Request A Consultation
523, Zest Business Spaces, Next to Doshi Nursing Home, M.G Road, Ghatkopar (E), Mumbai - 400077
nshah@srcounsellingind.com
+91 9820545774   +91 8655657557

Canada

Home Canada

Canada

Scenic beauty, snowcapped mountains and a country neutral to all the violence and war in the world is what comes to mind when one thinks of Canada. It is the second largest country in the world and covers a major part of the North American continent. Traditionally, Canada has been on the forefront of education with it claiming the title for the worlds most educated country. It is estimated that over half of its population are college graduates and their contributions to the world of research, technology, and medicine rivals that of most countries.

As an international education hub, Canada is a recent favorite amongst Indian students owning to reasons such as easier immigration and a large expatriate Indian population amongst others. Not restricted to Indians alone, Canada draws in a wide array of multicultural international students from around the world with statistics in 2014 showing over 330,000 student entries according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education. These high numbers placed it as the 7th most popular choice for international students.

Why Study in Canada?

One of the biggest reasons to study in Canada is that amongst developed nations, it still offers one of the easiest immigrations and settlement options possible. Reasons that further cement Canada’s rising popularity include a lifestyle similar to that of USA yet at a cheaper rate and Universities that rival and compete with American Universities on the global stage. Universities such as McGill and University of Toronto are world renowned and an education from these and several other Canadian Universities is at par in value to that of most American universities. Furthermore, Canada is also deemed to be one of the safest places in the world and thus offers an invaluable stress-free chance to study and work in peace. Thus, Canada offers simpler, cheaper, and yet value for money and thus is a major attraction for Asian students from countries such as India and China amongst others.

Preparing for a Degree in Canada -

A brief look at what goes into getting ready for an education in the Canada.

  • (1) Exams Needed – GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS

    Apart from solid grades in the preceding step (high school for undergraduates and bachelors for graduates) standardized tests such as GMAT and GRE along with language proficiency tests like the TOEFL and IELTS are needed. As the selection process is very university and course specific, all students would not need to undertake all these tests ex – a GMAT is only needed for Management students. A 6.0-6.5 and 6.5-7 band on IELTS are basic requirtments for undergraduate and graduate students respectively. For TOEFL, 80 for undergraduates and 90 for graduates is the necessity.

  • (2) University Application Process

    (a) Form Submission

    Along with personal identity, financial documents and medical records, documents such as marksheets of X and XII and bachelors if applicable, SOP, LOR, documents showing work experience, a strong resume and copies of the entrance exam results are required to fill the university form. It is important to note that students who wish to stay in Ontario can apply to multiple universities through a common portal - Ontario Universities Common Application Centre (OUAC). However, separate applications must be made to universities in cities other than Ontario.

  • (b) Issuance of Unconditional Letter of Acceptance by University

    Upon selection the University issues and unconditional letter of acceptance under a particular course which will form an important part of the visa application.

  • (3) Visa Process

    Once a student enrolls for a course with a university shortlisted under the Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) list given out by CIC, he/she are eligible for a student visa. Owing to the introduction of the Student Partnership Program by the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, the visa process has become quite simple. Canadian Visa for students fall under three categories - SPP, General (Non SPP) and University.

  • (a) Visa Application

    Visa applications can be made both online and offline. Online application can be made at the link given at the CIC Website and offline applications can one of the ten application centers across India. Some of the most important documents of a visa application include letter of acceptance from the university, a proof of finance showing that the student can support himself in Canada, a medical certificate issued by a doctor on the list of panel physicians provided by the official Canada immigration website.

  • (b) Visa Fees

    The fees for a Canadian Study permit costs close to USD 120 or 150 Canadian Dollars.

  • (c) Interview Preparation - Visa Interview

    All the documents submitted uptill now might still be required again during the interview. A student needs to be prepared with answers such as why they want to study in Canada? And what are their plans after completion of the course.

  • (d) Visa Outcome

    If the medical report deems the student to be fit and also the form and other documents are in line with the embassy’s expectations, then the visa should be issued immediately.

Successfully getting a degree – The Phase of Grinding and coming out on top

  • (1) Course Duration

    On an average an undergraduate degree from a Canadian university requires about 3-4 years of full time study with certain undergraduate certificate courses offering a shorter 1-2 years period. On the contrary most full-time master’s course last between 1-2 years depending on the mix of research and coursework within the course. In comparison to the US, Canada has rolled out a shorter academic year thereby giving students a shorter winter break but a longer time over the summer to work and make ends meet.

  • (2) Cost – Tuition and Living expenses

    Tuition Fees

    Due to a concrete infrastructure of public funding to universities through provincial governments, Canada offer students’ fees at the lower end of the spectrum. Furthermore, stringent rule and checks ensure that all universities are roughly on the same page when it comes to adhering to a code of academic standard and fees structure. The average tuition fees per year in a Canadian university is about USD 32,000 with some MBA courses on the more expensive side.

  • Living Expenses

    Depending on various variables such as type of accommodation (on campus, off campus, room or apartment and city) a very broad range of expenses per month can be put at around USD 600- 800 per month which is a little lower than the average in the USA. However, a slight additional expense that comes along with living in Canada is a one-time expense of a few hundred dollars on warm clothes due to the extremely cold winters.

  • (3) Loans - Scholarships – Student Employment

    (a) Loans

    Most government and private banks in India offer student loans ranging from as low as Rs 50,000 to as high as Rs 30,00,000 with varying interest rates and flexible re payment conditions.

  • (b) Scholarships

    While scholarships and tuition waivers are not that often to come across in Canadian universities, there are certainly options of securing Assistantships that amount to a part tuition waiver along with a monthly stipend to cover some living expenses. However, these are highly sought after only a student with a very strong academic base can get one.

  • (c) Student Employment

    Like the US, international students are allowed to work for 20hrs per week during course time and 40hrs during vacations for an average of C$10.25 per hour. Interestingly, what sets Canada apart is that students are also allowed to work off campus and even take full time salaried jobs that amount to anywhere between C$400-1000. This is a unique offering from the Canadian government under a co-operative education course where students can balance period of work and study together. Such options and cheaper lifestyle make it a dream within reach for students from the lower end of the financial spectrum as well.

  • (4) Academic Freedom - Possibility to change fields, courses

    Any student studying at the post-secondary level can apply to change the course of study and even the school without needing to apply for a new study permit. After being accepted in the new course the student must inform the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about the change. An important thing to keep in mind is the duration of the study permit. A study permit is issued with a validity as per the original course and changing of the course can lead a student to have to spend more time in the country. In that case the student will have to apply for an extension of the study permit.

Life After a Degree – Setting up for a life time of change

  • (1) Visa Tenure and Re-application

    Any international student that passes a graduate program of 2 or more years is eligible for a straight 3-year work permit. What’s important to note is that the permit comes without the contingencies such as type of employment etc. In a similar format, a student who has completed a one-year course is eligible for a one-year work permit. This is one of the biggest highlights of an education from Canada and sets it apart from most of the other nations competing for international students.

  • (2) Average Salaries and growth options

    The average salary of an engineer in Canada is reported to be in the range of USD 63,0000 per year.

  • (3) Scope of Permanent Residence

    Once the three year or one-year period of free work permit is over, any student with even a one-year work experience in the country can apply for a permanent visa. Under the Express Entry structure, the government has opened it’s arms for skilled immigrants that can contribute towards the growth of the economy to become citizens of the country. After a rather brief 15-18-month process, this education trip to the country can become a life long settlement in the beautiful country of Canada

    With the Canadian government and the people of the multicultural country opening their arms to skilled and valuable people to join them in sharing their country, the time is absolutely right to choose Canada for an overseas education. A lesser expensive education, a cheaper lifestyle, degrees that are recognized globally, a free work permit post study and easy immigration options… with such an attractive array of offerings, Canada is surely the place to be.