Study in Canada
Canada is a huge country of diverse peoples, lifestyles and landscapes. It offers a multiplicity of top quality education programs of interest to international students. Canadian educational institutions welcome international students. Many provide special services for international students, designed to assist them to integrate into the academic community and to help them throughout their stay.
The Indus Foundation is an American organization of professionals working as authorized representatives and promoters of Canadian universities in the Indian sub-continent. We offer a comprehensive and cost-effective package of services to take care of all processing and application needs of Indian students for study in Canada. Our services are directed towards assessing and matching students from the Indian sub-continent with the philosophy, requirements, academic offerings and resources of Canadian universities. The Foundation assists the students through the entire application process from the identification of the programs of study to the actual enrollment.
BASIC INFORMATION
There are two major steps to take if students wish to come to Canada to study at the post-secondary level (in Canada the term post-secondary is commonly used to refer to tertiary or advanced education). First, students must be accepted in programs of study by a recognized Canadian post-secondary institutions. Second, students must apply for and be granted a student authorization and visa from Canadian immigration authorities. These procedures take considerable time, and students should apply six months to a year in advance of when they wish to begin study in Canada.
Canada does not have a national education system. Public education is under the jurisdiction of each of the ten provinces and three territories. This means there are some differences and similarities in the systems across the country. Admission requirements, program and course offerings, and fees vary from one institution to another. The Indus Foundation will guide the students as to institutions offer the programs the students want to take and contact them directly for more detailed information. Regulations governing international students differ from those for Canadian students
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
In Canada, the universities and colleges provides professional training and research leading to first and advanced degrees (BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD, etc.). There is no formal ranking of institutions in Canada. They are remarkably uniform in quality across the country.
The academic year generally runs from September to April. Spring and summer courses are available in some cases. Some institutions operate on a semester or trimester system which allows them to accept students to begin studies in September, January or May. University undergraduate programs normallylast three to five years. English and French are Canada's two official languages. At most universities and colleges, instruction is in one of the two languages, although a few use both. Students applying for admission must satisfy the institution's language proficiency requirements in the language of instruction.
Canada is a leader in second-language training. Many educational institutions offer beginner's and upgrading programs in English and/or French as a Second Language. Sometimes, the language courses are offered before students begin their regular academic program, and sometimes they can be taken at the same time.
IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS
After being accepted by an institution for a program of study in Canada, student should apply for a student authorization at the nearest Canadian diplomatic mission. For expedient processing, it is recommended that applications be filed at least three months prior to the commencement of classes. For nationals of some countries such as India, visas are also required. Visas are issued at the same time as the student authorization. In order to apply for a student authorization, the following documents are required:
A valid passport
An original letter of acceptance from a university.
Evidence of adequate funds to cover tuition and living costs for the student, including return
transportation.
If applicable, a letter from student's sponsor
A letter of reference from a dependable person in student's community.
In some cases, a medical examination by a doctor designated by the Canadian government may be needed. The immigration officer will provide information on this requirement.
There is a processing charge of $125 (1999) for the student authorization. There is no fee for the visa when it is issued with a student authorization. A personal interview with a visa officer may be required; any documentation which might be useful as a demonstration of strong ties to country of origin may be of assistance at the interview.
EMPLOYMENT
Students may work on the campus of the publicly funded post-secondary institution at which they are enrolled on a full-time basis without an employment authorization.
Students may also apply for an employment authorization if: the employment is certified by the student's educational institution as being an essential and integral part of student's course of study, e.g. a cooperative program. If this is the case, students may apply for the employment authorization at the same time as the student authorization and there is no additional fee for the employment authorization in this case. This facility of employment authorization is also available to those who have completed a university program and wish to work for up to one year in employment related to their field of study.
Note: Spouses of full-time university students may apply for authorization to work anywhere, subject to medical requirements. In all cases it is necessary to obtain an employment authorization (work permit) from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) before taking any employment. If students work without an employment authorization, their student authorization will cease to be valid and they may be required to leave Canada. There is ONE exception. Students may work on the campus of the publicly funded post-secondary educational institution at which they are registered. Graduate or research work completed at facilities associated with the institution, such as hospitals, meet the definition of on-campus, and an employment authorization is NOT required, provided that the student authorization bears no term or condition which prohibits such employment.
EXPENSES
Graduate student fees vary greatly depending on the program and province of study. Most provinces charge higher fees for international students (known as differential fees), and some offer a limited number of exemptions from the higher fees.
Living costs: Students must meet the costs of study and living in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada requires proof that the student has sufficient money available. If the institution provides a cost of living estimate, the immigration officer will generally follow it. In the absence of a cost of living estimate, the immigration officer will require evidence of $10,000 to cover 12 months living expenses for a single student. An additional $4,000 will be required for a spouse and an additional $3,000 for each dependent, to cover 12 months living expenses. This amount includes food, accommodation, transportation, medical insurance, books, clothing and sundries. Tuition and other student fees are not included in this amount. These are minimum estimates.
Clothing: Students from warmer climates must expect to spend a considerable amount of money in the first few months on winter wear such as coats, boots, sweaters and gloves. On the campus most students dress informally.
Medical expenses: It is imperative that every student and dependent obtain medical and hospital insurance, as health care in Canada is expensive. Public medical and health insurance plans are administered independently by each province, and some private or supplementary plans are available. Some universities and colleges require compulsory health insurance coverage. It is not possible to arrange for coverage in advance, but it should be secured within the first week after arrival. Please note that even if provincial coverage is available free of charge to international students, the students must nevertheless register with the provincial health coverage authority to ensure coverage.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
Some financial assistance is provided by Canadian universities for international graduate students. Competition is keen, and application must be made along with the application for admission to graduate school. Some provincial governments reserve a portion of their graduate scholarships for international students. Inquiries about scholarships should be made one year before planned enrollment. In general, Canadian universities do not award scholarships to international students for undergraduate study.
GOOD REASONS FOR STUDY IN CANADA
1. Canadian universities offer an internationally renowned education that attracts students from around the world.
2. Canada is a multicultural country. Regardless of student's ethnic origin, student will feel at home in Canada.
3. Canadian campuses safe and clean. According to the World Bank, many of Canada'a cities rank amongst the best places in the world to live, work and study.
4. Tuition and the cost of living in Canada are lower than in other countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
5. Students will find excellent professors, reputable scientists, and world renowned artists and writers as part of the faculty at Canadian universities.
6. First class libraries and sports facilities, museums and art galleries, theatres and concert halls: Canadian campuses have it all, including radio stations, newspapers and stores that are run by students.
7. Canadian universities are well equipped technologically with the latest in computer labs, wired classrooms and Internet access from campus.
8. Canada offers a high quality of life.
SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Am I eligible to study in Canada?
Each university has its own entrance requirements and will assess the student on an individual basis. The university will determine the equivalency of student's academic credentials. There is no nationwide set of entrance exams.
2. What is the difference between a university and a college?
Universities are educational institutions attended after at least 12 years of school, or after secondary school, for studies leading to a degree and research. All universities offer three or four year bachelor degree programs; most offer one to two year master's degrees and a number also offer doctoral or PhD programs. Some universities are called colleges, and a few are called institutes, university colleges, or schools.
Community colleges are two-year institutions that offer technical or vocational courses, or courses for transfer to a university, leading to a certificate or diploma. Community colleges do not generally offer degree programs.
3. How do I apply?
To study at a Canadian university, student must first be accepted in a program of study by a recognized Canadian university. The Indus Foundation assists the students in determining which programs to study, which universities meet students' needs, and the subsequent application procedures. But, it is important to apply early. Generally, international students should apply to a Canadian university up to 8 to 12 months in advance. Typical entry points for international students are the September and January semesters.
4. What are the language requirements?
Most Canadian universities require a score of 560 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
5. How long will it take to earn a degree?
Depending on the province, a bachelor's or undergraduate degree takes either three or four years to complete. In provinces that grant three-year bachelor degrees, students must complete an additional year to obtain an honours degree. In some provinces, the fourth year is not necessary, but all honours programs require a high level of achievement and concentration in the subject. An honours degree is generally a prerequisite for admission into graduate studies.
A master's degree usually requires at least one year of full-time study (after an honours degree) and includes a thesis, practicum or a research paper. A doctoral degree, or PhD, requires at least three years of additional full-time study, with at least one year on campus. In most cases, a master's degree is required before admission into a doctoral program, but some universities will accept students who have completed an honours degree.
6. Will my degree be recognized in other countries?
A degree from a Canadian university is recognized around the world and is usually equivalent to an American degree or a degree from another Commonwealth country. Professional and specialized programs such as medicine, nursing and engineering are accredited by reliable and reputable agencies. Current and new academic programs are regularly reviewed by provincial, institutional or regional bodies to ensure quality standards. Canada does not have an institutional accreditation process similar to that found in the U.S. The closest equivalent to accreditation is the appropriate provincial charter coupled with membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. AUCC members offer academic programs of the highest quality, with a reputation that extends far beyond Canada's borders.
7. What are the tuition fees?
Tuition fees for international students vary from province to province and depend on program of choice. Please remember that tuition fees will make up only part of total expenses. Students must also budget for books, instruments, student activity fees, food, housing, travel/transportation, health care, clothing, laundry and entertainment.
8. How much will living in Canada cost?
Some prices of typical goods and services are as follows (in US dollars):
One month's rent, one-bedroom apartment: $400
Bus fare, one way: $1.50
Local telephone call: $0.25
Average restaurant meal: lunch $7/dinner $14
Movie: $7
Since the winters are cold in most parts of Canada, an adequate warm clothing budget is a must.
Expect to spend $250 - $350 US for proper winter clothes.
Generally students will need approximately $12,000 US ($18,840 Cdn ) to cover their expenses for an academic year. This includes tuition and living expenses. Please bear in mind that this figure is an average only. Actual expenses may vary depending on the region of the country that the student lives in, the tuition fees at the university the student attends and the program the student chooses.
9. What housing is available?
Most universities offer the option to live on-campus either in residences designated for international students or in residences generally available to all students on campus. However, acceptance at a Canadian school does not always automatically secure accommodation in a residence. Students need to apply separately for on-campus housing
10. Am I eligible to work in Canada?
There are a number of opportunities to work while studying in Canada. All international students may work on campus. Graduate or research work completed at facilities associated with the student's institution (such as hospitals) also meets the definition of "on-campus". In order to work off-campus, international students must obtain a work permit. This may be obtained if employment is considered essential to student's course of study. Please note that the Canadian government is now looking at the possibility to allow, under certain conditions, full-time international students to work part-time off-campus during the school term and full-time during the holidays. In addition, students may request work permit if they finish their degree in Canada and wish to work for a year in their field of study.
11. Do I need health insurance?
Yes. You will have to arrange for medical coverage before you arrive in Canada. Medical coverage varies from province to province and sometimes from university to university within each province. The provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan cover international students under their provincial health care plans. Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, 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 private medical coverage through private insurance companies.
12. What are the immigration requirements?
To study at a Canadian university, study permit and visa are required. It is best to apply early, as processing of a study permit usually takes one or two months. There is a processing charge of $125 Cdn approximately $80 US) for one person. There is no fee for a visa when it is issued with a study permit.
SELECT LIST OF CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES