Why Study in Canada in 2022: Here Are The Top 10 Reasons

Canadian universities have been frequently listed among the top-ranking universities globally. These universities have become so widely acclaimed that international students have now been trying their best to get accepted into one. The Canadian government has actively been trying to improve the number of international students who study at Canadian universities.

There are quite a few reasons why Canada should be on an international student’s list of top global ed destinations. Let’s take a look at the top 10 reasons for the same.

Canada is home to a number of institutions that are high up in the world’s best universities’ rankings. Most international students are attracted to these institutions thanks to their world-class faculty and excellent opportunities for learning that they present.

Canadian universities offer programs across a wide variety of subjects and specializations including engineering, medicine, management, agriculture, finance, economics, sports, arts, science, and others. Canada’s obsession with high-quality education ensures that the students enjoy great career prospects!

Canadian education is globally competitive and a degree from one of the universities is internationally recognized. The education system also encourages students to pursue multidisciplinary studies, while providing the best technological means to pursue a world-class education.

Canada is also known to be one of the best global ed destinations for programs related to business and management. Canadian B-schools produce some of the finest management professionals in the world and these graduates enjoy huge success in the job market.

The duration and mode of these programs can be chosen based on the candidate’s requirements. These programs are focused on providing students with the necessary skills to be industry-ready and a platform for them to focus on their interests.

QS world university rankings curates a list of the top-ranking universities of the world every year and in 2022, a number of Canadian institutions feature amongst the top 250 universities globally. Some of the top-ranking Canadian universities in the world include –

• University of Toronto
• McGill University
• University of British Columbia
• Université de Montréal
• University of Alberta
• York University
• Queen’s University
• University of Western Ontario
• McMaster University
• University of Waterloo
• University of Ottawa
• University of Calgary

Canada has two official languages – French and English. Although Canada is famously known the world over for a large number of Francophones (over 10.4 million people can carry on a conversation in French), it is a bilingual country where a vast majority of the population speaks English.

The medium of instruction across Canadian universities for all programs is English so international students will have no problem in their academic endeavors. It is important to note that most universities require international students to have cleared tests such as IELTS or TOEFL to showcase their proficiency in English.

On a side note, if you are an international student, you could look forward to picking up some French while in Canada (especially if you are moving to Quebec).

International students who study in Canadian universities and institutions can learn a lot about the country and its culture. Most graduates find employment in Canada within less than three months after graduating from their courses.

Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) are issued to international students to work in Canada post their studies for any employer. PGWPs ensure that international students get ample opportunities to obtain the necessary work experience and permission to stay back in Canada as permanent residents.

Canada is known to be highly tolerant of immigrants. It is a safe and peaceful country for students to experience. International students have just as many rights as Canadian citizens themselves, making it a safe haven for people from all over the world.

The country leaves no stones unturned to ensure that its citizens enjoy a high standard of living. Access to quality education, healthcare, basic amenities, and cleaner air and water among others are assured to all. Notably, Canada also has a very stable economy, making it one of the best countries on the planet for those looking to start their professional careers.

Canadian universities provide the best possible support to international students to make them feel comfortable. Students have easy access to helplines that are dedicated to solving issues, both academic as well as personal.

International students who are studying in Canadian universities need to apply for health insurance in order to have access to medical services. Students with valid study permits are eligible for a primary health care card.

Cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal, and Victoria are considered to be some of the best educational hubs in Canada. These cities are known to offer a higher quality of life at affordable costs when compared to cities from other countries such as the U.S.A, the U.K, or Australia.

Canada is affordable to international students from all walks of life. A decade ago, studying abroad was limited to those students who came from affluent families. However, Canada’s low cost of living and the rather cheap tuition fees when compared to other countries’ universities has made it the number one choice for higher education.

Students can apply for a variety of scholarships to fund their studies and can also work a specified number of hours per week to support themselves while they are still part of a university program.

On average, international students in Canada need to spend around CAD 30,000 annually (for an undergraduate program) for tuition while other costs such as food, accommodation, transportation, study supplies, and health insurance may come up to around CAD 500, depending on the city or province.

Canada’s diverse cultures and cosmopolitan environment ensure that its status as one of the most hospitable countries in the world gets cemented. The country ensures that different traditions are preserved and that the people are respected for their cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

One can also be a part of several cultural and sporting events including the NHL seasons, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, La Poutine Week, winterlude, folklorama, and the Calgary stampede, among others.

Most Canadian universities offer programs that also have a lot of focus on research. Students get to be involved in academic and scientific research opportunities and can engage in various activities that can provide a well-rounded academic experience.

Canadian universities are also hotbeds for breakthrough research that has been bringing about a positive change in the world. Canada’s pioneering research has resulted in significant academic progress as well, including the well-known “SchoolNet” program.

Moreover, the Government of Canada has been actively involved in funding research activities that can benefit society. With opportunities created for doctoral students or academic researchers to get in touch with the government, businesses, or even industry resources, Canada ensures that the quality of research never takes a hit.

The rugged coastline, the majestic Canadian Rockies, or the technologically advanced cities – it is your call! With very well-connected public transportation services including buses, trains, and planes, one could travel fairly easily within the country.

Canada is a paradise for cold people – literally. The country’s lowest recorded temperature is as cold as Mars! So don’t forget your thermals. If you love freshwater lakes, you’re in luck. Canada is the country with the most surface area covered by lakes! It also has the world’s longest coastline and over 10% of the world’s forests.

For all the adrenaline junkies out there, Canada has the strongest tidal currents in North America and its national parks are larger than most countries. The number of places that one could visit include Niagara falls, Whistler Mountain, Percé Rock, and Jasper National park…need we say more?

Canadian universities are easier to get into when compared to their counterparts from the U.S.A. Moreover, it offers a wider variety of programs along with options to pursue multidisciplinary programs compared to other countries.

Generally, Canadian universities do not require students to appear for separate entrance tests to be eligible for admissions. Canada considers the academic performance of students in high school (for undergraduate programs) rather than their performance on tests such as SAT or ACT. Australia and the U.K have eligibility criteria similar to that of Canada.

Canadian student visas are easier to obtain than visas from other countries since Canada has been welcoming international students to explore its academic options and tend to have better acceptance rates.

Canada has risen to the top of the technological frontier in the past few decades. In fact, Toronto has been building a reputation as one of the top tech hubs of the world – second only to Silicon Valley!

Canada offers a plethora of opportunities to tech professionals and is considered a digital haven, thanks to a stable economy, quality of living, lower cost of living, and an inclusive culture. It has been consistently on top of technological trends and is well-known for its reputation as a leader in various sectors of science and engineering.

With some of the best institutions in the world including the University of Toronto, York University, and George-Brown College offering a few of the most popular tech programs globally, Canada has been achieving academic excellence and has been making significant contributions to the tech industry.

Borrowell, Maple, StackAdapt, and Drop are some of Canada’s very own tech companies that have been changing the world for the better. Owing to the tech talents coming out of Canadian universities, companies such as Cloudflare, Netflix, Doordash, and NVIDIA have set up operations across the country.

Students who are looking to get accepted into Canadian universities need to fulfill a set of requirements. This includes –

• Good academic record in high school (if applying for undergraduate programs)
• An undergraduate degree from a recognized university (if applying for graduate programs) with a GPA of 3.0 and above (varies from universities)
• Non-native English speakers need to clear an English language proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, Cambridge English Language Assessment Test, or TOEIC).
• Clearing common admission tests such as SAT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and LSAT are added advantages.
• Submit supporting documents including official transcripts, photocopies of diplomas, duly filled application forms, essays, letters of recommendation, and proof of compliance.
• Some programs may also require candidates to possess relevant work experience.
• A GIC account with a minimum of CAD 10,000 to prove that the student can afford tuition and cover other costs of living.
• Letter of acceptance from a Canadian institution.
• Student visa/study permit.
• Proof of health.
• Need to prove that the student will leave Canada once they have graduated.

Canada encourages students from all over the world to study at one of its institutions by arranging necessary financial support for those deserving students who need it. With a range of scholarships to apply for, students can now receive a world-class education at a fraction of the cost.

Scholarships are offered by the Canadian government, the university, or non-governmental bodies (NGOs, Trusts, etc). Different scholarships have different criteria, processes, and procedures along with a set of deadlines. While most scholarships are based on academic merit, some are provided based on extracurricular achievements.

Some of the most popular scholarships in Canada are Canada graduate scholarships, IDRC research awards, Schulich leader scholarships, Lester B. Pearson international scholarship, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship, and University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF), among others.

A master’s degree in business administration (MBA) is one of the most popular professional degrees globally. Pursuing an MBA (full-time, part-time, or executive) from one of the many prestigious B-schools of Canada ensures that a graduate makes a worthwhile investment.

Indian students from Canadian B-schools can be found working across different sectors including finance, supply chain management, top-level management at organizations, marketing, and human resources. Due to their skills and expertise, these postgraduate students are in huge demand in Canada and internationally.

Career prospects for an MBA graduate include investment analytics, HR management, management executives, data analytics, project management, business management, and entrepreneurship among others.