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Canada’s education system is considered one of the best in the world. Excellent higher education system and yet affordable, it offers numerous opportunities for international students. Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia are the most popular Canadian provinces which are home to some of the best universities globally. In 2017, more than 5 Lakh international students were studying in Canada across different levels. The staggering numbers explain its popularity globally.
There is both a public and private education system in Canada. The Canadian government subsidizes the education cost significantly and this is reflected in very low tuition costs for domestic students as compared to international students.
Canada Education System has three levels of education Primary, Secondary and post-secondary.
Primary education is also called elementary school and starts between the age of 5 or 6 depending on the provinces. The academic year starts in September and ends in June. Secondary education, however, runs from grade 9 to grade 12. This again depends on the provinces. Post-secondary education is where most Indian students start applying to. This can be pursued either in Universities or colleges.
Qualification | Duration | Description |
Certificates and Diploma | 1 to 2 years | Vocational and job oriented programs, mainly technical |
Associate degree | 2 years | Equivalent to first two years of a 4-year bachelor’s degree |
Bachelor’s degree | 3 to 4 years | And undergraduate degree requires successful completion of secondary school. The duration of your course depends on the province and type of program although most courses last for 4 years. Certain provinces like Quebec have a bachelor’s degree of 3 years. |
Bachelor’s Honors degree | 4 years | This will require getting a specific GPA or credits, a major or a specialist program |
Postgraduate diploma | 1 to 2 years | A post-bachelor degree qualification |
Master’s degree (by thesis) | 1 to 2 years | Often referred to as research masters, this requires mandatory submission of thesis for assessment and course completion |
Master’s degree (by non-thesis) | 1 to 2 years | This is a taught master’s degree, not requiring thesis submission |
Doctorate or PhD | 4 to 7 years | Ph.D. is awarded when students complete a dissertation and successfully defend their work before a panel of faculty members |
Post-Doctoral Programs | No time limit | Specialized research-oriented programs |
One of the options that many Indian students are not informed about is the co-op programs that are unique to Canada. Many universities and colleges have a regular program that runs the length of the course and also has a co-op option along with it. In this option, the student normally completes one term of studies which is followed by a term working full time in the industry. It is a great tool to get hands-on experience in the professional world and also to prove yourself. Not only this but with the income earned via this full-time work, the student can support his education and living expenses. Bear in mind that to be eligible for the co-op program following conditions need to be met
Unlike the Indian education system, Canadian universities and colleges have multiple intakes throughout the year. These are also called as semesters or terms. The following are the major intakes in Canada
Term 1: January
Term 2: September
Term 3: Optional (May)
Find out more about the Upcoming intakes in Canada
Active participation, research, and analysis via presentation, assignments and lab tests are the basis of Canadian learning. Classes are usually a mix of lectures, tutorials and lab sessions having a student strength of about 30 to 200. While lectures may have a higher number of students, tutorials are generally held within small groups for a better and in-depth understanding of the concept. Canadian universities focus on providing a holistic experience wherein students get opportunities that improve their learning, career, and life. Many campuses are equipped with state of the art libraries and sports facilities for recreation
In comparison to other popular study destinations for Indian students like the USA, Australia, and UK, the tuition fees are comparatively affordable in Canada. On average the tuition fee for an undergraduate program starts from 12,000 CAD and goes to about 40,000 CAD. For Masters or PG diploma programs, the fees can start between 15,000 CAD to about 60,000 CAD depending on the course, university, and the duration.
Click here to know more about Cost of studying in Canada
Various Canadian educational institutes offer scholarships to international students based on merit. However, the number and amount of these scholarships are less compared to other study abroad destinations since the fees in Canada are already low. It is recommended to start early and have a good academic background if you want to apply for the scholarships as it would be very competitive.
Click here to know more about Scholarships in Canada.
What’s is it like to be a Canadian citizen? Here’s a short summary of what it’s like to live in Canada as a student
One of the primary reasons why it’s a popular destination is the number of top universities present in the country.
Unlike a single intake in Indian universities, colleges and universities in Canada offer multiple intakes. Know more about it
Canadais one of the most popular destinations for international students across the world and for many also a dream destination. Find out why
Applying for a Canada student visa? Here’s more information about it. Know more about the documentation, fees, etc.
A country that attracts students due to the relative lower cost of education. Find out details about the cost of studying.
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