Are you planning to Study in Canada? If Yes, read on below to know all the required details from the application process to cost of living & more.
Canada has become one of the most sought after destination for international students. Mostly owing to its friendly immigration & welcome nature.
If you are here to understand the procedure for applying to the top Canadian universities, look no further. We will guide you through all the required steps & resources to apply for Canadian universities.
Study in Canada – An overview
To start with, the admission process begins by applying for the courses through university websites. If all the requirements are met and the university accepts your application, you can initiate for a student visa.
We will walk you through the entire process below.
Application process for studying in Canada
The exact application process differs by some steps depending upon which course or university you are applying to. We will discuss the most common steps required for an Indian candidate to study in Canada.
What are the Timelines for applications
Most of the universities in Canada start admission intakes in September and January, some also have them in May, July & October. It is advisable for students to start their process atleast 6 months prior to the deadline of the chosen university.
Most of the Canadian universities have 3 flexible deadlines. The students can choose the most convenient out of the three. The admission process has two main parts:
- The qualification exams like the language & aptitude tests
- Admission form filling for the university.
It is recommended you finish off with the exams atleast 3 months prior to the deadline. Subsequently, you can focus on filling out the forms for the last 3 months. Majority of the universities follow the fall intake pattern, which is in September.
You should finish the entire process including the visa application and interviews at-least 2 months prior to this date for a smooth admission.
Different universities have different intake seasons depending upon the courses they offer. However, it is advisable to check out their websites well in advance so that you do not miss out on critical timelines.
Also Read: SPP Colleges in Canada
What are the Educational Qualifications to study in Canada?
The exact academic requirements greatly vary between the courses that you choose and the university you select. Indian students require to meet a minimum proficiency score in English language. This is evaluated through TOEFL or IELTS exams.
Most of the courses require you to secure atleast 65% and above in the 10+2 education and close to 70% and above for science or commerce streams. However, these are just reference figures and actual requirement does vary from year to year.
What exams should you take to study in Canada?
Language tests
Irrespective of which courses you apply to, the language test is a mandate. Firstly, these tests check if the student will be able to catch up with the course material on campus & lectures.? Secondly, will he be able to interact & sustain social life on campus.?
The two most acceptable global language exams you can take are:
- The TOEFL: It is an abbreviation of “Test of English as a Foreign Language”. You can find more information on this test here.
- The IELTS: The IELTS is an abbreviation for “ International English Language Testing System” You can find out more about the IELTS here.
Both the above are standardized English proficiency tests. These tests evaluate the student’s proficiency in reading, writing, listening and talking English.
Even though these exams serve a similar purpose they follow different structures and patterns. Any university usually asks for either of them. The students have to decide on which of the exams to take inline with the university rules.
Academic Exams
Depending upon the course you will have to take one of the following exams along with the language test.
GMAT: Designed for the MBA students, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer adaptive examination. This test measures students for their verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, logical writing and combined reasoning skills.
GRE: The GRE is a standardized test that the students take to pursue MA or MS degrees in Canada. Some universities also accept GRE scores for students who wish to pursue an MBA.
LSAT: As the name suggests, ‘the Law school Admission test” evaluates the aspiring Law students on verbal and reasoning skills.
SAT: The “Scholastic Assessment Test” is an evaluation of candidates for their life skills they have learned in schools and are required in college. Typically the under-graduate students take this test to get into graduation courses.
| Exam | Fees (Approximate) | Average Scores required |
|---|---|---|
| GMAT | INR 17500 | 540 |
| GRE | INR 15000 | 150 for verbal & Quantitative 3.5 for writing |
| LSAT | INR 3800 | 162 |
| SAT | INR 7000 | 1200 or more |
General application process to study in Canada
- Firstly, you search for the universities and the courses that you want to study in.
- Secondly, you narrow down on the colleges as per your requirement.
- Later, you contact the colleges through their website for further information.
- Apply for and take the required exams as per the college requirement SAT, GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS.
- Generate the Statement of Purpose or SOP and gather the letter of recommendation.
- Prepare to apply to the colleges which meet your requirements.
- If shortlisted, the colleges will ask you to appear for video interviews as per their process.
- Lastly, you can proceed to apply for a student visa, if your application is accepted.
Necessary list of Documents required for the admission process
- Attested mark-sheet copies of Standard X, XII, and the Bachelor’s degree (if applicable).
- Minimum two academic reference letters from your latest professors.
- If you carry a work experience then request for two letters of recommendation from your employer who can vouch on your professional abilities.
- A copy of the Statement of Purpose also known as an SOP.
- A copy of your Resume.
- Photocopied score cards of GMAT / IELTS / TOEFL.
- If you are applying for an art and design course or an architecture program, a copy of your Portfolio is required.
- You can attach any certificates or achievements at the state and national level. Any extracurricular activities can be attached as well.
- A proof of sufficient funds available.
- A copy of the relevant Medical Tests done.
Some additional documents required
Statement of Purpose (SOP): It is a letter that is a written formal or casual introduction to the admission panel. The SOP convinces the panel on why you are a perfect fit for the university & the course.
Essays: Most of the universities ask the applicants to write detailed essays as a part of the admission process. These include one or two essays. Commonly on career aspirations, your strengths & weaknesses, experiences, relevant skills. You have to write on why you fit into the course that you are applying into.
Letter of Recommendation(LOR): It is a recommendation from a third person like a professor, manager, etc. He can vouch on your behalf for your abilities and skill-sets.
The cost of living guide to study in Canada
A major part of expenses depend on your location in Canada and what type of life you choose during your student life.
Here are some of the common expenses you should consider beforehand for living as an international student in Canada.
- Accommodation expenses ( On or Off campus )
- Monthly Groceries and daily food requirement
- Necessities like internet, electricity, phone bills and others
- Academic stationary including books and more
- Airfare for traveling back to India
The approximate cost of living to study in Canada varies between $8000 to $12000 per year. The amount depends on where you choose to live. For instance, the suburbs are cheaper as compared to the metros.
Cost of Studying in Canada
Tuition Fees
You have to pay anywhere between $10000 to $30000 per year for an undergraduate course. On the other hand, $15000 to $55000 are required for a post-graduate course to study in Canada.
The amount varies with the course and the university that you select.
Health insurance
You need to have a health insurance when you move to Canada. Most importantly, it is advisable to check that your insurance covers cashless benefits for most of the medical expenses, accidents, dental treatments, loss of passport, and more.
Scholarships and Bank loans to study in Canada
What if you’re not able to afford the education cost to study in Canada but you have a very good academic record ?
Firstly, a lot of universities offer scholarships to the needy students. You can find the process for applying to these scholarships on the university webistes.
Secondly, you can also apply and avail a bank loan to meet your expenses to study in Canada. A lot of Indian banks offer loans depending on which university and courses you opt for.
A student or his parents can take the loan in their names. The Bank offers 80% of the tuition fees as a loan amount. The applicant has to gather the balance, also known as margin money.
Note that, the bank offers these loan amounts against an equivalent collateral.
Visa application process to study in Canada
Canada offers a lot of different types of visa to work and study in Canada. You should proceed to apply for a student visa post you receive a letter of acceptance from your college. The visa eligibility primarily requires you to furnish the following documents.
- Letter of acceptance from your college.
- Proof of financial health.
- Transcripts, college degrees and other academic records.
- Your scorecards for exams taken like GMAT, SAT, GRE, TOEFLS or IELTS.
Always make sure that you apply for the Visa well in advance to avoid any last minute rush. You can apply online through website or offline by physically visiting the visa agency office.
A medical test is mandatory for the Visa process. However, only a panel of doctors recommended by the Visa office can only perform the tests.
To sum up, after reading this article, we are sure that you are now aware of the process & formalities required for studying in Canada.
We wish you all the very best for your further academic journey.
