GOTOSTUDY 
CANADA

Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest country by total area.






Why study in Canada?

With over 642,480 international students attending Canadian schools and universities in 2019, Canada is one of the world’s leading destinations to study. 

Academic Excellence
Canadian qualifications are recognised worldwide, and the education system is one of the best in the world. The strong focus on academic excellence and high-quality teaching partly stems from Canada’s emphasis on research in various disciplines. Thus, not only does the commitment to research and development boost the country’s education standards, but it also increases the research project opportunities for research scholars. 

Future Prospects
Canada has an open policy when it comes to immigration. Indeed, the country heavily relies on foreigners to help boost the economy and has recently announced that it plans to welcome over one million immigrants between 2020 and 2022. 

Other factors
Historically, Canada is a multicultural country, and Canadian culture is heavily influenced by both the French and English Cultures. Therefore, it’s no surprise that over 21% of the population is foreign-born. Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are the most appealing cities for immigrants and students alike. With such a cultural diversity, meeting new friends and forming meaningful relationships while studying can prove easier than in other countries.
What’s more, cosmopolitan Canadian cities are vibrant and offer a unique lifestyle to foreigners. Sport plays an important role in Canadian culture, with hockey (National Hockey League), soccer, and baseball being the most popular. 

The country also provides students with a wide range of activities, from hiking in the wilderness to attending fantastic art exhibitions and mingling in bars and restaurants. Some of the most famous events include the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Calgary Stampede. Campuses always organise activities and festivals, making Canadian universities some of the most welcoming on the planet. 

Education Systems in Canada

K-12 Grade School   
Between the age of five and 18, Canadians must attend school. School years are divided as follows:   
  • Elementary School :  Elementary school years span from kindergarten to sixth or seventh grade. Note that every province and school board has their own rules. Activities involve counting, coloring, and when kids are older, they’re taught basic mathematics, history, and science concepts.   
  • Middle school:  Also called junior high, middle school years run from age 13 to age 15 and are used as a transition period between elementary and high school. The environment in middle school is test-driven, and basic concepts turn into more detailed teachings and learnings. Students will also enjoy group activities and will be required to produce written assignments.   
  • High School:   High school (or secondary high school) years span from age 15 to age 18 (grade 12), which concludes with graduation. High school is academically more demanding than Middle school with longer tests and written assignments. Each province requires students to sit an exam at the end of high school. These provincial exams are a requirement for students to get into university.   
Post-Secondary Education  
After graduating from high school, the majority of Canadian students enrol in college or university. International students can choose from 90 universities and 150 colleges.    
Like in other countries, Canadian universities offer three main types of degrees in various disciplines (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate).    
The Higher education system is divided into two types of studies:   
  • Undergraduate studies: 
The completion of Canadian undergraduate degrees can take up to four years, depending on the university and the degree. Undergraduate degrees include:   
  • Certificates: 
A certificate demonstrates that a person is skilled to work in a particular trade. The duration can be up to 2 semesters and requires a secondary school diploma.   
  • College diplomas:
In Canada, a college is a community school focusing on advanced vocational skills to enter a specific trade or gain extra university credits. The college diploma usually takes up to two years to complete.   
  • Associate degree: 
This type of degree is usually completed in two years and focuses on teaching general academic subjects and a major, combining technical and academic knowledge. Some examples include Associate of Arts (Business) and Associate of Arts (Science).   
  • Bachelor’s degree: 
A bachelor’s degree is designed to provide students with a foundational and general knowledge of a specific subject such as Business or Engineering. The study program can last up to four years, with the last two years being more specialised, focusing on a major.   
  • Postgraduate studies: 
The completion of Canadian undergraduate degrees can take up to three years, depending on the university and the degree. Postgraduate degrees include:   
  • Postgraduate diplomas and postgraduate certificates: 
Postgraduate diplomas and certificates can help students build on specialized knowledge and skills after a bachelor’s degree, or they can be used to transition into a specific master’s degree. They usually take up to one year to complete.   
  • Master’s degree:
Master’s degrees are highly specialised and usually take up to three years to complete. To access the master’s degree level, students will be required to complete a bachelor’s degree first.   
  • Doctorate:
A doctorate (or PhD.) usually entails two to three years of full-time study and the completion of an independent dissertation or thesis. You’ll usually be required to hold a master’s degree to access this level of study.   

Students life in Canada

Canada is the second biggest country in the world and is known for its incredible natural wonders and its multicultural diversity. 
From bustling cities packed with shops, art galleries, and featuring an incredible food scene to the remote ski slopes of British Columbia, Canada offers a wide range of activities to international students. 
Key things to know 
  • Provincial governments manage Canadian universities. Therefore, there are slight differences in how the education system works. For instance, Quebec is different from the rest of Canada, with different term times and study length.
  • Canada is the sixth safest place on the planet, according to the 2019 Global Peace Index.
  • Canadians are friendly and polite. They’re also a community-oriented and inclusive people.
  • Two favorite dishes are poutine (gravy fries) and pancakes with maple syrup.
  • As Canada is known for its cold weather during winter, most outdoor sports have indoor facilities.

Accommodation 
Canada has a wide choice of accommodation available for overseas students: 
  • Student Residence – Dormitories & Townhouses:

Some schools provide students with on-campus accommodation options such as dormitories and townhouses. Many students opt for the dormitory options during their first year to make connections and meet new people as these buildings feature common facilities and areas. Townhouses usually provide students with a private room and shared common areas.  
The average annual cost for dormitories and townhouses ranges between $3,000 - $7,500 CDN. 
  • Shared Apartment or Condominium:

International students in their second or third year of study often opt for this alternative. Despite being more expensive than the dormitory or townhouse option, shared apartments allow students more flexibility and enable them to choose where they want to live while providing a friendly atmosphere.  
The average monthly cost for a shared apartment is $400 - $1,500 CDN. 
  • Host Family or homestay:
Living with a host family or in a homestay is a great way to immerse yourself into the local way of life and feel the comfort of a family in a friendly and safe environment. Homestay and Host Family prices vary based on the location. 
  • Furnished or Unfurnished Apartment Rentals:

There are a lot of apartment rentals available for overseas students. You can browse websites such as Craigslist, HouseTrip, or Wimdu to find an apartment to rent. Apartment rental prices vary based on the location. 

Transport 
If you live in big Canadian cities, buses and trains are the best way to travel around. 
  • Buses and subways
Most towns in Canada have well-developed bus and subway networks. They’re an easy and affordable way to travel around, explaining why they’re the most popular urban transportation. Each city has its own rules regarding student concessions, but most of them offer students a discounted rate. Make sure you check the public transportation website of your city for more information. 
  • Trains

Canada is the second biggest country in the world, and as such, the train network is well-developed and connects a significant number of cities across Canada. 
The national railway is ViaRial and the company offers preferential rates for students aged between 12 and 25.  
  • Coaches
The bus/coach network is well-developed in Canada, with various companies offering a wide range of Canadian and American destinations. Greyhound gives international students a 10% discount on fares. 

Canada student visa

Cost
The study permit fee is 150 CAD.

Healthcare
Overseas students studying in Canada are usually required to have health insurance to cover their medical bills in case of a medical emergency or medical treatment. However, this can depend on the province and the institutions. Therefore, be sure to confirm with your school or uni whether or not you need to apply for one. Note that some schools or colleges offer their own private health cover, so confirm with them before signing up.

Note: For students who apply with SpringBoard4Education in any countries, we help you prepare the necessary documents for your student visa application, as well as other steps in the process, completely free of charge.

Work opportunities

Part-time Jobs  
International students in Canada with a study permit and who are enrolled full-time in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) can work off and on-campus without a work permit for up to 20 hours a week during regular terms. They’re also allowed to work full-time during vacations and summer breaks. Your study permit will indicate whether you’re allowed to work and be used to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada. Obtaining a SIN is a prerequisite to be able to work in Canada.  
Note that you’re not allowed to work if your study program is less than six months or if you’re studying in an English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) program.  
There are many part-time job opportunities in Canada for overseas students, including:  
  • Teacher’s assistant
  • Tutor
  • Server/Bartender
  • Barista
  • Uber driver
  • Nanny
  • Dog Walker
  • Cashier  

Work opportunities  
Canada has a generous scheme allowing full-time international students who graduate from a post-secondary institution to work for up to three years after graduation on the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP).   
For some students, it can even lead to permanent residency. Some provinces have their own graduate stream allowing students to be directly eligible for permanent residency.

What our Canada students say

Your Dynamic Snippet will be displayed here... This message is displayed because you did not provided both a filter and a template to use.

Meet the team

Our partners


Contact us

If your can not find your preferred schools or universities please drop us an inquiry.

Looking for other countries?