Study in Canada for Indian Students: Top Universities, Courses, Fees & Requirements

Here’s an overview of all the factors that an international student must know about study abroad in Canada: 

With its highly advanced education sector, diverse culture, and picturesque landscapes, Canada stands out to be a global hub for higher education. Canada is also a peace loving country that is suitable for international students to feel comfortable and safe. Here is a look at some other benefits of studying in Canada:

• Canada is known as one of the most educated countries in the world. The government of Canada spends graciously on education and academics to maintain their standards.  

• Canada is an immigrant friendly country that has been hosting around 15 millions of them in the last century and half. It was also the first country to introduce multicultural policy back in the 70s.

• The Canadian universities charge an affordable fee from the international students. Although the fee structure varies based on the programme of study you choose, it is cheaper than US and UK universities. 

• The Canadian government offers various funding and support facilities to international students. Besides, the student visa provides the eligibility to earn while studying in Canada for 20 hours/week. 

• The job market in Canada is huge and highly competitive. As a graduate from a Canadian university, you will have the opportunity to work and explore different sectors of the country and the world.

The education system in Canada has both public-funded and private institutes that offer the best quality of education. There are 213 public colleges along with 223 public and private universities in Canada that offer more than 10,000 graduate and undergraduate programs. The types of degrees that universities in Canada offer are:

• Undergraduate Degree: A bachelors degree in Canada is pursued after competition of class 12th. The duration of the program depends on the type of course and province. However, most undergraduate degrees in Canada are for a duration of 4 years.
  
  
• Associate Degree:  This is an undergraduate level degree and requires one or two years of study in a specific field or discipline. However, these programs vary widely from institution to institution, and from province to province.
  
  
• Graduate Degree: A Master of Arts or Master of Science is known as a graduate degree. Masters degree in Canada is of a 2-3 years duration.
  
  
• PhD: The Doctorate or PhD degree in Canada is a specialised post-graduate degree that can take anywhere from 3-6 years to complete. 

The detailed view of different types of institutions for higher studies in Canada is provided below:

Credit System in Canada

All universities in Canada follow the same credit system. The credits that a student earns during the course are taken into consideration to calculate the final result.

• A student requires 3-5 credits per course for an undergraduate degree/Bachelor’s. Typically, around 90-120 credit hours are required to complete a Bachelor's degree 
• For a Master’s course, it is 3-4 credits per course. Around 30 or more credits are required for a Master's degree in Canada.
• The Canadian education system uses the GPA or the grade point average, which is a scale from 0.0 to 4.0 to grade students. For a semester, these are calculated based on marks obtained in each course and credits earned for that semester. 4.0 represents A grade and 0.0 is equivalent to F grade. 

There are many top universities in Canada that excel in several aspects of teaching and research. Let us have a look at some of  the best colleges in Canada:

The universities in Canada offer a wide range of courses. All of them scale up your career and upgrade the quality of your life. But there are some that are regarded as the best courses to study in Canada by international students. Some of the best courses in Canada for international students are:  

• Business and Finance
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Engineering
• Health and Medicine
• Agriculture Science and Forestry
• Media and Journalism
• Law
• Economics 

Let us now go through the most popular programs that students opt to study in Canada:

The process to study in Canada for Indian students and International students can be completed through an online mode. A step-by-step Canada admission process is discussed below:

1. Decide the course you want to pursue and start searching for the best universities offering that course. 
2. Once the universities are shortlisted, check out the official websites of each university and gather information about the requirements and eligibility criteria.
3. Start the application process. Fill the application form and upload all required documents and certificates. Pay the required application fees.
4. Wait for the universities to revert. Once selected you will be sent a letter of acceptance. It is a document that you will need to apply for your student visa. 

Canada University Requirements for International Students

To understand how to study in Canada for international students, you must understand the study requirements in Canada for different programs:

The cost of studying in Canada depends upon the course and university you choose. Your lifestyle also comes into consideration here. The overall cost of studying can be divided into two categories – Tuition Fees and Cost of Living.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee in Canada differs for domestic and international students. For international students, the fee is higher. Other than the tuition fee, international students in Canada also need to pay some other charges for student services and other school-related activities.

Cost of Living

The cost of living for international students in Canada depends upon your lifestyle. The living expenses in Canada for international students on some of the most important factors is discussed below:

There is no single best place to study in Canada. Canada has some well known metropolitan cities, there are others rich in natural beauty and greenery. Given below is a list of the best cities to study in Canada:

The visa process to study in Canada for Indian students is quite simple. You have to follow all the steps carefully to get your visa without any hassle. Here’s a step-by-step guide to follow while applying for Canada student visa: 

1. Apply at a Canadian university and receive the letter of acceptance.
2. Apply online for your Canadian student visa, on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
3. Upload all necessary documents.
4. Deliver proof of sufficient financial resources to support your studies in Canada (Tuition fees and Living expenses).
5. Present proof confirming you have no criminal record.
6. Submit medical reports to confirm that you are fit and healthy. 
7. After the online process is completed, you will be called to attend your student visa interview to the respective embassy office you choose. 

There are around 800 scholarships for international students wanting to study at Canadian universities. The scholarships in Canada cover a stipend and/ or cover tuition fees, accommodation, travel allowance and health insurance. They are a great way to finance your education in Canada. 

Some top scholarships to study in Canada are discussed below:Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

• Students applying to programs of advanced study and research at the Master and PhD level 
• Amount/ Benefit: Covers tuition fees, travel, and living allowance.

Canadian Francophonie Scholarship

• Fully funded graduate scholarships for international students for four years.
• Amount/ Benefit: Cover tuition fees, books, incidental fees, and rent. Includes amount  up to CAD 27,300

National Research Council of Canada (NRCC)

• Students pursuing master’s and PhD degrees in natural science or engineering disciplines.
• Amount/ Benefit: Up to CAD 35,000 per year

University of Waterloo Scholarships

• Fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for Undergraduate, Masters and PhD studies.
• Amount/ Benefit: Upto CAD 10,000

Université de Montréal Scholarships 

• International students for undergraduate, masters and as well as PhD courses.
• Amount/ Benefit: Upto CAD 27,300

University Canada West Scholarships

• They are funded scholarships for international students offered for undergraduate and master’s programmes. 
• Amount/ Benefit: CAD 10,000 for master’s and CAD 20,000 for bachelor’s

McGill University Scholarships

• They are fully funded scholarships for international students offered to undergraduate, masters and PhD students.
• Amount/ Benefit: CAD 8,500

There are many part time jobs in Canada for students to help them out with finances. Your student visa grants the permission to take up different on-campus part-time jobs. After completing six months of study, you may also apply for an off-campus employment permit.

A Canadian student visa permits 20 hours per week of part-time jobs in Canada for international students. 

International students can apply for work off-campus without a work permit in Canada on the following grounds:

• He/she is a full-time student with a valid study permit.
• Enrolled at a designated learning institution for post-secondary studies or pursuing a secondary-level vocational programme in Quebec.
• Enrolled in a six months (minimum) academic, vocational, or professional training programme.

Some popular part time student jobs in Canada for international students are - 

One of the most important advantages of choosing to study abroad in Canada is the number of opportunities it offers to students after completing their studies. 

Job Outlook for International Students after Studies

Canada is a vast country and over the years the number of job opportunities in the country have been increasing. Here’s a quick look at the top sectors offering jobs after MS in Canada-

Work Visa & PR in Canada 

The government of Canada gives 180 days to apply for a work permit in Canada after the completion of your course. In order to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you must fulfil the following requirements:

• You must have completed a program of study that lasted at least 8 months and led to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• You must have studied full time each academic session without any break in between.

After 3 years of stay and work under the work permit, you may also be eligible for Canadian Permanent Residence status. A permanent work offer from a Canadian employer will categorize you under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and clear your path of getting PR in Canada. Having a PR allows individuals to apply for all kinds of job opportunities in Canada.

Choosing to study abroad in Canada is always a promising prospect. People immigrate from across the world to this beautiful country to study and work. The prestigious universities, vast job market and affordable living make Canada a go-to destination for many study abroad aspirants. If you are one of them, get in touch with our counsellors at Yocket now for the flight of your dreams is just a click away.