Why study in Canada?                      Canadian Education System General information about study in Canada Basic requirements for a student visa (documents required) Student Financial assistance in Canada Our services Why Study in Canada The top reasons to study in Canada: 1. Canadian Education is Competitively Priced Cross-Country Comparison of Tuition and Living Costs for International Students    Tuition Fees*  Living Costs**  Total Costs Canada $7,100 $8,100 $15,200 United Kingdom $14,800 $12,600 $27,400 United States (public) $12,200 $10,400 $22,600 United States (private) $20,500 $11,600 $32,100 Australia $11,700 $11,550 $23,250 France Minimal $15,550 $15,550 *For average undergraduate academic year **For average academic year Source: Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada International Students, 1998-1999 Tuition Fees, General Arts and Sciences Programs Province  Undergraduate Graduate Newfoundland $6,660 $1,896 - $3,549 Prince Edward Island $6,880 $5,686 Nova Scotia $6,400 - $9,700 $3,366 - $11,105 New Brunswick $5,050 - $8,440 $4,470 - $6,030 Quebec $8,268 - $9,180 $6,140 - $18,000 Ontario $6,400 - $12,202 $2,975 - $18,000 Manitoba $5,078 - $6,241 $4,550 - $7,441 Saskatchewan $5,625 - $8,282 $3,891 - $5,625 Alberta $5,208 - $7,300 $4,997 - $16,000 British Columbia $3,884 - $13,830 $2,100 - $16,000 Source: Statistics Canada 2. Canada’s education system is excellent and ranks among the best in the world. Moreover Canadian tuition fees are among the lowest in English-speaking countries. 3. Internationally recognized degrees. Canada boasts a wide range of quality educational institutions for both degrees and diplomas in technical and professional disciplines. Over 106,000 international students attend Canadian colleges and universities. The means that you can meet people from around the world as well as people from your own country. 4. Canada is a leader in Language training. For over a century, Canada’s two official languages have been taught as second languages. As a multicultural society receiving new immigrants who speak various languages, Canada has become a world leader in language training, especially in the area of English and French Academic and Special Vocational Purpose 5. Get a Quality Canadian Education. Canada’s language school, universities and colleges are world-renowned for their high standards and educational excellence. A degree from a Canadian university or college is internationally recognized and considered equivalent to a degree from an American university. Moreover, the choice of schools in Canada is wide and varied, from major research institutions to small liberal arts schools. Canada is home to some of the most prestigious English language schools. 6. Possibility to work in Canada after graduation. International students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college have the opportunity to work in Canada for up to one year after they receive their degree or diploma. International students can work on campus without a work permit. Plans are being made to allow international students to work off-campus, too. 7. Prepare for a Global Economy. With a Canadian education you will be well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the growing global market. Canadian schools are at the forefront of the information technology revolution, ensuring that their students are equipped for the 21st century. Most schools offer cooperative and training programs that allow students to spend a portion of their school year gaining practical work experience. 8. The United Nations ranked Canada as the best place in the world to live! This Assessment was based upon Canada’s achievements in terms of educational attainment, life expectancy, national income and general quality of life. It also included Canada’s abundance of fresh water, comfortable population density, low incidence of violent crime and a health care system that is model for the world. 9. Canada is multicultural. It is a nation that welcomes internationalization as a guiding force to make its economic, political and cultural future bright. Rather than a melting pot, Canada is a cultural mosaic where the traditions of many cultures are recognized and respected. Currently, there are over 850,000 Canadians of Asian origin living in Canada. This suggests that you, as a student in Canada, will likely meet people of ethnic background similar to your own, and will find many of the foods and services you are accustomed to having at home. 10. Enjoy a Safe Environment and a High Quality of Life. In each of the past four Canada was ranked first on the United Nations Human Development Index (based on a comparison of life expectancy, education, health and income). It is safe, and the pace of life is manageable. 11. Live in an Exciting and Beautiful Place. In Canada you will find great schools in world-class cities. Serene settings on the Great Lakes near the ocean, or close to the mountains. Canada is well-known f or the beauty of its natural settings, but it is also famous for its cosmopolitan and multicultural cities brimming with ethnic foods, great entertainment, cultural events, and sports. 12. Nature and four distinct seasons. While Canada has big cities, we also preserve a huge amount of unsettled land and a thriving national and provincial parks system. The temperature varies a great deal in Canada. Certain cities almost never have snow in the winter while other cities may get a lot. There’s something for everyone, including indoor and outdoor recreational activities at no or low cost. Our four distinct seasons offer variety and their own special pleasures. Canadian Education System Post secondary education is offered by four types of educational institutions: 1. Universities 2. University Colleges 3. Community Colleges/Technical Institutes 4. Career Colleges Degrees from Canadian universities are considered to be equivalent to those from American and other Commonwealth universities. Canadian universities are largely publicly funded; as a result they are of a consistently high quality, regardless of location or area of study. They offer a broad range of courses and degrees from undergraduate to doctorate and also certificate and professional degrees. A university college offers university degrees as well as college diploma and certificate programs. Career Colleges are privately owned institutions that offer training programs that provide students with practical skills for the job market after a short period of instruction. The emphasis at career colleges is on practical skills over a broad range of programs. They specialize in such areas as business, computers, and secretarial skills. Community Colleges offer professional programs of 1 to 3 years (often including a work term) that are highly applicable in the job market. These institutes have the primary function of responding to the training needs of business, industry, and public service sectors. Most colleges and technical institutes offer diplomas and certificate rather than degrees, however, more and more now grant degrees and applied degrees. Admission Requirements There are no university or college entrance exams in Canada. For entrance into undergraduate programs, universities evaluate a student’s high school transcripts. Each Canadian university, university college, technical school or community college sets its own requirements. To qualify for a degree program at most English-speaking universities, students, students for whom English is not a first language must have passed English examination test. The TOEFL is commonly accepted by Canadian universities or may accept other English examination tests such as the IELTS. Standardized test such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) are required for graduate studies (depends on the program of study and the University, check University websites). For admission in Engineering GRE is required by some Universities. Will my degree be recognized in other countries? A degree from a Canadian university is recognized around the world and is usually equivalent to an American degree or a degree from another Commonwealth country. Professional a specialized program such as medicine, nursing and engineering are accredited by reliable and reputable agencies. Current and new academic programs are regularly reviewed by provincial, institutional or regional bodies to ensure quality standards. What are the language requirements? You do not have to speak both English and French to study at a Canadian university however, you will have to show proficiency in one, depending on the university where you apply. Most English universities require a score of 560 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Canadian French-language universities usually assess applicants on a case-by-base basis. How long will it take to earn a degree? Depending on the province, a bachelor’s or undergraduate degree takes either three or four years to complete. In provinces that grant three-year bachelor degrees, students must complete an additional year to obtain an honours degree. In some provinces, the forth year is not necessary, but all honours programs require a high level of achievement and concentration in the subject. An honours degree is generally a prerequisite for admission into graduate studies. A master’s degree usually requires at lease one year of full-time study (after and honours degree) and includes a thesis, practicum or a research paper. A doctoral degree, or PHD, requires at least three years of additional full-time study, with at least one year on campus. In most cases, a master’s degree is required before admission into doctoral program, but some universities will accept students who have completed an honours degree. How much will living in Canada cost? The cost of living in Canada is moderate, compared with other countries. Some process of typical goods and services are as follows: One month’s rent, one bedroom apartment: $450 - $1,000 Bus fare, one-way: $2.25 Average restaurant meal: lunch $10/dinner $20 Since the winters are cold in most parts of Canada, an adequate warm clothing budget is a must. Expect to spend $400 - $550 for proper winter clothes. Generally you will need approximately $15,000 ($10,000 US or $9,500 Euro) to cover your expenses for an academic year. This includes your tuition and living expense but not transportation to and from your home country. Please bear in mind that this figures us an average only. Do I need health insurance? Yes. You will have to arrange for medical coverage before you arrive in Canada. Medical coverage varies from province to province and sometimes from university to university within each province. Please ask an official at the nearest Canadian diplomatic post for detailed information. Also, check whether the universities you are applying to have any medical insurance plans for international students. What are the immigration requirements? To study at a Canadian university, you will need a student authorization. You may also need a visitor’s visa, which will be issued to you at the same time as your student authorization. To apply for a student authorization, it is best to apply early, as processing of student authorizations usually takes one or two months. There is a processing change of $125 Cdn (approximately $90 US) for one person. If you plan to study in the province of Quebec you must pay another $100 Cdn for a certificate d’acceptation du Quebec. There is no fee for a visa when it is issued with a student authorization. For more detailed information, please contact your closest Canadian diplomatic post. Note: you must be sure to arrive in Canada with a valid student authorization (and visa, if required). Am I qualified to study in Canada? Each university has its own entrance requirements and we will assess you on an individual basis. The university will determine the equivalency of your academic credentials. There is no nationwide set of entrance exams. Basic requirements for a student visa. (Documents required)   International students are required to obtain a Student Authorization and Visa before going to Canada for studies. Generally it takes more than 2 months for the processing of Visa. The following documentation must be included in student authorization applications: 1. Proof of identity. This includes photocopies of a valid passport or travel document that guarantees re-entry to the country that issued it; and four recent passport-size photos (2” x 2.5”) for each family member, with the full name and date of birth recorded on the back of each photo. Visa officers may also wish to see the actual passport or travel document and will inform you if this is the case. 2. Proof of financial support that shows you will have enough money during your stay in Canada to cover tuition fees, return transportation and $10,000 CDN per annum for living expenses. Documentation for this requirement could be proof of a Canadian bank account or a bank draft in convertible currency, bank statements for the past four to six months, or proof of payment of tuition and residence fees. (As a guideline, $10,000 CDN plus to tuition fees per academic year is generally viewed an s sufficient.) 3. A medical examination in your country of origin. Medical exams are required if your stay is longer than six months. Please note that medical processing will add several weeks to the time necessary to obtain a student authorization. In some cases, you may need a medical examination even though your course is less than six months in duration. In these instances, a visa offer will determine whether you will require a medical examination and will send you the appropriate medical forms and instructions. 4. Proof of acceptance by an approval educational institution. The following information must be included in letters of acceptance: name, date of birth, mailing address of student; the course for which the student has been accepted; the estimated duration of date of completion of the course; the date on which the course begins; the last date on which the student must register for the course; the academic year which the student will be entering; whether the course is full or part-time; the tuition fee; any conditions related to acceptance; clear identification of the educational institution; and licensing information for private institutions. This letter must be signed by an authorized representative of the institution. 5. TOEFL scores if applicable. 6. Passport, valid for at least one year from the planned date of entry to Canada, plus valid passports of any accompanying dependants. When reviewing your student authorization application, a visa officer must be satisfied that you meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations and that you will only be in Canada temporarily. An interview with a Canadian Visa Officer may be required. After reviewing your application, a visa officer will decide if an interview is necessary. Financial Assistance Scholarships There are limited scholarships available in Canada but they rarely cover the full cost of a study program and they are not always easy to find. Scholarships to international students are available at some Canadian institutions for students with exceptional results. The amount awarded varies from one institution to another and usually covers only part of a student’s education and living expenses. The calendar of each university in Canada includes a complete and detailed list of the scholarships it administers this information is usually available on school web sites as well. Obtaining a scholarship is very competitive and applications must be made directly to each university along with the application for admission. Community and Career Colleges do not usually award scholarships nor do school boards or most provide schools. There are various organizations within Canada that administer scholarship programs in various countries but they are usually for graduate students and professors who are studying or researching a specific subject; Canadian studies is a typical area for which scholarships are awarded. Students should also check within their home country through public and private organizations for any financial assistance they may provide to students looking to study aboard. Working while Studying Who is allowed to work? Full-time students registered in a degree or diploma-granting course are allowed to work on the campus of the institution at which they are registered without the need for an employment authorization. Spouses of full-time students are eligible for open or open/restricted employment authorizations, depending on medical requirements having been met. Students whose intended employment forms an integral part of their course of study such as undergraduate co-op programs, some programs offered by career colleges or language schools and some high school programs. Finances and student aid Most Canadian graduate students can expect to receive some type of financial assistance from the university where they’re studying, although many (especially in professional master’s programs) are relying more and more upon student loans. Financial aid is provided through graduate scholarships. Bursaries, grants, research assistantships and fellowships, and teaching assistantships. Most universities do not require a separate application for scholarships or other financial support, but some institutions will ask you to complete a financial aid form that request information in addition to that which appears on your graduate school admission form. Research fellowships and teaching assistantships can provide you with a reasonable income as well as valuable work experience. Workloads can vary substantially, depending on the institution and the nature of your program. Our Services To help students achieve their goals. We negotiates special arrangements with colleges and universities. These arrangements facilitate the admissions process and often offer special privileges for students and scholars who register through our services. We are confident we can assist you in gaining admission into an accredited Canadian institution. Our application and placement services include the following: • Assessment of student’s background and qualifications to determine admissions eligibility • Research into suitable institutions that need the student’s academic qualifications and personal preferences • Professional preparation of application materials • Assistance with financial documents required by academic institution. • Submission of application material

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