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Canada’s education system is unique in that it offers variety of certificate, diploma and degree programs based on students’ career objectives.
Canada’s education system is unique in that it offers variety of certificate, diploma and degree programs based on students’ career objectives. For instance, those who wish to pursue higher education to up-skill themselves can enroll with a college that offers vocational diplomas. On the other hand, those interested in research can enroll with universities that offer degree programs. In addition to this flexibility, Canadian Universities are ranked among the best in the world. Institutions such as the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia and McGill are known the world over.
The Canadian Study Permit allows students to work for up to 20 hours per week when college / university is in session and up to 40 hours per week when college / university is not in session. On the Study Permit, students can opt to work either on-campus or off-campus. Since the minimum wage in Canada is at least CAD 11 per hour, students can cover their living expenses easily while studying.
With a high per capita income, low crime rate, low levels of pollution and health care taken care of by the Government, Canada boasts of a high quality of life. In fact, the US News and World report ranked Canada as the country with the best quality of life in 2018.
Compared to other developed countries like the US, Canada has a lower cost of living. This is majorly due to the low inflation rate in the country. Goods and services, healthcare and transportation are all inexpensive when compared to the per capita income.
Canada has one of the most immigrant friendly policies in the world. Those who study in Canada for their undergraduate degree or in two year postgraduate programs automatically qualify for a 3 year work permit (i.e. work visa). Once employed, you will have enough points to get a Permanent Residency (i.e. PR) of Canada. Those who have been on a Canadian PR for 3 years can then apply for citizenship.
Unlike India, universities in Canada admit students more than once a year i.e. they have multiple admission intakes. Most universities and colleges in the US offer three intakes – fall, winter and summer. Classes for these intakes typically begin in the months of September, January and April respectively. Most Indian students opt for the fall intake since the timeline for applications and commencement of classes fit well with the completion of school or under-graduate programs in India. Also, universities admit most of their students, and provide the largest number of scholarships in the fall intake.
Studying abroad can be expensive. However, planning in advance will help you manage your living expenses more effectively. This starts with understanding how much you will need to pay for your education. The primary driver of cost is tuition fees. The tuition fees you pay will depend on the following factors:
| Level | Annual Tuition Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | CAD 7,000 – CAD 10,000 |
| Postgraduate (Master’s) Degree | CAD 14,000 – CAD 35,000 |
| Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Degree | CAD 12,000 – CAD 18,000 |
In addition to this, students incur an annual cost of living between CAD 10,000 and CAD 17,000 per year. The amount depends on the city / town you stay in, whether you live on campus or off campus and on if you stay alone or with roommates. The cost of living mentioned includes accommodation, groceries, social activities, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and incidentals.
You don’t have to fund your entire education on your own. There are several scholarships that you can apply to and many financial institutions that specialize in providing education loans at low interest rates to students.
The Canadian Government provides an opportunity to all Indian students to study in the country. Still, as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a Study Permit and a Temporary Resident Visa.
What is a study permit? A study permit is not a visa. It is a permit or a document issued by the Citizen and Immigration (CIC) which allows you to study in Canada.
You will need the following documents to apply for a Canadian Study Permit:
In addition to the above, you will need to get your fingerprints scanned at Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Typically, it takes up-to 30 days for a student to get their Study Permit. However, Indians can apply through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) system to accelerate the process. Under this scheme, students can get their Study Permit in 20 days.
