Canada is the hottest destination for Indian students looking to study abroad now. This is because Canada has a wide range of educational opportunities, good job prospects and easy immigration options. As per the Canadian High Commission in India, 172,000 Indian students acquired Canada Study Permit in 2018! So if you too are looking to join the flock of fellow Indian students flying to Canada, then read this post.
In this article, we’ll explain the step-by-step processes involved in successfully applying for admission at a Canadian University.
1. Choose the subject you want to study in Canada
Research and filter the course that best suits your profession and previous qualification. Once you have decided upon the course find the top universities where this course is available.
2. Select the Canadian Universities where you want to apply
Again research and filter universities/colleges based on education quality, ranking, course structure, course fee and other facilities for international students.
Only Designated Learning Institutions can admit foreign students to study.
20 Top universities in Canada: 1. University of British Columbia 2. Royal Roads University 3. University of Toronto 4. Mount Allison University 5. University of Regina 6. University of Alberta 7. Mcgill University 8. University of Calgary 9. University of Ottawa 10. University of Waterloo 11. York University 12. University of Saskatchewan 13. Queen’s University 14. University of Montreal 15. Western University 16. University of Manitoba 17. University of Victoria 18. University of Windsor 19. Université Laval 20. McMaster University |
3. Check the expected English language proficiency requirements
A major criterion to get enrolled in a Canadian university is to get through the English language proficiency tests. Depending on the course and university you have chosen, the required test and its expected scores will vary.
There are two major authorized providers in English. They are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP). CELPIP was designed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) which contains elements of British and American English, as well as Canadian accent.
We recommend students to take up the IELTS as it has many test centres and training institutes all over India.
Set sufficient time to prepare for the exams so that you do not mess up at the end. This is an important requirement to apply for a Canadian Study Permit.
4. Documents Required
Documents required for the university application are;
- Completed application form
- Academic transcripts
- English language test scores
- Passport
- Letter Of Recommendation (LOR, optional) – LOR stands for a letter of recommendation or reference. It is simply a reference letter where the writer testifies your professional qualities and character.
- Proof of payment of application fees
- Statement Of Purpose (SOP) that articulates your career pathways, your interest, professional contributions, goals etc that proves your genuine interest in this particular course. (depends on the university)
- Some universities demand payment of initial tuition fee and also stress the importance of providing the proof of funds while you stay in Canada.
Note: Documents required differs from one university to another. So kindly refer to their official website for all the updated information.
5. How to apply at Canadian universities?
Now that you have cleared the hurdle of language test, you need to now start sending application requests to the universities you have shortlisted based on your research.
The application process might be different for universities and may also vary by province.
- You can either apply directly at the university
- Through a Study in Canada consultancy which has tie-up with the university
To find out how to do directly apply at the university, go through their website.
Most universities have an online presence and may invite online applications.
The contact information (phone, email) of their admissions office will be posted there. You can get in touch with them through these channels to find out more about applying for admission.
6. When to apply at Candian universities?
You must apply at least 8 months before your planned time of joining.
The three student admission seasons in Canada are:
- Fall: Fall starts in September
- Winter: Starts in January
- Summer: The Summer intake usually starts around April and May
7. Receiving the Offer Letter
Once you have submitted all the documents you will receive a letter of acceptance from the university. Be sure to keep this letter safe as this letter plays a crucial part in getting your study permit.
8. Payment of Fees
Once you receive your offer letter, you must pay your university tuition fee (either 1 semester or 2 semesters)
ExTravelMoney.com regularly helps Indian students do fee payment to their university in Canada. We are partnered with reputed Banks and RBI licenced money transfer companies in India.
With us, you can get a guaranteed best rate on money transfer from India to Canada.
Check out our link below for saving money on Canada tuition fee payment.
If you want to send money to a GIC account in Canada, we can help you out with that too
What’s Next?
After accepting your offer letter and paying university tuition fee in Canada, the only thing left to do is to apply for a Canadian Study Permit. This is a separate topic in itself and will be discussed in our next post.
Have any doubts or want to contribute to this post? Feel free to add comments below!
Roshni Zainaba is a dynamic and creative professional at ExTravelMoney.com, where she expertly manages social media and content creation. With a deep understanding of the travel industry, Roshni specializes in crafting engaging content on topics such as international travel, currency exchange, and international money transfers.