Study in Canada

Find out why study in Canada, the cheapest universities in Canada, the cost of studying in Canada and if there are scholarships. Answers from Hotcourses India.

What’s covered in this article?

  • Why study in Canada
  • Benefits of studying in Canada
  • The Education system in Canada
  • Study options in Canada
  • Universities and course options in Canada
  • Intakes to Canadian universities
  • How to study in Canada
  • Cost of studying in Canada
  • Scholarships for international students
  • Places to visit in Canada
  • FAQs on studying in Canada

With its range of landscapes, glacial peaks, ice fields, green vegetation and massive mountains, there is a long list of Canadian scenic wonders for students to sightsee while they study in Canada. The most visited tourist spots are Niagara Falls, the 135 km long Okanagan Lake with its Ogopogo lake monster, the Glacier National Park, the Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies, to name a few.

Why Study in Canada?

Several facts make Canada one of the best destinations for Indian students looking to pursue studies in a foreign country. From natural peaks to skyscrapers, Canada has it all! Montreal and Toronto are two large cities that offer just about everything students could possibly ask for.

  1. As per a recent IDP survey, Canada is one of the top destinations preferred by international students planning their studies abroad.
  2. Canada is a major centre for higher learning and research with many well-known institutions. An example is the University of Toronto.
  3. The cities in Canada are ethnically diverse. Studying in Canada will give you a cosmopolitan experience.
  4. Canada has a low crime rate. Hence, it is often ranked as one of the best places in the world to live.
  5. Canada is also rated among the top 10 countries in the Global Peace index ranking.
  6. There are also Walksafe programmes, where volunteers assist people in getting around the campus, to public transportation or their homes during late hours at night.
  7. At least 5 cities in Canada were listed among the best student cities in the world as per QS Best Student Cities 2022.
  8. The student fees in Canadian universities are lower when compared to other popular study-abroad destinations.

Benefits of studying in Canada

  1. You will have several options to choose from: big or small universities/colleges and small-town or city universities.
  2. Students can enjoy an active and varied lifestyle in this beautiful country, along with great health-care benefits. You’ll also get to experience the thing that Canada is most known for – the politeness of the locals.
  3. Students will have incredible opportunities to meet like-minded people and gain valuable international student experience through student clubs and organisations.
  4. The post-study work rights offered by Canada are particularly beneficial to international students. If your study programme was more than 2 years long, you can work for up to 3 years in Canada.

What is your reason to study in Canada? Are you attracted to the country itself or the educational opportunity that it offers? We are here to guide you with your applications to study at Canadian universities.

Are you looking for some assistance with kick-starting your study abroad journey? Just fill out the form on this page and our experts will get in touch with you.

The education system in Canada

The higher education system in Canada is not very different from the American education system, with some influence from the British education system.

There are mainly three types of institutions:

Public Universities: Public universities in Canada are run by provincial, territorial or federal government funding besides the tuition fees collected from students. They also accept private funding.

Private Universities: Private universities in Canada are mostly funded by donations and research grants. These universities do not receive funding from government bodies. They also receive donations from wealthy alumni.

Liberal Arts Colleges: Liberal arts colleges in Canada are pretty similar to that in the USA. These are either public or private colleges, with a primary emphasis on undergraduate courses in liberal arts.

Study options in Canada

Students can choose from a number of different study programmes in Canada:

  • Certificate or diploma (One or two years)
  • Advanced diploma (Two or three years)
  • Undergraduate (three or four years)
  • Postgraduate (two years)
  • PhD (four or five years with dissertation)

The academic year starts in early September and ends in April or May.

Universities and course options in Canada

Canada has several top-ranking institutions. More than 30 institutions were listed in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and the QS World University Rankings 2023. The universities that made it to the top 50 are:

Some of the institutions that are most preferred by Indian students include:

Courses that are popular among Indian students studying in Canada are:

Intakes to Canadian Universities

There are three academic intakes at the institutions in Canada: fall, winter and summer.

Fall Semester

September to December

Winter Semester

January to May

Summer/Spring Semester

May to August

Though fall is the primary intake in most colleges, some colleges do offer a winter intake.  

International students are advised to apply at the earliest, as scholarships and admissions get more and more competitive closer to the deadline. A typical application deadline would be 6 to 9 months before your session starts, and it can vary depending on each department and the subject of choice. Though deadlines are not flexible, except for diploma programmes, some institutions might accept students if seats are available.

Find out about the different semesters in different countries abroad.

How to study in Canada

The first step in any study abroad journey is to identify the course and university you want to apply to. We have developed a unique tool called the Course Matcher, that can help you identify the best course and university based on your qualifications and preferences.

How does the course matcher tool work?

If you prefer receiving professional support in choosing the best university, you can simply fill out the form on this page and our experts will get in touch with you and guide you for free.

Once you have shortlisted the universities to apply to, check which are the intakes during which your course is also available. Based on this information, you can start preparing your application. Ensure you clear all the required exams and get ready with the documents.

You must start thinking about the ways of funding your studies too. Once you are sure you have all the necessary documents in order, go ahead and apply. Most institutions offer the option to apply online through the university site.

Once you are accepted by a Designation Learning Institution, you can start the visa application process. You will receive an admission letter from the institution on being accepted for the course. With this letter, you can apply for a Canadian Study Permit. Note that the study permit is not a travel document. You will need a valid visa to travel to Canada. For example, a temporary resident visa.

Once you get your visa, book your tickets to enter Canada before the course commencement date.

Our counsellors can help you with every step of the study abroad process and also put you in touch with student representatives at universities abroad. Make use of the free service for a smooth study-abroad journey.

Cost of studying in Canada

The price tag for higher studies in Canada is considerably lesser when compared to other leading study destinations. Tuition fees vary from institution to institution. On average, students will have to shell out CAD 13,000–40,000 per year.

Check out our article detailing the cost of studying in Canada – the tuition fees for Engineering, Business & Management, Arts and Computer Science & IT courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the cost of living (food, accommodation, fine dining) and other expenses (application fee, visa expenses, air tickets, health insurance etc.).

Annual living expenses will depend on the living location you prefer and the type of accommodation that suits you, i.e., private, homestay or on-campus accommodation. On average, students pay CAD 6,000 - 7500 per year for their accommodation. Of course, the transport and other expenses should be factored in. Another aspect that you can’t avoid is health insurance which costs anywhere between CAD 300 to 1500 (approx.) per year.

Read: Cost of studying in Canada

International students can work part-time for 20 hours per week – generally the first six months on campus and off campus post this period. Some universities with more intensive courses allow their students to work for nearly 12 hours since working for more hours can affect their students' performance. 

International students can apply for a work permit post their studies, which allows them to work in the country for up to 3 years. 

Scholarships in Canada

Canadian scholarships for Indian students include both government and non-government scholarships. Some of the scholarships that international students are eligible for include –

  1. Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute
  2. Ontario Graduate Scholarship
  3. Merit Scholarship Programme by the Quebec Government
  4. Several organisations in Quebec offer scholarships to international students.
  5. Canadian Rhodes Scholars Foundation scholarship
  6. Trudeau scholarships and fellowships

In addition to this, there are some institution-specific scholarships for international students, such as scholarships from the University of Guelph, Queens University and Centennial College.

Here’s a list of scholarships for Indian students to study in Canada. Get details about the number of scholarships, the scholarship amount and the duration.

Places to visit in Canada

There will be local touristy places around every major Canadian city. But there are some must-see places in Canada. The first on the list is obviously the Niagara waterfalls. Here are some more places you should check out before you return from Canada:

  • Banff National Park
  • Kluane National Park and Reserve
  • The Northern Lights in Whitehorse
  • Maligne Lake
  • Ski Resort in Whistler

FAQs on studying in Canada

How much will studying in Canada cost?

The tuition fee for undergraduate courses can range from around 10 lakh for Computer Science & IT courses to 26 lakhs or more for Engineering courses. Postgraduate courses are cheaper.

Get the details of the international student’s expenses in Canada.

What are the requirements to study in Canada?

Apart from the course-specific and institution-specific requirements, the other requirements to study in Canada include:

  • Getting accepted by a Designated Learning Institution in Canada
  • Proving you have enough money to handle the expenses involved
  • Proving to an officer that you will leave Canada on completing your studies
  • Proof of English language proficiency will also be required by a majority of institutions in Canada.

How much money is required for a student visa in Canada?

A fee of CAD 150 is required for a study permit to Canada. This is around 9007 rupees. As mentioned before, the study permit is not a travel document. So, you will need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation along with it.

Which are some Canada universities for masters?

Some of the popular institutions picked by Indian students for masters are: Lambton College, Conestoga College, Fanshawe College, Humber Institute, the University of Windsor, and Centennial College.

Planning to study in Canada?

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Planning to study in Canada?

Aakriti Ashra Aakriti Ashra,
IDP Expert
We can help you find the perfect course and university in Canada. Get in touch with us now to get FREE advice!

Planning to study in Canada?

I can help you find the perfect course and university in Canada. Get in touch with us now to get FREE advice!
Education counselor
Aakriti Ashra, IDP Expert
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Why we need the phone number?
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