The Canadian Education System
Education in Canada is managed by the Provincial and Territorial governments. While public education is free up to the Secondary School level, Post Secondary Education is either publicly funded or privately funded. Canada offers a mix of Universities, University Colleges, Community Colleges and Language Schools.
In a recent survey conducted by Keystone covering over 23,000 students globally, 16% of the students chose Canada as their first preference in deciding a country to study in. This was followed by the US, UK, Germany and Australia. There has been a significant recovery following the Covid pandemic.
Canada is a popular study destination for international students for a number of reasons. It offers a high-quality education system and a competitive entry system. The tuition fees are more affordable than most study abroad destination. It has been ranked by a UN survey as the best country to live in the world for the last nine years consecutively. Students are allowed to work on campus and off-campus for upto 20 hours a week. Most importantly, Canada offers a pathway to Permanent Residency through a variety of programs that encourage skilled workers to settle down in Canada. Many Universities also offer coop and internship opportunities as part of the program which enhances the work experience. The Post Graduation Work Permit Program also allows students to work in Canada for upto 3 years after completing their program which also provides them with an easier access to immigration.
POST SECONDARY PROGRAMS
Certificate Programs (Less than 1 year)
The duration of a Certificate Program in Canada is around three to eight academic months long in a single subject. Some of the programs that are offered include Business, IT and Healthcare Administration. The objective of a Certificate Program is to equip students with the skills and knowledge for an entry level position. A prerequisite for admission to a certificate program is the completion of a secondary school diploma.
College or University Diploma (Minimum 2 years program)
College Diplomas offer a two year specialized study. These diploma programs are designed to meet specific demands of vocational or trade careers. Depending on the job required, this program can also be completed in three-four years as they may include co-op internship or apprenticeship components. Diplomas can also be upgraded or transferred to a bachelor's degree program. Like a Certificate Program, the Diploma program requires the completion of a secondary school diploma for admission.
General Admission Requirements
Bachelors: A minimum of 70% in the 12th Grade. For Business and Computers, Math in 11th and 12th is compulsory.
Masters: Bachelors in the same field. It should be 4 years duration. You must achieve a minimum 70% in your Bachelor level of study. GRE is required for certain fields of study and 2-3 references might be required by some institutions.
Ph D: A Master’s degree with a good academic record; GRE and references in some cases; previous research work, papers published etc.
Steps for applying for Admission
Step1: Identify the Universities and the course of your interest
Step 2: Request Universities for application forms
Step 3: Taking the required tests, if any
Step 4: Arranging and preparing essays and recommendation letters
Step 5: Completing and sending the application forms along with the required documents
Step 6: Applying for the student visa after obtaining a Letter of Acceptance from the Institution