Study in Canada
Canada - Country Overview
Canada has been one of the top choices for international students for their higher education. The detailed education plan of Canada, not only allows international students to work while pursuing their studies, but also allows them opportunities to stay back after graduation. Cities liek Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Quebec accounts for majority of the foreign student population due to the vibrant city life.
Not only several top universities of the world like University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, York Univesity are from Canada, but they also have a world renowned research system. Also, several of Canada’s cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary have been constantly ranked in the most liveable cities in the world. So if a student is looking for good education and work opportunities, one of the first choices to consider is Canada.
Canada at a glance:
Average Fees: CAD$16,000 p.a. Duration: 4 years
Average Fees: CAD$20,000 p.a. Duration: 1 or 2 years
Masters Program - 3 years PGWP
Other programs of 2+ years - 3 years PGWP
Other programs less than 2 years - PGWP up to 2 years
Top #3 reasons to Study in Canada
1. High quality of education
2. High quality of life, and diversity
3. Work opportunities, during and after studies
1. High quality of education
The Canadian education system is one of the best in the world, laying focus on research and academic excellence. The universities in Canada have a long history and reputation of high academic performance and high graduate employability rate. A lot of these universities are constantly ranked in top university rankings by QS and Times Higher Education rankings.
2. High quality of life, and diversity
Canada has one of the highest qualities of life, as per Global News, thereby allowing students to have a work-life balance. Additionally, it is also one of the safest countries in the world with an extremely low crime rate. Thereby making it easier for an international student to study, work and settle in.
3. Work opportunities, during and after studies
One of the major reasons international students choose to study in Canada is due to the flexible rules of working. Students can work part-time, off-campus during their studies up to 20hrs/week and full-time during designated breaks. Additionally, the Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWP) offered to students after completion of their students are also liberal, thereby allowing students to work in Canada after their studies.
Top Course options in Canada
Popular Universities and Colleges in Canada
Work permit in Canada after studies
After graduating from a university/college which is a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) in Canada, you can apply for your Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). A PGWP allows a foreign national to legally work for any company in Canada, in any field of their choice, after completion of their studies. The duration of the PGWP depends on the level and duration of your studies in Canada.
For Masters programs, all students are eligible for a 3 year PGWP if their Masters program was at least 8 months in duration and was completed from a DLI.
For other levels of education, if the course duration was less than 8 months, students are not eligible for PGWP. However, if the course duration is between 8 months – 2 years, the PGWP duration is equivalent to the course duration. In cases where the course was of more than 2 years, a 3 year PGWP is given to students.
Pathway to Permanent Residence in Canada, after studies
After completion of studies, students can work in Canada on PGWP for up to 3 years. Working in Canada on PGWP, allows students to gain valuable Canadian work experience, which makes them eligible to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada. After gaining at least 1 year of work experience in Canada, and fulfilling other criteria, students can file for their PR under the Canadian Experience Class. Alternatively, there are other programs available as well as such as Express Entry, Provincial Nomination under which students can apply for their PR. Once a student obtains PR, their Permanent Residency is valid for 5 years.
In that 5 year period of permanent residency, if a student is physically present in Canada for at least 1095 days in the 5 year period, they can file for Citizenship. Alternatively, if they don’t meet the requirement, they can also renew their PR, if they meet the conditions.
Course duration between 8 months to 2 years - PGWP duration is equal to course duration
Course duration is 2+ years - 3 years PGWP
Average Salary in Canada after graduation
Working in Canada, allows students the opportunity to earn money and recover their educational investments. While average salary in Canada is CAD$54,630, graduates earn way more at approx. CAD$ 77,269 p.a. Not only does Canada have a thriving economy with a soaring job market for master’s degree holders, but it’s also very promising. Some of the occupations that are in demand are technology, web developers, graphic designers, healthcare managers, data scientists and business analysts. Here are the salaries for some of the most in demand professions.