CANADA
Qualifications Valued Around the World
Canada's high academic standards and rigorous quality controls mean that you'll be earning a high-quality education that will open doors for your future and benefit your career over the long term. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is globally recognized as being equivalent to those obtained from the United States or Commonwealth countries.
Affordable Education
The quality of education and living standards in Canada are amongst the highest in the world, but the cost of living and tuition fees for international students are generally lower than in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. As such, Canada is often the preferred choice for students attending college or university.
Affordable Education
The quality of education and living standards in Canada are amongst the highest in the world, but the cost of living and tuition fees for international students are generally lower than in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. As such, Canada is often the preferred choice for students attending college or university.
Multicultural Society
With almost all of the world's ethnic groups represented in Canada, it's hard not to find ethnic foods and recreation activities associated with specific cultures. In fact, your international student advisor can help you get in touch with any number of ethnic clubs and associations for you to join while you're here.
Healthy and Safe Communities
While you may have heard of or experienced Canadians' friendly and open nature, you may not have known that the United Nations consistently ranks Canada as one of the best places in the world to live. As an international student in Canada, you'll enjoy all of the same freedoms which protect Canadians – respect for human rights, equality, and a stable and peaceful society.
World-Class Language Education
Did you know that Canada is a bilingual country and is considered a world leader in language training? Since teaching French and English as a first and second language is an integral part of a Canadian education, you will be able to improve your fluency and capacity for either language as you further your studies.
Exciting Campus Lifestyle
Canada's post-secondary campuses aren't only wired with the latest in sophisticated technology, but countless other modern amenities as well. From Olympic-quality sports facilities to public concert halls and art galleries, Canada's post-secondary campuses offer you enormous possibilities for learning and leisure. Plus, you'll have incredible opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and gain valuable experience through student-run governments, radio, newspapers and businesses.
Innovative and Abundant Research Opportunities
Since research is one of the key components of a Canadian post-secondary education, you'll have ample opportunity to become a part of this vibrant aspect of education. In Canada, government and industry together support research including: telecommunications, medicine, agriculture, computer technology, and environmental science.
Land of Possibilities
Under Canada's highly dynamic and hands-on academic environment, you will not only acquire knowledge and skills in analysis and communication, but you will also learn how to express yourself, demonstrate your creativity, and develop your self-confidence! Teachers and professors are always available and eager to help with lessons, and studies fuse academic excellence with interaction and collaboration in the classroom.
Work and Study in Canada
Gain valuable work experience and supplement your spending allowance with a student job.
While you must supply sufficient evidence that you can pay for your tuition and living expenses before you arrive in Canada, there are a number of student work permit programs for international students and their spouses/common law partners that make working in Canada possible.
Working in Canada can go a long way towards helping you establish business contacts for the future and can even help you immigrate after graduation.
Jobs for International Students in Canada
On and Off Campus Jobs
Find out if you're eligible to work on campus or off campus without a work permit while completing your studies at Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website.
Working after Graduation
There are many options available to you once you have completed your studies in Canada. You may choose to:
- Return to your home country armed with a globally recognized degree or diploma and invaluable international work experience.
- Continue your studies in Canada for advanced credentials.
- Gain additional work experience in Canada.
Stay in Canada after Graduation
Gaining valuable work experience in Canada after graduation can go a long way towards helping you permanently immigrate here. The following programs can help facilitate this process for eligible candidates:
Post-Graduation Work Permit
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class.
Canadian Experience Class
After you have lived in Canada for some time, you may have good English or French skills, the right kind of skilled work experience, and be used to Canadian society. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) was created to help people like this take part in the Canadian economy.
Provincial Nominee Program
Almost all of Canada's provinces and territories can nominate people to immigrate to Canada. These people have the skills, education and work experience they need to contribute to the economy of that province or territory.
Canada's Universities – An Overview
Your Career – a Key Reason for Attending a Canadian University
No matter what you study, or where, attending a Canadian university helps you prepare for a rewarding career. For Canadians, higher education is considered the ticket to future success because a university education translates into new skills, better prospects and higher salaries. To illustrate:
- Between June 2008 and June 2015, about twice as many net new jobs were created for university graduates (1,065,000) than for college and trades graduates combined (620,000).
- Over their careers, university graduates earn on average 50 percent more than other full-time workers without a university degree.
- Social science and humanities grads share in the income premium for university graduates. For example, full-time workers with degrees in history earn, on average, above $65,000 annually.
Now, and even more in the future, a postsecondary education – a university degree, a college diploma or some combination of the two – will help you get a great job. University also prepares you for the challenges you will face throughout your life. Going to university will help you learn how to solve problems, think critically and creatively, present your ideas persuasively, work in teams, and make effective decisions – all attributes that are in high demand by today’s top employers.
Services and Programs for Students
Canadian universities also provide support and opportunities for their students through a wide range of services and resources. They include:
- First-year student programs (orientation week, study skills workshops, counselling);
- Academic and campus services (bookstore, career placement centre, academic advisers);
- Financial assistance (entrance scholarships and bursaries);
- Athletics (recreational, inter-university teams, fitness centres);
- Student exchange programs (study abroad for part of your degree).
Students also have access to career, personal or academic counsellors and can get help with medical concerns or resolving housing issues.
Many universities also have services for students with specific needs, such as single parents; students with physical, sensory or learning disabilities; Aboriginal students; part-time students; gays and lesbians; mature students; and students of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.