Canada

Studying in Canada has become one of the top choices for Indian students, thanks to its world-class educational institutions, multicultural environment, excellent career opportunities, and high quality of life. Canada is known for its diverse programs, affordable tuition fees, post-study work options, and welcoming attitude towards international students. Below is a detailed guide on everything Indian students need to know to study in Canada.

Why Study in Canada?

World-Class Education System: Canada is home to some of the top-ranked universities globally, such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia (UBC), McMaster University, and University of Waterloo. Canadian universities are known for their high academic standards, research opportunities, and innovative teaching methods.
Affordable Education: Compared to countries like the USA and the UK, Canada offers relatively affordable tuition fees while maintaining a high level of education. Tuition fees for international students generally range between CAD 7,000 to 29,000 per year depending on the program and university.
Post-Graduation Work Opportunities: Canada offers excellent opportunities for students to gain work experience after completing their studies. The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows students to stay in Canada and work for up to three years, depending on the length of their program. This is a great pathway to gaining work experience and applying for permanent residency (PR) in Canada.
Cultural Diversity: Canada is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and students from all over the globe choose to study there. The diverse student body creates an inclusive environment where students from India can feel at home while enjoying a rich cultural experience.
Pathway to Permanent Residency: Canada has a relatively straightforward immigration system for international students. After working in Canada post-graduation, students can apply for permanent residency (PR) through various immigration programs like the Express Entry System and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Safe and High Quality of Life: Canada is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world. It has a high standard of living, excellent healthcare, and a strong economy. Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa offer a perfect mix of natural beauty, cosmopolitan lifestyle, and outdoor recreational activities.

Eligibility Requirements for Indian Students

1. Academic Qualifications:

Undergraduate Programs: To apply for a bachelor’s degree, Indian students must have completed their 12th grade (higher secondary education) from a recognized board. The required percentage typically ranges from 60% to 80%, depending on the university and program. For competitive courses like Engineering, Computer Science, and Business, higher grades may be required.
Postgraduate Programs: For a master’s degree, students need a bachelor’s degree from a recognized Indian university. A minimum of 50% to 70% in your undergraduate program is typically required, but the exact percentage varies by the university and course. Some competitive programs, such as MBA or MSc in Engineering, may require higher grades and relevant work experience.

2. English Language Proficiency:

Canadian universities require proof of English language proficiency for international students. The most commonly accepted tests are:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System):

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):

• PTE (Pearson Test of English):

3. Visa Requirements:

To study in Canada, Indian students must apply for a Study Permit (student visa). The requirements for a student visa are:

Letter of Acceptance (LOA): An official letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) confirming your admission to a program of study.
Proof of Funds: You need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs. As of 2024, the general requirement is CAD 10,000 per year for living expenses (for students outside of Quebec).
Study Permit Application: After receiving the Letter of Acceptance, you can apply for a study permit online through the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship website (CIC).
Health and Medical Requirements: Some students may be required to undergo a medical exam. Additionally, students must have health insurance coverage.
Genuine Temporary Resident (GTR) Statement: You must prove that you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies.

4. Health Insurance:

Application Process

1. Research and Choose a Program:

Research the available programs at Canadian universities. Consider factors like your field of interest, university ranking, location, costs, and availability of scholarships. Some resources to explore include the Study in Canada website and university-specific websites.

2. Prepare Documents:

The documents required for your application generally include:

Academic transcripts and certificates
English language proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE)
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Updated Resume/CV (for postgraduate applications)
Passport copy
Proof of funds (bank statements or sponsorship letters)

3. Apply to Universities:

Submit your application through the university’s official portal or through platforms like ApplyBoard or Universities Canada. Ensure you meet the application deadlines, which are typically 6-12 months before the program start date.

4. Receive Offer Letter:

After your application is reviewed, if successful, you will receive an Offer of Admission. You may receive a conditional offer, where you need to fulfill certain criteria (such as submitting final marks or language scores) before the offer becomes unconditional.

5. Accept the Offer and Pay the Deposit:

Once you receive your offer letter, you’ll need to accept it and pay a non-refundable deposit to confirm your place in the program.

6. Apply for Study Permit (Student Visa):

Once you have your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and meet all the requirements, you can apply for your study permit. Make sure to submit all the necessary documents, including proof of funds, medical exam results (if required), and biometric information.

7. Accommodation and Travel:

After your visa is approved, start looking for accommodation. You can choose between on-campus housing, student residences, or private rentals. Once you’ve secured accommodation, you can book your flight to Canada.

Cost of Studying and Living in Canada

1. Tuition Fees:

The cost of studying in Canada depends on the program and university:

Some professional programs like medicine, dentistry, and MBA can be significantly more expensive.

2. Living Expenses:

The average cost of living in Canada ranges between CAD 10,000 to 15,000 per year, depending on the city. The major costs include accommodation, food, transportation, and personal expenses.

Major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are typically more expensive to live in compared to smaller cities like Ottawa, Calgary, and Winnipeg.

3. Scholarships and Financial Aid:

Many Canadian universities offer scholarships and financial aid to international students. Some popular scholarships include:

Post-Graduation Opportunities and Pathways to Permanent Residency

1. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):

After completing your studies, you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows you to stay and work in Canada. The duration of the PGWP depends on the length of your study program (e.g., if your program was 2 years long, you may get a work permit for up to 3 years).

2. Permanent Residency (PR):

Canada offers pathways to permanent residency through programs like the Express Entry system and the Provincial Nominee Program

University List

1. ADLER UNIVERSITY VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

2. ALGONQUIN COLLEGE OTTAWA ONTARIO

3. BOW VALLEY COLLEGE CALGARY ALBERTA

4. BRESCIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON ONTARIO

5. BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – BCIT VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

6. BROCK UNIVERSITY ST. CATHARINES ONTARIO

7. CAMBRIAN COLLEGE SUDBURY ONTARIO

8. CAMBRIAN COLLEGE – HANSON CAMPUS TORONTO ONTARIO

9. CANADORE COLLEGE NORTH BAY ONTARIO

10. CANADORE COLLEGE – STANFORD CAMPUS TORONTO ONTARIO

11. CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY – CBU SYDNEY NOVA SCOTIA

12. CAPILANO UNIVERSITY VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

13. CEGEP GASPE COLLEGE GASPE QUEBEC

14. CEGEP MARIE VICTORIN COLLEGE MONTREAL QUEBEC

15. CENTENNIAL COLLEGE TORONTO ONTARIO

16. CESTAR COLLEGE LONGVEVIL QUEBEC

17. CITY UNIVERSITY VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

18. COAST MOUNTAIN COLLEGE TERRACE BRITISH COLUMBIA

19. COLLEGE NATIONAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MONTREAL QUEBEC

20. COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA PRINCE GEORGE BRITISH COLUMBIA

21. COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES CRANBROOK BRITISH COLUMBIA

22. COLLEGE ST.MICHEL MONTREAL QUEBEC

23. CONESTOGA COLLEGE KITCHENER ONTARIO

24. CONFEDERATION COLLEGE THUNDER BAY ONTARIO

25. CRANDALL UNIVERSITY MONCTON NEW BRUNSWICK

26. CUMBERLAND COLLEGE MELFORT SASKATCHEWAN

27. DOUGLAS COLLEGE NEW WESTMINSTER BRITISH COLUMBIA

28. DURHAM COLLEGE OSHAWA ONTARIO

29. FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY – FDU VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

30. FANSHAWE COLLEGE LONDON ONTARIO

31. FLEMING COLLEGE PETERBOROUGH ONTARIO

32. FLEMING COLLEGE TORONTO ONTARIO

33. FRASER INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE – FIC VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

34. GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE TORONTO ONTARIO

35. GEORGIAN COLLEGE BARRIE ONTARIO

36. GEORGIAN COLLEGE TORONTO ONTARIO

37. GREAT PLAINS COLLEGE SWIFT CURRENT SASKATCHEWAN

38. HUMBER COLLEGE TORONTO ONTARIO

39. INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF MANITOBA – ICM WINNIPEG MANITOBA

40. KEYANO COLLEGE FORT McMURRAY ALBERTA

41. KING’S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE @ WU LONDON ONTARIO

42. KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY SURREY

43. LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY THUNDER BAY ONTARIO

44. LAKELAND COLLEGE LLOYDMINSTER ALBERTA

45. LAMBTON COLLEGE – SARNIA | MISSISSAUGA | TORONTO SARNIA ONTARIO

46. LANGARA COLLEGE VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

47. LASALLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE MONTREAL QUEBEC

48. LASALLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE – UG ONLY VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

49. LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY SUDBURY ONTARIO

50. LESTER B PEARSON SCHOOL BOARD DORVAL QUEBEC

51. LETH BRIDGE COLLEGE LETHBRIDGE ALBERTA

52. LOYALIST COLLEGE BELLVILLE ONTARIO

53. LOYALIST COLLEGE – TORONTO TORONTO ONTARIO

54. MANITOBA INSTITUTE OF TRADE AND TECHNOLOGY – MITT WINNIPEG MANITOBA

55. MEDICINE HAT COLLEGE MEDICINE HAT ALBERTA

56. MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY – GREENFIELD CAMPUS (UG ONLY) ST. JOHN’S NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

57. MOUNT ALLISON UNIVERSITY SACKVILLE NEW BRUNSWICK

58. MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY CALAGARY ALBERTA

59. MOUNT SAINT VINCENT UNIVERSITY HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA

60. NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – NYIT VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

61. NIAGARA COLLEGE WELLAND ONTARIO

62. NIAGARA COLLEGE – TORONTO TORONTO ONTARIO

63. NORQUEST COLLEGE EDMONTON ALBERTA

64. NORTH ISLAND COLLEGE COURTENAY BRITISH COLUMBIA

65. NORTHERN ALBERTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – NAIT EDMONTON ALBERTA

66. NORTHERN COLLEGE TIMMINS ONTARIO

67. NORTHERN COLLEGE – PURES CAMPUS SOUTH PORCUPINE, TORONTO ONTARIO

68. NORTHERN LIGHTS COLLEGE ATLIN BRITISH COLUMBIA

69. OLDS COLLEGE OLDS ALBERTA

70. ONTARIO TECH UNIVERSITY OSHAWA ONTARIO

71. PARKLAND COLLEGE CANORA SASKATCHEWAN

72. RED RIVER COLLEGE WINNIPEG MANITOBA

73. SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC SASKATOON SASKATCHEWAN

74. SAULT COLLEGE SAULT STE. MARIE ONTARIO

75. SELKIRK COLLEGE CASTLEGA BRITISH COLUMBIA

76. SENECA COLLEGE TORONTO ONTARIO

77. SHERIDAN COLLEGE TORONTO ONTARIO

78. SOUTHERN ALBERTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – SAIT CALGARY ALBERTA

79. ST. CLAIR COLLEGE WINDSOR ONTARIO

80. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER UNIVERSITY ANTIGONISH NOVA SCOTIA

81. ST. LAWRENCE COLLEGE KINGSTON ONTARIO

82. ST. LAWRENCE COLLEGE – ALPHA CAMPUS TORONTO ONTARIO

83. ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY (UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA) HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA

84. THE KING’S UNIVERSITY EDMONTON ALBERTA

85. TAV COLLEGE – CEGEP MONTREAL QUEBEC

86. TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY TORONTO ONTARIO

87. TRENT UNIVERSITY PETERBOROUGH ONTARIO

88. TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY LANGLEY BRITISH COLUMBIA

89. UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA EDMONTON ALBERTA

90. UNIVERSITY OF CANADA WEST VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

91. UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH GUELPH ONTARIO

92. UNIVERSITY OF THE FRASER VALLEY ABBOTSFORD BRITISH COLUMBIA

93. UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE LETHBRIDGE ALBERTA

94. UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA – UNBC PRINCE GEORGE BRITISH COLUMBIA

95. UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND CHARLOTTETOWN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

96. UNIVERSITY OF REGINA REGINA SASKATCHEWAN

97. VANCOUVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA

98. VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY NANAIMO BRITISH COLUMBIA

99. VANIER COLLEGE MONTREAL QUEBEC

100. WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY WATERLOO ONTARIO

101. UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR WINDSOR ONTARIO

102. PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE & THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OTTERBURNE MANITOBA

103. NORTHWEST COLLEGE NORTH BATTLEFORD SASKATCHEWAN

104. SOUTHEAST COLLEGE WHITEWOOD SASKATCHEWAN

105. UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN SASKATOON SASKATCHEWAN