Discover the Excellence of Canadian Education
Are you considering studying abroad? Look no further than Canada, home to one of the world’s top-ranked education systems. With globally renowned faculty and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Canada offers an ideal environment for international students.
Why Choose Canada for Your Education?
Canada stands out as the “best and safest place to live,” as recognized by the UN. Boasting a low crime rate and high quality of life, it’s a welcoming destination for students. The Canadian education system is internationally acclaimed, securing the third spot globally for higher education, according to The US News.
Key Reasons to Study in Canada
- Safety and Quality of Life: Canada ranks among the top 10 safest nations globally, offering a secure and peaceful environment for students.
- Affordable Education: Canadian education is not only recognized but also affordable. The fee structure is reasonable, and international students can work part-time during their studies.
- Academic Excellence: With 18 universities in the top 500 globally, including the University of Toronto and McGill University, Canada excels in academic offerings.
- Post-Graduation Opportunities: The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) provides students with valuable work experience for up to three years after completing their education.
Academic Intakes and Opportunities in Canada
Canadian universities and colleges offer three intakes, starting in Fall (September), Winter (January), and Summer (April/May). The diverse scholarship options cater to students at various education levels, from undergraduate to postdoctoral.
Canadian Student Visa and Post Study Work Permit
To pursue education in Canada, international students can apply for a study permit online through the Government of Canada website or the Canadian embassy. The Post Study Work Permit (PSW) is a significant aspect of Canadian immigration, allowing graduates to work for up to three years post-graduation. SIEC, with over 20 years of experience, assists students throughout the application process.
Financial Aspects of Studying in Canada
Average Tuition Fees: Studying in Canada is economical, with minimal tuition fees that may vary across institutions. Additional expenses, including administration fees and health insurance, are reasonable.
Average Tuition Fee for Study in Canada
| S. No. | Degree | Average Fee (CAD) | Average Fee (VND) | Upcoming Intakes | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UG | CAD 25000 | VND 461,000,000 | Jan-24 | 4 years |
| 2 | PG | CAD 23,000 | VND 424,000,000 | May-24 | 2 years |
| 3 | PG Diploma | CAD 18,000 | VND 331,000,000 | Sep-24 | 1-2 years |
| 3 | Diploma | CAD 17,000 | VND 313,000,000 | 2-3 years | |
| 4 | PhD | CAD 25,000 | VND 61,000,000 | 2-3 years |
Cost of Living: The cost of living depends on lifestyle choices, impacting expenses related to dining out, shopping, accommodation, and travel. Universities in Canada provide affordable accommodation, and students can work part-time without a mandatory work permit.
Embark on your educational journey in Canada with SIEC, your trusted partner for over two decades. We guide and assist you in the application process, helping you achieve your dream of studying in Canada.
1. Canada is the second largest country in the world (after Russia) by land mass.
2. Land of Lakes:Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined. At last count, there may be as many as two million, with 563 lakes larger than 100 square kilometres. Canada’s largest include Lake Huron (Ontario), Great Bear Lake (Northwest Territories), and Lake Superior (Ontario). Lake Winnipeg, Canada’s fifth and the world’s 11th largest, is in Manitoba.
- Multicultural population
Canada is the first country in the world to adopt a policy of multiculturalism, embracing diversity and pluralism. Today, of Canada’s total population of more than 35 million, a fifth are immigrants. In fact, based on the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS), Canada is home to people from over 200 ethnic origins. Around 4.3 per cent of the total Canadian population reported an Aboriginal identity and 19.1 per cent belong to a visible minority. The largest groups among these visible minorities are South Asians, Chinese and Africans, followed by Filipinos, Latin Americans, Arabs, Southeast Asians, West Asians, Koreans and Japanese. (Learn more about Canada’s multiculturalism here).
- Democracy/Monarchy
Canada is a Parliamentary Democracy headed by a Prime Minister. However, it is also a constitutional monarchy with executive authority vested in the Queen. This means that the Queen is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. A parliamentary democracy has three parts: the Sovereign (Queen), the Senate, and the House of Commons. Meanwhile, the government has three levels: federal, provincial and municipal. The federal government is based in Ottawa and is headed by the Prime Minister. Provincial and territorial governments are headed by premiers, while municipal governments are led by mayors.
- Canada means “village”
The country’s name is derived from “Kanata”, a Huron-Iroquois word meaning village or settlement. Two Indian youths used this word to describe the settlement of Stadacona (now Quebec City) to European explorer Jacques Cartier. Cartier then used “Canada” to describe a bigger area beyond Stadacona. This soon spread throughout the entire region, surpassing its former name, New France.
- The maple leaf and other symbols
Did you know that it took 40 years for the Canadian parliament to finally decide on a Canadian flag? The red and white flag with the prominent maple leaf was officially launched on February 15, 1965 (making Feb. 15 National Flag of Canada Day) after much debate and rigorous study. But have you ever wondered why the maple leaf is so identified with Canada? Well, for years even prior to the coming of European settlers, aboriginal peoples have been using maple sap as a food staple. Throughout history, the leaf has found its way into Canadian coins, emblems and coats of arms. The maple tree is also very important to Canadians and is the official arboreal emblem. Incidentally, Canada continues to produce three-quarters of the world’s maple syrup output.
Meanwhile, the beaver as a national emblem dates back to the 1700s, when the lucrative trade of beaver pelts (for fur hats) put Canada on the map. The Hudson’s Bay Company honoured the animal by putting it in its coat of arms. Another Canadian symbol is the Maple Leaf Tartan designed by David Weiser which became an official symbol in 2011.
- Canada Day
Canada Day commemorates the signing of the British North America Act (today known as the Constitution Act, 1867) which created Canada. The statutory holiday is celebrated every July 1st, and was, for a time, called Dominion Day. It marks the anniversary of the confederation of three British colonies into four provinces: The United Province of Canada (Ontario and Quebec), New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. To see how Canada Day is celebrated in various parts of the country, go to its official site.
- “O Canada”
Canada’s national anthem, “O Canada” was composed by Calixa Lavallee, a well-known composer, with the lyrics written by Sir Adolphe Basile-Routhier. Several versions have been made of the anthem, but the version used today was written by Robert Stanley Weir, a lawyer from Montreal.
- National dish: Poutine
Canada’s national dish originated from Quebec in the 1950s. Made up of a tasty mix of french fries, cheese curds and gravy, Poutine has been claimed by numerous people, but its inventor has never been confirmed. Anyway, canucks (a nickname for Canadians) have eaten the wonderful dish in more ways than one. Care for the traditional poutine? Or perhaps poutine with an international twist? How about going gourmet with foie gras poutine?
- Inventions galore
What does basketball, the pacemaker, IMAX, and the Blackberry have in common? Yes, they were all invented by Canadians. Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian PE instructor in Massachusetts who wanted to create a game that can be played indoors during winter. Meanwhile, the first pacemaker was invented by electrical engineer John Hopps, and the IMAX (for Image Maximum) was created by Toronto-based Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, Robert Kerr and William Shaw. Lastly, the Blackberry cellphone is a product of Research in Motion (RIM), in Waterloo, Ontario. Want to know more Canadian inventions? Here are 19 things you might not know were invented in Canada.
- National pastime
Hockey is the national winter sport of Canada while lacrosse is the national summer sport. To give you an indication of how Canadians love hockey, the Canada-US Men’s Gold Hockey Game at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics was the most watched television broadcast ever in Canadian history according to NHL.com. Meanwhile, the women’s hockey team has also been dominating the Olympics, winning gold medals, the most recent of which was at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games.
The education system in Canada encompasses both publicly-funded and private schools, including: community colleges/ technical institutes, career colleges, language schools, secondary schools, summer camps, universities and university colleges.
Education is a provincial responsibility under the Canadian constitution, which means there are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces. However, education is important to Canadians, and standards across the country are uniformly high.
In general, Canadian children attend kindergarten for one or two years at the age of four or five on a voluntary basis. All children begin Grade One at about six years of age. The school year normally runs from September through the following June but in some instances, January intake dates are possible. Secondary schools go up to Grades 11 or 12, depending on the province. From there, students may attend university, college or Cégep studies. Cégep is a French acronym for College of General and Vocational Education, and is two years of general or three years of technical education between high school and university. The province of Québec has the Cégep system.
High Quality Education
Education institutions are not officially ranked in Canada, but you will find quality institutions across the country. When choosing your school in Canada, consider the type, size and location of the institution. If you are interested in a particular area of study, investigate which schools have more to offer in that discipline.
What is the difference between college and university in Canada?
Universities focus on academic and professional programs. Colleges focus more on career training and trades.
The words “college” and “university” have different meanings in different English-speaking countries. In Canada, colleges and universities are different institutions – usually, colleges have different kinds of programs than universities do.
Colleges
Colleges of applied arts and technology have full-time and part-time diploma and certificate programs. Many also offer Bachelor degrees in applied areas of study.
Colleges tend to be more directly career-oriented than universities. This means they offer practical or hands-on training. Generally, a certificate program is 1 year or less, and a diploma program is 2 or 3 years.
Colleges also have pre-trades and apprenticeship training, language training and skills upgrading.
Some Ontario colleges focus on agriculture, health science, art or military programs.
Universities
Universities are institutions that can grant degrees. All universities have undergraduate (bachelor’s) degrees, and many have graduate (Master’s and doctoral) programs. Universities in Ontario are independent. Although they receive funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, each institution is self-governing and regulates its own programs, admissions and faculty.
Undergraduate degrees usually take 3-4 years to complete, if you study full-time. An “honours degree” (the fourth year) is usually required if you want to go to a graduate program (Master’s degree). Many universities allow students to combine subject areas (e.g., a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology) into a “double major.”
Many universities also offer professional programs, such as medicine, dentistry and law. In some cases, you can begin these programs after 2 or 3 years of undergraduate study.
An educational institution cannot grant a degree in Ontario unless the provincial government has given it this right. There are private institutions in Ontario that have been given partial degree-granting authority. All of these schools are denominational, which means that they have a religious affiliation.
Study in Canada – Your Path to a Bright Future
I. Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Canadian Study Permit
A. Determine Your Goals and Choose the Right Program and Institution
To start your journey of studying in Canada, you must follow these steps:
1. Define Your Personal Goals and Career Aspirations
Begin by identifying your personal goals and career aspirations to select a program and field of study.
2. Choose Your Field of Study, Academic Level, and Institution
Determine your field of study, academic level (undergraduate, bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D.), and select an institution based on its reputation and alignment with your goals.
3. Research Tuition Fees and Scholarship Opportunities
Check the tuition fees for your chosen program and explore opportunities for scholarships based on your academic achievements.
4. Select Your Intake Term
Canada offers three main intake terms: fall (September), winter (January), and summer (April/May). Choose the intake term that fits your schedule and timeframe.
5. Submit Your Application and Supporting Documents
Submit your study permit application online through the official website of your chosen institution. Supporting documents may include English proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL), academic transcripts, and a Statement of Purpose if required.
6. Receive Your Letter of Acceptance and Pay Tuition Fees
After submitting your application, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance from the institution, detailing your course, study schedule, and tuition fees. Follow the institution’s instructions to make the necessary tuition payments.
7. Ensure Financial Stability and Fulfill Other Requirements
Ensure you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses in Canada, including transportation, accommodation, and miscellaneous costs. Also, make sure your passport is valid, and complete any required medical examinations and obtain a valid study permit.
II. Canadian Study Permit Application Guide
A. Meeting the Canadian Study Permit Requirements
To apply for a Canadian study permit, adhere to the following steps:
1. Ensure You Meet the Canadian Study Permit Requirements
Make sure you have received a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and possess a valid passport.
2. Submit Your Online Study Permit Application
Submit your study permit application online through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website. Pay the required visa processing fee, which may vary over time.
3. Prepare Supporting Documents and Undergo Medical Examination
Prepare supporting documents, including your Letter of Acceptance or Letter of Explanation (if required), complete the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) process (if applicable), and provide proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL). You will also need to undergo a medical examination at designated centers approved by the Canadian Embassy.
4. Submit Documents and Biometrics
Submit your Statement of Purpose or Letter of Explanation (if requested), and receive a request for the original passport from the Canadian Embassy.
5. Receive Your Canadian Study Permit
Once your study permit is approved, you will receive your passport back with the Canadian study permit stamped inside.
III. Important Notes Regarding Canadian Study Permits
Always consider obtaining medical insurance before applying for a study permit. You can choose medical insurance offered by your institution or explore various private insurance programs.
IV. Conclusion
Studying in Canada opens doors to numerous educational and career opportunities. By following the application and visa procedures diligently, you can embark on your educational journey and explore this beautiful country. Begin today and make your study abroad dreams come true in Canada! For further assistance, feel free to schedule a consultation with our expert counselors at the SIEC Study Abroad Center.