Upcoming Intakes to Study in Canada

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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.

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.

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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 2023 and Summer/Spring 2023.

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

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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

Steps to Study in September Intake in Canada 2023

Here are some steps before taking intake in September in Canada 2023. One required a plan for the upcoming intake in Canada 2023. Intake may occur or Master in Canada or Bachelor in Canada. Thus here is a month-wise plan for action to reach intake at Canada university 2023. That is in more detail in week wise. The September intake in Canada for 2023 is one of the most furious intakes that happen every year.

Canada Intake Preparation in January 2023

Week 1

Do some extensive research for Canadian universities. look for the best profile and requirement matched universities. make a list of at least more than 12 Canadian universities. Also, visit each of the university’s websites and research the relevant subjects and admission fee requirements.

Week 2

Do some research on scholarships and loan funding programs for the intake in Canada. One can go for government-type international-based scholarship programs for intake in Canada 2023.

Week 3

Do some geographical research for intake in Canada 2023. understand the facilities provided by the Canadian government and universities for Intake 2023. Make a journal for the expenses that can be pre assumed and create a budget on the basis of that.

Week 4

Start the preparation for the following exams like GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, or IELTS. form 2nd week of Jan. Examine the academic marks and evaluate which of the exam will benefit you the most for intake in Canada 2023 September.

Canada Intake Preparation in February – March 2023

Week 1

Start rigorous preparation for the national level exams like GMAT, GRE, IELTS, etc. for Intake in Canada for 2023. The exams are conducted from Jan to Mar. Start registering for the exams. The application for the Canada intake is also available during this period.

Week 2

Start apprehending the universities. Do a shortlisting of universities and find the most matching university that is matching with requirements for eligibility.

Week 3-4

Start drafting the necessary documents and start filling out the applications for intake in Canada for 2023. Make a self-appraisal letter. Acquire SOP and LOR. Recommended to take a full week to create the best SOP, LOR, and Essays. Practice mock interviews for Intake in Canada 2023 for September. One may have to take in account visa & passport issues.

Canada Intake Preparation in April – May 2023

Week 1

While the admission takes place the Canadian university sends an email to the candidate. also practices a lot the personal interviews. because mainly some of the Canadian universities conducted personal video interview round from March to mid-April for the Intake in Canada 2023.

Week 2- 3

Almost in this period the Canadian universities send acceptance letters to the respective candidates. and have to pay the non-refundable deposit to the university.

Week 4

Start to look for the scholarship programs. That one is done in January. And paperwork for the visa applications.

Canada Intake Preparation in May – July 2023

Well upto this month most paperwork and formalities are completed. one can relax and spend some weekends. But keep up to date with the paper works for a student visa. one can spend the day for shopping utilities.

Canada Intake Preparation in August 2023

In this last month one has to do the booking of flight tickets and organized documents to open a debit card or credit card. check for the pre-departure checklists.

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

Steps to Study in January Intake in Canada 2024

If one wants to prepare for the next year then he/she may start from the January intake in Canada 2024. one can start his/her preparation according to the January 2024 intake in Canada.

Canada Intake Preparation in January 2024

Start shortlisting of universities. one has enough time the preparation for the Intake in Canada in January 2024. make a checklist of preferred courses for the intake in Canada 2024. with a systematic approach do research on the course fees and structures.
The following exam will start from the month of July 2023 to August 2023. These exams are necessary to take the intake in Canada 2024. This included GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, and IELTS.
From August 2023 to September 2023, the application of mostly Canadian universities is released, and many students commence to apply to their chosen universities. at this time September 2023 intake in Canada is also at its peak. But those who are applying for the January 2024 intake in Canada they enough time to prepare for the interview and arrange documents. Also if one gets bad marks in GRE, or GMAT exams then they can retake the exams again.
Still, there are some universities that give a deadline in the month of September or mid-November. But need to keep upto date with the university’s websites for January intake in Canada 2024. one must start with the SOPs and LORs letters. Start by writing a self-apposition essay. And apply before the deadline for the universities.
Lastly, between the month of September 2023 to November 2023, the universities started sending acceptance letters and scheduling the interviews process for the January intake in Canada 2024. Thus, one needs to deposit the non-refundable amount for confirmation. Then one needs to take care of the Visa process and tickets for the intake in Canada in January 2024.

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

Steps to Study in May Intake in Canada 2023

If one wants to prepare for the next year then he/she may start from the May intake in Canada 2023. One can start his/her preparation according to the May 2023 intake in Canada.

Canada Intake Preparation in May 2023

Start shortlisting universities. one has enough time the preparation for the Intake in Canada in May 2023. make a checklist of preferred courses for the intake in Canada 2023. with a systematic approach do research on the course fees and structures.
The following exam will start from the month of August 2022 to September 2022. These exams are necessary to take the intake in Canada 2023. This included GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, and IELTS.
From October 2022 to December 2022, the application of mostly Canadian universities was released and many students commenced to apply to their choose universities. at this time November 2023 intake in Canada is also at its peak.
But those who are applying for the May 2023 intake in Canada they enough time to prepare for the interview and arrange documents. Also if one gets bad marks in GRE, or GMAT exams then they may not have time to retake the exams again. Still, there are some universities that give a deadline in the month of September or mid-November. But need to keep upto date with the university’s websites for the May intake in Canada 2023.
one must start with the SOPs and LORs letters. Start by writing a self-appreciation letter. And apply before the deadline for the universities.
Lastly, between the month of December 2022 to January 2023, the universities started to send acceptance letters and scheduling for the interviews process for the May intake in Canada 2023. Thus, one needs to deposit the non-refundable amount for confirmation.
Then one needs to take care of the Visa process and tickets for the intake in Canada in May 2023. the process may take place in the mid of February 2023. Also one can apply for scholarship programs for student loans. The tickets need to get in the mid-year of April 2023 for the May intake in Canada 2023.

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).