Education in Canada

More than 1,30,000 students go to study in Canada annually. Canada is an ideal student destination as it holds learning in high regard, and has developed a mature education system. As a percentage of Gross National Product, Canada spends more on education compared to the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD) average, and is ranked as the highest among G-8 countries.

Canadian students too, consistently rank among the best-in-world on international tests of Reading, Science and Mathematics, as has been established by OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment - a testament to the outstanding quality of Canadian schools. Resultantly, a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is recognized globally as being equivalent to those from the United States and Commonwealth countries.

University degrees are offered at three consecutive levels — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral — with the possession of a degree from the ascending level generally being a prerequisite for admission to the next.

Many universities also offer Diploma and Certificate programs. Generally speaking, University diplomas and certificates require one or two years of study in a specific field or discipline.

Students at the Baccalaureate or Bachelor's level or the undergraduate level need to have passed the secondary school programme for admission to undergraduate study.

Bachelor's degrees normally require three or four years of full-time study, depending on the province or whether the program is general or specialized. An Honors Baccalaureate Degree usually signifies a higher level of academic achievement. At some universities, it requires an additional year of study.

A Master's degree typically requires two years of study after successful completion of an Honors Baccalaureate.

For a Doctoral programme, one normally needs a Master's degree. In special cases, students have been allowed to enroll directly from an Honors Baccalaureate program into a Doctoral Program. A minimum of three years and up to four or five years of study and research, as well as a dissertation are the normal requirements for a doctorate. The degree is generally known as a PhD; however, doctoral degrees may also be granted in particular fields of study, such as music (DMus) or law (LLD).

In regulated professions, such as medicine, law, education, and social work, an internship is generally required in order to obtain a license to practice.

In Canada, you can choose from over 90 universities, located across a huge geographical range, the one that best suits your needs. Some popular institutions are:

• The University of British Columbia
• University of Alberta
• Trinity Western University
• University of Victoria
• York University
• University of Toronto
• Trent University
• King’s University College

International students can save considerably by studying in Canada. For instance, as per a 2006 survey compiled by the Association of Commonwealth Universities,

• Canada offered the lowest tuition rates for foreign students as compared to the UK, Australia and New Zealand
• Fees in the US public universities were almost 1/3 higher than fees for Bachelor's degrees in Canada
• The US private university fees are more than double the Canadian private university tuition fees
• Canada's low cost of living, makes the overall financial advantage irresistible to foreign nationals

Student assistance is provided through the Canada and Quebec student loans programs. Most student loans are available only to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. However, some universities and various private-sector organizations offer scholarships to students of exceptional ability or need.

There are a few award programs that are designed specifically for international students, such as:

• Government of Canada Awards Program
• The Organization of American States Fellowships Programs
• The Canadian International Development Agency, and
• The United Nations are other sources of financial support

Some individual institutions also have their own scholarship programs. You may like to contact the colleges directly to find out if you are eligible.

Most international students are required to obtain a study permit (Form IMM 1294) from Citizenship and Immigration Canada before entering Canada. The study permit must be obtained from a Canadian embassy, High Commission, or Consulate outside Canada.

You should apply as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from the educational institution. The time needed to process an application to study in Canada may be different at various Visa offices.

A temporary resident Visa is issued by a Canadian visa office. It is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident.

Required documentation usually includes:

• a Visa,
• a health certificate,
• a letter of acceptance from a Canadian institution,
• a certificate of language proficiency, and
• Financial guarantees

International students must also have a valid passport that guarantees their readmission to their own country or some other country after their stay in Canada.

• The study permit is normally valid for the duration of the study period. It indicates that the student must attend only a specified institution, in a specified program. The permit may be extended or revoked, based on the student's satisfactory academic performance and other considerations.
• The permit also allows full-time international students to work part-time on campus and to apply for renewal from within Canada, if they decide to study for a longer period. If employment is essential to their programs of study, these students may also be eligible for employment off-campus.
• International students do not need study permits if they plan to take courses or programs in Canada that last six months or less. However, they must complete the course or program within the period authorized for their stay in Canada.
• Students who plan to study in Quebec must also obtain the Certificat d'acceptation du Québec. Information about the certificate is available from Canadian and Quebec overseas missions and from the Quebec ministère des Relations avec les Citoyens et de l'Immigration.

Institutions set their own admission requirements for foreign students. Usually, these are comparable to those demanded of domestic applicants. However, international students must often provide evidence of their proficiency in either English or French, depending on the language of instruction at the institution to which they are applying. Provincial residency may be required in some programs where local demand is high. You should check the web sites of individual colleges for entrance requirements and deadlines for admission to courses.

Canada is a coveted destination for the global tourist. For a student, its safe neighborhoods, cosmopolitan cities, multi-ethnic composition, top-notch health care and public transportation, hold enormous appeal. That it also offers a world class higher education, is an added perk.

For best fares to Canada, one can easily look up competing airlines and website offers. It is a well connected destination, with a rich artery of airline networks including Air India, Air Canada, Northwest Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa Airlines etc.

International students, who have graduated from a Canadian university or college, have the opportunity to work in Canada for up to one year after they receive their degree or diploma. International students can work on-campus with a work permit.

The United Nations has consistently ranked Canada as one of the top three places in the world to live. Canada earned high marks for its access to education, high life expectancy, and low crime rates. It is comparatively easy to get a Permanent Residency and ample job opportunities in your chosen field.

Canada has traditionally been a country of immigrants and has historically encouraged multicultural diversity. One out of three Canadians has an ethnic background other than English, usually French or Aboriginal.

Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages, English and French. The majority of Canada's French speaking inhabitants live in the province of Québec, but there are French speaking communities throughout the country. As a bilingual nation, Canada offers superior English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) programs for students wishing to learn either or both languages.

Students coming to Canada will experience a secure, peaceful, multi-cultural environment in cities and towns with people who are friendly and interested in learning about other cultures. With almost the entire world's ethnic groups represented in Canada, most ethnic foods and recreation activities associated with specific cultures are available in Canada. Clubs and associations representing a multitude of ethnic backgrounds are also easily accessible. International student advisors can help students get in touch with such groups.

Many universities have a sizable foreign student population. Special services for foreign students, including orientation programs, counseling, and international student clubs are common. International student population is relatively small at non-urban institutions. However, in large urban centres, the need to serve this population is growing.

Canada is considered to be a relatively peaceful, safe and orderly country. Crime rates in Canada have dropped consistently since the beginning of the 1990's. Firearms are strictly controlled and generally not permitted. However, international students who come to Canada should follow the same common sense precautions as they would anywhere in the world.

As the world's second-largest country, Canada offers tremendous geographic variety. Visitors discover Pacific coastal mountains, the rugged beauty of the Atlantic region, sweeping prairies, sparkling skylines in sophisticated cities, and much more. National parks are located in every province and territory, and some have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Before you leave, be sure to pack;

• Passport, Visa and Certificates
• Letter of Recommendation etc.
• Financial Documents (Original and Photocopy certified)
• Original Bank Loan sanction letter in case education loan is availed
• Seasonal gear as lightweight cottons and linens
• Names and addresses of local guardians