Introduction to Studying in Canada
Preparing for the future is an exciting process! It may involve a tonne of research, evaluation, and even facing unexpected challenges which you would have never dreamt about before.
Similarly, while choosing to study in Canada for pursuing your higher studies, you must look into the education system in Canada, quality of life, and most importantly, the provisions offered by the government to study and work part-time jobs in Canada.
What if we said if you study in Canada is one such study destination that offers everything all at once? Yes! Of course, you heard that right!
If studying abroad has always been your dream, you should decide to study in Canada and make it your first option. This guide will provide you with a deep insight into international students’ lives in Canada, recommended cities and universities, the cost of living in Canada for international students, accommodation options, and other vital things to be known before travelling to Canada. Besides, the average cost of living in Canada is around US $2400.
2. Culture and Lifestyle
Canadian culture is primarily influenced by its constituent nationalities’ European traditions and cultures, especially French and British cultures. Core Canadian values include equality, fairness, social justice and inclusiveness. This is evidenced by the nation’s approach to governing people, including higher taxation to promote the redistribution of wealth, public health care, the legalisation of same-sex marriage, the suppression of far-right politics and the abolition of capital punishment.
Guess what? Canadians are open to accepting other religions and cultures as they are fascinated by learning and adapting to multiculturalism, making it one of the ideal reasons to study in Canada.
The two official languages in Canada are French and English, with over 60% of people in Canada speaking English fluently. When you study in Canada, you will notice a welcoming attitude towards immigrants, the languages being spoken in Canada are diverse, with people speaking Punjabi, Chinese, German, Spanish, Italian and a few others.
a) Quick facts:
1) Canadians appreciate adhering to the protocols set in any given situation.
2) Canadians don’t encourage giving money as a present.
3) Culinary manners are Continental.
4) Meetings in Canadian organisations are primarily to review proposals, brainstorm and communicate formal decisions. All Attendees are expected to express opinions.
5) Canadians prefer personal space and arm’s length when speaking to someone.
b) The country as a study destination:
Ontario in Canada has some of the best universities globally, offering a diverse range of courses to draw international students from all over the world. It is home to over 20 publicly-funded education institutions where students can apply for a two-year diploma to study in Canada.
With hundreds of universities in the nation, international students can study in Canada with multiple options in the course of their choice. University studies usually take three to four years for an undergraduate degree, two years for a postgraduate degree, and four years for a Doctoral degree. The duration of the undergraduate and doctoral degrees can differ based on the discipline of study chosen by the students.
c) University lifestyle:
- A dynamic and multicultural classroom environment, reputed faculty and methodology may leave you amazed at Canadian institutions’ teaching quality when you study in Canada. Even though the classes are informal, you are still expected to reach the classroom in time and meet assignment deadlines.
- International students in Canada are encouraged to be independent learners and active participants in class discussions.
- Spending as much time on library research and independent study to meet assignment and examination requirements is highly regarded and appreciated while you study in Canada.
- Group workshops are organised to develop students’ learning, assignment-writing, research, examination, time-management and team skills.
3. Education System in Canada
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Canada is one of the world’s best education performers, ranking in the top three countries in terms of public post-secondary education investment per capita (OECD).
Due to its high GDP spending on education (ranked 2nd amongst the G-8 countries), student outcomes are of the highest standards. The education system in Canada is well regarded across the world, with high-quality Canadian degrees, diplomas and certificates being taught, making it one of the ideal facts to study in Canada.
With the focus on technology, research, and innovation, you’ll be engaged with individuals living in a forward-thinking society while learning from some of the brightest minds in Canada.
The post-secondary education system in Canada is divided into:
- Certificate level, generally for a year.
- Diploma level, for one or two years.
- Advanced Diploma, typically two or three-year programs.
- Bachelor’s degrees, awarded after four years of full-time study.
- Postgraduate diplomas/certificates for one or two years of study.
- Masters in Canada (degrees), available after a bachelor’s degree to excel in a particular subject, for one to two years.
- Doctorate or PhD, generally four to seven years.
The average tuition fee in a public university is between 7,500 CAD and 22,500 CAD per year. Most Canadian universities teach their courses in English. So, this is an excellent opportunity for international students in Canada to enhance their English skills. Besides, there is a wide range of scholarships for international students when they study in Canada.
4. International Student Intakes in Canada
5. Types of Courses in Canada
- Certificate level – You will have to do this for a year.
- The diploma level is to be pursued for one or two years.
- Advanced Diploma – This course is set for 2 -3 years.
- Bachelor’s degrees are set for 4 years of full-time study.
- Bachelor’s Honors degree takes 4 years to finish, and a student is required to get specific credits or GPA, a major or a specialist program.
- Masters in Canada (degrees) – Students can pursue a master’s course with a bachelor’s degree to advance their skills in a particular subject for one to two years. While a few master’s degrees require you to submit a thesis for course completion, a few of them do not require a thesis submission for completing the master’s degree.
- Postgraduate diplomas/certificates – You are required to study for 1 or 2 years.
- Doctorate or PhD – This course generally takes over 4 to 7 years.
- Post-Doctoral programs have no specific duration. These programs are research-oriented.