Study Abroad Universities Study in Canada

Study in Canada : Top Universities, Courses, Scholarships, Course Fees and Job Opportunities

Study Abroad Team 08/05/2024

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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.

Core Facts About Canada

Education in Canada

Universities and Colleges 500+

Indian Students in Canada (2023) 150,000+

Post-Study Work Permit 3 years

Permanent Residence Yes, after 2 years of residence

University / College Stats

Students Placed 92%

Primary Language English or French

Popular Course Engineering, Business, Arts

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

University	City	World’s Ranking 2023	Canada’s Ranking 2023
University of Toronto	Toronto	18	1
University of British Columbia	British Columbia	40	2
McGill University	Quebec	46	3
McMaster University	Ontario	85	4
University of Montreal	Quebec	111	5
University of Alberta	Alberta	118	6
University of Ottawa	Ontario	137	7
University of Calgary	Alberta	201	8
University of Waterloo	Waterloo	201	9
Western University - Canada	Ontario	201	10
Laval University	Quebec	251	11
Queen's University	Ontario	251	12
Simon Fraser University	British Columbia	251	13
Dalhousie University	Toronto	301	14
University of Victoria	British Columbia	301	15
University of Manitoba	Winnipeg	351	16
York University	Toronto	401	17
University of Guelph	Ontario	501	18
University of Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan	501	19
Carleton University	Ottawa	601	20

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:

University of Windsor
University of Ottawa
University of British Columbia
McGill University
Carleton University
University of Calgary
McMaster University
Sheridan College
Humber College
University of Manitoba

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:

Ryerson University
Centennial College
Northern College
Algonquin College
University of Fraser Valley

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

70% in the 12th standard
Should study maths in 12th

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

MBA Programs

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. 