If you’re considering studying in Canada, there are a number of ways you can finance your education. These include Canadian scholarships for international students, which can help you avoid student loan debt and cut your tuition fees by a significant amount.
Scholarships are often merit-based, so you’ll need to show that you’re a standout candidate with good academic scores, qualifications and a strong work ethic.
Academic Qualifications
Canadian universities and colleges are known to be among the best in the world, offering internationally recognised degrees. Many of its institutions feature in the prestigious Times Higher Education World University Rankings every year.
Canada offers students a wide range of options for study, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English as well as French. Some degree programmes are offered as four- or five-year programs, while others are shorter, such as a two- or three-year college degree.
The admission process is straightforward in Canada, and a high school diploma is generally all that is needed to enroll. However, some universities have open admission policies for mature students or students younger than the standard age of graduation.
Internationally recognized degree certificates, such as the IB Diploma, are also accepted in lieu of a high school diploma. You can find more information about these diplomas on the websites of individual universities.
Language Requirements
As the country’s primary language, English is required for all international students applying to study in Canada. This applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
However, there are some exceptions to the requirement and some universities offer admission without requiring IELTS scores. Some of the alternatives include the Intensive English Program (IELP) and IELTS waivers.
Moreover, there are some universities that accept PTE or Duolingo English test scores. This may be a good alternative for you as it is a shorter test and has shorter wait times.
For most Canadian immigration determinations, applicants must provide results from authorized language tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. These tests measure English proficiency on a scale from 1 to 9 in four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Visa Requirements
To study in Canada, you must first obtain a student visa. The visa permits you to enter Canada, and it’s valid until your study program ends.
You must also submit a letter of acceptance, or Certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (CAQ), from the school you wish to attend. You can request this from your university, or apply for it online.
Once you have the required documents, you can submit your application to the Canadian immigration agency. Your application should be submitted online through the official website of Canada’s immigration service.
Before you start, you should check whether the institution or university you want to attend is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This designation indicates that the school has been approved by provincial or territorial government to host international students.
Financial Requirements
Students who plan to study in Canada need to have sufficient funds to pay for tuition and living expenses. They need to have at least $10,000 put aside for the initial year of their studies, and around $15,000 if they need to cover everyday costs while they wait for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to decide whether or not they are eligible to apply for a student visa.
Alternatively, they can opt to apply for scholarships that will cover the cost of their education. These scholarships may come in the form of loans, fellowships, or bursaries.
The scholarship requirements for each program vary, but in general, they are based on academic merit and financial need. In addition, most scholarships require an application process and include a deadline.
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