Upcoming Intakes to Study in Canada

Planning to study abroad?
Get free 1-on-1 counselling with our experts

I authorize Manya - The Princeton Review to contact me even if my number is registered with DND to assist with my enquiry and get regular updates through SMS/Whatsapp.

As one of the most popular study abroad destinations, Canadian universities provide more than one intake/admission option to those interested in pursuing higher education in the country. Unlike Indian universities which offer only one admission intake, Canadian universities offer three admission intakes.

These intakes are short time periods throughout the year when applications are accepted, processed and streamlined for a pool of courses offered at Canadian universities. There are three intakes in Canada.

Understanding these intakes in Canada is critical for international students because these intakes correspond to separate academic sessions. Choosing the right session will allow you to make timely changes to your standardised test scores and Canadian study permit.

INTAKE	STARTS FROM	DURATION	NATURE
FALL (Also known as September intake)	September	September–December/early January	The most popular among Indian applicants; the Fall intake begins in September
WINTER (Also known as January intake)	January	January–May	Although less popular, it is ideal for students who missed the Fall intake. The session officially begins in January
SUMMER/SPRING (also known as May intake)	May	May-August	Only a limited number of courses (some short-term courses in Canada) are open to international students for Summer enrolment. The session begins in April and lasts until May.

INTAKE

STARTS FROM

DURATION

NATURE

FALL

(Also known as September intake)

September

September–December/early January

The most popular among Indian applicants; the Fall intake begins in September

WINTER

(Also known as January intake)

January

January–May

Although less popular, it is ideal for students who missed the Fall intake. The session officially begins in January

SUMMER/SPRING

(also known as May intake)

May

May-August

Only a limited number of courses (some short-term courses in Canada) are open to international students for Summer enrolment. The session begins in April and lasts until May.

Which Intake for Me?

You need to decide carefully which intake best suits you. You must consider the fact that the deadlines for applying to an intake are usually a few months before the date of the starting of the semester.

Also, note that

For a master’s level study, your deadline may vary depending on your program/subject. For example, deadlines for intensely competitive subjects such as Computer Engineering, Data Analytics, or an MBA at a top School can be as early as November of the previous year
Schools/Departments/Faculty within the same university may have different deadlines

Ideally, if you are aiming for a top Canadian university, you should start your applications 12-15 months before the intake. Universities usually take about 8-10 weeks to process the applications.

Check Your Score Now with a Free Practice Test

See where you stand with our practice tests. Find the right way to improve with our strategy sessions.

GRE GMAT SAT

Fall vs. Spring Intake in Canada: Undecided?

We suggest that before you decide on your university intake, consider the following:

Program	Consider
MS in Canada	Many of the top universities do not have a Summer/Spring intake for MS programs. Research thoroughly your university Double-check deadlines at universities What kind of classes do you stand to gain or miss by choosing your intake? Weather can bring either an advantage or disadvantage for you. Canadian winters are harsh and cold Fall intake has greater financial aid opportunities
PhD in Canada	Networking with a professor whom you can assist in his/her research is important Intake is less important for a PhD applicant. However, some Graduate Schools such as the Graduate School at the University of British Columbia have specific intake and application deadlines for PhD programs
MBA in Canada	Most B-Schools offer their flagship MBA programs in the Fall/September intake Fall intake is the preferred intake; few universities offer Winter/Summer intake. However, a few B-schools such as Sauder School of Business, DeGroote School of Business, Desautels Faculty of Management, Molson School of Business do offer Winter intake for part-time MBA

Program

Consider

MS in Canada

Many of the top universities do not have a Summer/Spring intake for MS programs. Research thoroughly your university
Double-check deadlines at universities
What kind of classes do you stand to gain or miss by choosing your intake?
Weather can bring either an advantage or disadvantage for you. Canadian winters are harsh and cold
Fall intake has greater financial aid opportunities

PhD in Canada

Networking with a professor whom you can assist in his/her research is important
Intake is less important for a PhD applicant.
However, some Graduate Schools such as the Graduate School at the University of British Columbia have specific intake and application deadlines for PhD programs

MBA in Canada

Most B-Schools offer their flagship MBA programs in the Fall/September intake
Fall intake is the preferred intake; few universities offer Winter/Summer intake.

However, a few B-schools such as Sauder School of Business, DeGroote School of Business, Desautels Faculty of Management, Molson School of Business do offer Winter intake for part-time MBA

So, with Winter/January intake being the harshest time of the year to start class at a Canadian university and therefore a less viable option, the upcoming intakes in Canada for you should be Fall 2022 and Summer/Spring 2022.

Procedure of Choosing Intake

If you are taking February 2023 Intake, here is an overview of the timeline for the February intake:

Step-1: Shortlist universities

Step-2: Attempt Standardized Test

Step-3: Fill Out the Applications

Step-4: Interview And Acceptance

Step-5: Prepare your Travel Documents and Financial Aids

Step-6: February Intake 20

Meet The Experts to Start Your Global Journey

We help you win. That only game that truly matters, your career.

Book Your Free Master Class Now!

Courses Available in Different Canada Intakes

Courses Offered	Intake
All kinds of programs (undergraduate and postgraduate)	Fall
Selected study programs	Winter
Short-term courses	Summer

Fall Intake in Canada

The Fall Intake is the most popular intake for higher education in Canada, according to Canadian universities. In most cases, the maximum number of seats are available in this intake. Over and above that, if you wish to study a unique program with limited seats, this is the best time to apply.

The majority of Canadian universities have application deadlines for the Fall semester between September and December. However, international applicants should apply as soon as possible because only a few seats are available for international students at Canada’s top universities. Universities accept applications during the fall semester, which runs from August to October.

Following are some of the Top Universities in Canada offering admission in the Fall semester and their respective application deadlines:

University	Fall Application Deadlines
University of Toronto	13 Jan
Queen’s University	1 Feb
Western University	1 Feb
University of Montreal	1 Feb
University of Alberta	1 Jul

Winter Intake in Canada

The Winter Intake witnesses the lowest number of applications to Canadian universities. The reason for this is that prospective students from warm climate zones find it difficult to adjust to the extremely cold weather.

The Winter Intake starts in January and can last until April. International students who intend to start their studies in the Winter session must apply by the application deadlines in September & November.

University	Winter Application Deadlines
University of Toronto	13 Jan
McGill University	15 Jan
University of Montreal	1 Sep
The University of British Columbia	15 Jan
University of Alberta	1 Nov

Scholarships for Winter Intake in Canada

Following is the list of some scholarships for winter intake in Canada:

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at University of Toronto
Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award
Humber International Entrance Scholarships
UBC Graduate Global Leadership Fellowships for Developing Country Students
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award at University of British Columbia
University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence
International Undergraduate Student Bursary at University of Manitoba

Spring Intake in Canada

Duration: May, June, July, August

May intake is also known as spring intake or summer intake in Canada. This is the least popular intake of all the input options available in Canada. There are not many colleges that offer a course during the spring semester, and those that do are rare.

Only a few Canadian universities offer minimal programs during the Spring semester. The session usually starts in April or May. The application deadlines for the Spring intake are typically set for February and March. The dates, however, may differ depending on the university.

Universities for Spring Intake in Canada

University	Spring Application Deadlines
University of Toronto	15 Mar
McMaster University	1 Apr
The University of British Columbia	15 Jan
University of Montreal	1 Feb
University of Alberta	1 Mar

MBA Intakes in Canada

In Canada, MBA is a very popular curriculum. Thousands of overseas students apply to the country to study business management and its different specializations. This program is offered at many universities in September and January.

MBA being a highly coveted program around the world due to its promising career outcomes is a very popular degree in Canada. During an academic year, approximately 50 business schools in Canada offer approximately 100 MBA programs.

Some universities provide the MBA degree through excellent accelerated programs, such as the one-year MBA in Canada. The majority of Canadian universities offer MBA programs in the Fall or Winter.

Pros and Cons of Different Intakes in Canada

Intake	Popularity	Pros	Cons
Fall Intake	Highly Popular	Good weather Enough time to familiarize yourself with the environment A head start of 4-5 months for applications Apply for major courses Great funding and scholarship opportunities	Intense Competition A lot of applicants apply during this time
Winter Intake	Popular	Gives you time to prepare for the study permit and visa More time to prepare for the university application	Harsh Canadian winters Less international applicants Limited courses available
Summer Intake	Least Popular	Least intense competition Better chances of getting the offer	Only Short-terms courses are available Not a mandatory semester Offered by very few universities Students prefer taking a spring break

How to Apply for Admission Intakes in Canada

Whichever term you choose, try to apply as soon as possible. This is due to the fact that most universities in Canada operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Early applications have a higher chance of being accepted, especially for the Fall session.

Prepare for the standardised tests required to apply to your preferred program at a preferred university in Canada. Generally, undergraduate programs require SAT or ACT scores. GRE or GMAT scores may be required for graduate programs.

Documents Required for Admission Intakes in Canada

The eligibility criteria and supporting documentation for intakes in Canada vary greatly depending on the universities and programs chosen.

The following are the supporting documents for international students applying to Canada’s Top Universities:

Completed Application forms
Application fees
Standardized test scores
English proficiency test results
Transcripts of academic work
CV/resumé
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Personal statement
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Evidence of financial capability
Health coverage (if required)
Student permit or visa based on your program of study
Immigration papers

In addition to the general requirements, graduate programs require a competitive GPA, standardised test scores such as the GRE or GMAT, work experience, and professional LOR(s).