Education System In Canada

Application Procedure For Canada

The first step to be able to study at a recognized Canadian education Institution is to be accepted by that institution – this is usually in the form of a Offer Letter.

Once a student has determined what course to study and at which universities, s/he must contact the registrar’s office at each of these universities and obtain an application form for a Bachelor’s or Professional degree. For; Post Graduate Studies (aka Graduate Studies), s/he must contact the dean of graduate studies at the universities that interest her/him. It is important to apply early.

When to apply

Many universities have deadlines for application submission and this must be kept in mind while applying. In general, though, an international students would be required to apply around 8-9 or even 12 months before the start of classes (intake). Semesters typically start in September (fall or autumn) and in January (winter). However, some institutions have May intakes or even ‘rolling admissions’ (especially for higher education such as PhD) when students are admitted throughout the year depending on availability of the advisor or guide.

Calendars with course descriptions, admission requirements and procedures, costs and scholarships are available from the registrar at each university.

Engineering, optometry, medicine, veterinary medicine, law, and dentistry are fields where the first professional degree is considered an undergraduate program. Limited seats are available contingent on your academic merit. International students must have obtained very high percentage of marks for such courses, and some would even require the student to have completed at least two years of undergraduate study in specific subjects before embarking on the professional course. Entrance exams specific to the professional courses (such as DAT for Dentistry) too may be required to be given by the student.

General Requirements for Undergraduate Studies In Canada

This listing provides a general outline of requirements for students interested in applying to a university undergraduate program in Canada. There are a wide variety of programs to choose from at this level.

Please note that specific requirements for institutions will vary and students are encouraged to check directly with the institution(s) they are interested in for specific admissions requirements.

Successful completion of the equivalent of a Canadian secondary school academic program with strong marks.
Proof of strong proficiency in English (or French if studies in French). Students may be required to provide proof of language proficiency by way of a language proficiency test (For example TOEFL, IELTS).
Generally, Francophone universities require international students to complete their own test of French proficiency.
Some institutions have other forms of English or French language assessment; they may offer their own language proficiency test or, may admit students to academic programs on the basis of having successfully completed that institution’s language program.

General Requirements for Graduate Studies In Canada

This listing provides a general outline of requirements for students interested in applying to a university graduate program in Canada. There are a wide variety of programs to choose from at this level.

Please note that specific requirements for institutions will vary and students are encouraged to check directly with the institution(s) they are interested in for specific admissions requirements.

Completion of an acceptable undergraduate degree from an accredited/recognized university
High level of academic achievement in previous studies
Strong reference letters
Written Statements
Standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

General Requirements for Engineering Studies In Canada

This listing provides a general outline of admissions requirements for students interested in applying to an engineering program in Canada. Program length for engineering is typically four years of full-time study.

Acedemic

Successful completion of the equivalent of a Canadian secondary school academic program with strong marks.Although some institutions may request above 70% or B average for their academic admission requirement, many engineering programs are highly competitive thus making the standard for entry requirements quite high, above 80% or A average at some institutions. Admission officers are looking for students with exceptionally strong marks in mathematics, chemistry and English.

Language

Strong proficiency in English (or French if studies in French). A TOEFL (iBT) is required for most institutions, minimum score required is 90. Many institutions accept equivalent tests such as IELTS.

General Requirements For MBA In Canada

This listing provides a general outline of admissions requirements for students interested in applying to a graduate management program in Canada. Program length for an MBA is typically two years of full-time study however, there are other options available such as the part-time MBA, fast track MBA and learning through distance education that can reduce or increase the length of the program.

Please note that specific requirements for institutions will vary and students are encouraged to check directly with the institution(s) they are interested in for specific admissions requirements.

Acedemic

Minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, a B average, or no lower than 70%
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) minimum score required ranges from 500-600

Language

Strong proficiency in English (or French if studies in French). A TOEFL is required for most institutions, minimum score required is 90. Many institutions accept equivalent tests such as IELTS.

Others

Previous work experience. Two years work experience is the norm, although some institutions will accept applicants with one year of work experience
Letters of reference
Personal essays
Résumés
Interviews
Admissions representatives are looking for students who:
Demonstrate skills such as motivation, maturity and leadership;
Have past accomplishments or experience at work or in campus and community activities;
Have a strong academic background

General Requirements for Professional Degree Programs In Canada

E.g. Law, Medicine, Dentistry etc.

Minimum G.P.A. of 3.5, a B average or no lower than 75%
Already successfully completed several years of undergraduate university study
Specific course prerequisites may be required
Standardized tests such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Dentistry Admission Test (DAT) (Possible link or banner advertisement).
Note: Requirements for University Colleges are similar to university and community college requirements. Please see General Requirements for University College studies section. Some community colleges also offer university transfer programs, which means students intending to acquire a degree at a university can complete their first two years of study at a community college or university college and earn credits towards a university degree program. Completion of a university transfer program does not mean automatic admission to a university program. Students must also meet university admission requirements.

Time Span to Earn Degree In Canada

The first degree is the undergraduate “Bachelor’s Degree” that usually spans three to four years if studied full time. Honor’s degrees have a high level of concentration of study in the subject being undertaken, and are usually fore-runners for admission into graduate studies.

“Graduate” studies or “Post Graduate” studies as we know them consist of the Master’s and PhD degrees. The taught Masters is usually a full time two year programme whilst the same by research as well as the PhD would take 3-5 years.

Though a “Masters’ is required by most Canadian Universities for any admit into PhD, some may consider students having finished an Honours “Masters” degree on a case to case basis.

Bank Loans For Canadian Education

Bank Loans are easily available for higher studies anywhere in the world. Loans should be preferably taken from a Nationalised Bank. The term & condition for educational loans may vary from Bank to Bank.

Eligibility

All Professional / Technical job oriented courses offered by reputed Universities.

Loan Amount

Maximum Rs.20 Lakhs.

Security

For Loans up to Rs.4 Lakhs, no collateral security is required.
For Loans above Rs.4 Lakhs & Upto Rs. 7.50 Lakhs Collateral Security in the form of satisfactory Third Party Guarantee.
For Loans above Rs.7.50 Lakhs Collateral Security is required.
Repayment
Course period + one year or 6 months after getting a job, whichever is earlier. The loan is to be repaid in 5-7 years after commencement of repayment.

Rate of Interest

Upto Rs. 4 Lakhs-PLR
Above Rs. 4 Lakhs-PLR + 1%*

Documents Required

Loan application
Admission Letter from College/University
Academic documents of the student
Photograph, Residence proof of borrower and guarantor
Covering letter stating sources of owned funds
Fee receipts or proof of payments made
Title Deeds of the ownership property to be mortgaged as security
Copy of passport & Visa, if student is going abroad for higher education and related documents
Income proof of the applicant in the form of last 3 months salary slip/Certificate or copy of the last 3 years IT returns filed with computation details of personal assets & liabilities
Two guarantors with their latest salary Slip / certificate in case guarantor belongs to service class or latest income tax returns filed with the computation of income in case the guarantor is a businessman, professional or self-employed
Simple interest will be calculated during Repayment Holiday / Moratorium period.

Scholarships In Canada

Scholarships in Canada are few in number and hence not easy to find. They rarely cover the full cost of tuition and are available only to international students with exceptional academic achievements.

A list of available scholarships and how to apply may be found in the calendar of each institution. Application for scholarship must be made directly to the University along with the application for admission to the course one wants to study.

Community and Career Colleges do not usually award scholarships nor do school boards or most private schools.

There are a few independent organizations within Canada administer scholarships, but these are mostly for higher studies- graduate studies and even higher research oriented studies being undertaken by professors.

Students must also scour their home country for scholarships, as often, one may not avail of funds kept aside by various organizations for students intending to study abroad because of sheer ignorance of their existence.

Health Insurance In Canada

In Canada, a public health system care system covers visits to doctors and other medical procedures. Each Province has its own healthcare system. International students too can avail of this system at a nominal insurance premium. Health insurance has to be arranged for before arriving in Canada. Hence, quite often the Universities or colleges make it mandatory for international students to enroll in their health plan.

The details of health insurance plans of a few provinces are given below as an indication for students:

ALBERTA

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is available to International students with permission to reside and study in the province of Alberta for a minimum of 183 days in a 12 month period. Coverage starts on the first day of the third month following the date of entry into Alberta. Documents required to accompany the application are:

Proof of Identity and proof of permission to reside and study for a minimum of one year.

The insurance premium is paid monthly and ranges from approximately $34/- to $68/- per month per student.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

British Columbia’s Medical Service Plan (MSP) must be applied for immediately on arrival into BC, if the student intends to stay for 6 months or more. There is a waiting period of approx. 3 months (remaining part of month of arrival + next two calendar months) before start of coverage. For the interim period, the student would have to take iMed a three month temporary policy until coverage of MSP starts.

iMed is available for $120 for a 3 month period.

MSP premium is $60.50 per month.

ONTARIO

In Ontario, international students are not covered under the provincial health plan OHIP. So, the universities of Ontario have put together a mandatory health package – University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) – for international students and their dependents.

UHIP premium is $ 57 per month for member student.