Step: 2 I How to Study in Canada I Canada Student Visa Process I Selecting the Right Institution
Updated: Mar 3, 2021
Thanks for checking out the second blog of the series - How to Study in Canada. This series is a step-by-step guide on how to become an International Student in Canada, which universities and colleges in Canada to apply for, how to apply for Canada Study Permit and how to get your Canada Student Visa.
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This blog will cover four things:
Factors that are important to decide on the right Colleges & Universities in Canada.
Selecting your Program of Study as an International Student.
Know the Important terms of International Student Admissions Process.
Funds, and Costs of study in Canada & Costs of Living in Canada.
1. Factors that are important to decide on the right Colleges & Universities in Canada.
Stop looking at rankings! It doesn't matter! We usually think the better the institution, the better my career will be. Not necessarily. A big mistake that students who're planning to study abroad make while choosing their university is look at rankings of the universities or colleges in Canada. It really doesn't matter if you're going to the top universities or colleges, or even the 170th ranked institution. It's really about the opportunities that you get exposed to, and your efforts into going after them, and how your institution supports you in that journey.
But here is what matters: Location, the reason for which you'll be exposed to lots of opportunities. Very, very important! Location is one of the key things to consider when deciding which university or college you want to go to apply for. Here is why:
Opportunities for employment and growth: An institution in a big city, or in close proximity to downtown will offer more opportunities for employment and growth in regards to jobs in Canada, than an institution in a small town, or an hour away from the city. A school that offers you countless number of networking opportunities should always be on top of your list. In downtown, which is the busiest area of the city, you'll be exposed to lots of businesses and organizations, as well as off-campus events, which will allow you to participate in a lot of networking opportunities. Having a great network actually helps you land that job in Canada that you're working towards. So be sure to pay close attention to the environment and surroundings of your institution, in order to make the most out of your educational experience.
2. Selecting your Study Abroad Program as an International Student.
What program are you passionate about? Take a free online career test. Answer questions based on your preferences, passions, and interests. Note that, it's hard to get jobs in Canada in specific niches. If your program is very specific, it gets a bit tough. A business always needs a sales person, but may not always need an engineer. So if you're pursuing a niche program, you need to make sure that you put in the work to make the right connections, in order to land a job right away after graduation. So make sure you find the right career options that best suits your profile. And if you're going after a niche program, props to you if you can make it! Take that challenge, and prove people wrong.
3. Know the Important terms of International Student Admissions Process:
Most people get confused on what's a post-secondary institution in Canada, because that's all over CIC and any Canada immigration website. Post-secondary institutions are colleges and universities in Canada. That's it. Second, DLI's, Designated Learning Institutions. This one's actually pretty simple. Any institution that can enrol international students has to be a DLI. If your institution is not a DLI, you can't apply as an international student to that institution. If you need a Canada Study Permit or acceptance letter, It must be from a DLI. If it isn't, they will refuse your application. Also, you need to understand the difference between undergraduate programs, postgraduate programs, college diplomas, advanced college diplomas, and other certificate courses in Canada.
Colleges in Canada provide more hands-on technical experience through their programs. They offer one-year graduate certificate programs, two-years college diplomas, or a three-year advanced college diploma. With Universities in Canada, you get a bachelor's degree once you finish your program, after studying for three to four years. And after you complete your undergraduate studies, you can go for your postgraduate studies, which is usually a master's degree, and is a two-year program. Then there is fall, winter, and spring intakes. These represent the time you actually start your program.
Fall semesters start in September. Spring semesters start in May, and Winter semesters start in January. The most important thing you need to know is the deadlines for those intakes, and your eligibility requirements. I personally recommend that you always apply for fall semesters, that way you don't get here during the cold season of Canada, which is during January. The deadlines for fall intakes usually range from February 1st to April 1st. So let's say you're trying to apply for a fall intake in September 2020, you need to have all your documents organized by December of 2019 and apply within February or April of 2020 and by the end of May or June you should be applying for your visa to Canada.
Would you like to speak directly to the admissions team of Algonquin College? Register below for a free virtual information session where you can have all your questions answered and get information on their application process, programs and support services. Click the image below to register.