Money and Measurements

Canada uses the metric system of measurement.

The official currency, the Canadian dollar consists of 100 cents and is available in denominations of paper $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100. Coins come in denominations of 1 cent (pennies), 5 cents (nickels), 10 cents (dimes), 25 cents (quarters), $1 (loonies) and $2 (twoonies).

Though the $1 and $2 coins have been around for the last 10 years, you will still sometimes come across bills of $1 & $2. These are still legal tender but now getting scarce as collector items. Each bill is of a different colour and hence easy to differentiate especially for the new arrivals in the country.

For currency exchange rate visit:

www.xe.com/ucc

Banks & Currency Exchange, Travellers Cheques

The nationalized banks of Canada are regulated by two bodies and are reputed to be some of the world’s most diversified and best managed institutions.

If a student is not already carrying Canadian money, it is better to have the US dollar changed to Canadian at a bank as most banks do not charge a commission. But since the banks are open only during the week, it would be best to carry some Canadian money to use at the airport and for the first day or so especially in case of arrival on a weekend.

Travellers cheques should also be used for its safety as well as the fact that they are accepted at most stores just like cash, i.e., without paying commission.

At a pinch, one can use one’s US money as well as it is freely circulated, but one must remember that the change returned will be Canadian.

Banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)

Bank branches are fairly easily accessible and ATMs even more so. You will find one of the other near any shopping area, bus-train-stations, airport and many others scattered over the business centre or tourist spots.

If traveling to remote parts though, it is best to carry some cash. Cirrus, Plus, Star and Maestro ATMs are also connected to International networks. A variety of credit card companies are accepted, Visa being most popular.

Taxes

There is a 5% Goods and Service Tax (GST) levied on most items and services provided in Canada. The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is 13% and in Ontario. Visitors are entitled to get refund of GST paid at the time of leaving the country; however conditions apply and one must be aware of them.

For More Details Please Click On The Following Link:

http://www.vancouver.hm/money.html

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/practical-information/money-costs

Canada encompasses a large body of both land and water; hence the climate varies every few hundred miles. The southern belt of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Manitoba is known for moderate temperatures and milder days in the summer months of June, July and August interspersed with thunder storms. Come September-October autumn makes its appearance with frost and December more often than not is snowy. Further up north in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon, weather is more severe, requiring the use of a light weight jacket in summer and warmer clothes the rest of the year round.

With modern technology having advanced and penetrated even the deepest territories, the ambience indoors of a typical Canadian home is kept fairly stable, with most modern housing and transportation being equipped with air conditioning and heating systems.

Canada is experiencing climatic changes recently, what with global warming, greenhouse effect and the likes. However, the government is aware of the effects that it could have on the lives and health of Canadians, and is working on several environmental projects to fight the changes and bring about awareness to stop any detrimental changes that could take place.

Studying in Canada is not free, but it is affordable. The average cost for a foreign student for one school year (8 months) in an Arts & Science program is approximately C$7,100 (US$4,765). However, tuition varies from institution to institution. See below for:.

Canadian winters are chilly, an adequate warm clothing budget is essential. Budget around $250 – $350 US approximate for proper winter wardrobe.

You will need approximately $12,000 US ($18,840 Cdn or 13,000 Euro) to cover your expenses for an academic year. This includes your tuition and living expenses but not your air-fare. Please remember that this figure is an average only. Actual expenses may vary depending on the region of the country you live in, the tuition fees at the university you attend and your field of specialisation. Consult us to assist with your financial planning

The economy of Canada is largely service oriented, with 69.8% (Updated as per 2012 census) of the GDP being contributed by the Services sector. Industry contributes 28.5% and agriculture 1.7%. In the year 2010 the GDP was estimated at a whopping $1.6 trillion (2016 update).

Before World War II, the economy was primarily agrarian, but with the growth of mining as an industry, agriculture soon took a backseat. Owing to its large resources of mineral deposits, it is no wonder that Canada’s major exports are petroleum, energy, natural gas, aluminum, timber besides aircraft & industrial machinery and telecommunication equipment. A healthy sign of Canada’s economy is that it exports more than it imports.

12.9 % Canadians live below the poverty line and unemployment rate is a mere 6.8% (January 2017). Today, the Canadian economy closely resembles that of its neighbor, the USA; the Canadian dollar too is gaining strength and ground against the US dollar.

For More Details Please Click On The Following Link:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ca.html

Land Mass:

Canada is the Second largest country in the world in terms of area after Russia, covering 6.7% of the earth and spanning approximately 9.9 million square km. It is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast and the Pacific Ocean on the west. The Arctic Ocean lies to its north. It is the northernmost country in the Western Hemisphere sharing borders with USA to its south. Canada has the largest coastline in the world.

The Provinces/Territories:

The Capital of Canada is Ottawa.

Canada has 10 provinces and three territories, each with its own capital city:

Canada is a naturally beautiful country, with many mountains, lakes and forests. A land so naturally endowed, has no dearth of places to visit and throughout all the seasons. In the warmer climates there are always activities such as biking, fruit picking, fishing etc. The winter months bring snow, and Canada is known for its beautiful ski slopes and resorts.

A very popular way of seeing the Canadian countryside is the train. Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada are two popular organizations that offer tourists scenic routes through Jasper and Banff, St Lawrence Route, the Rocky Mountains etc.

Many cities are known to have Carnivals at specific times of the year and these attract a large number of tourists. These events give visitors a glimpse of the Canadian way of life.

Other attractions such as the Historic Totem poles, Polar Bear spotting in Manitoba, CN Tower edge walk, Ice Sculpting Contests in winter are also reason for tourists to make time to travel.

Students often get discounts and extras on such trips and so it helps to keep a vigilant look out for good deals.

Capital City:

Ottawa, Ontario

Type of Government:

Federal Parliamentary Democracy & Constitutional Monarchy

Head of Government:

Prime Minister

National Emblem:

Maple Leaf

Population:

In July 2011, the population of Canada is estimated to have reached 35.85 million (2015). However, Canadians are spread over a large geographic land mass, giving Canada one of the smallest population density ratios in the world at 3.4 persons/km².

For More Details Please Click On The Following Link:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ca.html

Map of Canada

The National Flag of Canada has the official colors of Canada, viz. Red & White, and was formally adopted in 1965. The 11 pointed Red Maple leaf in the center on a White background is the official emblem of Canada.

Flag of Canada

International students are required to obtain a Study Permit before going to Canada. The student can apply for Study permit under the Student Partners Program (SPP) of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges and the Canadian Immigration Programs in New Delhi and Chandigarh. To qualify for Study Permit Application under SPP the student should hold an unconditional offer letter from one of the universities / colleges that are included under this scheme. SPP is currently open to Indian nationals only. Allow atleast two months for your Visa to be processed.

Documents Checklist for SSP (STUDENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM):

1) SPP Checklist – Attach THIS checklist as a cover sheet to your application.

2) Application form fully completed (all questions answered), dated and signed, indicating your personal mailing address, reliable phone contact, and your personal email address (if you agree to e-mail communications).

3) Original, valid passport for yourself, as well as a photocopy of the bio data page

4) Family Information Form and Student Questionnaire (leaving no gaps).

5) Two passport photographs with a white background for yourself and each family member requesting a visa. The photographs should have your name printed on the back, dated and taken in the past 6 months.

6) Letter of Acceptance from your SPP educational institute in Canada stating unconditional admission, course title, duration of study, level of study, start date (multiple start dates, if applicable) and latest possible date of admission.

7) Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476) (if applicable)

8) IELTS test results taken within last 24 months with overall band not less than 6.0, with no individual band lower than 5.5.

9) Photocopy of the most recent diploma/leaving certificate, and most recent mark sheets (for entire program; consolidated mark sheets are NOT acceptable)

10) Copy of receipts for tuition payment provided by the SPP institution.

11) Proof of funds: You MUST demonstrate the purchase of a special (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution, in the amount of $10,000 CAD to cover living expenses for your first year in Canada. Please consult page 2 for information on how to obtain a GIC. Official GIC document is mandatory.

12) Copy of medical examination form IMM1017 if you opted to undergo a medical examination before submitting your application.

Note:

It is mandatory to complete a medical examination prior to submission of your application. Medical results are valid for one year

Only one application per person per semester will be processed under the SPP (Student Partnership Program). Subsequent applications for the same semester following a refusal will NOT form part of SPP processing

To file Study Permit application under SPP, it is mandatory to show a GIC certificate obtained from Scotia Bank proving that funds to the extent of CAD$ 10000 are available as living costs for the student.

After reviewing your application, the Visa officer will decide if an interview is necessary. The Visa interview will be taken at CHC, New Delhi

New Citizenship And Immigration Canada (CIC) regulations for international students

To study at a Canadian university, you will need a study permit. You may also need a visitor visa, which will be issued to you at the same time as your study permit. We can assist you to obtain the study permit. It is best to apply early, as processing of a study permit usually takes one or two months. There is a processing charge of $150 Cdn (approximately INR @10000) for one person. If you plan to study in the province of Quebec you must pay another $100 Cdn for a Certificate d’acceptation du Québec. There is no fee for a visa when it is issued with a study permit. Note: You must be sure to arrive in Canada with a valid study permit (and visitor visa, if required).

New Citizenship And Immigration Canada (CIC) regulations for international students

Education in Canada is governed by the Provincial and Territorial governments and hence is not an integrated national system. In line with its commitment to the education sector, Canada’s public education is free up to and including the level of secondary school in all provinces. Post secondary education is offered by Community Colleges and Universities.

Education here may be public or private funded. However as the government aided education is provincially governed, there are fundamental differences in the education systems of the different Provinces. The standards of education are maintained by the Ministry of Education of each Province.

The following are the types of Educational Institute in Canada:

Universities

University Colleges

Community Colleges

Language Schools

Following are the brief details about general admission requirements:-

Bachelor

A minimum of 70% 12th grade; for Business and Computers program, Math’s in 11th and 12th is compulsory.

Masters

Bachelors in the same field that you wish to pursue Masters. It should be 4 years duration. A minimum of 70% in your undergraduate or Bachelors level of study. GRE and references (2-3) required only for some fields and for some institutions.

Ph.D

A master’s degree with a good academic record; GRE and references in some cases; previous research work, papers published etc.

The total cost on an average is CDN$ 10,000 as tuition fee and CDN$10,000 as living expense per year which varies for different provinces and courses. There is no ranking of any of the institutes recognized by Govt. of Canada.

For More Details Please Click On The Following Link: The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada

The basic steps for applying abroad are:

Identifying universities and the course of your interest

Request universities for application forms

Taking various required tests

Arranging and preparing essays and recommendation letters

Completing and sending application forms along with required documents

Applying for VISA after obtaining I-20 from the college

Selecting University

While selecting the right course and University keep in mind the following points –

Your academic grades (including achievements)

Test scores (GRE/GMAT/SAT/TOEFL/IELTS)

Your financial capacity

Major (Specialization) subjects that you are interested in

Term of entry (Fall/Summer/Spring)

The rank and reputation of the University

The student to faculty ratio of the college

The location of the school (Big city/Small town/Rural setup)

The climatic conditions (not to be stressed, unless you have health constraints)

Pre-application

A pre-application is a tentative list of schools that you would like to apply to. On the basis of your academic profile, your probable test scores and financial ability compile a list of universities to which you must send a letter requesting further information. At this stage, you can write to the selected 25-30 universities. You can directly request application materials from the universities. There are three ways to get application forms.

Requesting Application Forms via email

Requesting Application Forms via Air Mail

Downloading from the university website

Documents Required For Admission

Completed Application form

Essay/s or writing sample

Statement of Purpose required for graduates and optional for undergraduates

Resume for MBA Students

Letter from Bank stating – funds available for study

Affidavit of Financial Support i.e. letter signed from sponsor or parent

Transcripts and Mark sheets from College or University

Certificates of Extracurricular Activities

Recommendation Letters

Letter of reference or recommendation letter plays a very important role in the admission process especially for Master’s and Doctoral courses. A recommendation letter is a signed statement from a person who knows you well professionally or has taught you in a subject that is related to the course you are applying to. It should list your positive and negative qualities, strengths and weaknesses, your character and integrity and other such information.

The author or teacher must indicate his position, how long he/she has known the applicant and in what capacity. He/she should briefly discuss the need, importance and usefulness of the study the applicant proposes to undertake. Authors are usually asked to rank applicants in their letters of recommendation, which helps admission officers to interpret the academic credentials of foreign students. Students should obtain letters of recommendation (often on the prescribed forms sent by the institutions) from teachers who know them as a person as well as a student. You may like to request your author to give concrete examples that may show your qualities and help your case.

Essays / Statement of Purpose

The personal essays, and/or statement of purpose, also play a very important role in the process of evaluating your application for both admission as well as financial aid because it gives the faculty, assessing your application, information about you as an individual. For MBA candidates this is probably the most important criterion. In the statement of purpose, which must be concise, the student must define his or her academic goals, and/or research plans. It should include justification for choosing the academic program and specialization, and for selecting the particular college as well as the advantages and benefit of studying that particular course.

The first step to be able to study at a recognized Canadian education Institution is to be accepted by that institution – this is usually in the form of a Offer Letter.

Once a student has determined what course to study and at which universities, s/he must contact the registrar’s office at each of these universities and obtain an application form for a Bachelor’s or Professional degree. For; Post Graduate Studies (aka Graduate Studies), s/he must contact the dean of graduate studies at the universities that interest her/him. It is important to apply early.

When to apply:

Many universities have deadlines for application submission and this must be kept in mind while applying. In general, though, an international students would be required to apply around 8-9 or even 12 months before the start of classes (intake). Semesters typically start in September (fall or autumn) and in January (winter). However, some institutions have May intakes or even ‘rolling admissions’ (especially for higher education such as PhD) when students are admitted throughout the year depending on availability of the advisor or guide.

Calendars with course descriptions, admission requirements and procedures, costs and scholarships are available from the registrar at each university.

Engineering, optometry, medicine, veterinary medicine, law, and dentistry are fields where the first professional degree is considered an undergraduate program. Limited seats are available contingent on your academic merit. International students must have obtained very high percentage of marks for such courses, and some would even require the student to have completed at least two years of undergraduate study in specific subjects before embarking on the professional course. Entrance exams specific to the professional courses (such as DAT for Dentistry) too may be required to be given by the student.

This listing provides a general outline of requirements for students interested in applying to a university undergraduate program in Canada. There are a wide variety of programs to choose from at this level.

Please note that specific requirements for institutions will vary and students are encouraged to check directly with the institution(s) they are interested in for specific admissions requirements.

Successful completion of the equivalent of a Canadian secondary school academic program with strong marks.

Proof of strong proficiency in English (or French if studies in French). Students may be required to provide proof of language proficiency by way of a language proficiency test (For example TOEFL, IELTS).

Generally, Francophone universities require international students to complete their own test of French proficiency.

Some institutions have other forms of English or French language assessment; they may offer their own language proficiency test or, may admit students to academic programs on the basis of having successfully completed that institution’s language program.

This listing provides a general outline of requirements for students interested in applying to a university graduate program in Canada. There are a wide variety of programs to choose from at this level.

Please note that specific requirements for institutions will vary and students are encouraged to check directly with the institution(s) they are interested in for specific admissions requirements.

Completion of an acceptable undergraduate degree from an accredited/recognized university

High level of academic achievement in previous studies

Strong reference letters

Written Statements

Standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

This listing provides a general outline of admissions requirements for students interested in applying to an engineering program in Canada. Program length for engineering is typically four years of full-time study.

Acedemic

Successful completion of the equivalent of a Canadian secondary school academic program with strong marks.Although some institutions may request above 70% or B average for their academic admission requirement, many engineering programs are highly competitive thus making the standard for entry requirements quite high, above 80% or A average at some institutions. Admission officers are looking for students with exceptionally strong marks in mathematics, chemistry and English.

Language

Strong proficiency in English (or French if studies in French). A TOEFL (iBT) is required for most institutions, minimum score required is 90. Many institutions accept equivalent tests such as IELTS.

This listing provides a general outline of admissions requirements for students interested in applying to a graduate management program in Canada. Program length for an MBA is typically two years of full-time study however, there are other options available such as the part-time MBA, fast track MBA and learning through distance education that can reduce or increase the length of the program.

Please note that specific requirements for institutions will vary and students are encouraged to check directly with the institution(s) they are interested in for specific admissions requirements.

Acedemic

Minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, a B average, or no lower than 70%

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) minimum score required ranges from 500-600

Language

Strong proficiency in English (or French if studies in French). A TOEFL is required for most institutions, minimum score required is 90. Many institutions accept equivalent tests such as IELTS.

Others

Previous work experience. Two years work experience is the norm, although some institutions will accept applicants with one year of work experience

Letters of reference

Personal essays

Résumés

Interviews

Admissions representatives are looking for students who:

Demonstrate skills such as motivation, maturity and leadership;

Have past accomplishments or experience at work or in campus and community activities;

Have a strong academic background

The basic steps for applying abroad are:

Identifying universities and the course of your interest

Request universities for application forms

Taking various required tests

Arranging and preparing essays and recommendation letters

Completing and sending application forms along with required documents

Applying for VISA after obtaining I-20 from the college

Selecting University

While selecting the right course and University keep in mind the following points –

Your academic grades (including achievements)

Test scores (GRE/GMAT/SAT/TOEFL/IELTS)

Your financial capacity

Major (Specialization) subjects that you are interested in

Term of entry (Fall/Summer/Spring)

The rank and reputation of the University

The student to faculty ratio of the college

The location of the school (Big city/Small town/Rural setup)

The climatic conditions (not to be stressed, unless you have health constraints)

E.g. Law, Medicine, Dentistry etc.

Minimum G.P.A. of 3.5, a B average or no lower than 75%

Already successfully completed several years of undergraduate university study

Specific course prerequisites may be required

Standardized tests such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Dentistry Admission Test (DAT) (Possible link or banner advertisement).

Note: Requirements for University Colleges are similar to university and community college requirements. Please see General Requirements for University College studies section. Some community colleges also offer university transfer programs, which means students intending to acquire a degree at a university can complete their first two years of study at a community college or university college and earn credits towards a university degree program. Completion of a university transfer program does not mean automatic admission to a university program. Students must also meet university admission requirements.

The basic steps for applying abroad are:

Identifying universities and the course of your interest

Request universities for application forms

Taking various required tests

Arranging and preparing essays and recommendation letters

Completing and sending application forms along with required documents

Applying for VISA after obtaining I-20 from the college

Selecting University

While selecting the right course and University keep in mind the following points –

Your academic grades (including achievements)

Test scores (GRE/GMAT/SAT/TOEFL/IELTS)

Your financial capacity

Major (Specialization) subjects that you are interested in

Term of entry (Fall/Summer/Spring)

The rank and reputation of the University

The student to faculty ratio of the college

The location of the school (Big city/Small town/Rural setup)

The climatic conditions (not to be stressed, unless you have health constraints)

Pre-application

The first degree is the undergraduate “Bachelor’s Degree” that usually spans three to four years if studied full time. Honor’s degrees have a high level of concentration of study in the subject being undertaken, and are usually fore-runners for admission into graduate studies.

“Graduate” studies or “Post Graduate” studies as we know them consist of the Master’s and PhD degrees. The taught Masters is usually a full time two year programme whilst the same by research as well as the PhD would take 3-5 years.

Though a “Masters’ is required by most Canadian Universities for any admit into PhD, some may consider students having finished an Honours “Masters” degree on a case to case basis.

Bank Loans are easily available for higher studies anywhere in the world. Loans should be preferably taken from a Nationalised Bank. The term & condition for educational loans may vary from Bank to Bank.

Eligibility

All Professional / Technical job oriented courses offered by reputed Universities.

Loan Amount

Maximum Rs.20 Lakhs.

Security

For Loans up to Rs.4 Lakhs, no collateral security is required.

For Loans above Rs.4 Lakhs & Upto Rs. 7.50 Lakhs Collateral Security in the form of satisfactory Third Party Guarantee.

For Loans above Rs.7.50 Lakhs Collateral Security is required.

Repayment

Course period + one year or 6 months after getting a job, whichever is earlier. The loan is to be repaid in 5-7 years after commencement of repayment.

Rate of Interest

Upto Rs. 4 Lakhs-PLR

Above Rs. 4 Lakhs-PLR + 1%*

Documents Required

Loan application

Admission Letter from College/University

Academic documents of the student

Photograph, Residence proof of borrower and guarantor

Covering letter stating sources of owned funds

Fee receipts or proof of payments made

Title Deeds of the ownership property to be mortgaged as security

Copy of passport & Visa, if student is going abroad for higher education and related documents

Income proof of the applicant in the form of last 3 months salary slip/Certificate or copy of the last 3 years IT returns filed with computation details of personal assets & liabilities

Two guarantors with their latest salary Slip / certificate in case guarantor belongs to service class or latest income tax returns filed with the computation of income in case the guarantor is a businessman, professional or self-employed

Simple interest will be calculated during Repayment Holiday / Moratorium period.

Scholarships in Canada are few in number and hence not easy to find. They rarely cover the full cost of tuition and are available only to international students with exceptional academic achievements.

A list of available scholarships and how to apply may be found in the calendar of each institution. Application for scholarship must be made directly to the University along with the application for admission to the course one wants to study.

Community and Career Colleges do not usually award scholarships nor do school boards or most private schools.

There are a few independent organizations within Canada administer scholarships, but these are mostly for higher studies- graduate studies and even higher research oriented studies being undertaken by professors.

Students must also scour their home country for scholarships, as often, one may not avail of funds kept aside by various organizations for students intending to study abroad because of sheer ignorance of their existence.

In Canada, a public health system care system covers visits to doctors and other medical procedures. Each Province has its own healthcare system. International students too can avail of this system at a nominal insurance premium. Health insurance has to be arranged for before arriving in Canada. Hence, quite often the Universities or colleges make it mandatory for international students to enroll in their health plan.

The details of health insurance plans of a few provinces are given below as an indication for students:

ALBERTA

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is available to International students with permission to reside and study in the province of Alberta for a minimum of 183 days in a 12 month period. Coverage starts on the first day of the third month following the date of entry into Alberta. Documents required to accompany the application are:

Proof of Identity and proof of permission to reside and study for a minimum of one year.

The insurance premium is paid monthly and ranges from approximately $34/- to $68/- per month per student.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

British Columbia’s Medical Service Plan (MSP) must be applied for immediately on arrival into BC, if the student intends to stay for 6 months or more. There is a waiting period of approx. 3 months (remaining part of month of arrival + next two calendar months) before start of coverage. For the interim period, the student would have to take iMed a three month temporary policy until coverage of MSP starts.

iMed is available for $120 for a 3 month period.

Downloading from the university website

ONTARIO

In Ontario, international students are not covered under the provincial health plan OHIP. So, the universities of Ontario have put together a mandatory health package – University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) – for international students and their dependents.

UHIP premium is $ 57 per month for member student.

For More Details Please Click On The Following Link:

http://www.schoolsincanada.com/Health-Insurance-for-International-Students.cfm

http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-care-insurance-plan.html

Full time students with a valid study permit, studying at an accredited public or private institution, may work on campus without a work permit. The type of work that students do under these conditions is normally that of a teaching or research assistant.

Some courses have industrial work as part of their study curriculum and have to work off-campus for a few weeks to a few months.  This is often seen in case of Co-op and Internship programmes. In such cases, students have to take a work permit besides their study permit.

In most cases, work permits for students are granted if:

The intended employment is an essential part of the programme under study.

The employment is certified with a letter by a responsible official of the institution where student is studying.

The Co-op or Internship duration does not exceed 50% of the total programme of study.

For More Details Please Click On The Following Link:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-coop.asp

If you know the general subject area you would like to study, this will help you to narrow your search to schools that offer a program in your field. Factors to consider are:

Cost

What is your overall financial budget? Tuition, housing, food, books, supplies, and personal living expenses are different at each institution and depend on the type, size and location of the school.

Program Length

How many months or years are usually required to complete your program? Which school’s program best suits the length of time for which you are planning to study in Canada?

Program Flexibility

Is there more than one start date each year for your program? Will the school allow you to transfer courses from another institution? Are there twinning programs available in your own country? Find the school that best suits your needs in these areas.

Program Instruction

How are the program courses taught? Different instruction methods include case study, lectures, field study, online, workshops, lab sessions, and tutorials.

Equipment/Supplies

Are any special equipment/supplies required for your program?

Workload

How many hours each week will you have to dedicate to your program? Are there frequent evaluations, multiple projects, and opportunity to apply practical skills?

Projects or Work Terms

Are team or individual projects offered as part of the program? Will you be required to complete a work term or cooperative placement as part of your studies?

International Student Admission

Is there limited space for international students in your program? For example, gaining entrance into a medical school is highly competitive and few spaces are allotted for international students.

Program Focus

Which schools offer a higher level of expertise or focus on subjects specific to your program? This is usually more important at the graduate level.

Selecting an Institution

Academic Standards & Entry Dates

You need to know the academic admission and English language requirements (if applicable) of the institution you would like to attend. You must be able to meet those requirements to gain entry to the institution.

Location & Size

The location of the institution may be important. The decision of where to go will depend on your preference for big cities or small towns. Also, consider the location of the campus within the city. Some schools are located near or in a city centre, while others are located in settings that are more rural.

Large, medium or small, you should also consider the size of the institution and the classes you would prefer. Schools in Canada range from large universities that have 40, 000 or more students to language schools that have as little as 40 students. Smaller classes generally allow for more individual attention; however, larger classes often offer smaller seminars in addition to lectures.

Facilities & Activities

Think about what facilities are important to you. Do you want a school that has extensive computer and study facilities? Are you looking for a school that excels in its sports, music or research facilities? Check with the institutions to see what they have available.

Other activities may not be offered directly by the institution, but are easily accessible from the campus. For example if you enjoy snowboarding or windsurfing, ask the school if your activity can be pursued in the local area.

Cost

The cost of a Canadian education includes tuition, housing, food, books, supplies, and personal living expenses. You should choose a school in relation to your overall budget. The institution you plan to attend will be able to provide information on tuition, housing (if applicable), books and supplies, and food (if purchasing a meal plan). You can also ask the institution for information on how much it costs to live in the city or town where the school is located. You should also note that living in a big city could be more expensive than living in a smaller town.