Universities in Canada
Canada is recognized worldwide as one of the best centers of education, so many people from all corners of the earth flock there every year in search of quality education and degrees. The country Canada has some of the best universities in the world, and they are well known for their contributions to some of the major developments the world enjoys today.
Canadian universities offer quality education in the arts, physical and natural sciences, engineering and business.
This quality also contributes to the degrees offered by these institutions, they are among the most recognized degrees in the world and are recognized by all institutions and organizations worldwide.
Whether it’s an undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate or doctoral program you want to pursue, Canadian universities offer it all. Students from all over the world can also participate and take advantage of its quality educational services.
Programs at Canadian universities
You can complete a degree at a university:
- Bachelor’s degree (3-4 years).
- Master’s degree (1-2 years after the bachelor’s degree);
- PhD (4-6 years for completion);
Professional programs (4 years) are also available. They allow you to get a profession in medicine, dentistry, law, etc.
A number of universities offer not only traditional master’s programs, but also business schools where you can take an MBA program.
All university students are recommended to choose programs that include internships, as this will make it easier for them to find a job.
Universities in Canada are more difficult to graduate from than colleges. This is due to the large amount of theoretical material that must be studied and handed in on time. According to statistics, less than half of students can complete a bachelor’s degree in 4 years, and most require 5-6 years.
Universities of Canada for foreigners create comfortable conditions for living and studying. Education and support programs provide the opportunity to quickly adapt and begin classes at the appropriate level.
After graduation, students are allowed to stay in the country for 1-3 years to look for a job and obtain a work visa.
Cost of tuition and living expenses
Prices for higher education in Canada are much lower than in Europe or the United States. But cannot speak about free education: both nationals and international students pay for higher education. The average cost of one academic year is 20,000 CAD. This is 30-50% less than the fees charged by American universities.
Note: in most universities the cost of textbooks is not included in the tuition fees! For these needs lay another 1200-1500 CAD per year. Attendance of libraries, fitness centers, and computer classes at the university is free.
The cost of living in the country varies greatly depending on the city and the needs of the student. In small cities you can easily get by in 1000-2000 CAD per month. In Toronto – the most expensive city in the country – this figure can be easily multiplied by two.
International students can live both in student residences (on-campus dormitories are quite expensive and cost 500-800 CAD per month) and in the private sector – rent an apartment or live with a host family. The latter option is considered the most economical.
Scholarships and work
There are two ways to reduce the cost of education in Canada. The first is a job. As of June 1, 2014, Immigration and Citizenship Canada began a procedure to change the rules for international students. According to the new regulations, permission to work, including off-campus work, is not required. Students can begin working immediately (previously, off-campus employment was only allowed after six months of study). Only the size of the work week (no more than 20 hours during the academic year) and full-time work during vacations remain unchanged. Juniors are most likely to be hired in the service industry. The pay is 9-15 CAD per hour.
The second way to cut costs is to get scholarships. Firstly, in Canada good studies are encouraged: excellent performance can be estimated at 40-70% of the cost of education. Secondly, the country has a developed system of grants, which can be obtained by engaging in research activities. Putting both together, it is quite realistic to secure a free higher education in Canada.
How to enter a university in Canada
As already mentioned, the government of the country is doing everything to attract foreign students. Among them there is a pleasant feature for foreign who want to get higher education in Canada. Unlike many other foreign countries, Canada recognizes foreign high school diplomas.
To be admitted to a Canadian university you need:
- A high school diploma with a good grade point average. The marks in the major subjects must be maximum.
- Certificate of language proficiency. If you are applying to an English-speaking institute, take the TOEFL (86-88 iBT) or IELTS (6.5-7 points); if you are applying to a French-speaking institute, take the DALF or an internal university test.
- Completed application form.
If the applicant is under the age of 18, there may be some difficulty with admission. Universities accept such students, but formal issues will need to be resolved: children under the age of 18 in Canada are required to have a guardian.
Another option to become a student at a Canadian university is to enroll in preparatory courses. It is not only those under 18 who go here. Foundation is also a great way to improve your language and major subjects. Studying lasts for one year. In the case of good progress you can count on admission even to the top universities of Canada.
Some universities also have special arrangements: in this case, the study at the Foundation counts as the first course, at the end of the program the student is immediately enrolled in the second year. By the way, this option can be advantageous in terms of saving not only time, but money: often study at the preparatory courses are much cheaper than the study at the university itself.
Documents to the university must be submitted 8-12 months before the study begins. It takes anywhere from a month to six months to review.
