Study in Canada
Occupying the northern half of the North American continent, Canada is the world’s second biggest country. Known for its natural beauty – few nations in the world can boast anything close to Canada’s wealth of forests, lakes and mountains
– it is also one of the most prosperous nations in the world, despite the fact that the entire country’s population is smaller than that of California alone.
This sparseness of population is partly down to another Canadian extreme, which is the temperature. It is one of the world’s coldest countries, not surprising given that part of the country lies within the Arctic Circle. But don’t be too put off by this. For one thing it means that the country can offer a true experience of wilderness like few other places in the world, and for another, if you study in Canada you will almost definitely find yourself based in one of the more clement major cities close to the US border.
In these cities, such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Quebec, you will find a famously friendly, tolerant, and multicultural population. In fact, it could be argued that multiculturalism is built into the country, given its past as both a French and a British colony, reflected in the bilingual nature of the modern nation. This friendly attitude is reflected in the country’s approach to international students, who are welcomed with open arms, and even encouraged to stay and live and work in Canada after their degree if they have something to offer. Resultantly, many international students – nearly 200,000 of them in 2009 (5.2% of all international students) – have looked to Canada, finding the combination of open-mindedness, a good quality of life and prestigious universities impossible to turn down.
The country’s top two universities, McGill and the University of Toronto, are locked in long running battle for supremacy. Ranked 17 in the QS World University Rankings, McGill has the edge at present, but University of Toronto is not far behind in 23rd place, and in fact leads the way in many subject specific rankings. As always though, it is worth looking beyond the top one or two institutions, and indeed, there is no shortage of quality in Canada’s 21 ranked universities. Nine of these make the world’s top 200, a feat matched only by a handful of other nations, so if you want to study at an elite university in one of the world’s most developed nations, you could certainly do far worse than apply to study in Canada.
Admissions/Entry/Visa requirements
Canada is not the world’s most expensive study destination, particularly compared to its cousin south of the border. However, it’s not the cheapest place to study either. The average fee for international undergraduate students in 2010 was US$16,038 – a figure which is likely to have gone up slightly in the years since then. Universities set their own fees, so it might be worth shopping around if cost is an issue. It will also vary by subject – humanities students will tend to get off relatively easy, whereas engineering or medicine students will be hit by higher fees.
When you’ve chosen your shortlist of universities, the next stage is to get in touch with each university’s international office, who will take you through the application procedure. You will need to apply directly to the institution(s), as there is no centralized application procedure as such.
In order to study in Canada, you will need to obtain a study permit, which serves as a student visa for the duration of your stay.
The process for obtaining a study permit is as follows:
• You must first obtain a standardized letter of acceptance from a recognized higher education provider.
• Before you begin the process proper, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) recommend that you check the processing times to see how long it’ll take, which you can do on its website. Paper applications take about twice as long as online ones.
• The next stage is to get an application package, either from the CIC website or by contacting your local Canadian visa office. You may also need to obtain a temporary residence permit if you are from a designated country, but this will not complicate matters too much as it’ll be processed at the same time as your study permit application.
• Unless you’re from the US, St. Pierre and Miquelon, or Greenland (you will need to prove your citizenship), you will need to prove you have a passport which allows you to return to your country of origin after your course is complete. Two passport-sized pictures are also required, with your name and date of birth written on the back.
• You’ll also have to prove you have enough money to support yourself. At present this is deemed to be C$10,000 for every year of your stay (C$11,000 if you’re living in Quebec) on top of your tuition fees. To prove you have this money you can provide any of the following proofs: four month’s worth of bank statements, evidence of a Canadian account in your name if the money’s been transferred, a bank draft in a convertible currency, proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees, a letter from a person or institution providing you with money, or proof of funding paid from within Canada if you have a scholarship or are undertaking a Canadian-funded program.
• You will need to pay an application fee of C$125. If you are from a designated country, you will also be required to submit some medical information.
• You will not be able to get a study permit if you have a criminal record, and you must confirm that you will be leaving the country afterwards (this will include having enough money to pay for transportation back home), though, of course, you can apply to stay on and work in Canada when you’re degree is over.
• You may have to attend an interview at your local visa office.
• Students studying in Quebec must also apply for a certificate of acceptance, known as a CAQ, from the government of Quebec. You must acquire this before you are permitted to apply for a study permit. You can do this online, by printing out a form, or by requesting a paper form from your university, who will also provide advice on this subject.
• If and when it’s decided you can study in Canada, you’ll receive a letter of introduction, and a temporary residence visa if required. Present these along with your passport, proof of your finances and your letter of acceptance (and any other documents that you’ve been advised to take) to the border control agency in Canada, who will then give you your study permit.
• Before you begin the process proper, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) recommend that you check the processing times to see how long it’ll take, which you can do on its website. Paper applications take about twice as long as online ones.
• The next stage is to get an application package, either from the CIC website or by contacting your local Canadian visa office. You may also need to obtain a temporary residence permit if you are from a designated country, but this will not complicate matters too much as it’ll be processed at the same time as your study permit application.
• Unless you’re from the US, St. Pierre and Miquelon, or Greenland (you will need to prove your citizenship), you will need to prove you have a passport which allows you to return to your country of origin after your course is complete. Two passport-sized pictures are also required, with your name and date of birth written on the back.
• You’ll also have to prove you have enough money to support yourself. At present this is deemed to be C$10,000 for every year of your stay (C$11,000 if you’re living in Quebec) on top of your tuition fees. To prove you have this money you can provide any of the following proofs: four month’s worth of bank statements, evidence of a Canadian account in your name if the money’s been transferred, a bank draft in a convertible currency, proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees, a letter from a person or institution providing you with money, or proof of funding paid from within Canada if you have a scholarship or are undertaking a Canadian-funded program.
• You will need to pay an application fee of C$125. If you are from a designated country, you will also be required to submit some medical information.
• You will not be able to get a study permit if you have a criminal record, and you must confirm that you will be leaving the country afterwards (this will include having enough money to pay for transportation back home), though, of course, you can apply to stay on and work in Canada when you’re degree is over.
• You may have to attend an interview at your local visa office.
• Students studying in Quebec must also apply for a certificate of acceptance, known as a CAQ, from the government of Quebec. You must acquire this before you are permitted to apply for a study permit. You can do this online, by printing out a form, or by requesting a paper form from your university, who will also provide advice on this subject.
• If and when it’s decided you can study in Canada, you’ll receive a letter of introduction, and a temporary residence visa if required. Present these along with your passport, proof of your finances and your letter of acceptance (and any other documents that you’ve been advised to take) to the border control agency in Canada, who will then give you your study permit.
Useful resources
At-a-glance facts about Canada
• Federal democracy with bicameral legislature
• Made up of ten provinces
• Official head of state is UK monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II), who appoints a governor general (currently David Johnston) to whom ceremonial duties are delegated
• Head of government is prime minister (currently Stephen Harper)
• Capital city is Ottawa
• Official languages are English and French (spoken mostly in the Quebec province)
• Gained independence from the UK in 1931
• Population estimated to be 34,030,589 by the CIA World Factbook
• With a total landmass of 3,855,100 square miles, Canada is the world’s second biggest country
• Most popular sport is ice hockey – sometimes simply referred to as hockey
• 80% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Canada
• Currency is Canadian dollar, symbol: $ or C$, C$1 = US$1
• Time zone varies from UTC-3.5 to UTC-8, changing to UTC-2.5 to UTC-8 during summer months
• International dialling code is +1
• Made up of ten provinces
• Official head of state is UK monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II), who appoints a governor general (currently David Johnston) to whom ceremonial duties are delegated
• Head of government is prime minister (currently Stephen Harper)
• Capital city is Ottawa
• Official languages are English and French (spoken mostly in the Quebec province)
• Gained independence from the UK in 1931
• Population estimated to be 34,030,589 by the CIA World Factbook
• With a total landmass of 3,855,100 square miles, Canada is the world’s second biggest country
• Most popular sport is ice hockey – sometimes simply referred to as hockey
• 80% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Canada
• Currency is Canadian dollar, symbol: $ or C$, C$1 = US$1
• Time zone varies from UTC-3.5 to UTC-8, changing to UTC-2.5 to UTC-8 during summer months
• International dialling code is +1
Major Student Cities
MONTREAL
The biggest city in the French-speaking province of Quebec, Montreal is home to the nation’s highest ranking university, McGill University (17), which is the only Canadian university to break into the world’s top 20. Beyond that it is home to the Université de Montréal (137) and Concordia University (512) among others. While McGill and Concordia operate primarily in English, the majority of the city’s universities are Francophone, as are its residents, so even if you’re at an Anglophone university, be prepared to make an effort. It will be worth it if you do: Montreal is renowned for being one of North America’s cultural capitals, boasting a unique combination of European sophistication and American pizzazz which gives it a buzz few other places can match. Montreal was also recently ranked as one of the top ten most student-friendly cities in the world in QS Best Student Cities 2012.
TORONTO
Toronto is known for being one of the world’s most multicultural cities, with around half of its population hailing from outside of the city. Accordingly, it is an exciting and diverse place to be, which is reflected in the city’s culture and cuisine. It is known for being a creative hub; the Toronto International Film Festival is one of the biggest there is, and its live music scene is celebrated by locals and visitors alike. But Toronto has its serious side too, and is considered to be the financial and media capital of Canada. The city’s flagship university, the University of Toronto, is one of the nation’s biggest and most prestigious institutions. Toronto is also home to York University (354) and a number of other establishments.
- Toronto is the 26th best student city globally. View the full QS Best Student Cities 2012>
VANCOUVER
A relatively young city which lies on Canada’s west coast, Vancouver is the perfect destination for those who want to combine city living with easy access to the great outdoors. And by great, we really mean great – the landscape of surrounding British Columbia is truly spectacular, ranging from lush green forests and stunningly unspoilt lakes, to the rugged magnificence of the Canadian Rockies (which also find a lot of favour with skiers). But there’s plenty on offer for city slickers too in this cosmopolitan and vibrant town, which has consistently featured in lists of the world’s most liveable cities over the past decade. The city’s biggest university, the University of British Columbia is also its highest ranking (51). It is joined in the 2011 QS World University Rankings by Simon Fraser University, which comes in at 260.
- Vancouver is the 31st best student city globally. View the full QS Best Student Cities 2012 >
QUEBEC CITY
If you like picturesque historical cities, you can’t really do much better than Quebec City. Founded in the early 17th century, Quebec is the capital of the province with which it shares its name, and therefore, of French-speaking Canada as a whole. The main industries in this town, therefore, are administrative and governmental work, and tourism. Though Quebec City is not known for its nightlife, it hosts a number of colourful festivals, and there is no shortage of watering holes throughout the city to hang out and get to know the locals. University-wise you can choose from Laval University (316) and the Université du Québec (479). Tuition is primarily in French.
EDMONTON
Edmonton, capital city of the province of Alberta, is the seat of the University of Alberta, ranked fourth in Canada and 100th in the world. Aside from its university, it is known for being the home of the West Edmonton Mall, formerly the biggest shopping mall in the world, and for being one of the most northerly major cities in the world. Don’t let that put you off too much though, as it is relatively (emphasis on relatively) mild compared to some other more southerly Canadian cities. Its location, towards the west of Canada, also means there is no shortage of natural beauty within spitting distance, and the city itself has plenty of attractions - from the theatres and auditoriums of the Arts District, to the fashionable Old Strathcona area and arresting modern and historical
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