Canada is one of the best countries in terms of quality of life and is frequently rated as one of the best nations to live in. It introduces people to multicultural diversity, and a wide range of ecosystems, and has proven academic excellence by providing quality education.
Basically, from the recent surveys, it is said that 10% of the student population in Canadian universities are from abroad. Certainly, Canada becomes the top destination for international students to pursue their higher studies. Here are some interesting facts about international students in Canada:
- Canada has the largest Indian student population over there. A total of 40% of Canada’s international student population is from East Asia.
- Students from 186 different nations enroll in top Canadian universities, making Canada home to a diverse range of students.
- At present, there are about 353,000 international students in Canada, and 14% of them are from India.
- With almost 50% of its students coming from outside, Ontario is the province that benefits the most from international students in Canada.
- About 80% of growth in the international student market is expected to come from Asian countries by 2025
- There will be 40,000 increases in early enrolments by 2025
Students who intend to study in Canada should be familiar with the following information
Post-secondary education in Canada
Canadian students have the option to apply to colleges and universities once they graduate from high school. In Canada, the term “college” typically refers to a smaller community college or a particular vocational school. Significantly, many students attend college to gain transferable credits and better their academic preparation for university.
A university in Canada is for higher education where academic degrees can be obtained in a wide range of subjects. With a bachelor’s degree being the first level of education, followed by a master’s degree, and finally a Ph.D. as the highest level of education.
Certificate, Diploma, and Degree Programs in Canada
1.Certificate programs
A student usually enrolls in a certificate program to further their education beyond their undergraduate degree or diploma requirements as well as for professional development or continuing education. Henceforth, a certificate is intended to provide post-secondary students with the knowledge and abilities necessary for an entry-level vocation. There are various lengths of certificate programs available at all institutions and universities.
- Duration – from 3 to 8 months, usually less than a year.
- Common field – Management studies, IT, Health care
- Issued by – Colleges, Vocational schools, and Universities
- Level – Undergraduate
2.Diplomas
Diploma programs are brief academic credentials that offer extensive and useful knowledge of any profession.
3.Undergraduate diplomas
Undergraduate diploma courses can be pursued after completing high school. These diploma courses are branched into two streams i.e., regular, and advanced.
4.Regular Diploma
- Duration – 2 years course
- Issued by – colleges
- Level – Undergraduate
5.Advanced Diploma
On the other hand, an advanced diploma course includes a co-op or internship, it is more specialized than a normal diploma. It gives hands-on training and experience from the practical sessions along with skills.
- Duration – 3 years
- Issued by – colleges
- Level – Undergraduate
- Fields – Engineering, pharmacy, accountancy, IT, media, fashion, and interior technology
6.Post Graduate diploma
- Following graduation, students have the option to enroll in post-graduate diploma programs.
- The program has both one- and two-year courses
- Your talents and professional capabilities will be improved through one-year PG diploma courses.
- On the other hand, 2-year PG diploma programs offer you the opportunity of 3 years work stay.
7.Degree programs
Degree programs are offered at the university level and in some colleges. There are 2-year courses as well as 4-year applied degrees.
8.Bachelor’s Degree
- Bachelor’s degree is obtained at the undergraduate level of education in universities.
- Canadian provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario are seeing an increase in the number of colleges offering bachelor’s degrees.
- Although there are some three-year bachelor’s degrees and two-year associate degrees, most bachelor’s degrees are four years of full-time study.
9.Master’s Degree
After earning a bachelor’s degree, a student can continue their education by pursuing a master’s degree to improve their specialty in their area of study. The degree can be either a research-based or course-based one.
- Duration – 1 to 2 years
- Fields – Medicine, Politics, Technology, Media, and Business
- Level – Postgraduate
Top Colleges and Universities for international students in Canada
Canada has 98 universities with numerous colleges and institutes. Under QS world rankings 2019, there are 3 Canadian universities among the top 50, 10 are in the top 300, and the remaining 13 are among the top 700 universities in the world. According to QS 2016 rankings, four cities are listed as the best cities for students – Quebec, Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver. Listed below are some top universities for international students in Canada:
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- McGill University
- McMaster University
- Concordia University
- University of Alberta
- University of Calgary
And some top colleges for international students are
- Centennial college
- Seneca college
- George Brown college
- Humber college
- Algonquin college
Hope this gave a clear idea about education in Canada. Start your overseas study with the expert guidance of CanApprove for all your Immigration and Overseas Education needs.