What are the minimum admission requirements for Canadian colleges and universities? How can I get admission to a prestigious university in Canada? is studying in Canada worth it? These are some of the most frequently asked questions that our clients are concerned about. Generally speaking, in order to get admitted to a designated learning institute in Canada you need the following:
- Paying the first year of your studies tuition.
- Being able to take care of your living expenses for one year.
- Meet the university’s language proficiency requirements.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.4 for colleges and 2.6 for universities.
Studying in Canada at a glance
- Affordable tuitions and living expenses
- High-ranking universities
- Being able to take your family members with you
- Possibility of becoming a permanent resident of Canada
- Being able to work while studying
- Being able to receive funds, scholarships, and bursaries.
- Tax return on your tuition fees
Benefits of studying in Canada
Affordable tuitions: tuition fees in Canada compared to the UK, Australia, and the US are %40 more affordable.
Permanent residency after graduation: studying in Canada and receiving a Canadian degree can act as a stepping stone toward permanent residency.
Quality of education: Canada has a sophisticated education system and even the mid-ranked universities and colleges have precise and efficient curricular calendars.
Working while studying: an international student is allowed to work part-time while studying in Canada and full-time on scheduled breaks.
Open work permit for your spouse: you can put all your focus on studying because your spouse will receive an open work permit and be allowed to work full-time for the duration of your studies.
Free education for your children: if you are bringing your minor child to Canada, they can benefit from free education while being in Canada with you.
Tax benefits: after graduation, you will benefit from a tax reduction for the exact amount of your tuition fees.
Canadian passport: the days you are residing in Canada on a study permit can be included toward the required number of days for Canadian passport eligibility. (1-year maximum limit)
Social security: Canada is one of the safest countries to live in.
Language proficiency improvement: studying in Canada as an international will improve your language skills.
Visa Mondial, your source of information for studying in Canada
Visa Mondial has gathered all of the information you need regarding the subject of studying in Canada and has made this information available to everyone on their website. This authentic and credible information has been collected by our team of professional immigration consultants after working with countless clients over the years. Visa Mondial is one of the few immigration institutes that has employed educational consultants who are members of CCEA and immigration consultants with CICC memberships and follows the admission processes and study permit processes with the help of its certified consultants.
Visa Mondial organization has achieved a success rate of 90% in recent years, meaning 9 out of 10 applicants, who have signed a contract with Visa Mondial, have received a passport request letter.
The process of studying in Canada
- Make a decision and assess the situation
- Choose a university or college carefully
- Gather the required documents and submit an application
- Gather the study permit requirements
- Apply for a Canadian study permit
- Receive a visa
- Finalize your university or college admission (If applicable)
- Prepare for your trip to Canada
- Receive your study permit at the port of entry and start your education
- While studying, prepare for permanent residency
Are you eligible for studying in Canada?
Regardless of your desired education level, your first step is to apply to a learning institute (university, college, high school, …). Every learning institute has a specific set of requirements, with them different for each one and sometimes for each program within an institute. These requirements, however, can usually be categorized as language proficiency requirements, GPA requirements, and educational background requirements.
Most learning institutes in Canada issue a conditional admission letter for the applicant if they do not meet all of the admission requirements. this means that they will be granted a seat in their desired program IF they meet all of the admission requirements within a specific deadline.
Let’s go over the admission requirements for every learning institute in Canada:
Admission requirements for Canadian schools (high schools, middle schools, etc.)
Do you want to study in a normal school or a boarding school? Private school or public school? Choosing a school in Canada can be confusing, especially since it directly influences a minor’s future. While selecting the perfect school can be a pain, admission requirements for Canadian schools are somewhat the same. In the Canadian education system, schools determine the student’s school grade by their age. They also require the students to have a certain level of language proficiency and if you do not meet the required language proficiency level, all schools offer language courses that, depending on the school, can be free or have their own separate tuition.
Graduation from a school in Canada depends on the credits you passed in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in high school. Depending on the post-secondary program of your choice, you need to pass the required credits.
Admission requirements for Canadian colleges
Colleges are institutes that offer more practical programs compared to universities. These programs usually require some level of practical education which is available in colleges. College programs are often 1-year or 2-year programs that require a high school diploma for admission. The required language proficiency for a college program is usually the overall IELTS band score of 5.5 to 6.5 and if the students do not meet this requirement, they can take an “English for academic purposes” course before starting their main program.
Colleges normally do not have any age restrictions for their programs as they are designed to prepare the students for their desired professions regardless of their age which can be good news for some applicants.
Studying at a Canadian college, the pathway to university admission
Sometimes colleges can act as a bridge between high school and university. But how? Here are 2 reasons why some students choose colleges:
- Low-density classes compared to universities
Colleges have less populated classes in comparison to university classes and this can help students become familiar with the academic environment of post-secondary education and increase the quality of their education. Colleges can also help students better handle the shock and stress and prepare them for university life.
- 2+2 or 3+1 degree programs
With these models, students can first enroll in a college program and after graduation, they can transfer their credits to a university and continue their education at a university and graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the university. Here is an example for better demonstration:
Mike is aiming to enroll in a computer science program at a university. The tuition fee for this bachelor’s program at a university is CA$30,000 per year, totaling CA$120,000 for a 4-year bachelor’s program. After consulting with Visa Mondial, Mike decided to enter Seneca College and study computer science in their full-time 2-year program and after graduation, transfer his college credits to York University and continue his studies there. By making this decision, Mike paid CA$28,000 for 2 years of college education and CA$60,000 for 2 years of university education; CA$88,000 in total. By taking this path, Mike saved CA$32,000.
Admission requirements for Canadian universities
In Canada, public and private universities both accept international students but, depending on their world ranking, each has different admission requirements. for example, the bachelor’s of mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto requires an overall IELTS band score of 7.0, a GPA of 3.0 or above, and credible recommendation letters from previous teachers and professors. These admission requirements can be challenging for some students.
Although, there is no need to worry as there are many universities in Canada with different admission requirements. Depending on your goals, field of study, and interests we can recommend a good university to you where you have a high chance of getting accepted. All you need to do is to assess your educational background, language proficiency, and financial status as these factors can help you choose a university.
Admission requirements for undergraduate university programs
- High school GPA of 2.4 or more
- Overall IELTS band score of 5.5
Tips on studying in an undergraduate university program:
- Do not solely focus on high-ranking universities as you will need to pay more tuition.
- Assess the credit transfer between colleges and universities as this can reduce your overall expenses.
- Consult an educational and immigration consultant before selecting a program.
- Assess the aftermath of your graduation and whether or not you can apply for permanent residency status.
James’s opinion about undergraduate education in Canada:
“I have to admit, at first, the Canadian education system, classes, and home works were a bit of a challenge for me. Although I was able to adapt myself to the fast-paced university life in Canada, I had to take York University’s English courses to improve my language proficiency. Currently, I have a part-time job at a café in the dining hall of the university which is a big help in covering my expenses. Living in Toronto is pleasant and exciting as well, except for its cold winters of course.”
Admission requirements for graduate university programs
- Bachelor’s GPA of 2.6 or above
- Overall IELTS band score of 6.0
Tips on studying in a graduate university program:
- Do not solely focus on high-ranking universities as you will need to pay more tuition.
- Consult an educational and immigration consultant before selecting a program.
- Assess the aftermath of your graduation and whether or not you can apply for permanent residency status.
Samuel’s opinion about graduate education in Canada:
“I was 37 years old when I applied for a graduate program in Canada and I thought I was too old for a master’s degree. After assessing my situation and having a consultation session with Visa Mondial experts, I decided to apply. Even though I had a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and I applied for a master’s degree program in MBA, fortunately, everything went better than expected. After studying for my master’s degree in Canada for 2 years, I now have a full-time job as a sales manager in a chemical equipment company in Toronto. I could not believe that I had it in me to study at the age of 37 but I am glad I made this decision.”
Admission requirements for Ph.D. programs at Canadian universities
- Master’s GPA of 2.8 or more
- Overall IELTS band score of 6.5
- Strong academic and educational background
Tips on studying in a Ph.D. program at Canadian universities:
- Do not solely focus on receiving funds or scholarships. Getting an acceptance letter is a win on its own. Normally Ph.D. students receive some kind of funds for their work.
- Language proficiency plays a huge role in Ph.D. admissions so make sure to take it seriously.
- Paper, paper, and paper! Make sure to publish a few papers and articles in credible international journals.
Blake’s opinion about Ph.D. education in Canada:
“I was working in Denmark but I was not happy with my life and income and decided to apply for a Ph.D. program in Canada and move there with my family. I was able to receive a full scholarship and minimize my costs. My wife is also working and my son is in kindergarten and life is awesome!”
Language proficiency requirements for studying in Canada
Having a language proficiency certificate is one of the requirements for studying in Canada. At some levels of education, it is possible to receive a conditional acceptance letter from an institute but we strongly recommend that you improve your language proficiency prior to entering Canada.
It is only logical to improve your language skills when moving to a new country as this can be directly influential on your self-esteem, social skills, connection-making, and chances of finding a job in Canada. If you are determined to apply to a program without a language proficiency certificate, your only course of action is to get a conditional acceptance letter.
Language proficiency requirements for each level of education in Canada
| Education | Language proficiency | Conditional to language courses |
| Schools | N/A | No |
| Colleges | IELTS 6.0 or equivalent | Yes |
| Bachelor’s Degrees | IELTS 6.5 or equivalent | Yes |
| Master of Engineering | IELTS 6.5 or equivalent | Yes (In the case of IELTS 6.0) |
| Master of Science | IELTS 6.5 or equivalent | No |
| Master of Arts | IELTS 6.5 or equivalent | No |
| Master of Management (MBA) | IELTS 6.5 or equivalent | Yes |
| Ph.D. | IELTS 6.5 or equivalent | No |
| Medical & Law Degrees | IELTS 6.5 or equivalent | No |
Age restrictions for studying in Canada
The saying “it is never too late” goes perfectly with studying in Canada! You can apply for a program in Canada at any age. Let us explain:
Age and admission in Canada
When applying for a university or college program in Canada, your age does not affect the outcome. Rejecting an application based on the age of the applicant is considered discrimination and is a criminal offense and punishable by law. Therefore, you can have ease of mind now that you know your age has nothing to do with your admission results.
Age and study permit application in Canada
Unlike admission, your age is a deciding factor on your study permit application. At the study permit stage, the final decision is made by the IRCC officer and he or she takes your age into account.
How your age affects the study permit application?
As we mentioned before, refusing an application solely based on the age of the applicant is considered discrimination and is a criminal offense and punishable by law. However, the IRCC officer decides on your application by taking into account a number of factors, with age being one of them. Based on your age and level of education, an IRCC officer can decide whether or not you are a bona fide student. If the IRCC officer doubts that you are entering Canada for any goal other than education, this will be enough reason for refusing your application.
Tuition fees in Canada
Tuition fees in Canada depend on the level of education, program, and ranking of the institute. Here we have gathered an estimation for the tuition fees of each level of education in Canada:
| Level of education | Yearly tuitions |
| Public schools | CA$13,000 – CA$16,000 |
| Private schools | CA$13,000 – CA$25,000 |
| Boarding schools | CA$35,000 – CA$60,000 |
| Colleges | CA$12,000 – CA$17,000 |
| Universities | CA$15,000 – CA$30,000 |
| Top-ranking universities (Bachelor’s degree programs) | CA$25,000 – CA$45,000 |
Living expenses while studying in Canada
In Canada, around %60 of your expenses goes toward rent. Taking into account different aspects of expenses in Canada, like rent, groceries, transportation, and bills, monthly living expenses in small cities in Canada are about CA$1,000 to CA$1,500 and in large metropolitan cities are CA$1,500 to CA$2,500. Keep in mind that this estimation is for living as a student.
Your living taste
You have two options:
- Living in big cities with higher costs of living but benefiting from more job opportunities.
- Living in small cities with lower costs of living and cozier lives but having limited job opportunities.
As the second largest country in the world, Canada can cater to every taste and has an option for every person. Depending on your interests and personality, you can select either a large city or a small city to live in.
Lifestyle
Another factor is your lifestyle. Indians are masters of lowering their living costs as we sometimes witness four families living under a single roof. This surely reduces their share of rent and bills. Europeans are less likely to accept these living environments and usually share their flat with only one other person. Therefore, your lifestyle can greatly influence your living cost in Canada.
Scholarship in Canada
Receiving a scholarship is not an easy task and not everyone receives a scholarship as it greatly depends on each person’s qualification and educational background. Here we have assessed the possibility of receiving a scholarship for every level of education in Canada:
Scholarship in Canadian schools and colleges
Receiving a scholarship from a Canadian college or school is rather impossible and if you are thinking about it, it is better not to waste your time and energy.
Scholarship in a Canadian university for bachelor’s degree programs – low possibility
Receiving a scholarship from a Canadian university for an undergraduate program is not impossible but it is rare. If you have a strong educational background (high school GPA of 3.5 and IELTS band score of 7.0), you can receive some sort of scholarship as a discount on your tuition fees. For example, one of our clients received CA$8,000 in funds for his tuition fees.
Another way of receiving a scholarship from a Canadian university for an undergraduate program is to have high grades and receive around CA$3,000 to CA$4,000 in funds.
Scholarship in a Canadian university for master’s degree programs – possible
Receiving a scholarship from a Canadian university for a graduate program is not out of question but the requirements and eligibility criteria differ for each program. In science and engineering programs, there is a high possibility of scholarships while universities are less likely to grant scholarships to students in management programs.
As a rule of thumb, in order to receive funding from the university or your professor, you must have a strong academic background and prove your eligibility. A GPA of 3.0 or above, an IELTS band score of 6.5 or above, and published academic papers are the bare minimums for a scholarship in graduate programs.
Scholarship in a Canadian university for Ph.D. degree programs – highly likely
Receiving a scholarship from a Canadian university for a Ph.D. program is the standard practice in Canada and after being accepted in a Ph.D. program, universities offer one or more types of funding to the Ph.D. candidate. It is highly unlikely for the Ph.D. candidate not to receive any funds or scholarships. the amount of funding depends on the university, program, and the department you have been accepted into.
Example: Ph.D. candidates at Simon Fraser University receive CA$26,000 in funding per year. From this amount, around CA$10,000 is for their tuition fees. Additionally, they have a monthly income of CA$2,000 from their research works.
Where to study in Canada? Designated learning institutes
Designated learning institutes are colleges and universities that are approved by the IRCC and the Canadian ministry of education to accept international students. There are more than 1500 of these institutes across Canada and providing their DLI number on your study permit application forms is mandatory. In other words, only international applicants who hold admission letters from a designated learning institute can apply for a study permit.
Institute ranking
In order to keep Canadian education top-notch and credible around the world, the government of Canada constantly monitors the designated learning institutes and makes sure that the education system and the level of education in these institutes are up to the standards.
Does this mean that all Canadian colleges and universities are at the same level? Certainly not.
Although universities like the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo, Simon Fraser University, University of Montreal, Queen’s University, Dalhousie University, and McMaster University are among the top ranking universities around the world, this does not mean that other universities have a low quality of educations or their degrees are worthless.
Therefore, you don’t need to be picky about the ranking of universities and it is better to select a university based on the qualification of your application. No employer in Canada asks about the name or ranking of your university or college for employment purposes so no need to worry about it.
Additionally, community colleges in Canada have a high level of education and can prepare you for the role you desire. There are more than 150 community colleges across Canada that offer practical programs that teach you the required skills for landing your dream job.
Studying at a college or university?
Deciding between colleges and universities is not that hard. All you need to do is determine your goals and assess the post-graduation work permit and permanent residency eligibility. Additionally, Future job opportunities can affect your decision as well.
Selecting a college or university with Visa Mondial
| Goal | Decision |
| I want to pursue higher education | University |
| I want to learn practical skills | College |
| I want to minimize my expenses | College |
| I want to have more job opportunities | College |
Canadian study permit
Getting a study permit is the final and most important step of studying in Canada. Having admission from the best universities in Canada means nothing without a study permit. The process of applying for a study permit starts with gathering the required documents, papering proof of financial support, and submitting a study permit application to the IRCC.
Subsequently, after giving your biometrics at a VAC, you need to wait for the results of your application. You will either be granted entry to Canada or your study permit application will be refused. In order to turn this day into a happy day, you need to plan your journey, prepare the required documents and a logical scenario, write a flawless study plan, and successfully convince the IRCC officer that you are a bona fide student.
You can find every information you need in the Canadian study permit article.
Approval of study permit application
When your study permit application gets approved, you will receive a correspondence letter stating that you need to provide the embassy with your original passport. Following that, a visa will be issued to your passport and it will be mailed to you.
Now you need to prepare for your trip. Keep in mind that your study permit will be issued at the port of entry.
Difference between a visa and a study permit
A Canadian visa is a document that grants you entry to Canada. it will be attached to your passport and you need to leave Canada before the expiration of your visa. You are not allowed to work or study in Canada with a visa.
A Canadian study permit, on the other hand, as the name suggests is a permit that allows you to study for the duration of your stay in Canada. A study permit is always issued at the port of entry (usually an airport) and includes the details of your education like the DLI number of your institute, the name of the program, the name of the institutes, etc. Keep in mind that you cannot enter Canada solely with a study permit and you need a visa for entry.
To sum up, in order to enter Canada and study in Canada you need a visa and a study permit. You will receive your visa at the embassy in your home county and the study permit will be issued after arriving in Canada at the port of entry. The visa only grants you entry to Canada and the study permit only allows you to study in Canada therefore, to enter Canada and study you need both.
Studying in provinces of Canada
Deciding between 10 provinces, 6 different time zones, and countless cities and universities can be frustrating. To help you choose, you need to set your priorities. There is no room for any mistakes here. Deciding on the wrong province can result in inadmissibility for permanent residency. Subsequently, selecting a good province can put you multiple steps ahead.
Conditions of studying in each province of Canada
- Studying in Alberta
- Studying in British Columbia
- Studying in Manitoba
- Studying in New Brunswick
- Studying in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Studying in Nova Scotia
- Studying in Ontario
- Studying on Prince Edward Island
- Studying in Quebec
- Studying in Saskatchewan
After graduating from a Canadian institute
International students who have graduated from a Canadian institute may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit which is a type of open work permit. With this work permit, a student is able to remain in Canada and work after graduation. The expiration date of your work permit depends on the duration of your program in Canada:
| Less than 8 months | No post-graduation work permit |
| Between 8 to 24 months | Equal to the duration of the program |
| More than 24 months | 3 years |
Permanent residency after graduation
According to Canada’s national statistical agency (Statistics Canada), around %50 the international students remain in Canada after graduation and receive permanent residency eventually. Generally, there are two pathways toward permanent residency after graduating from a Canadian college or university.
Permanent residency through federal programs
In federal programs, IRCC evaluates applicants based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which is a point-based system. Applicants with a Canadian degree receive enough points to apply under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.
Example: Jane is 35 and after graduating from a 2-year university program immediately applied for permanent residency under the federal Express Entry program and since her Canadian degree awarded her 30 CRS points, she received an invitation for permanent residency.
Permanent residency through other federal programs – pilot programs
The federal government of Canada, every now and then, introduces pilot programs in order to satisfy the needs of its provinces. Examples of these programs are the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. Both of these programs grant the applicant permanent residency status in case of approval.
Permanent residency through provincial programs
Depending on the province of your institute, there are pathways toward permanent residency. Normally, alumni of a province receive 600 CRS points if they apply for permanent residency through the provincial programs of their province. As you might have guessed this 600 CRS point guarantees their approval.
Married students who enter Canada with their spouses can apply for permanent residency immediately after entering Canada, given that their spouses have an open work permit and find a job in that province.
Example: Brian and his wife, Ashley, both entered British Columbia as a couple with the main study permit applicant being Brian. Ashley also received an open work permit as an accompanying family member of Brian. Ashley was able to find a job as a software engineer in two weeks and they both immediately applied for permanent residency and received permanent residency status after 8 months.
Permanent residency through Quebec provincial programs
You are probably aware that the province of Quebec acts independently from the federal government when it comes to immigration and permanent residency programs. but applicants who have graduated from a program in Quebec are able to apply for permanent residency status under one of the programs of Quebec Experience Program or the Quebec-selected skilled worker Program.
