Canadian universities are a popular choice for international students for a variety of reasons. These include an enviably high standard of living and quality of life, prestigious universities with relatively high global rankings, lower tuition/room & board costs, better acceptance rates, affordable health insurance, and the fact that Canada is a diverse, welcoming, safe and well-organized country. Hence, looking at Canada as an alternative option to education from one’s home country can make good sense for some international students. Obtaining a visa to study at a designated learning institution in Canada is relatively simple and can be completed online.
Educational Options Abound – Students studying in Canada have a range of choices, the majority being public, from large research institutions like McGill University, University of British Columbia, and University of Toronto which consistently rank high among top universities worldwide (see Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2021) to the smaller universities like the ‘Maple League’ institutions which make up a consortium of four similar schools in Eastern Canada and Quebec: Mount Allison University, Acadia University, St. Francis Xavier University and Bishop’s University. The focus of the Maple League is a liberal education for undergraduate students. Canadian universities, as a whole, offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees which pretty much cover the entire spectrum of academic offerings ranging from the Sciences, to Business and Commerce (a very popular undergraduate option), Fine Arts, Humanities, and Engineering. Study abroad and other co-curricular programs are available. Bachelor degrees are generally four years in duration.
Acceptance Rates are High – Additionally, top Canadian universities have relatively high acceptance rates which vary by faculty. There are programs, however, such as Commerce at Queen’s University, Business at Richard Ivey (University of Western Ontario), and Health Sciences at McMaster University which are highly selective with admission rates in the single digits. Admission requirements vary by institution and are quite transparent, resulting in fewer ineligible students applying haphazardly just in case they might get in. Typically, students are evaluated based on their academic transcript from grades 11 and 12. Unlike their US counterparts, Canadian university applications are not essay-intensive, with some exceptions like UBC where essays and a list of activities are required. Essays are, however, becoming more prominent, particularly for Commerce and Engineering programs. Canadian universities are generally easier to gain admission to than their US counterparts and the process is simpler and much less stressful for applicants given that no letters of recommendation or in-person interviews are required and ‘demonstrated interest’ is never a factor. Some competitive programs, such as UBC’s Sauder School of Business, University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, and University of Waterloo’s engineering program, among others, do require an online automated short interview.
Bilingual Education – It is no wonder that students from across the world seek higher education in this bilingual country where they can study in French or in English. In addition to the province of Quebec which is Francophone, bilingual study options are available across the country at institutions such at the University of Ottawa and at Glendon College at York University. Bilingual studies enrich the students’ educational and cultural experience while also improving future job prospects elsewhere in the world, including in Francophone countries.
Co-op Education for Experiential Learning – Canadian education is known for its co-op programs which can take place locally, nationally, or internationally. This type of experiential learning was initially pioneered by the University of Waterloo and has since become the hallmark of Canadian post-secondary education. For those who take advantage of this on-the-job learning option, they will have the opportunity to work in three or more organizations within their industry while gaining income and experience. For most, this will add an additional year to their program of study and work. However, co-op is also a foot-in-the door for employment opportunities and will help students decide what type of work setting appeals to them most – often even allowing students to further narrow down their educational path. The academic year at Canadian universities begins after Labor Day and ends in late April, allowing for a longer summer break, an added advantage for gaining work experience. For information on work permit programs and eligibility criteria, visit www.cic.gc.ca
Finances and Affordability –Tuition fees in Canada are generally lower than those of the US and UK and vary by program. For the 2020/21 academic year, an international student will pay approximately $50,800 ($38,100 USD) per year for tuition if enrolled in applied science versus about $39,600 ($29,700 USD) if enrolled in the humanities. Given that living costs are generally dollar-for-dollar equivalent with the US, and the fact that the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar is 25% lower than the US dollar, education and living costs are quite affordable for international students. Healthcare costs are subsidized by the government, making them very reasonable. Tuition for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, whether residing in Canada or elsewhere, is at a much lower rate and extremely affordable.
Lifestyle –The majority of Canadian universities offer housing in first year, after which students move to off-campus housing in the vicinity of the university or in the city where they are attending university. Some move back home and commute to classes. Given the cosmopolitan and peaceful backdrop, the university experience in a Canadian city is more of a European type lifestyle than the typical American university experience where students live on campus, eat together in dining halls, and attend football and basketball games to cheer on their teams. As such, this type of cosmopolitan city life is well-suited for students who are slightly more mature than their peers. Canada and its major cities consistently rank in third place or better in the world for quality of life
An Open Path to Citizenship – Canada is an ideal place for international students to spread their wings and broaden their horizons especially as they will have an opportunity to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during school breaks. International graduates of Canadian universities may be eligible to transition to permanent residency and eventually to citizenship in Canada which may be a very attractive option to some.
Canada is Welcoming & Embraces Diversity – Canada welcomes those seeking higher education and many of its largest urban centres, Toronto and Vancouver included, boast a foreign-born population of 40% or higher. This multicultural country is very welcoming to students from across the world both in its cities and campuses. International students pay higher tuition rates than domestic students, hence they support the educational institutions they attend while also boosting the economy through their labour, tax payments (if working), and general spending.
Educational Support Services – Support services make the transition to study in Canada easier and include orientation events, language support, student advising, disability-related accommodations, and career counseling. There are a variety of extracurricular clubs and associations to engage the student in campus life and academics.
Outdoor Life – For students who are environmentally conscious and for those who seek active adventure and enjoy spending time outdoors, Canada offers a myriad of experiences. Adventures abound from windsurfing to kayaking, from sailing to white water rafting, from hiking to mountain-climbing, from spending time in world-class ski resorts to visiting rainforests and pristine national parks. In fact, students in Vancouver can ski and surf the ocean on the same day!
Finally, in Canada, the culture of kindness, tolerance, and inclusion is more the norm than the exception. Nobody asks you “where are you from”. It is, therefore, no wonder that more and more students, from across the world, flock to the shores of this safe and beautiful country which is ranked sixth on the global peace index. www.EduCanada.ca is the official government of Canada website for study in Canada information and a good place to begin your research.