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Information for International students

International students: Preparing to come to Canada

For international students, Canada offers an education system of outstanding quality and academic degrees that are internationally recognized. With some careful planning and research on issues like academic programs, eligibility and funding, earning a Canadian degree can become a reality.

In 2006, Canadian universities attracted more than 70,000 international students in full-time study. Foreign student enrolment has increased significantly in the last nine years – more than doubling over that period. Achieving diversity within the student population turns Canadian lecture halls into places for sharing a range of experiences, languages, customs and ideas – a benefit to all of us who increasingly learn and work in a global context.

This article was written to help prospective students plan and prepare for higher education in Canada.

Canadian universities defined
Universities are educational institutions that one attends, usually after completing 12 years of primary and secondary school, for studies that lead to a degree. All members of the Association of Universities and Colleges offer three or four-year bachelor degree programs; most offer master’s and doctoral (PhD) programs as well.

Selecting a program and university
This Directory provides an excellent overview of every university in Canada. For many years, it has allowed students and counsellors to compare programs and facilitate educational decision-making. The detailed national program index will help you uncover the options you have for studies, as well as determine where you can study a certain program.

Qualifications for acceptance
Each university has its own entrance requirements and determines the equivalency of your academic experience. It is usually the registrar’s office of each university that provides details about the application procedure.

Process for applying
First, you must apply for acceptance to the academic program at the institution in which you are interested.
If you meet the criteria for admittance, you must then apply for student authorization (study permit) at the
nearest Canadian diplomatic post in your home country. You may also need a visitor’s visa, which will be issued at the same time as your student authorization. If you plan to study in the province of Quebec, you must pay another $100 Cdn for a “certificat d’acceptation du Québec.” Canadian universities normally admit students to commence studies in September or January. And although it may not be necessary in all cases, it is generally recommended that an international student apply to a Canadian university eight months prior to the expected program start date.

Costs
Tuition fees for international students are different at every school and vary depending upon the program you want to study. For example, tuition can range from about $5,500 to $17,000 Cdn for a general arts and science undergraduate degree in Canada. Keep in mind that you must also budget for books, equipment, student activities, food, housing, travel, local transportation, health care, clothing, laundry and entertainment. When estimating costs, ensure that you factor in any sudden fluctuations in exchange rates with your home currency.

Financial aid
There are a growing number of Canadian universities that offer entrance scholarships for international students. You can get scholarship information by contacting the financial aid office at the university. You should also contact the ministry of education in your home country for information on scholarships for study in Canada.

Languages
Canada has two official languages – English and French. You do not have to speak both to study at a Canadian university – however, you will have to show proficiency in one depending upon where you apply. Most English universities require a score of at least 550-600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (or a range between 213-250 on the computer based test and typically 80 or better on the Internet-based test, with minimums in each section), a score of 60-70 on the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment, or 6 to 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Canadian French-language universities usually assess applicants on a case-by-case basis. The registrar’s office at each university can provide you with specific language requirements.

Housing
Most universities offer the option to live on-campus in residences. However, acceptance at a Canadian school does not automatically secure accommodation in a residence. Students need to apply separately for on-campus housing. Information on housing, for both on-campus and off-campus, is available from the university’s housing office or the international student adviser.

Medical insurance
The provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan cover international students under their provincial health care plans. Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec do not cover international students under their provincial health care plans. International students planning to study in one of these provinces must arrange for medical coverage through a private insurance company. International students planning to study at universities in Ontario (with the exception of the University of Windsor) must enroll in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).

Work for international students
On-campus work: Full-time international students may work on campus (for instance, at the university library) without obtaining a work permit. Graduate or research work completed at facilities associated with your university is considered “on-campus” work.

Off-campus work: The federal government’s off-campus work program allows eligible foreign students at public postsecondary institutions to work off-campus for up to 20 hours a week during the school year and full-time during study breaks. These agreements make it easier for students to gain work experience in the Canadian labour market and earn extra income while studying. The work permit is valid for the duration of students’ study permit.

In order to be eligible for the program, foreign students must have a valid study permit, be in satisfactory academic standing, and they must have studied full-time at an eligible public, postsecondary institution for at least six months out of the 12 months preceding their application. Institutions must sign an agreement with the province or territory in which they are located in order to participate in the program. The agreement includes monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure that students retain their eligibility for the program.

Working in Canada is a possibility after your studies as an international student. Under certain circumstances, graduating international students may apply to work in Canada for up to two years after graduation. For more details on part-time off-campus work as well as post-graduation employment, consult www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus.asp and www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad.asp.