Study in Canada
Know why Canada is so popular with Indian students.
Hosting nearly half a million international students, Canada is known to offer high-quality education at affordable tuition fees with globally recognised degrees. Add to it, an excellent quality of life, immense post-study work and immigration opportunities – Canada stands out as a popular country to study among Indian students.
Student visa requirements for Canada
To study in Canada students require a study permit. While a student visa authorises your entry into Canada, a study permit validates your stay in Canada. It is a mandatory immigration document for an international student.
If you hold a study permit, you must remain enrolled and make reasonable and timely progress toward completing your course.
Your study permit is always accompanied by a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Please note that a study permit is a document that allows you to study in Canada while a visitor visa or ETA allows you to enter Canada. Your expert will help you access the latest information and connect you with authorised migration experts.
Cost to study in Canada
Your expenditure on tuition fees depends on the type of qualification and institution you opt for. To cover this, you will need approximately between CAD 13,000 – CAD 35,000 a year.
Most commonly, courses in humanities, education, and arts are a little cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at a postgraduate level, the tuition fee is typically higher, and the costs vary depending on the program. As with most other countries, MBA programs are often the most expensive. The average cost for these programs ranges between CAD 30,000-42,000.
| S. No. | Study Program | Average annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Undergraduate program | $13,000 to $20,000 |
| 2. | Postgraduate master's degree | $17,000 to $25,000 |
| 3. | Doctoral degree | $7,000 to $15,000 |
| 4. | Masters of Business administration (MBA) | $30,000 to $40,000 |
*Please note all figures are indicative
You can apply to various Canadian scholarships as well to bring down your educational expenses.
Scholarships to study in Canada
Here are some popular government-funded scholarships available for Indian students to study in Canada:
| S.No. | Name of the scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute | Offers various fellowships at different levels from graduate to post-doctorate and from research to training fellowships |
| 2. | Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan | This scheme identifies students with high intellect from Commonwealth countries applying to programs of advanced study and research at the Master’s and Ph.D. level |
| 3. | Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program | This scholarship is for graduate students in a wide variety of disciplines. |
| 4. | National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) | Research associateship is offered to master’s degree holders in engineering and Ph.D. holders in natural science or engineering disciplines |
| 5. | Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship | This scholarship is for students studying in Quebec. |
| 6. | Ontario Trillium Scholarship | First announced in November 2010 for doctoral students from around the world to study in Ontario |
| 7. | Partnership Grants by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada | This scholarship is for Ph.D. candidates |
| 8. | Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships | This is offered by the Canadian government to international students to pursue postgraduate programs within natural science, social sciences, or healthcare research. |
| 9. | Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | This scholarship is awarded by the Government of Canada to meritorious students who aspire to pursue a doctoral degree at a Canadian institution |
Intakes in Canada
Unlike a single intake in Indian universities, Canadian colleges and universities offer three intakes. In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. The three intakes available in Canada are:
- Fall: A popular intake among Indian students, The Fall intake starts in the month of September
- Winter: Starts in January; it’s best if you miss the September intake
- Summer: Available for limited programs and colleges, the Summer intake usually starts around April and May
Top courses to study in Canada
Here are the popular courses that you can choose for studying in Canada:
- Computer science
- Business
- Engineering
- Health sciences
- Physiotherapy
- Information technology
- Animation and gaming
- Hospitality
Top universities to study in Canada
When deciding which university to study at, it is crucial that you also look at the world university rankings.
QS Ranking of Canada Universities
| S.No. | Institution | QS Ranking 2023 (Globally) | QS Ranking 2022 (Globally) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | University of Toronto | 34 | 26 |
| 2. | McGill University | 31 | 27 |
| 3. | University of British Columbia | 47 | 46 |
| 4. | University of Montreal | 116 | 111 |
| 5. | University of Alberta | 110 | 126 |
| 6. | McMaster University | 152 | 140 |
| 7. | University of Waterloo | 154 | 149 |
| 8. | Western University | 172 | 170 |
| 9. | University of Ottawa | 237 | 230 |
| 10. | University of Calgary | 242 | 235 |
Job prospects in Canada
Canada, over the past few years, has seen an abundance of international students from around the world and has provided various work opportunities to both, students and working professionals. As per Forbes and US News released rankings, Canada is considered as the best country amongst G20 countries for establishing business operations. Moreover, it’s also predicted by The Economist Intelligence Unit, that the country will be ranked as the 3rd best country amongst G7 for doing business over the 5 years i.e., 2018 to 2022, which only implies that ample job opportunities await an international student during and after completion of their studies in the time to come.
Cost of living in Canada
Indeed, there exists a substantial difference between living in Canada and your home country. It is important to explore the Canadian lifestyle and cost of living of the place where you plan to stay. Quebec makes one of the most affordable Canadian cities with the cost of living far less compared to other cities.
Also, while applying for your student permit, you have to prove to the Canadian government that you have enough money to meet the financial expenses. So, keep that in mind!
When planning your budget, do include the following expenses:
- Communication costs: Always set aside money in your budget for phone and data bills as you’d be calling your friends and family back home frequently. Look for low-cost calling plans as well as student discounts. The average monthly cost will be around CAD 20.
- Textbooks and supplies: Buying textbooks can be costly. Books for engineering courses, for example, might cost anywhere between CAD 250 and CAD 350. The value of courses like law, medicine, and pharmacy can be even higher. You may keep this within your budget by buying used books, purchasing digital versions, or even enrolling in a library membership.
- Personal expenses and incidentals: Laundry, toiletries, clothing, dining out, and so on will be part of your everyday spending. This is largely dependent on the type of lifestyle you select.
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