Five Things to Know about Higher Studies in Canada

In case you are planning to study abroad in Canada and pursue an undergraduate/MS/MBA/Ph.D. the program, then, you are on the right track. Well done and many congratulations! However, before you take a giant leap and commence the application process for Canada, you must ensure that you acquire a wealth of information about higher studies and life in general in Canada.

Is Canada known only for its breath-taking scenery, mountains, and premium standard of living? Nah! It is about all these and much more. Did you know that Canada is touted as the most educated country in the world with the highest proportion of college graduates* (51%)? I am sure this fact makes Canada a very enticing study abroad destination.

*(Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Report on Global Education)

Before you press the accelerator, pedal, and zoom ahead, take a deep breath and scroll below to know interesting facts about higher studies in Canada.

Canadian universities prefer Indian Students

While international students prefer Canada owing to its top-notch quality of education and its welcoming attitude towards immigrants, did you know that Canadian universities eye Indian students to ensure optimal contribution to the country’s economy? If you did not know this, then there is some more information that will leave you astounded. In the year 2019, 35% of international students in Canada came from India, followed by 21% of students from China.

In the last five or six years, the Indian student population in Canada has quadrupled.

Please refer to the below statistics:

Total study permits approved by Canada in 2019: Over 4 lacs

Study permits granted to Indian students: 1.39 lacs (34.5%)

Study permits granted to Chinese students: 21%

Please refer to the graph below:

There is another factor currently that is working in Canada’s favour. It is a given that the US is considered a numero uno study destination for millions of aspirants across the globe. However, for an international student who studies in Canada, currently, there are more chances of him/her settling in Canada compared to the US due to the uncertainties associated with the H-1 B Visa.

Let us leave you with some more facts before we proceed further.

• 96% of international students recommend Canada as a study destination
• 60% of international students plan to apply for permanent residence in Canada

Source: CBIE International Student Survey, 2018

Quality of Higher Education

The responsibility and upkeep of higher education in Canada rests with the individual provinces and territories (Note: there are 10 provinces and three territories in Canada).

Provinces and Territories of Canada

While it may not be feasible for us to cover the quality of the education system of every province and territory, let us explore some interesting facts of at least the top three provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. Also, these provinces have some of the best MBA universities.

Alberta

• Higher education institutes in Alberta provide opportunities to pursue a variety of quality programs like business, biotechnology, English, engineering, paleontology, poetry, etc.
• The Alberta government has adopted an encouraging approach towards research and innovation. New research projects receive more than $800 million every year in terms of sponsored research revenue. This opens a plethora of opportunities for student researchers in the province.
• The province houses numerous centres of excellence which include: The National Institute of Nanotechnology (NINT)
• The Canadian Center for Behavorial Neuroscience
• The Canadian Center for Unmanned Vehicle Systems

Fun Fact: Todd Cherniawsky who served as a Production Designer and Art Director on several major Hollywood films including Avatar, Jurassic World, and Zero Dark Thirty is a University of Alberta graduate.

British Columbia

• The province is considered the technology hub of Canada. It is therefore natural that some of the top tech universities are located in British Columbia
• The top 5 tech universities in British Columbia are:
  • The University of British Columbia
  • Simon Fraser University
  • University of Victoria
  • University of Fraser Valley
  • C. Institute of Technology
• Some of the popular technology programs offered in universities in British Columbia are:
  • Computing Systems
  • Data Science
  • Dependable Software Systems
  • Educational Technology

Fun Fact: BC boasts of the best college-to-university transfer system in North America. As a student, you can move from one institution to another without losing credits.

Ontario

• While the education system of entire Canada is known to one and all, Ontario houses the most top-notch institutions within its borders.
• University of Toronto, McMaster University, The University of Waterloo, Western University, and Queen’s University are among the top ten universities in Canada
• Ontario champions game-changing research

Fun Fact: The University of Toronto, established in 1827, is the oldest university in Ontario.

Scholarships for International Students in Canada 

Undergraduate Scholarships

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships – Awarded to approximately 37 students each year
• York University International Student Scholarship Program – scholarship worth $60,000 – $100,000 for a four-year degree program
• University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students – $10 million CAD annually
• Carleton Prestige Scholarships – offered to outstanding incoming undergraduate students with an admission average of 90% better
• Calgary International Entrance Scholarships – $60,000 offered for a four-year program
• Winnipeg President’s Scholarships for World Leaders – $3,500-$5000 offered
• Humber College International Entrance Scholarships – full and partial tuition scholarships

Graduate Scholarships

For those planning to study MBA in Canada or MS in Canada or Ph.D. in Canada

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships – Awarded to doctoral students at participating Canadian universities; $50,000 per year for three years
• University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships – $18,000 offered to Ph.D. students or $14,000 offered for Master’s students for a 12-month period.
• Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships – offered to doctoral applicants in the social sciences and humanities categories; $60,000 for every scholar for a period of three years
• University of Waterloo Master’s Awards of Excellence – offered to students applying for a research-based graduate program; $2,500 per term for a maximum of five terms
• University of Calgary Graduate Awards – full and partial tuition scholarships offered

Post Study Work Permit (PGWP)

The post study work permit in Canada depends on the duration of the study program; it ranges from eight months to three years. Also, the good thing is that you will have 180 days after you receive your final marks in order to apply for a PGWP. Also, those students who acquire Canadian work experience through PGWP can apply for permanent residence in Canada through Express Entry.

Also, due to the Covid-19 restrictions and travel restrictions in several countries, several international students might face a challenge travelling to Canada for their higher studies. Considering that Canada is a welcoming nation, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced several changes to their PWGP program so that international students could begin their studies online from their home country.

High-Paying Jobs after you complete your higher education in Canada

Since Canada has a thriving economy and is an immigration friendly country, employment opportunities in Canada are abundant.

The most in-demand jobs in Canada are in the health care and STEM sectors. Health care jobs include jobs in nursing, dentistry, and physiotherapies. The STEM jobs include engineering specialists, telecommunications managers, and conservation officers. Apart from these, there are several opportunities in mining, occupational therapy, construction, school counselling, etc. The salaries can range between 70,000 CAD per annum to 1, 50,000 CAD per annum.

Here are the top universities in Canada which come under the Global University Employability Ranking 2020.

1. University of Toronto (Global Rank 16)
2. University of Waterloo (Global Rank 25)
3. University of Alberta
4. McMaster University
5. Queen’s University

After going through a mountain of facts and information about Canada, are you excited to explore Canada as a study destination? What are you waiting for then? Without wasting time, please get in touch with a Study in Canada consultant at Manya-The Princeton Review to unearth vital study abroad planning tips.

Find Your Dream University

If you are planning to study abroad and searching to match your profile with the best suited university, Experts at Manya – The Princeton Review have gathered important information of top Universities from abroad. Surely, this information will help you narrow down your quest for universities. You can access accurate & authentic information related to rankings, application fees, average tuition fees, cost of living, scholarships, latest updates, and much more from more than 1000+ universities. You may also search for universities by name, country, or courses in common specializations, such as Physics, Finance, Business, Language and Culture, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Computer and IT, Media and Communication Marketing.

Manya – The Princeton Review offers end-to-end study abroad services encompassing admissions consulting services, test preparation, English language training, career assessment, and international internship opportunities to study abroad aspirants.

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