Canada Overview

Canada has acquired the tag of one of the best ‘multicultural countries’ across the globe. Being immigrant-friendly, Canada witnesses the migration of a large number of students every year. Individuals from all ethnicities can seamlessly blend in the Canadian culture. This welcoming nature in the country, devoid of any racial discrimination makes it one of the leading overseas academic destinations in the world. Evidently, students in Canada can safely study in the top universities, paving the way to a dynamic career.

In Canada, English is one of the official languages. Immigrants across the world find it easy to settle in Canada due to this ease of communication.

The citizens and permanent residents of Canada also enjoy the advantage of zero-cost healthcare system, funded by the state.

Law enforcement in Canada is very strict. As a result, crime rates are relatively low in this country. The living environment in Canada is well-disciplined and protected.

In Canada, the citizens and permanent residents are entitled to get the benefits of the healthcare system funded by the state at no extra cost. Canada is therefore, one of the best places to study in the world.

The permanent residents of Canada or the citizens can greatly enjoy the benefits of the state-funded healthcare service at no cost, making the study in Canada the safest study destination in the world.

Canada Higher Education

Being one of the most educated nations with a 99% literacy rate, Canada continues to draw students from all over the world. The learning ambience is sophisticated indeed, and the degrees obtained are highly prestigious.

Canada has got one of the best education systems in the world. As per UNESCO reports, it is presently one of the most sought places for international students. Besides, Canada finds its name among the three leading nations, that spends on its academic infrastructure generously.

The educational environment in Canada, along with its sophisticated teaching mechanisms is highly valued across the globe. Considering the affordability and quality of education in Canada, students around the world migrate here to pursue various courses. The classy student lifestyle, along with the availability of all the necessary prospects make Canada one of the best academic destinations. Students come to Canada, given that the degrees are valued globally and they can kickstart their career from this country itself.

The programs offered by Canadian institutions are well-aligned with the industry. The teachers here are well-experienced, ensuring that they can bestow the students with an outstanding experience through the courses.

General Admission Requirements

In Canada, English is the official language of instruction. Therefore, all international students have to demonstrate their competence in this language before getting admitted to one of the universities in Canada. Students have as many as nine different options to demonstrate their English competence, including IELTS, TOEFL and PTE.

For students seeking admission for graduation level from high school, the general criterion is to obtain 70% in English in Grades 11 or 12, or their equivalents. It is recommended to mention at least 6 academic or non-academic grades, although it is not mandatory.

Apart from this, most universities have certain degree-specific requirements. This depends on the nature of the course you are willing to study.

How much it will cost? Funding, Scholarships, loans

Tuition cost: The tuition fees vary in different institutions in Canada. The course, location and reputation of the institute are some of the factors determining the cost. For an undergraduate program, the tuition fee might range between $10,000 and $30,000 per year. The fees for postgraduate programs range between $15,000 and $55,000 a year. This is an approximate cost, and you need to check out the specific tuition fees with the respective universities.

Living expenses: The average living expense for a student in Canada is around $15,000 to $55,000 a year. However, this cost also depends on where the person is staying. In metropolitan cities like Vancouver or Toronto, this cost can be around $15,000. However, in the suburban areas, the living cost would be around $8,000 to $10,000 a year.

Health insurance: In Canada, it is mandatory for international students to get a health insurance policy. Therefore, as long as you stay in Canada, you should have an insurance coverage. Make sure to get a policy with adequate coverage, including personal accident, medical expenses, study interruption, dental treatment, loss of passport, etc. Since these insurances are cashless, the students need not make any cash payment during hospitalization, if necessary.

Scholarships: International students in Canada can avail need and merit-based scholarships, or fee-waivers. If you are strong in academics, and have obtained impressive grades in standardized exams or fared well in extracurricular activities, you can obtain financial assistance. Make sure to submit all the necessary documents within the stipulated timeframe to avail this financial assistance. The candidates also have to come up with a neat presentation with the application, as the authorities judge them by their image.

Loans: Education loans are available for both graduation and post-graduation courses. All the banks follow certain criteria for general eligibility, while processing the loans. These include:

• The candidate should be strong in academics
• He or she has to be an Indian national
• Most banks want the course to be job-oriented, so you should be seeking admission to a technical or professional course.
• The candidate must have secured admission to one of the Canadian institutes
• The applicant should be above 18 years of age, or the loan has to be availed by their parents

Student Employment

During the stay in Canada, students may engage in part-time work. This enables them to manage daily expenses. The weekly payment is around $20, when a student does part-time job in Canada. Some of the popular job profiles for students in Canada include:

• Recreation facilitator
• Librarian
• Book store keeper
• Research assistant
• Lifeguard at swimming pools
• International student recruiter

Job Prospects: The Legatum Global Prosperity Index has placed Canada in the third position out of 149 nations for providing career opportunities and business environment. Canada has lots of opportunities, given that it has a GDP of USD 1.52 trillion. Being the world’s tenth-largest economy, it offers tremendous career opportunities for students. Economically, Canada is strong and students pursuing professional or technical programs here enjoy plenty of job prospects in the country. Even when they return to their homeland or settle in any other country, they can enjoy impressive career prospects.