HOW TO STUDY IN CANADA

Canada consistently ranks within the top 10 of the United Nations’ list of the “best places to live in the world” – and it’s also arguably one of the best places to study.

The country is home to over 36 million people, welcomes 16 million tourists each year, and was hosting around 356,574 international students as of December 2015. These students came from over 185 countries, and the top three source countries were China, India and France. Attractions to study in Canada include its high-quality education, globally recognized qualifications, and the stable, safe and peaceful society. Add in all the summer festivals, winter snow sports, and the wide range of sightseeing, sports, culture and cuisine to squeeze in, and it’s unsurprising to find Canada remains a popular choice for students across the globe. Whether you’re keen to experience life in multilingual Québec, or fancy mixing ski slopes and water sports over on the west coast, read on for our complete guide to studying abroad in Canada.

Higher education in Canada

Undergraduate degrees in Canada can take either three or four years to complete, depending on the university. Postgraduate degrees last between one and three years, depending on the type of degree. Different types of higher education providers in Canada include: community colleges; technical, applied arts or applied science schools (which grant certificates, diplomas, associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees); and universities (which carry out research and provide both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees). One distinctive element of higher education in Canada in that each of the 10 provinces is responsible for its own education system, rather than the Canadian government as a whole. This means the system can vary, depending on which province you choose to study in. Québec in particular is markedly different to the rest of Canada, with different term times and length of study. For instance, students finish secondary school a year early and must take a mandatory pre-university ‘General and Vocational College’ (CEGEP) course, essentially eliminating the freshman year of university. Check with your chosen institutions for specific details.