University in Canada: All Your Questions Answered

Canada is a popular destination for international students. Tens of thousands of students go there every year to take advantage of what the country has to offer – world-class education, work opportunities, high quality of life, et cetera.

Given all the benefits the country packs, it’s really no surprise at all that so many foreign students are eager to study there.

However, the process can be very complicated and confusing, leaving most intending students frustrated.

Would you like to study in Canada? Here we answer all your questions about going to university in Canada.

For information on moving to Canada generally, check out How to Travel to Canada.

Application: How do I apply to university in Canada?

The following simple steps will guide you in the process of applying to the university of your choice in Canada.

1. Find the school and course of your choice 

You need to research.

You’d be surprised how many intending students can’t be bothered to search for information online.

But if you really want to achieve your goals, you have to make out time and research, gather information on the Internet, there’s no two ways about it.

Go on Google or any other search engine and search for the course you are interested in. For instance, if you are looking for universities offering a Master’s program in business administration. Simply go on Google, type something along the lines of “masters in business administration Canada” and you will get lots of results on Canadian universities offering business administration.

Once you check out the different possibilities, you will be able to narrow down your search to a couple of options according to your choice.

Don’t forget to consider factors like cost, requirements, et cetera. Also, remember that Canada has both English and French provinces. You don’t want to apply to a university in a French province if you are not a French speaker.

2. Ensure you meet all requirements

You cannot apply to a university in Canada overnight. Make sure you start planning at least a year in advance.

Have a look at the requirements for various courses and see what documents you need for each.

For all universities, however, you are likely to need:

• An up-to-date passport
• An English and/or French language proficiency qualification
• Proof of how you will be funding your studies

3. Fill out your application

You should apply to universities only if you meet the requirements.

The application process varies widely from course to course, and university to university. So, reach out to the universities you are interested in and they will send you their own application packs with clear instructions on how to proceed. They are usually also very willing to help prospective students fill out their applications so make sure you get their contact details (especially email) and they will answer any questions you have. You can also subscribe to a newsletter on their website so that you’ll get regular updates from them via email.

During your application, you should expect to submit documents such as

• Transcript
• Personal statement
• Proof of language proficiency and so on.

Do not just be too eager to apply to universities in big and popular cities. There is usually more competition in big cities/provinces, whereas considering smaller cities/provinces might bring you better value – especially given that all of these universities still have great learning conditions and global reputation.

For instance, the University of Saskatchewan has lots of funding opportunities and cheaper tuition compared to other institutions in Canada.

You should also note that a number of Canadian universities require an application fee for each program. These fees can range from around CAD100 (about NGN31,000) to CAD250 (NGN82,776). So, with application costs this high, be sure you are certain you would want to study there and you meet the requirements before sending off applications here and there.

After sending in your application, you’ll have to wait and see if you’ll be accepted.

4. Apply for your study permit

You were accepted? Great! Next up is to apply for a study permit (visa).

You can apply for your study permit online or in person at your local visa application centre where you will be required to pay the CAD150 (NGN49,648) visa fee.

Here are some of the requirements:

• Acceptance letter from your university (Note that your university has to be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), which is a Canadian university that accepts international students)
• Current passport
• Proof of financial support (This usually comes in the form of a financial statement from your sponsor’s bank account)

If you are studying in the province of Quebec, which is French-speaking, you will need a “Certificat d’acceptation du Québec” (CAQ), which your university will send to you.

You may also be required to provide other evidence which could include your biometrics and/or an interview.

5. Plan your travel

That’s it!

Once you have your documents ready, your next step is to make travel plans. While doing this, you also need to sort out your accommodation in Canada. You may either rent student lodging, stay on campus in a hall of residence, or stay with family if you’ve got that.

You should ask your university if they will provide help and support with this. Don’t forget that you can email them if you’ve got questions or need help!

Can I get part-time jobs while studying?

Certainly!

Your student permit allows you to work up to twenty hours a week while studying.

There are many part-time jobs and internships available to students on and off campus.

Can I remain in Canada and work after my program?

You can stay in Canada and work after your studies if you are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit is for graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions who have completed a program of at least 8 months.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must have

• Studied full time in Canada and completed an academic program that lasted at least eight months
• Completed your program successfully and received a notification that you are eligible to receive your degree, diploma or certificate
• Graduated from a public institution, select private post-secondary institutions or a private institution that is authorized to award degrees (and you were in a degree program).

Note that you will need to apply for the permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation that you have completed the requirements of your academic program.