STUDY IN CANADA

The Canadian education system is one of the best among all English-speaking countries of the world, attributable to industry-relevant program structures, highly experienced faculty, and the highly stimulating environment of the educational institutions. There is a wide array of available programs that offer great value for money.

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It is also one of the most industrialized countries of the world and has been consistently ranking amongst the most stable economies. A small population in a vast, resource-rich, technically advanced country means that there is always a need for skilled professionals and employability rates are high.

Apart from academics and economics, Canadian life is full of diverse experiences and boasts of high quality of living. All of the above, coupled with the easy application and visa process, make Canada an ideal destination for international students.

S.No	University Name
1	McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies, Montreal, Quebec
2	University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
3	Western University, London, Ontario
4	Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
5	University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia
6	York University, Toronto, Ontario
7	University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
8	Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
9	University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
10	University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S.No	University Name

JOB OPPURTUNITY AS A STUDENT

Canada, over the past few years, has seen an abundance of international students from around the world and has provided various work opportunities to both, students and working professionals. As per Forbes and US News released rankings, Canada is considered as the best country amongst G20 countries for establishing business operations. Moreover, it’s also predicted by The Economist Intelligence Unit, that the country will be ranked as the 3rd best country amongst G7 for doing business over the 5 years i.e., 2018 to 2022, which only implies that ample job opportunities await an international student during and after completion of their studies in the time to come.

Want to work while you’re in Canada? Here’s how.

How to work while studying in Canada?

Working part-time while studying can be a great way to ease your finances and also gain some valuable work experience in your field of study. As an international student in Canada, you can work along with your studies, provided you:

have a verified study permit and are a full-time student
are studying for either a degree, diploma or certificate course
have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Given these, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring break. For students, employment can be on-campus and off-campus. On-campus means being a working resource on your college/university campus itself. You can work on-campus without a work permit if you have a valid study permit, or are a full-time student at:

A public post-secondary institution, such as a college or university, or a college d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec
A private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution, and receives at least 50 per cent of its financing for its overall operations from government grants (currently only private college-level educational institutions in Quebec qualify)
A Canadian private institution authorised by provincial statute to confer degrees.

Some options for working on-campus are:

Research Assistant or Teaching staff (depends on research grants)
In student organisations to uplift segments like sports, entertainment, etc.
In library or a hospital
Be self-employed or start a private business, including taking up a contract to provide on-campus services

Acquire a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

You will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada in order to work in Canada or receive benefits and services from government programs. To apply for a SIN for on-campus work, you must have one of the following conditions or remarks printed on your study permit:

May accept employment on institution campus where you are registered in full-time studies
May accept employment on or off-campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186 (f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria

If your study permit does not have one of these conditions or remarks, you will need to submit a free request for an amendment to your study permit before you can apply for a SIN.

Explore careers

As a part of the Canadian government initiative, you can find out more career options by navigating through an online tool known as ‘Explore careers’ which will allow you to map suitable job opportunities as per occupation, outlook, wages, locations, education program, skills, knowledge and many other filters.

How to work once you’ve graduated?

To be able to work in Canada once you’ve completed your studies, you’ll need to have a work permit first. One of the most widely accepted is the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PWPP).

PWPP work permits are valid for the same length of time of your initial study program (up to a maximum of three years) and let you work in any occupation, as well as change employers at any time. To be eligible for PWPP, you must have graduated from a Designated Learning Institute (DLI). Since not all programs from DLIs fulfil the eligibility criterion, do check beforehand if your institution falls in the list. Also, remember to apply for the PWPP within 90 days of receiving written confirmation that you’ve completed your academic program.

Studying abroad can be an expensive affair, but thankfully, Canada is one country where quality education is available at tuition rates lower than many other countries.

But before you depart from India, ensure that you consider expenses like accommodation, food, health coverage, and travel along with your tuition fee when calculating the estimated cost of studying in Canada. This will help you plan your budget more effectively.

1. Tuition fee is your prime expenditure

Your expenditure on tuition fee depends on the type of qualification and institution you opt for. To cover this, you will need approximately between CAD 13,000 and CAD 35,000 a year.

Most commonly, courses in humanities, education and arts are a little cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at a postgraduate level, the tuition fee is typically higher and the costs vary depending on the program. As with most other countries, MBA programs are often the most expensive. The average cost for these programs ranges between CAD 30,000-42,000.


S.No	Study Program	Average Annual Fee
1	Undergraduate program	$13,000 to $20,000
2	Postgraduate master’s degree	$17,000 to $25,000
3	Doctoral degree	$7,000 to $15,000
4	MBA	$30,000 to $40,000

*Please note all fee figures are indicative

You can apply to various scholarships as well to bring down your educational expenses.

2. Calculate accommodation costs

Most universities in Canada offer on-campus residence facilities to international students. You can also opt for off-campus accommodation wherein you can share apartments with other students from India. Cost for on-campus accommodation may range anywhere from CAD 8,000 to CAD 10,000 (annually) whereas living in a shared apartment can cost you around CAD 400 to CAD 700 per month depending upon your location and time of the year. Remember, the rentals vary from city to city.

An additional option is a homestay where you stay with a host family in Canada. In this, you will have to pay a placement fee of CAD 200 and a monthly fee of CAD 750 – 950 in return for meals and a room. However, you’ll be able to participate in local activities with the host and learn about the culture closely.

3. Cost of your student visa and permit

To study in Canada, the first step is to secure a valid study permit and that comes with its own costs (approx. CAD 150). Feel free to consult your Reagan Global counselor for the latest updates and information on the visa application process and related costs.

4. Living expenses

You need to keep a little money aside for your grocery shopping, social activities and emergencies. When living in a foreign country as a student, it is better to keep track of your expenditures so that you do not overspend. Considering various expenses and living costs, a single student budget in Canada comes out to be approx. CAD 15,000 (indicative).

You should also consider these common expenses when creating your budget

Communication expenses: As a student from India, you’d be frequently calling your friends and family back home. Therefore, always keep a section of your budget for phone bills and data expenses. Look for cost-effective calling plans and student discounts in order to stay connected with your loved ones within your monthly budget. You can find a phone plan that suits your needs, however, the average cost is approx. CAD 20 per month.
Books and supplies: Purchasing textbooks can get a little expensive. For instance, books for engineering courses can cost you approx. CAD 250 to CAD 350. For courses like law, medicine and pharmacy, the value can go even higher. You can manage this in your budget by opting for second hand books, buying digital versions or even securing a library membership.
Personal expenses and incidentals: Your daily expenses will include laundry, toiletries, clothing, dining out, etc. This depends entirely on the kind of lifestyle you choose for yourself.

5. Consider health support and insurance

It is mandatory for all students travelling to Canada to get medical insurance before the commencement of their program. In Canada, international student health insurance is priced between $600 and $900 per year (indicative). In British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Newfoundland, Manitoba, Labrador or Saskatchewan, you will be insured under the respective provincial health plans as per the length of your stay.

6. Don’t ignore your taxes

Indian students studying in Canada having a Social Insurance Number (SIN) are allowed to work 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during vacations. If you choose to work along with your studies, your Canadian earned income will be taxable. Along with this, if you have a scholarship or assistantship from your institution, the federal and state governments may tax these wards.

Remember, the exchange rate variations may also affect your budgeting. We suggest you also look for a part-time job while you are studying in Canada or seek scholarship in the universities you apply to. This can help lower your cost of studying abroad to a great extent.

Do Canadian institutions accept 10+2+3 education system of India?

Yes, 10+2+3 system is accepted for post graduate (PG) diploma programs however, for masters, almost all universities require 10+2+4. However, certain universities may accept 10+2+3 for masters in selected programs on a case-to-case basis. Unlike India, Canada has two parallel education systems wherein colleges and universities are separate entities. Colleges offer PG diplomas and universities offer masters programs. Some universities may also offer PG diploma programs in selected courses.

What and where to study in Canada after 12th?

Choosing a program and an institution solely depends on your interests, academic background, and budget. To decide where to study and what to pursue, you can start by creating a list of your interests and skills and spend some time reflecting upon it. Do your research to understand which skillset or interest has a good scope professionally. Narrow down your choices accordingly and search for relevant courses and institutions. You’ll also have to take intakes of your preferred courses into consideration, because not all universities or colleges offer programs in all three intakes.

What and where to study in Canada after graduation?

Pursuing masters in Canada can be one of the best decisions of your life since it’ll not only enhance your technical skills but also give your CV an edge over others. As an Indian student with an undergrad degree, you should be ideally looking for an institution that emphasises on practical knowledge, hands-on experience and getting you job-ready. Canadian universities and colleges provide a research-based learning approach wherein you’ll be implementing all the concepts and ideas you gather in the classroom. Begin by taking a look at the subjects you learnt in your undergrad program, list down the ones that interest you. Narrow down to your preferred niche and search for possible programs and universities. Applying to Canadian universities and colleges would also require you to take language and/or aptitude tests. So, do consider your academic scores while deciding what and where to study. Look for the intake offered for your preferred courses and prepare accordingly. Our experienced counsellors can help you identify and secure the university or college where you can thrive. Contact us today for free consultation on how to further your post-graduate career in Canada.

What type of accommodation will be available for students?

You can opt for on-campus housing ranging from shared condominiums to dormitory-style housing or choose to live off-campus. The cost for on-campus housing may or may not include a meal plan and or other utilities such as phone and internet connection. Accommodation prices may be lower off-campus but you will have to bear the extra cost of furnishings, water, electricity and/or other miscellaneous expenses.

Are any scholarships offered to international students in Canada?

The eligibility for scholarships for international students aspiring to study in Canada is judged on the basis of outstanding academic grades and exceptional English Proficiency scores. Scholarships are mostly offered by the universities without any particular application based on the eligibility benchmarks but at some institutions the students need to apply for the same.

Can students work during studies in Canada?

Indian students are allowed to work for 20 hours per week during an ongoing session and full-time during vacations. You can also get up to three years of extension post completion of your studies depending on your program duration. For a one-year program, you can acquire a work permit of one year while for programs with duration of 2-4 years, you can get a work permit of up to 3 years (visa rules are subject to change, please check the official website for the same).

Are there any internship opportunities in Canada?

Some programs in Canada do include work experience as part of their curriculum. You may apply for a co-op or intern work permit if You have a valid study permit or Working is a significant part of your study program in Canada or A letter from your school confirms that all students in your program must complete work placements to get their degree or Your co-op or internship is 50 % or less of the total program of study.

When do we need to apply for a work permit?

You need to apply for a work permit only if your acceptance letter confirms that a co-op or internship placement is part of your program’s curriculum. In such a case the work permit will be processed as part of the application and the student will be issued SW visa.

Can international students apply for permanent residence?

The permanent resident visa is determined on a point based system. The work experience gained through the PGWP will help you to garner valuable points to qualify for permanent residency in Canada.