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Graduate Study in Canada

The combination of Canada's natural environment and its reputation for high-quality graduate education are just a few of the things that attract tens of thousands of foreign students to Canada every year. International students choose to study graduate programs in Canada because of the:

• Quality
  Canadian degrees and diplomas are recognized throughout the world. Canadian work experience is highly desirable by multi-national companies who actively recruit on Canadian campuses.

• Variety
  Students coming to Canada have over 90 degree granting universities, 175 community colleges, several private language schools and many corporate training facilities to choose from. The Canadian education system includes strong student support services, small classes and active campus communities.

• Cost
  Canada spends more per capita on its education system than any other country in the world. As a result, Canadian universities and colleges offer lower tuition rates for international students than their counterparts in most other countries. The cost of study in Canada is considerably less than the USA, Australia and the United Kingdom.

• Multicultural & Welcoming Society
  Canada's international reputation as a peace-keeping nation extends to its citizens. Canadians comprise of many different cultures, religions and races from around the world. Students coming to Canada will experience a secure, peaceful, multicultural environment in cities and towns with people who are friendly and interested in learning about other cultures.

• Standard of Living
  In the last decade, Canada has repeatedly been chosen by UN as one of the best places to live in the world. The reasons listed included: high education enrollment levels; high-quality, low cost education; universal healthcare system; an uncompromising respect for fundamental rights and human dignity; clean and safe cities; and cosmopolitan, multicultural ethnic cities with many recreational amenities.

Gradaute Studies in Canada

The term 'university' refers to an institution with a mainly academic or research focus. Universities offer Bachelor, Masters, Doctorate and Postdoctorate degrees, as well as specialised professional training for those who want to become physicians, lawyers, engineers or accountants. The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) has a searchable database on their website of programs available at all levels at any of the 90 publicly funded universities in Canada.

The term 'college' (also called a 'community college') is used for those institutions which offer mainly vocational or trades-based training. Colleges offer diplomas or certificates in a wide range of fields, including the building trades (carpentry, electrical and plumbing), office administration (computer technician, secretarial and bookkeeping) and services (medical technician, esthetician, hospitality and tourism). Some colleges in Canada have entered into agreements with their provinces or with other universities and are able to offer Bachelors degrees in a variety of subjects. The Association of Canadian Community Colleges website has information about many of the publicly funded colleges in Canada. The National Association of Career Colleges includes many of the private career colleges in Canada.

Study Permits

An international student who wishes to study in Canada for a period of more than six months will need to apply for a Study Permit, and a student who is a citizen of certain countries may also require a visa to enter Canada. Students with U.K. passports do not require visas, but would still require Study Permits.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Most universities and colleges in Canada are publicly funded by the government, and as a result the tuition fees are considerably lower than fees in many other countries. Each institution determines its own tuition fee rates, and there can be a wide range even within the same province. While fees are generally more expensive for non-Canadian students, the levels of government funding do make it possible for institutions to offer education at a lower rate to all students.

There is also a growing number of private institutions in Canada which are not publicly funded, and which charge the same or very similar tuition fee rates to both Canadian and international students. Information about programs available in Canadian universities, including international tuition fees and even an estimate of living costs, can be found at www.livelearnandsucceed.gc.ca, where interested international students can do a detailed search to help determine which institution is best for them.

Due to the levels of government subsidisation in the education system, there are a limited number of general scholarships available. Most of those scholarships available to international students are based on merit and academic standing, not financial need. Most universities offer their own scholarships to international students, and at the Masters/Graduate and Doctorate/Postdoctorate levels many universities offer substantial scholarships and teaching/research assistant positions (which include a salary or stipend) to strong candidates.

Scholarships available to international students include:

• Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) www.destineducation.ca/intstdnt/awards-2_e.htm

• Francophonie scholarships for students from member countries of the Francophonie wishing to study in Canada:
  www.pcbf.qc.ca/ (information in French only)

• International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funding for scientists, managers, and planners from developing countries working in areas of concern to IDRC:
  www.idrc.ca/en/ev-23261-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html

• Natural Sciences And Engineering Research Council Of Canada (NSERC) Scholarships and Fellowships for PhD students and degree holders wishing to do research in Canada:
  www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Canada-HOPE Scholarship program for health in developing countries:
  http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/28943.html

• International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS) for those interested in Canadian Studies programs can find information at: www.cdnstudies.ca/b_programs/b_progsICCSen.html

• Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program of Graduate and Postgraduate scholarships for international students at institutions across Ontario: http://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/OGS.htm

• Quebec Differential Fee Waivers - A limited number of students may receive exemption from payment of the differential fee normally charged to international students. These students pay the same fees as Canadian students. www.meq.gouv.qc.ca/ens-sup/ens-univ/droits_scolarite-F.asp (information in French only)

• Quebec Merit Scholarship Program For Foreign Students - One hundred bursaries are offered by the ministère de l'Éducation for master's or doctoral study or post-doctoral research at Québec universities: www.fqrnt.gouv.qc.ca/nateq/bourses/regles/boPBEEEAng.htm

• Private Organisations offering scholarships to international students include Rotary International, which has a number of programs for students from countries with a local Rotary club:
  www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/prospect/award/type.html

• Association of Commonwealth Universities offers scholarships for UK students to study in Canada:
  www.acu.ac.uk/

Author:
Julia Drew-Watt
Education Marketing Group
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
www.international.gc.ca