Study in Canada - Highlights
With over 500+ universities and colleges, Canada attracts international students for diverse courses like engineering, business, and arts. In 2023, 650,000+ international students chose Canada for education, a 15% rise. Indian students, in particular, have shown significant interest in studying in Canada. In 2022-23, the number of Indian students in Canada increased by 40% compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 150,000 students. Scholarships worth over CAD 1.5 billion are available to support international students, with specific programs for Indian students. Admission requirements in Canada typically include a recognized secondary school certificate, language proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL, and specific program prerequisites. Obtaining a Canadian student visa and proficiency in English or French are essential for studying in Canada.
| Canada Education |
Country Data |
| Universities and Colleges - 500+ |
Students Placed - 92% |
| Indian Students in Canada (2023) - 150,000+ |
Primary Language - English or French |
| Post - Study Work Permit - 3 years |
Popular Courses - Engineering, Business, Arts |
| Permanent Residence - Yes, after 2 years of residence |
Scholarships - CAD 1.5 billion |
Why Study in Canada?
Canada is a popular destination for Indian students due to its high-quality education, diverse and inclusive society, and abundant opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Quality Education: Canada is globally recognized for its high-quality education, with top universities and diverse programs. Canada ranks 3rd for higher education.
- Affordable Cost: Compared to other study destinations, Canada offers lower tuition and living expenses, making it financially viable for Indian students. Average tuition fee is CAD 29,000 per year.
- Research Opportunities: Canada is renowned for research and development, offering students opportunities in fields like agriculture, environmental science, and technology. Canada ranks 2nd for scientific research.
- Multicultural Environment: Canada celebrates multiculturalism, providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from diverse backgrounds. Canada ranks 1st for multiculturalism.
- Post-Graduation Work Opportunities: Canada's post-graduation work permit program allows international students, including Indians, to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Canada ranks 1st for post-study work opportunities.
- Safety and Quality of Life: Canada is consistently ranked among the safest countries globally, offering a high standard of living with excellent public services, social security, and healthcare. Canada ranks 9th for safety and security.
These points emphasize Canada's strengths in education, affordability, research, multiculturalism, post-study work opportunities, and safety, making it an attractive destination for Indian students.
Universities and Courses
Top 20 Universities in Canada for Indian Students
The following are some of the Top Canadian Universities and their world rankings for various subjects:
Engineering and Technology
- University of Toronto – 27th rank
-
University of British Columbia – 33rd rank
-
University of Waterloo- 37th rank
-
McGill University -41st rank
-
University of Alberta – 93rd rank
Data Science
- University of Toronto – 6th rank
- University of British Columbia – 19th rank
Life Sciences and Medicine
- University of Toronto – 13th rank
- University of British Columbia – 22nd rank
- McGill University -26th rank
- McMaster University – 48th rank
- University of Alberta– 69th rank
Computer Science and Information System
- University of Toronto – 12th rank
- University of British Columbia – 21st rank
- University of Waterloo- 22nd rank
- McGill University -34th rank
- University of Montreal – 47th rank
Arts and Humanities
- University of Toronto – 15th rank
- University of British Columbia – 23rd rank
- McGill University -36th rank
- University of Montreal – 148th rank
- University of Alberta– 171st rank
Popular Courses in Canada
Canadian Universities are popular for offering world-class education to students from all over the country. They provide excellent undergraduate, postgraduate, and post-degree diploma courses. The universities in Canada offer over 15000 programs in all fields, including:
Apart from these courses, there are a lot of courses available at cheaper costs in Canada, like the PG diploma and diploma courses, which are not as valuable as the degrees acquired from universities. Canadian universities also offer few courses that are much more affordable than the universities in other English-speaking countries. Medical and Management courses in Canada cost quite higher compared to the other courses. When it comes to tuition fees, Canadian universities offer an excellent education at affordable costs.
Canada Intakes
Recommended Intake: FALL (September to Early January)
A student must be well aware of the different intakes and deadlines followed by the universities in Canada for admissions. It must also be noted that Canadian universities offer admissions to various courses in various intakes. The following are the details of the intakes:
Primary Intake – The Fall Intake is the primary intake that happens between September to December or Early January. The application submission for this intake happens between the months of November and April. The fall intake includes admissions to all the major Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs. Some universities that begin admissions during the fall intake are:
Secondary Intake - The winter Intake is the secondary intake between January and May. The application submission for this intake happens between the months of March and August. The winter intake is for students who have missed the fall intake. A few selective programs open during this period. Some universities that begin admissions during the winter intake are:
-
The University of British Columbia
-
The University of Toronto
-
Carleton University
-
The University of Ottawa
-
McGill University
-
The University of Manitoba
-
Queen’s University
-
Cape Breton University
-
Fanshawe College
-
Douglas College
Spring or Summer Intake – The Spring or summer intake happens between the months of May and August. The application submission for this intake happens between the months of July and December. The spring/summer intake is mainly for any short-term courses like the diploma courses. Some universities that begin admissions during this intake are:
Cost of Studying in Canada
The cost of living in Canada is considerably low for Indian students compared to other countries like the UK, the USA, and Germany. However, the cost of living in Canada varies from one city to the other. Therefore, a student must be wise enough to choose an affordable city near the university. Apart from the tuition fee, a student must consider various other expenses like travel, food, accommodation, and more. An approximate of the various expenses is mentioned below:
| Expense Category |
Minimum Cost (CAD) |
Maximum Cost (CAD) |
| Tuition Fee |
$30,000 |
$60,000 |
| Accommodation |
$6,000 |
$10,000 |
| Food (Monthly) |
$300 |
$500 |
| Travel |
$200 |
$300 |
| Public Transit Pass |
$40 (monthly) |
|
| Health Insurance |
$900 |
$1,000 |
| Study Materials |
$300 |
$600 |
| Mobile Phone |
$30 (monthly) |
$60 (monthly) |
| Entertainment |
$80 (monthly) |
$100 (monthly) |
| Miscellaneous |
$600 |
$800 |
Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada
| Scholarship Name |
Maximum Amount |
| Undergraduate Programs |
|
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship |
Full tuition |
| Winnipeg President’s Scholarships for World Leaders |
$3,500 - $5,000 |
| Humber College International Entrance Scholarships |
$1,000 - $5,000 |
| York University International Student Scholarships |
$15,000 - $35,000 |
| University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship |
$15,000 - $60,000 |
| University of British Columbia Scholarships |
Varies |
| Carleton Prestige Scholarships |
$10,000 - $20,000 |
| Postgraduate Programs |
|
| University of Calgary Graduate Award |
$1,000 - $40,000 |
| University of Waterloo Master’s Award for Excellence |
$1,000 - $2,500 |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships |
$50,000 per year |
| University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships |
$18,000 - $22,000 |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships |
$40,000 per year |
| Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students |
|
| Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship |
$70,000 per year |
| University Canada West Scholarship 2023 |
Full tuition |
| Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program |
$17,500 |
| Anne Vallee Ecological Fund |
$2,000 - $4,000 |
| Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships |
$60,000 per year |
| Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship |
$2,000 |
| MBA Scholarships for Indian Students |
|
| Ivey MBA Scholarships in Canada |
Varies |
| Sauder School of Business Scholarship |
Varies |
| Haskayne School of Business MBA in Canada Scholarships |
Varies |
| Rotman School of Management Scholarships |
Varies |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program |
$15,000 - $30,000 |
| Schulich School of Business Scholarships |
Varies |
| Seymour Schulich MBA Entrance Scholarship |
Varies |
| Ph.D. Programs |
|
| Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds PhD Fellowship |
$25,000 per year |
| Dalhousie University - OZ Optics Limited Graduate Scholarships |
$10,000 - $15,000 |
| Google PhD Fellowship Program |
Varies |
| University of Lethbridge SGS Dean’s Scholarship |
$10,000 |
| University of British Columbia - Affiliated Fellowships |
Varies |
| Ontario Trillium Scholarships |
$40,000 per year |
| UBC General Awards |
Varies |
Student Visa for Canada
| Cost of Visa Application |
CAD 150 |
| When to apply? |
As soon as you get the Acceptance letter |
| Visa Processing Time |
7 to 9 weeks |
Documents Required
- Letter of Acceptance
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
- Proof of Financial Support
- Valid Passport or Travel Document
- Passport-Sized Photographs
- Letter of Explanation
Required Entrance Exams to Study in Canada
The entrance examinations in Canada are divided into two categories: the Language tests and the academic Tests. While the language tests examine the candidate’s proficiency in the English language, the academic test examines the candidate’s knowledge of various subjects.
Language Tests
The following tests fall into the category of language tests:
- IELTS– The International English Language Testing System or IELTS tests students on the four key skills of the English language: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The candidate must score an overall band score of 6.5 and a band score of 6 for each section to be eligible for admission to Canadian Universities.
-
TOEFL: Like the IELTS, TOEFL exams also test the candidates for their skills in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing in English. A candidate must score 110 and above to get admitted into Tier 1 Canadian Universities and a score of 80 and above to Tier 2 universities.
-
PTE – The Pearson’s Test of English is for non-English speakers, which also tests for the four basic skills of LSRW. It usually tests two skills together. A candidate must acquire a 55 and above to join Engineering colleges in Canada and a 55 – 70 score to get admitted into MBA and MS courses.
Academic Tests
Academic tests in Canada include some of the following tests:
-
GRE- the Graduate Record Examination tests are for students applying to various graduate courses in Canada. It is of two types, namely the GRE General, which tests the candidate’s critical, verbal, and quantitative reasoning, analytical and critical skills, and the GRE Subject Test examines the candidate’s knowledge in various subjects like Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Psychology
-
GMAT – GMAT is for admissions into business schools and management courses like the MBA. This test evaluates the skills like analytical writing, verbal, quantitative, and reading skills in English. A student should score above 550 on GMAT to get admitted into Canadian Universities.
Application and Admission Process to Canadian Universities for Indian Students 
Study in Canada - Eligibility Criteria and Requirements to Apply to Canadian Universities
The students must fulfill certain eligibility criteria to apply to Canadian universities. The following are the eligibility for various courses in Canada:
Undergraduate Courses
Post Graduate Courses
-
Full-time work experience for at least 3 years
-
An overall score of 6.5 and above in IELTS and other English proficiency tests
-
A GMAT score of 580 and above
-
Minimum 70% in Undergraduate degree
-
Statement of Purpose
-
Recommendation Letter
-
A relevant bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
-
3-5 years of work experience in the field
-
The required IELTS scores
-
A GMAT score above 500 is mandatory
Study in Canada - Requirements to Apply for Canadian Universities
The admission requirements vary from one university to the other and also for the different course types. However, some of the basic requirements are as follows:
-
Duly filled application form with acknowledgment
-
Mark sheets of 12th, UG, and PG
-
Test scores of course-specific tests
-
Letter of Recommendation (from teachers or professors and from Managers and co-workers if working)
-
Test scores of the required English Proficiency tests
-
A properly scanned copy of the passport
-
Canadian Student Visa
-
Required number of photographs
-
An updated resume or CV
-
A supporting document for financial availability
-
Experience letter, if any
Work Opportunities for Indian Students in Canada
Canada is a country that provides ample opportunities for job seekers. The pay scale is competitive, and a lot of candidates migrate to Canada for work and to set up a career. Though Canada is open to employment in various fields, some of the highest-paying jobs are as follows:
- Medical Professions: Anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and surgeons.
- Healthcare and Dentistry: Orthodontists and dentists.
- Technology and IT: Cloud architects, software developers, and data scientists.
- Legal and Finance: Corporate lawyers and business analysts.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Allows graduates to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation.
Job Roles
The number of Indian students in Canada has increased, but they face challenges in finding employment due to high living costs and lack of job opportunities, further complicated by strained India-Canada relations. Canada's SDS scheme offers quick study permit processing, but a 40% rejection rate for student visa applications from India indicates the need for transparency. The job market for Indian students in Canada is facing a decline, causing unemployment issues and challenging labour market conditions, particularly for those pursuing STEM courses. Some of the Jobs and their Salary Range is given below.
| Profession |
Salary Range (Annually) |
| Full Stack Developer |
$75,000 - $130,000 |
| Human Resource Manager |
$80,000 - $110,000 |
| Cloud Architect |
Starting from $12,000 |
| Financial Analyst |
$80,000 - $120,000 |
| Data Scientist |
Starting from $85,000 |
| Production Supervisor |
$65,000 - $100,000 |
| Millwright |
$50,000 - $95,000 |
| Surgeon |
Starting from $325,000 |
| Lawyer |
Starting from $100,000 |
| Cardiologist |
Starting from $300,000 |
Students can also pursue careers as geneticists, Biology professors, research assistants, environmental consultants, pharmaceutical sales representatives, clinical research associates, microbiologists, health educators, biomedical scientists, and more. 
93
