Are you a recent graduate and want to continue your studies abroad? Are you looking for universities that offer quality teaching? Many African students choose Canada as a destination to pursue their higher education.
This choice is not surprising because, according to Immigrer.com, Canada is one of the countries with the best quality of life. In addition, Canadian bilingualism allows students to distinguish themselves professionally and the cost of tuition fees is generally lower than in other developed countries.
In this article, we explore the top 6 steps for international students to take to pursue their university education in Canada.
Universities in Canada are considered to be among the best universities in the world. Every year, thousands of international students choose to pursue their post-secondary studies there.
The first step when you want to study in Canada is to have a fairly clear idea of its universities in order to choose the right one for you.
Are you hesitating between several establishments? To narrow down your choice, it’s up to you to carry out your little investigation by rummaging through the universities’ websites.
However, here is a list of 10 questions that can help you make up your mind.
After choosing the Canadian university of your choice, you must then target the faculty and your specialty of study. In fact, Canadian universities offer several faculties, each with dozens of specialties.
However, each University has its own degree programs. Thus, it is essential to have an idea about the specialties of study before starting your immigration procedure.
Please note: we advise you to contact the University or faculty of your choice directly for more information on the specialties offered.
If you want to study in Canada, then you should first find out about the dates of enrollment in the different universities chosen.
Each university in Canada has its own dates for registration. These differ according to several factors, including:
The most reliable way to get accurate dates on university registrations is to get in touch with the institution in question.
Speaking of registrations, don’t be offended if you’re asked to shell out money at the time of submitting your application. Obviously, this will be the administrative costs of processing the files sent. It can cost hundreds of dollars depending on your choice of University. Similarly, the actual amount to be paid by students applying from countries other than Canada depends on the currency conversion rate on the day of payment.
In the same vein, the best way to pay for your registration or cover your application fee is by credit card or debit card. Cameroonian students have at their disposal the PaySika virtual bank card, one of the most convenient and fastest ways to complete your online application.
To study in Canada as a foreigner, there are admission requirements that must be met. In addition, each university may require its own admission criteria. Here is some commonly requested information:
Canadian universities have a clear registration process in place to allow domestic and especially international students to enroll by following clearly defined steps. All you have to do is go to their dedicated space on the portal of each of them and register in order to start the process.
Images of a Cannadian university website
The majority of universities even offer dedicated guides to support students.
Once you receive a favourable response from a Canadian university regarding your application, you must then pay your tuition fees.
Find out about tuition fees based on your level of study. Postsecondary tuition fees in Canada are generally lower than colleges and universities in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (QS Top Universities, 2022)
All costs are in Canadian dollars. Find exchange rates with the Bank of Canada’s currency converter.
Tuition fees for universities vary depending on the program and institution you choose. On average, university tuition fees in Canada are around:
As a foreign student, you also have several ways to pay your study fees:
Illustrative images of paying on a Canadian university site with the PS card
Once you have gathered the information on the different costs of studying in Canada, you need to find a way to plan a financing system.
The five (5) most effective ways to finance your studies in Canada are:
This is the safest method, but not necessarily the easiest.
In fact, you must budget between $10,000 and $50,000 per year to be able to finance your studies at a Canadian university.
Prices for studying in Canada can vary depending on the specialty of study and the university itself.
Scholarships in Canada (link to article on scholarships) are for students with a fairly bright educational background.
Scholarships can partially or fully fund your studies in Canada. In addition, you can find scholarships for students that take care of not only studies, but also living and living expenses.
It is possible for you to do a student job in Canada. This is because as an international student, you can look for a part-time job in Canada.
The Off-Campus Work Permit Program allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during the regular school term and full-time during scheduled vacations.
International students in Canada may have access to a wide range of financial aid options to assist them with the cost of their studies in Canada.
Financial aid can be in the form of a merit scholarship or in the form of an economic scholarship.
International students in Canada have access to student loans on the same terms as Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
As a result, international students pay the same interest rates and have the same repayment schedules as Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
However, many banks offer segregated loans, lines of credit, and student interest rates.
A study permit is a document issued by an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officer that allows an international student to continue their studies in Canada for a limited period of time.
This is because most international students must obtain a permit to study in Canada, regardless of their nationality.
Here are the eligibility requirements to acquire a study permit:
In addition, before applying for a study permit in Canada, you must have the following documents:
Typically, you must apply for a study permit before you even come to Canada.
There are two (2) ways to apply for a study permit: online or by visiting a Visa Application Centre in your country.
Note: Depending on the country you are applying from, it can take up to 3 months to obtain a study permit.
But, you should know that your study permit in Canada is not a visa, it does not allow you to enter Canada.
Indeed, depending on your nationality, you must obtain one of two documents, namely:
In addition, you should note that the fee for a study permit in Canada is $150 CAD.
Whether it is to pay your registration or tuition fees in the case of some Universities or your study permit, it is now possible for Cameroonian students to do so directly online using their PayIka bank card.
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