A dream choice for nearly half a million international students, Canada is known to offer high-quality education at affordable tuition fees with globally recognized degrees. Add to it, an excellent quality of life, immense post-study work and immigration opportunities - Canada stands out as a popular among Indian students.
To study in Canada students require a study permit. While a student visa authorizes 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 authorized migration experts.
Your expenses on tuition fees depend 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 | Master of Business Administration | $ 30,000 to $ 40,000 |
*Please note all fee figures are indicative
You can apply to various Canadian scholarships as well to bring down your educational expenses.
Read more about Cost of studying in Canada.
Here are some popular government-funded scholarships available for Indian students to study in Canada:
| S.No. | Name of the scholarship | 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 |
Unlike a single intake in Indian universities, Canadian community colleges and universities provide 3 intakes. In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. The three intakes available in Canada are:
Here are the popular courses that you can choose for studying in Canada:
When deciding which university to study at, it is crucial that you also look at the world university rankings.
| 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 |
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.
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:
Indian students are allowed to work for 20 to 30 hours per week during an ongoing session and full-time during vacations. You can also get up to three years of extension post completion of your studies depending on your program duration.
Students wishing to take a study gap in Canada must justify their reasons. Here are some commonly accepted reasons:
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) program was introduced by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada to expedite the visa process. This program has not only accelerated the visa process but has also made it more streamlined and convenient. SDS allows applicants to receive their visas within 4-6 weeks. Moreover, if an eligible student applies through SDS, it is highly likely that their application will be processed within 20 days from the date of submission.
Diploma courses in Canada offer internships, allowing students to gain valuable first-hand experience in a corporate setting and pursue promising job prospects. Canadian institutions go the extra mile by partnering with reputable companies, providing students with a wide range of placement opportunities. Moreover, many institutions employ career specialists to guide students through the placement process and support them in securing desirable employment.