Canada is an incredible destination for those looking to study abroad. Based on the results of a survey conducted with 20,000 prospective students, Educations ranked Canada as one of the best countries to study abroad. And it’s not surprising; after all, the country offers several advantages for people from around the world to study and even immigrate.
I will share with you, based on my own experience and extensive research, my tips and a step-by-step guide on how to prepare for attending college in Canada. I came to Canada alone in early 2021 to attend college and work. Learn more about me in this link!
So, if you dream of studying in Canada, just like me, and want to know how to start planning, read this post to the end because I’ll give you valuable tips!
Advantages of College in Canada for International Students
As you may already know, Canada is a highly advanced country in terms of quality of life, offering immigrants ease of settlement and job opportunities. Beyond these reasons, other factors that led me to choose Canada include:
- Multiculturalism: People from around the world study in Canada and become permanent residents.
- Friendliness and Respect: Canadians are known for their cordiality and respect, especially towards immigrants.
- Cost of Colleges: The cost of colleges is more affordable than in the United States, for example.
- Immigration Opportunities: There is the possibility of immigration.
Not to mention the proximity to the United States, which, for someone like me who greatly admires and considered the U.S. a viable study destination, is an advantage.
The distinctive aspect is that Canada actively welcomes immigrants, unlike the U.S., which may not facilitate your move and residency in the country. Additionally, the Canadian dollar is cheaper than the American dollar.
It’s advantage after advantage. But don’t be deceived, as even with the idealization of a better quality of life, open doors for immigration, and more affordable prices, nothing guarantees that it won’t be a challenging and complex process. However, thorough preparation can help you avoid frustrations. So, check out my tips for effective planning below!
Tips to Start Planning
Some people have asked me how to quickly attend college in Canada, like, thinking about it now and wanting to be abroad in 6 months. That’s kind of impossible.
You need to understand that studying abroad is not something that can happen overnight. Firstly, because you need to know what you want and if the option you desire is feasible.
Secondly, you will need a lot of money. But with good planning, this is possible even for those who have nothing saved right now. Time, organization, commitment, and compound interest will be your allies.
Lastly, I don’t advise anyone to make life decisions of this magnitude without at least studying and knowing everything about the subject.
So, see below how to plan in the right way:
Have a Clear Goal
Define a goal as the starting point of any plan, be it short or long term. As we’re talking about leaving the country, studying, and considering your future, it’s extremely important to have a clear goal.
Answer the following questions to define your goal:
- What is your intention in attending college in Canada? (e.g., Improve English, enhance your resume, gain new experiences, immigrate…)
- What do you want to study? (e.g., a course in my field, complement my studies, something completely different…)
- What are your current financial conditions, and how will you raise more money to achieve your goal?
- When do you want to go? (Realistic plans, depending on your current conditions, are for 1 to 3 years, or even more)
After answering these questions, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you want and what you need to accomplish that goal.
Create a Financial Plan
Right off the bat, I warn everyone who asks me that it’s not cheap to attend college in Canada, although it’s more affordable than in some other countries. But it is indeed a VERY significant expense.
I don’t say this to discourage anyone but to prepare them for what’s to come. For example, if I didn’t have help from my parents, it would take me a few more years to gather the necessary amount. And if I had waited a bit longer, maybe I would have come with more financial stability, but I chose a shorter timeframe and a tight budget, REALLY.
If you don’t have financial support from someone staying in your country, what is called sponsorship, and/or want to come with a bit more than the necessary margin (which is recommended, actually), you’ll need to put more time into your financial planning if you don’t have the money reserved.
So, my tips are as follows:
- Start by creating a spreadsheet with the expenses you’ll have, including: preparation for the proficiency test, the test itself, translation of documents, application for the College, tuition fees, visa expenses, money for a year in Canada (required for the visa), airfare, and expenses for College materials.
- Open a savings account, calculate, and simulate how much you’ll need to invest to have the necessary return by the start of expenses.
- Avoid loans. I don’t recommend this even as a last resort; you end up losing money.
- Start having financial discipline and saving in pursuit of your goal. Record all your expenses and prioritize your plan by reducing some and cutting unnecessary ones.
Emotional preparation should also be worked on during the financial planning period, as it will be necessary to give up some things, especially for those with a shorter time frame.
Regarding expenses, keep reading as I’ll talk more about them later.
Study a Lot About the Subject
As I mentioned earlier, studying in another country is a big deal and will require a lot of study and preparation.
I give this tip mainly because there is a lot of information available online nowadays, including this blog, which will help you go through the whole process on your own.
That’s how I did it.
I didn’t hire any consulting services, nor did I come through exchange agencies. But, of course, this is my point of view. For other people, it works better to have help from specialized companies. And that’s okay, as there are several reliable options.
Still, studying on your own is essential, even to choose the right company to help you and confirm that what they’re going to tell you is true and effective.
Pay attention! I’ve seen several stories of scams and people who had to return due to mistakes made by the companies they hired. So, do your homework before anything!
And if you’ve decided to embark on this journey on your own, you’re in the right place to stay informed about all the key information to attend college in Canada as an international student.
Here are my tips to start your research:
- Explore the official website of the Government of Canada – You’ll find information about visas, immigration, official news, job vacancies, and much more.
- Research the main cities in Canada, read about their culture, things to do, climate, and more to start deciding where you want to go.
- Look for Facebook groups about studying in Canada and follow people who study in Canada.
- Visit the College websites to explore the programs they offer, prices, requirements, and more.
- Read other posts about Canada and send me your questions so that I can create more content to help you and others with the same dream!
Guide on How to Attend College in Canada
Now that you know how to plan, it’s time to see how to make your plan a reality. Follow along!
1- Research Your Options
College in Canada is the primary choice for study exchange, although there is also the option of University. This is because College is a more affordable and quicker option, focusing on the job market.
On the other hand, University is more research-oriented and lasts for 4 years or more. Additionally, tuition fees at Universities are higher, and the opportunities for international students are more limited.
For this guide, I’ll focus on College, which is the more accessible and sought-after option. College offers various possibilities, ranging from public to private, a few months to 4 years, and different credentials. See the detailed information below!
Private College
In general, private College is cheaper than public college, but there isn’t a wide variety of accredited institutions. This option works well for those who only want to experience life abroad and improve their English. Typically, private colleges do not offer the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which is essential for those who want to immigrate.
Public College
Public College in Canada is a super valid option for all study exchange goals. The job market highly values this type of College and offers many employment opportunities for graduates. As mentioned earlier, many public colleges, unlike private ones, are accredited and offer PGWP, which is the gateway for students to become permanent residents in Canada.
Credentials and Duration
Certificate (up to one year): more generic programs focused on developing skills for the job market.
Diploma (1 to 2 years): slightly more specialized programs focused on developing skills for the job market.
Advanced Diploma (2 to 3 years): specialized programs focused on developing advanced skills for the job market.
Bachelor’s Degree (4 years or more): more in-depth programs in a field of study.
2- Tuition Fees
The tuition is generally paid per semester, in full, before the start of classes. This will be your main expense, and you will be asked to prove that you have the money to pay or have already paid the tuition for the first year of college to be granted approval for the Canadian visa.
Prices vary from city to city, province, duration, and type of course. Therefore, it’s challenging to provide exact figures because it will depend on each person’s plan. Hence, I emphasized the importance of researching on your own after defining the goal. To give you a starting point, here are some averages.
According to the official website of the government, Statistics Canada, the average annual tuition for an international student in 2023/2024 in Canada is $38,081 CAD/year. This varies significantly by province, as I mentioned. For example, here are the annual averages for the four most sought-after provinces:
- Ontario: $46,433 CAD/year
- British Columbia: $35,266 CAD/year
- Quebec: $31,887 CAD/year
- Alberta: $31,549 CAD/year
Remember that this is an average. Capital cities with highly competitive colleges offer higher tuition fees, while colleges in smaller cities are more affordable. I’ll talk more about this below!
3- Cities
Now that you have an idea of the average college prices, if you want to save money, you need to strategically choose the province and city where you will study in Canada. In addition to the price, consider other factors such as climate, lifestyle, which varies greatly from province to province, and job opportunities, especially for those planning to take the PGWP (Post Graduate Work Permit).
As I mentioned while discussing prices, the most sought-after provinces are Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec. In addition to these, Nova Scotia and Manitoba are also in high demand, followed by Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
But how do you know which is the best choice for your plan? Well, some factors will be decisive for your choice, and they are:
- Lifestyle
- Cost of living
- Climate
- College and courses offered
- Job opportunities
- Immigration opportunities
Now, I’ll go into some details about the most sought-after provinces and cities to give you an idea of what to expect.
Ontario
Ontario is undoubtedly the most sought-after province in Canada by international students due to its population and popularity, offering many college options and job opportunities. However, due to this popularity, the competition for jobs and permanent residence is high, as is the cost of living in major cities. Located in the southeast of the country, cities in the south have less aggressive winter temperatures, attracting immigrants.
Popular cities in Ontario:
- Toronto: the capital of Ontario and the most populous city in Canada, serving as a business, arts, culture, and entertainment hub.
- Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge: a region near Toronto with excellent colleges.
- Ottawa: the capital of Canada located in Ontario, but very close to the border with Quebec.
- Kingston: considered one of the best cities to live in Ontario.
- Hamilton: also close to Toronto and a city with a lot of nature.
- London: this is the city where I studied and lived for 2 years, very university-oriented and full of parks.
British Columbia
British Columbia (BC) is one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada, with stunning landscapes, nature, and many incredible cities to live and study in. Being the second most sought after, the province has colleges with excellent teaching quality, many job options, and opportunities for permanent immigration. On the west side of the country, this province has much more pleasant winter temperatures, especially in the cities further south.
Popular cities in BC:
- Vancouver: the most sought-after city for international students in BC, with a lot of nature, plenty of entertainment, culture, diversity, and opportunities for immigrants.
- Victoria: the capital of BC located on Vancouver Island, this city attracts with its architecture and natural beauty.
- Surrey: the second-largest city in the province and part of Metro Vancouver.
- Burnaby: also part of Metro Vancouver, this is the third most populous city in the province.
- Kelowna: located in the Okanagan Valley, more towards the central-south of BC, it’s a beautiful city and attractive for its pleasant climate and excellent vineyards.
Alberta
Some say that the natural beauties of BC and Alberta are on par, while others claim that Alberta wins. Either way, anyone who has researched the most beautiful places in Canada has seen that Alberta’s landscapes are breathtaking. Additionally, the demand for studying and living in this province has been growing among international students. Located on the west side of Canada, Alberta has the most sunny days in the country but also experiences a quite cold winter.
Popular cities in Alberta:
- Calgary: the largest and most famous city in Alberta, offering quality colleges, many immigration opportunities, jobs, and, especially, a low cost of living.
- Edmonton: the capital of Alberta and the fifth-largest city in Canada.
Quebec
You probably already know that Canada is officially a bilingual country, and the two official languages are English and French, right? Well, Quebec is the French-speaking province of Canada, where the majority speaks French, and knowing this language is essential to live there and immigrate, unlike other provinces. In addition to the language, the lifestyle and some laws are quite different in Quebec. French influences make Quebec so different from other provinces, but that’s what makes it special and unique in various aspects.
Popular cities in Quebec:
- Montreal: the most bilingual and the second most populous city in Canada, rich in art and culture, with various entertainments and natural beauties.
- Quebec City: the capital of Quebec and a predominantly French-speaking city.
I could talk much more about the various cities in Canada that you can choose to attend college. There are truly many interesting options with incredible colleges. But I’ve only briefly covered the most sought after ones.
As I’ve mentioned: DO YOUR DETAILED RESEARCH and also look for more information about the less sought-after provinces if your intention is to save money!
>> Check out the post in which I go into detail about the 13 Best Cities to Study in Canada!
4- Study and Work
We’ve reached a topic that I love and always recommend when asked about college in Canada. But how can you study and work? Well, naturally, the study permit gives you the right to work 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time, meaning a full-time schedule when you have breaks (usually in the summer).
The challenge for those trying to work and gain relevance in the market this way is the lack of preparation and opportunities. This includes being unprepared for the format of the job search process in Canada and the difficulty of finding a job in your field that hires for only 20 hours per week. It will also not be easy to find a job in your field only for the holiday period.
So, how do you go about getting a full-time job in your field during college? Let me introduce you to the co-op.
What is and how does co-op work?
Co-op, or cooperative education, is a type of course structure offered by several colleges in Canada that includes up to 50% of internship in the curriculum. More and more colleges are adopting this teaching structure in their curriculum to help students enter the job market.
With co-op, in addition to the regular course curriculum, you will have a period, which can be 4 months or more (depending on the course duration), that includes paid work.
I did co-op, and it was one of the best decisions I made. In my first year of college, I received training to apply for jobs in Canada, had access to a job search portal, and had a dedicated person to help me.
Not every college will offer co-op in the same way. I was fortunate to have a well-structured co-op program.Having co-op in my curriculum is what launched me into the Canadian job market before even graduating and helped me secure a job after graduation. Additionally, I was able to save money and pay half of my tuition with my co-op earnings.
5- Proficiency Test
A mandatory requirement for attending college in Canada is the language proficiency test, whether in English or French, depending on the province you are heading to. The most widely accepted tests are:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF)
Generally, colleges request an overall score above 60% or 70%, with all skills above 50% or 60%.
If you are not prepared to achieve these scores, or if you prefer, some colleges offer a preparatory course called Pathway. This course helps you achieve language proficiency and prepares you for college requirements.
The duration of the Pathway depends on your language proficiency level and allows you to apply and go to Canada before the start of college. Thus, your acceptance to the chosen program is pending approval at the end of the Pathway.
6- Application
In addition to language proficiency, you will also need to provide your school transcripts. The translation must be sworn, and some colleges and courses require a minimum grade for approval. In my case, it required a minimum of 60% in mathematics. You will also need to have a valid passport for the entire duration of the course.
To apply, you will have to pay a fee. If your application is approved, the college will send you the Letter of Acceptance. This letter will be an essential part of your visa application.
7- Visa
Finally, we have reached the last stage that will be decisive for you to go to college in Canada! As I said, as soon as you have a Letter of Acceptance, you are practically eligible to apply for a study visa. In the case of co-op, study and work visa.
But why practically? Here comes the less pleasant part of this adventure. It would be so easy if we could simply receive the visa with our letter of acceptance, pack our bags and go. But it’s not quite like that. You have to prove to the government of this wonderful country that you don’t want to stay there for no reason and that you have the money to support yourself, even if you can’t find work.
That’s right! You have to prove that you paid for 1 year of tuition or have the money saved up to pay, and also that you have money to sustain yourself during the first year.
Starting from January 2024, Canada requires you to prove that you have a total of $20,635 Canadian dollars to cover your living costs during the first year in the country. In addition to proving that you paid or have the money to cover a year of tuition and travel costs. For those going with family, the financial proof amount increases: $25,690 for 2 members, $31,583 for 3, $38,346 for 4, and so on.
For Quebec, you need to prove your ability to cover tuition, transportation expenses, and living costs, with amounts such as $14,349 for an individual over 18, $7,176 for those under 18, $21,046 for two individuals over 18, and so on.
A lot of money? Yes, a lot of money. But it makes total sense! The number of people who think they don’t need to go with a large reserve of money and end up returning because the money runs out is not small.
Studying in Canada is a long-term plan that requires strategy, as I mentioned at the beginning of the post.
Oh, but what if I’m very young and can’t afford to have this reserve of money so soon (and by soon, I mean 1/2 years)? There is another option: sponsorship!
With sponsorship proof, you don’t need to have all this money at the time of application, nor does your sponsor. You need to prove that your sponsor earns (salary) or has the necessary amount to cover all your living costs for 1 year.
And who can be my sponsor?
You can have more than one sponsor, and the most common for young people is to have parents as sponsors. But it can also be a close relative, whom you can prove a connection with. After all, everything has to make sense for immigration officials to be convinced that you are a reliable candidate.
Summing up…
So, summarizing what you need for the application:
- Letter of Acceptance from the college
- Financial proof – this includes bank statements, pay stubs, the sponsorship support letter, and anything that helps immigration officials be convinced of your financial status
- Explanation letter – not mandatory but recommended to explain your reason for wanting to study in Canada (without mentioning immigration) and demonstrate that you have ties to your country of permanent residence (e.g., employment, a home, etc.)
- Passport
- Medical exams – requested after application
- Biometrics – also requested after application
With all this in hand and translated into English by a sworn translator, just pay the fee, apply, and endure the anxiety during processing.
You can find everything about the visa application process on the official website of the Government of Canada, in great detail.
So, did this content help you prepare for your study abroad? Share and comment on your doubts, and I will answer all comments!