Study in Canada

With its range of landscapes, glacial peaks, ice fields, green vegetation, and massive mountains, there is a long list of scenic wonders in Canada for students to see while they study there. 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 an 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 ranks 11^th on the list of the most peaceful countries in the world.
5. Canada's Walksafe programmes, have volunteers assist people in getting around the campus, to public transportation or their homes during late hours at night.
6. 3 of the top 50 student cities globally are in Canada.
7. The student fees in Canadian universities are lower when compared to other popular study-abroad destinations.
8. 30 Canadian universities are listed among the top universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.

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 healthcare benefits. You will also get to experience what Canada is most famous for – the friendly and polite nature of its 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 is more than 2 years long, you can work for up to 3 years in Canada. 
5. Since February 15, 2024, graduates of master's degree programs lasting less than two years (with a minimum of 8 months) are also eligible for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), provided they meet all other requirements.

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, in addition to tuition fees. 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 similar to those in the USA in some aspects. 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 2025 and 30 were listed in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The universities that made it to the top 50 are:

• The University of Toronto
• The University of British Columbia
• McGill University

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

• Lambton College
• Fanshawe College
• Conestoga College
• Centennial College
• Canadore College

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

• MBA in Canada
• Ontario College Diploma in Business
• Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Global Business Management
• Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Intakes to Canadian Universities

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

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. 

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. 

After shortlisting universities, confirm their intake periods for your chosen course. 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 (DLI), 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.

Cost of studying in Canada

The cost of higher education in Canada is considerably lower compared to other popular study destinations. Tuition fees vary from institution to institution. On average, students will have to shell out CAD 13,000–40,000 per year.

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, transport and other expenses should be factored in. Health insurance costs between CAD 300 to 1500 (approx.) per year.

As of 8 November 2024, international students can work part-time for up to 24 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. During holidays, students can work full-time. 

International students can apply for a work permit after completing their studies.

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, institutions offer several scholarships to international students. These include scholarships from the University of Guelph, Queens University and Centennial College.

Places to visit in Canada

Each major Canadian city is home to a variety of local attractions and tourist spots. 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.

What are the requirements for studying 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 upon completing your studies
• Proof of English language proficiency

How much does a student visa for Canada cost?

The fee for a study permit to Canada is CAD 150, which is approximately 9,080 INR, as per the exchange rates on 24 February 2025. However, it's important to note that the study permit is not a travel document. Therefore, you will also need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in addition to the study permit.

Which are some Canadian universities offering master's programmes?

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