If you are planning to study in Canada, you must know about the ways of acquiring a student visa and the specifications about applying to its different colleges and universities. Colleges in Canada are categorized into two types: SDS colleges and Non SDS Colleges. SDS colleges are the most sought-after by international students due to the various benefits that they offer. But what are they? To know more, check out this blog where we have curated a complete guide to studying at SDS and Non SDS colleges, their requirements, and a list of SDS colleges in Canada.
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Table of Contents: |
What is SDS in Canada?
The Student Direct Stream program is the process of acquiring study permits faster than usual for international students in Canada. Non SDS visa on the other hand refers to the general category of applying for a Canadian student visa. One of the most important SDS Canada visa requirements is the country of your residence. To apply for an SDS visa you must be a permanent resident from the following countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Columbia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
If you do not belong to the above-mentioned countries, you need to apply through the regular study permit process in Canada. In Canada, most of the colleges have their Designated Learning Number (DLN) that enlists the institution to be under the SDS visa program. But how can you apply for SDS Colleges in Canada? Let us see the requirements to study at different colleges in Canada under SDS:
Eligibility Criteria for SDS Colleges in Canada
As we have already seen, the first requirement for Student Direct Stream Canada is to have a permanent residence certificate from the desired countries. Apart from that, the eligibility criteria for SDS Canada for Indian students include:
- All international students must acquire an acceptance letter from the Designated Learning Institute (DLI).
- Under the SDS Canada Visa for international students, the payment of tuition fees for the first year is mandatory. The receipt from the DLI is required as a proof for the same. The students also need to present the bank receipt to confirm that the transaction is done from the student’s account to the respective university account.
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 10,000 is another requirement for SDS Canada for Indian students. The certificate is given after the purchase of GIC along with a letter of attestation and Investment Directions Confirmation. The banks keep the funds in the investment or student account till he/she arrives in Canada. Once the students land in Canada, he/she can release the fund by validating their identity.
- English Language Proficiency is a major requirement in all the steps involved in your study abroad journey. Canada too asks for the same during SDS file processing time. The scorecard of IELTS is only taken into consideration for this purpose. You may either opt for IELTS Academic or General. The English Language Proficiency test in Canada are valid for 2 years of the SDS application date.
List of SDS Colleges in Canada
There are a number of SDS colleges and universities in Canada that are popular amongst international students. The top ones include:
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
- Seneca College
- Vanier College
- Columbia College
Let us discuss the specifications of each of these universities:
1. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a leading institution not just in Canada but on the global front. Established in the year 1827, the university has set high standards in terms of learning, exploring and knowledge creation. Under SDS Canada you may apply here to avail yourself the opportunity to learn and work from the eminent faculty members best in their respective domains. It has produced more than 560,000 graduates to date while continuing to strive for excellence every day.
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Location |
Toronto, Ontario |
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Popular Courses |
Masters in Computer Science, Masters in Data Science , Master of Social Work MBA, Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
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Average Fees Per Year |
CAD 50,000 - CAD 130,000 |
2. University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is another SDS university in Canada with a reputation of being one of the best institutions of the world. Apart from being ranked within top 150 in QS World University Ranking 2022, it is also ranked 2nd for employer student connections according to QS Graduate Employability Ranking 2022.
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Location |
Waterloo, Ontario |
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Popular Courses |
Masters in Management Engineering, Masters in Computer Science, Masters in Data Science, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Master of Management Science |
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Average Fees Per Year |
CAD 40,000 - CAD 90,000 |
3. Seneca College
Seneca College is amongst the best SDS colleges in Ontario. Seneca offers much more than bookish knowledge. With campuses throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Seneca’s size and diversity give students the advantage of partnerships with the best industry leaders. The latest in hands-on computer technology, a variety of class sizes, and full-time, part-time and continuing education options make Seneca College a popular institution amongst international students.
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Location |
Toronto, Ontario |
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Popular Courses |
Diploma in Accounting, Business Analytics, Chemical Engineering Technology, Liberal Arts, Public Relations |
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Average Fees Per Year |
CAD 15,000 - CAD 20,000 |
4. Vanier College
Vanier College is another popular college in Quebec that perfectly blends traditionality with modern technology and facilities. It is one of the popular SDS colleges in Montreal that offers full-time pre-university programs and technical career programs that award Diploma of College Studies (DCS) on the completion of the course. There is a Continuing Education Department too that offers credit DCS courses and Attestation of College Studies (ACS) programs, as well as non-credit courses and programs.
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Location |
Montreal Quebec |
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Popular Courses |
Diploma in Computer Science , Business Administration , Building Systems Engineering , Nursing, Architectural Technology |
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Average Fees Per Year |
CAD 8,000 - CAD 9,500 |
Suggested: 5 Best Colleges to study in Quebec for international students!
5. Columbia College
Canada’s longest established not-for-profit college Columbia College is amongst the top SDS colleges in Vancouver for international students. It offers first and second-year university-level courses that lead to College Associate Degree fully transferable to local universities. It is one of those colleges in Vancouver for international students that helps them make it to the universities of their choice. It also offers some High School Programs and a distinguished English Language course.
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Location |
Vancouver |
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Popular Courses |
Diploma in Business Administration, General Science, Applied Science, Communication Studies, General Arts |
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Average Fees Per Year |
CAD 16,500 - CAD 33,000 |
SDS Colleges in Different Provinces in Canada
Now that we have discussed the top SDS colleges and universities in Canada, let us have a look at the colleges under SDS in Canada in different provinces:
List of SDS Colleges in Ontario
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College Name |
City |
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Conrad Grebel University College |
Waterloo |
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Algonquin College |
Ottawa |
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St. Lawrence College |
Toronto |
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Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology |
Toronto |
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Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology |
Sudbury |
List of SDS Colleges in British Columbia
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College Name |
City |
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Alexander College |
Burnaby, Vancouver |
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Camosun College |
Victoria |
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Fraser International College |
Burnaby |
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Columbia College |
Vancouver |
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Langara College |
Vancouver |
List of SDS Colleges in Quebec
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College Name |
City |
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Vanier College |
Montreal |
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Cégep de Rosemont |
Montreal |
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Cégep de Saint-Laurent |
Montreal |
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Cégep du Vieux Montréal |
Montreal |
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LaSalle College |
Montreal |
List of SDS Colleges in Alberta
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College Name |
City |
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Alberta College of Art + Design |
Calgary |
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Bow Valley College |
Calgary |
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NorQuest College |
Edmonton |
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Rocky Mountain College |
Calgary |
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Vanguard College |
Edmonton |
Due to their convenient application process and less time-consuming factor, SDS colleges in Canada are in high demand amongst international students. However, Non SDS colleges are equally good at providing the best educational opportunities. To know more about the difference between both, check out blog SDS v/s Non SDS now!
