit. Several International students unsure about how many hours they are eligible to work while studying in Canada. They can work up to 20 hours per week at any on-campus and off-campus jobs while their academic session is in progress. Students typically make 10-14 an hour. When academic session ends for scheduled breaks (eg. Summer/winter breaks) students are eligible to work full-time. Working on campus means working with an employer on university related work such as working with faculty, in the library, laboratory or with any of the vendors or private contractors that provide services on campus such as gym or restaurant.Eligibility to work
In terms of eligibility to work as a student, your study permit will state your eligibility and conditions of employment. This will enable you to apply for SIN (Social Insurance Number) from Service Canada Obtaining a SIN is a prerequisite before you may start working while studying in Canada. It may also be worthwhile for the International student to confirm the most up to date information on their work permits with the immigration on arrival. Broadly as a student you cannot work while studying in Canada if your program is less than six months duration or if you are enrolled in the English or Second Language program or French as a second language program. It is important to note that you cannot start working in Canada until the start of your study program.Funds
International Students need additional funds to support their living expenses such as accommodation, food. It is important to be prepared and seek help to get suitable options for yourself. It is advisable to invest time in searching for a suitable job opportunity. First, International students must explore jobs available on campus and off campus. Looking at the university website or career portal is usually a great place to start. Campus jobs are generally advertised on campus boards as well. Look around, speak to fellow students and get as much information you can. Networking is a great way to stay on top of happening events and opportunities on campus.Resume
The next step is to make a resume. Ideally, as an international student you must focus on this one important step. You must tailor your CV to the job that is available, highlighting how you map to the role and demonstrate that you already understand the criteria for selection. Students must make this effort. Another important step you should take is to reach out to the career centre at the campus and meet with the career counsellors. The career counsellors have valuable insights and experience to share that you can use to increase your chances. Their services are free of charge and all it requires is your initiative to ask for help and guidance. One important tip that is critical for international students is that they should balance their classes with their work. You should not forget that the main purpose of your being in Canada is to do well in your studies. So go ahead, plan and make the most of your time in Canada.Canada is a developed economy with the need for diverse skill-sets in order to fulfil the jobs that are in high demand. You will find several job openings for skilled jobs in Canada that do not get filled due to the skill shortages in the country. These job openings need to be filled by talented individuals who are capable of performing such jobs. Some of the hardest roles to fill in Canada in the last decade include Skilled workers like electricians, mechanics and welders. This list also consists roles such as that of Sales representatives, drivers and technicians Moreover, there is a high demand for medical professionals and nurses in Canada. Since there are skill shortages in the Canadian economy, Canada looks to international talent to fulfil these job requirements and as an outcome, the best jobs in Canada are sometimes filled by international students pursuing higher education at Canadian universities and colleges. Skilled and semi-skilled jobs in Canada are usually in the areas that require a college or a higher degree to fill up a position. As an outcome, international students studying in Canada are offered an opportunity to apply for jobs where there are skill shortages and build a strong career prospect after they graduate. Therefore, the key sectors where jobs are in high demand in Canada include:
In addition to the existing sectors where skilled-professionals are in high demand in Canada, there are also a number of emerging sectors where demand for skilled professionals is growing exponentially in Canada. These sectors include:
Clean Energy
The clean energy sector in Canada is growing more than the economy as a whole and is rivalling with some better-known industries. Statistics Canada data says there were nearly 100,000 more Canadians working in clean energy than in mining, quarrying and oil-and-gas extraction in 2017. However, there still exists a demand and supply gap in the need for more workers in the clean energy sector in Canada. This means that graduates with degrees in environmental management and scientific fields will find ample job opportunities in Canada.
Professional Services
The Professional Services sector accounts for an incredible 80% of Canada’s GDP and employs nearly three-quarters of the workforce in Canada. Within the services sector, industries such as retail, business, education, and health care make up the largest portions. In fact, Tourism in Canada has emerged as one of the key emerging sectors with a larger number of international tourists now choosing Canada as their destinations. This has generated immense demand for professionals within the tourism industry and graduates with degrees in Travel and Tourism and Hospitality Management will find lucrative opportunities in the country.
Technology
Canada is fast emerging as a technological powerhouse with more companies now favouring Canada over the USA to set up their North American headquarters due to the favourable tax regime and the Canadian Government’s policies towards attracting tech talent from all over the world. Canada’s technology industry is one of the strongest in the world with close links to major tech giants as well as a strong Start-Up culture growing within the country. The Start-up Visa offered by the Canada Government has been quite effective in inviting technology companies from across the world to set up camp in Canada, which is certainly contributing to the change in the global technological landscape. International students pursuing courses in Software Engineering, Analytics and Machine Learning, and Business and Management are being attracted towards Canada for well-paying tech-oriented jobs.
Cannabis Industry
The recent legalisation of cannabis in Canada had significantly boosted the Cannabis industry in the country. Since Health Canada opened up medicinal cannabis production to more players, including the private sector in 2013, the industry has grown continuously as operators invest in production capabilities to produce quality products. As an outcome of the growth in cannabis production, demand for jobs in this industry is picking up.
There has been a consistent increase in demand for skilled professionals from pharmaceutical and medicinal backgrounds in Canada. Moreover, the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018 has been the primary driver of the industry boom during the period. As consumers shifted from illegal cannabis purchases to the licensed recreational market, the industry grew significantly and is expected to grow 68.3% in 2019 alone. In fact, this is expected to translate into a manifold increase in jobs in this industry by 2022, which is expected to apply to a significant number of skilled professionals from mixed backgrounds, ranging from medicine, engineering to business and hospitality professionals.
Therefore, Canada has become a key job market for professionals from around the world seeking both skilled and semi-skilled work. From truck drivers to registered nurses and from software engineers to hospitality professionals, the Canadian job market is very lucrative for international students and offers ample opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled graduates to seek employment.
| Job openings | Registered nurses | Skill shortages | High demand | Medical professionals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jobs in Canada | graduate | Skilled jobs | In-demand jobs | Best jobs |
| Health care | Truck drivers | engineers | Tech jobs | management |
| Canadian | business | sector | employers | career |
| economy | government | service | growth | technology |
Bank balance required for a Canadian Visa
As soon as you secure an unconditional offer letter from a globally renowned university/college recognized by the Canadian government, you should start your application process for getting a student visa also known as a Canadian study permit. Ideally, it is important to start the visa processing at least four months before the program start date. In order to secure a Canada Study Permit, proof of unencumbered available funds is of utmost importance as it proves that you can support yourself and your family members if they accompany you, till the time you stay in Canada. You can prove your funding withCanada is considered one of the popular study destinations for thousands of international students. Each year, close to 100,000 international students from all over the world come to Canada to obtain a quality higher education.
There are a lot of great benefits that you will be enjoying as an international student in Canada. The benefits range from working part-time while studying to the generous immigration policy of Canada which will allow you to bring your spouse or common-law partner with you on an open work permit which means that while you’re studying, he or she can work full- or part-time for any employer in Canada without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The work permit will usually have the same period of validity as the study visa. In addition, if you have kids, the kids will be able to go to one of Canada’s public elementary or secondary schools without needing their own study permit. In this way, not only the spouses or partners of international students can gain valuable Canadian work experience, but also can help support their families financially and emotionally.
