Canada

STUDY IN CANADA

Canada is the world’s second largest country by total area. The capital of Canada is Ottawa and its three popular metropolitan cities are Toronto, Montreal, Victoria, Calgary, Halifax, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Canada have 10 provinces and 3 territories.

Multiculturalism is often cited as one of the Canada’s significant accomplishments. Though French and English are more in number, Canada is a land of Immigrants. Canada is a world leader in Aerospace, Pharmaceutical, Telecommunication, and Biotechnology. Currency of Canada is Canadian dollar. Northern Canada is known for its gas and oil exploration while eastern Canada is known for its agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Provinces of Ontario and Quebec are known for industries.

WHY STUDY IN CANADA?

As Canada is the second largest country and is multiculturalism so English is everywhere which solves the communication issues. One can easily survive just by speaking and communicating in English. Qualification in Canada is valued around the world and is also affordable. Students also have the opportunities of paid internships while studying. Canada have a multicultural society and healthy and safe communities as well. Canada provides post study work visa and good opportunities after completion of studies. Also, possibility of permanent residency.

PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM

Governments of Canada have an agreement with most of the provinces and territories in Canada that allows them to nominate immigrants who wish to settle in those provinces.

For Canadian permanent residency, provincial nomination is an important fast – track option.

Following are provinces which periodically participate in the provincial Nominee Program (PNP):

• Ontario
• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

It accelerates the permanent resident application process for skilled and/or experienced workers, experienced business persons and their family members who want to settle in these provinces permanently.

Parents can be sponsored to permanently reside in Canada. There is another kind of visa besides visa that is ‘super visa’ which is for the parents and the grandparents of permanent residents or citizens of Canada which is valid for up to 10

years and allows parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status.

CANADA EXPRESS ENTRY

For Canadian immigration Express Entry is a selection system which is designed to select skilled workers for immigration to Canada. It is a complete electronic process involving the federal government, provincial governments, and Canadian employers. The selection of immigration is done through its point based system that allocates points to candidates, based on their key profile factors, i.e., age, education, work, experience, language skills, etc. There are total of 1200 points available under the comprehensive ranking system. Eligible candidates are involved to make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada who are all entered in the express entry pool. Some of these candidates in the pool who are eligible are issued invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence and take the process forward. With demands of international students Express Entry Canada has undergone changes on 19^th November 2016. International students have been allotted additional points based on their level of education in Canada ranging from 0-30 points.

TYPES OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN CANADA

There are 2 types of institutions in Canada:

• Universities
• Community colleges.

UNIVERSITIES IN CANADA

There are 98 universities in Canada. Canada has 4 universities which are in the top 100 world ranking.

• University of Toronto
• McGill University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Alberta

The universities in Canada offer bachelors, masters, PhD programs. Masters and PhD programs are available at the universities only. There are 150 community colleges across Canada. The community colleges offer UG diplomas, bachelor’s degree, University Transfer Program and PG Diplomas.

DURATION OF THE DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS IN CANADA

• For Doctoral or PhD it’s a minimum of 2-5 years of full-time study for doctoral programs is required after masters.
• Master’s degree comprise of at least 2 years of full-time studies including a thesis, practicum, or research paper.
• PG Diploma/Graduate certificate is generally of 1 year duration and exceptionally of two years as well.
• Undergraduate bachelor’s degree consists of 4 years of full-time study.
• UG diploma generally comprises of 2-3 years of full time study. 2 year program is a diploma and 3 year program is an Advance Diploma.

AVAILABLE INTAKES TO STUDY IN CANADA

The main intakes are in September and January. There is a limited May intake as well.

ELIGIBILITY FOR BACHELORS AND UG DIPLOMAS TO STUDY IN CANADA

The students applying for the bachelors and UG diplomas must have 12 years of full time school education. For UG diplomas minimum grades is 50-55% in 12^th standard and for Bachelor’s degree requires above 60%. However, high ranked universities requires 70% and above. Some programs may also require specific subjects like mathematics in 12^th standard.

ELIGIBILITY FOR MASTERS AND PG DIPLOMAS TO STUDY IN CANADA

 

For the bachelors minimum 65% is required. Most of the high ranked universities require 70% and above. A full-time education of 16 years is required for Masters in technical streams like engineering, pharmacy, computer science etc. Whereas, 15 years of education is also acceptable in some of the universities. For PG diplomas minimum 50-55% in bachelors is required. 15 years of education is accepted for all PG Diplomas in community colleges. For some programs specific subjects like mathematics may also exist.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS TO STUY IN CANADA

IELTS 6.0 with no band less than 6.0 is required for majority of the programs for UG Diploma Programs, and some colleges do accept one band 5.5. IELTS coaching is provided at our centers.

DESIGNATED LEARNING INSTITUTIONS TO STUDY IN CANADA

An international student will need to have a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution to apply for a study permit on or after 1^st June 2014. Each province and territory in Canada is responsible for designated educational institutions at the post-secondary level that may enroll international students on or after 1^st June 2014.

WORK PERMIT FOR STUDENTS IN CANADA

Students are eligible to work part time on and off campus from day one. Study permits will automatically authorize the holder to work on/off campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic session and full time during scheduled breaks without the need to apply for a separate work permit.

The study permit holder should be pursuing academic, vocational, or professional training of six months or more that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate at a Designated Learning Institution.

Co-op and internship programs: Many of the programs have inbuilt internships of one or two semesters which provides an opportunity for the student to get first hand exposure and experience in industry relating to his or her area of study. Internships are for lesser time period i.e. , 15 days to 30 days and may or may not be paid. Co-ops are paid and are for semester or more.

POST STUDY WORK VISA IN CANADA

All the international students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution are eligible for post study work visa to gain valuable Canadian work experience.

To be eligible for a Post study work visa, international students should have studied full-time for at least 8 months preceding the completion of their program and have graduated from a Designated Learning Institution. The students must have completed and passed the program of study and received written notification that they are eligible to obtain their degree, diploma, or certificate. The student must apply for a post study work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation from their academic

institution that they have met the requirements of their program. Student must have a valid study permit when applying for the post study work permit. There are no restrictions provided by the Post Study Work Visa on the type of employment and requirement of a job offer:

• 1 year study – 1 year of Post Study Work Visa
• 2 years study – up to 3 years of Post Study Work Visa

 

 

SDS – STUDY DIRECT STREAM – CANADA VISA FOR INDIAN STUDENTS

On 7^th June 2018 Canada has launched the Study Direct Stream which streamlines the process for Indian students to study at Universities and Colleges in Canada.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PROGRAM UNDER SDS

Students must have the admission to a full-time program at a University, College, Institute or CEGEP which is a Designated Learning Institute. Students must have an IELTS score of 6 overall with a minimum band of 6 for each ability (listening, reading, writing and speaking) as well, taken within past two years. Student should purchase of a special Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD $10,000 to cover living expenses for the first year of stay in Canada. Student must have a proof of payment of the tuition fee for one year. Student must have given upfront medical examination at least one week before submission of the visa application.

MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF APPLYING UNDER SDS

Streamlined visa process for all SDS eligible institutions. There is minimal financial documentation. It provides faster visa processing time.

PHD IN CANADA

Lakehead University offers PhD programs to international students and we do receive commission for the same. However, admissions in PhD program is not guaranteed and is very competitive.

Lakehead University offers the following options:

• Biotechnology
• Chemistry and Materials Science
• Educational and Computer Engineering
• Forest Sciences

 

SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDY IN CANADA

As compared to scholarships offered by other countries like USA, UK or Australia, the scholarships in Canada are quite competitive as they are very limited in number than those in other countries. The scholarship eligibility depends on the outstanding academic grades and exceptional English Proficiency scores. Scholarships are offered by mostly the

universities that are without any particular application based on the eligibility benchmarks but at some institutions the students need to apply for the same. Scholarships are mainly offered at the entrance level but for some scholarships the students are supposed to prove their excellence in academics in the subsequent years of education as well.

POPULAR SCHOLARSHIPS IN CANADA

• PEO International Peace Scholarships for women

Scholarship Amount: CAD $12,500

Scholarship Type: Merit Based

Applicability: Accredited Universities and Colleges in USA or Canada

• Ontario graduate scholarships (For a Master’s program)

Scholarship Amount: CAD $5,000 per semester (for 2 to 3 consecutive semesters only)

Scholarship Type: Merit Based

Applicability: University of Toronto

• Dalhousie University Scholarships

Scholarship amount: CAD $500 to CAD $2000 per year

Scholarship Type: Merit Based

Applicability: Dalhousie University

• University of Saskatchewan International Student Awards

Scholarship Amount: CAD $500 to CAD $3000

Scholarship Type: Merit Based

Applicability: University of Saskatchewan

• York University International Student Scholarships

(for undergraduate programs)

Global Leader of Tomorrow Award: CAD $80,000 ($20,000 x 4 years)

International Entrance Scholarships: CAD $140,000 ($35,000 x 4 years)

Scholarship Type: Merit Based

Applicability: York University

• University of Waterloo: Entrance Scholarships

Scholarship Amount: CAD $10,000 per year

Scholarship Type: Merit Based

Applicability: University Of Waterloo

• Lakehead University: Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship

Scholarship Amount: CAD $4,000 to up to CAD $30,000

Scholarship Type: Merit Based

Applicability: Lakehead University

• Brock University – Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship

Scholarship Amount: CAD $1,000 – CAD $4,000 per year

Scholarship Type: Merit based

Applicability: Brock University

• Trent International Global Citizen Scholarships and Award

Scholarship Amount: CAD $2,000 to CAD $22,000 per year

Scholarship Type: Merit Based

Applicability: Trent University

POINTS TO REMEMBER FOR SUCCESSFUL OFFERS AND VISA OF CANADA

• Apply only for those students whose IELTS score is not less than 6.0 with no band less than 6.0 for UG and overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 for PG.
• Those students who have failed in several courses and have large gaps of 5 or more years in studies and inconsistency in program choice with past studies. The course chosen by the students should be relevant.
• Students must be good in academics. They must have 60% and above throughout their academics qualification for their visa approval.
• The visa gets refused if the student is low in academics and has a gap of 2-5 years after completion of last studies, the case is weak and the visa may be refused.

DO UNIVERSITIES OR COLLEGES IN CANADA HELP IN JOB PLACEMENTS?

Every college and universities have training and placement cell which helps the students in preparing their CV and interviews. Job fairs are held by all the institutions in which various local companies participate. It is quite likely that the students enrolled in a co-op program will get placed in their respective companies.

SOURCES OF FUNDS TO STUDY IN CANADA

The sources of funds of the students must be self–funded, i.e., Parents. These loans must be from approved banks. Repayment commences up to one year after graduation or 6 months after securing a job whichever is earlier. The period for repayment also varies and may be up to 15 years. Students are allowed to work part-time 20 hours a week during term time and 40 hours a week during vacations.