This is an ambiguous question, and there is no perfect or ideal intake season for students. Some students prefer winter or spring intake, while the majority prefer fall intake. However, the majority of students prefer to enroll in the fall semester. The courses for which the most applications are received are usually filled in the fall intake, and only a few courses are available for the rest of the admission.
The courses in the spring or summer intake are typically of shorter duration or vocational courses. Working professionals and those interested in vocational training programs should apply for summer intake.
After taking into account all of the factors related to courses, seat availability, and so on, one must consider the weather in which the student wishes to travel to Canada. Canada’s winters are bitterly cold. It is also one of the reasons why Indian students prefer fall admissions because they have more time to adjust to the local climatic conditions.
Moving to a new country is difficult, but knowing the best time to arrive in the country can help you adjust well. Canadian universities accept international applications in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer seasons.
Prospective students are encouraged to choose their preferred college/university as soon as possible in order to be admitted through their preferred intake in Canada. It will give them enough time to organise the prerequisites and go through the application process step by step. Students can also budget for the cost of living in Canada well in advance of application deadlines.
International students who wish to study in Canada with financial assistance must apply for various scholarships offered by the government, universities and external organisations. Please find below some of the most popular scholarships in Canada, along with their deadlines for various intakes:
Scholarships | Deadlines |
India First Year Excellence Scholarship | Automatic application with enrolment to the University of Alberta |
IDRC Research Awards | 16 Sep |
Rotary Foundation Scholarships- Global Grants | 30 Jun |
Ontario Trillium Scholarship | Based on the university |
QS Scholarships | 31 May |
CorpFinance International Limited India Bursary | 1 Mar |
BrokerFish International Student Scholarship | 21 Dec |
Aga Khan Academy Renewable Scholarship | 15 Mar |
Arthur J.E. Child Scholarship in Business | 31 Mar |
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program | 15 Dec |
Karen Mckellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award | 1 Dec |
B.J. Seaman Scholarship | 1 Aug |
It has been observed that the Fall intake in Canada best corresponds to Indian study abroad aspirants. The application deadlines coincide with the school/college results and arranging transcripts and relevant documents is also simple. Those who missed the Fall intake for whatever reason may opt for the winter intake. Summer intakes in Canada are typically for short-term courses or specific professional courses. Choosing the right intake will be heavily influenced by your course and university preferences, as well as the deadlines for applications.
Admission deadlines are critical for students seeking admission to Canada. The deadlines are strict, and getting admission after the deadline is nearly impossible. So it’s in the best interests of students who want to study in Canada to stick to the deadlines and plan their admissions accordingly.
Here are all of the details that a student should be aware of before enrolling in a Canadian university. In most cases, institutions announce their admissions plans well in advance, and students can apply. Students should, however, check with the university before applying for a course because the dates may change in certain circumstances.
The majority of undergraduate course deadlines fall between December and March, and winter deadlines fall between September and November. Admission to these courses is only available in the fall and winter semesters. Admission to the spring/summer courses is not available.
University | Program | Application Deadline |
University of Toronto | Most programs
*Medical and Health Sciences programs may have different deadlines. |
January 13 |
McGill University | Most programs | January 15 |
University of British Columbia | All programs | January 15 |
University of Montreal | All programs | Fall: February 1
Winter: September 1 Summer: February 1 |
University of Alberta | Most programs | March 1 |
McMaster University | Most programs | January 13 |
University of Waterloo | Most programs | All Programs: February 1
Optometry: October 1 Pharmacy: January 10 |
Western University | All programs | Regular Admission: February 1 |
Queen’s University | Most programs | February 1 |
University of Calgary | Most programs | Fall: March 1 |
The MS program has two deadlines, which are as follows:
University | Application Period |
University of Toronto | September-March |
McGill University | August-March |
University of British Columbia | November-January |
January-March | |
January-July | |
University of Montreal | 1 February |
1 September | |
1 February | |
University of Alberta | January-June |
September-November | |
McMaster University | October-January |
University of Waterloo | September-December |
January-April | |
May-August | |
Western University | November-July |
Queen’s University | September-March |
University of Calgary | January-May |
MBA programs have more than one deadline. In fact, there are multiple rounds of deadlines for MBA programs, such as Round 1, Round 2, Round 3. However, it is advised to wait until the third round because most seats are filled until then.
Colleges in Canada have set deadlines for MBA programs, while some colleges, like those in the United States, process applications on a rolling basis. We only mentioned three rounds because Canadian visa processing takes time. So, in order to begin classes on time, students should take admission until Round 3 is completed.
The deadlines mentioned below are for specific courses, and details on course-specific deadlines can be found on the university website. Because universities have their own deadlines for certain courses, students may be admitted to a university based on their chosen subject even after the time frame shown below.
University/College | Deadline |
University of Toronto | December to August |
The University Of British Columbia | November to January |
McGill University, Montreal | December to August |
Queen’s University, Kingston | January to February |
Dalhousie University | December to August |
University of Calgary | January to April |
Western University | February |
Ryerson University | January to October |
University of Waterloo | December to October |
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby | January to August |
Carleton University, Ottawa | January to September |
Lakehead University | January to September  |
University of Windsor | December to August |
University of Victoria | December to October |
Concordia University, Montreal | January to August |
University of Regina | November to July |
University of British Columbia, Okanagan  | January to June |
Intake | University Deadline | College Deadline |
---|---|---|
Fall Intake | Between December and March of the previous year | Between February and April of the same year |
Winter Intake | Between September and November of the previous year | Between August and September of the previous year |
Summer Intake | February of the same year | Between January and February of the same year |
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The right time to begin your application for January intake is June- July.
Applicants for the September intake in Canada may apply between November and March. Check the Deadlines for the colleges/universities you want to attend and apply at least a month ahead of time. Respond to university emails as soon as possible.
The majority of undergraduate course deadlines fall between December and March, and winter deadlines fall between September and November.
Yes, an IELTS score of 6 is appropriate for overseas students interested in studying in Canada. However, most universities in Canada accept 6 or 5.5 IELTS score.
The MS program has two deadlines, which are as follows:
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