Canada

All You Want To Know About Canada !

• Why Canada?

  Pakistani students seeking to study abroad may find Canada to be an excellent destination. Canadian universities are renowned for their academic excellence, research opportunities, and cutting-edge facilities, offering students access to top-notch education and a pathway to a successful career. Additionally, Canada is known for its multiculturalism and diversity, which creates an inclusive and welcoming environment for international students. Furthermore, Canadian universities offer a wide range of programs that cater to diverse interests and career goals. From business, engineering, and computer science to social sciences, humanities, and arts, students can find programs that suit their passions and interests. Another key advantage for Pakistani students is that Canada offers a relatively affordable cost of living and high-quality education compared to other study abroad destinations. Additionally, Canada provides various opportunities for students to work part-time while studying, which can help offset living expenses and gain valuable work experience.

• Eligibility

  For undergraduate programs, international students must have completed secondary education or equivalent with minimum 60% marks. For postgraduate programs, the minimum GPA requirement can range from 3.0 to 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, depending on the university and program of study. In addition to the minimum GPA requirement, many universities also require students to submit scores from standardized tests such as the GRE or GMAT, depending on the program of study. IELTS and PTE among others are acceptable English language proficiency tests for admission to Canadian universities, with a minimum score of 6.5 overall band for IELTS and equivalent for PTE. In addition to academic qualifications, universities may also consider other factors such as extracurricular activities, research experience, and personal statements when making admission decisions.

• Intakes and Admission Deadlines

  Canadian universities typically have two intakes for international students: the fall intake and the winter intake. The fall intake usually begins in September and the winter intake typically begins in January. Some universities may also offer a summer intake, which usually begins in May.The application deadlines for these intakes vary depending on the university and program of study. Generally, the application deadlines for the fall intake are between January and March of the same year, while the application deadlines for the winter intake are between August and October of the previous year. The application deadlines for the summer intake are usually between January and March of the same year

• Part-time Work and Post-study Work Opportunities

  Part-time work opportunities for international students include both on-campus and off-campus jobs. International students can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while studying full-time. These jobs are usually available in areas such as food services, libraries, and research facilities. Off-campus jobs are also available for international students, allowing them to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks, such as summer and winter holidays. To be eligible for off-campus work, international students must have a valid study permit and be enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution. Post-study work opportunities for international students include the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and the Express Entry program. International students who have graduated from a Canadian institution can apply for a PGWP, which allows them to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. The length of the permit depends on the length of the program of study. To be eligible for a PGWP, international students must have completed a program of study that is at least eight months long and be enrolled at a designated learning institution. International students who have work experience in Canada may also be eligible for the Express Entry program, which is a fast-track system for skilled workers to obtain permanent residence in Canada.

• Study and Living Costs

  The minimum tuition fees for international students in Canada are typically around CAD $20,000 to CAD $30,000 per year for undergraduate programs, and around CAD $15,000 to CAD $35,000 per year for graduate programs. However, some universities and programs may offer lower tuition fees for international students, while others may have higher fees. In general, university-specific scholarships in Canada may cover a portion of the tuition fees, ranging from 10% to 100%. For example, some universities offer entrance scholarships to international students that cover a portion of the tuition fees for the first year of study, while others offer renewable scholarships that cover a percentage of the tuition fees for the entire duration of the program.Government-funded scholarships in Canada, such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, may cover up to 100% of the tuition fees and provide additional funding for living expenses and research costs. It is important to note that the amount of scholarship funding available to international students in Canada can be highly competitive, and there are typically many more applicants than available scholarships. Furthermore, generally speaking, the living expenses for international students in Canada can be estimated to be around CAD $15,000 to CAD $20,000 per year. As of 2021, the Canadian government requires international students to show proof of a GIC account with a minimum of CAD $10,000. The funds must be deposited in a Canadian bank account before the student applies for a study permit. The GIC funds can only be used to cover living expenses while studying in Canada, such as accommodation, food, and transportation. Additionally, if the student is applying for an SDS visa application, there is a requirement is to give proof of full payment of tuition fee for the applicant’s first year of study. The SDS visa application is preferred over the non-SDS application due to multiple factors that should be considered

• Visa Ratio and Taking Family Along

  The visa ratio for Canada is good. Also, family can be taken along as well on a student visa. However, it is recommended to apply for their visa after the student visa has arrived.