Undergraduate Studies in Canada - Everything You Need to Know

Studying in Canada has become an appealing option for international students. It is an excellent alternative for those looking for an affordable degree as an international student. Canada offers low tuition rates for international and domestic students. In addition, the education system in Canada is reputable and comparable to countries such as the U.K. and the U.S.

 Moreover, undergraduate studies in Canada can take a variety of forms. In this post, we will provide information in detail on everything you need to know about undergraduate studies in Canada, and also discuss the various types of bachelor's degrees offered, the benefits of studying in Canada, as well as how to enroll in undergraduate studies in Canada.

Undergraduate Studies in Canada

Students at the baccalaureate or bachelor's level are known as undergraduates. However, a bachelor's degree is an academic degree earned for an undergraduate study course that could range in length of time. This depends on the country, discipline, and most times the education institution.

Moreover, bachelor's degrees or undergraduate studies in Canada normally require three or four years of full-time study, depending on the province or whether the program is general or specialized. Moreover, bachelor's degrees exist in almost every country in the world. The study programs mainly lead to degrees such as Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Law (LL.B.), Bachelor of Business (B.BA), amongst others.

Furthermore, studying in Canada has become an interesting option for international students across the globe. Besides, not only is Canada one of the safest places to go to in the world. But major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver also have a wealth of cultural diversity that is truly inviting to foreign students from everywhere in the world. Thereby, making the international students feel at home, away from home.

Why Enroll in Undergraduate Studies in Canada?

Studying in Canada is affordable when it comes to undergraduate studies in Canada, affordability is a significant factor. In order words, studying in Canada is an excellent alternative for those looking for an affordable degree as an international student. Most international students choose to study in Canada for the low tuition prices, ease and comfort of living, and great reputation of the universities.

Furthermore, the tuition fees for international students are significantly lower than those charged by other top universities around the world and can go as low as $5000/year or more depending on the program of study. Canadian schools also offer financial assistance such as scholarships and bursaries. Which you could avail of to offset the costs of studying in Canada.

Here are other reasons to study in Canada:

However, aside from the fact that education in Canada is affordable, here are other major reasons why international students choose to study in Canada:

1. High Academic Standards

The quality of a Canadian education is one of the biggest reasons international students come to Canada. Diplomas or degrees from  Canadian colleges and universities are widely recognized around the world. In fact, they are recognized as equal to one from the United States, Australia, or the United Kingdom.

Moreover, Canadian universities are among the best educational institutions. That is to say, Canadian universities consistently do well in international rankings. Some of the top international universities and colleges are located in Canada.

2. Employment Opportunities

While studying in Canada, students are offered the opportunity to take up part-time jobs both on-campus and off-campus by the country's special regulations. Moreover, international students are not required to obtain a work permit when working on campus. Once an international student has graduated, they can work in Canada for up to 3 years. Canada is one of the largest economies in the world, so there are a lot of working opportunities for graduates.

3. Cultural Diversity

Each year Canada welcomes thousands of immigrants from all over the world with open arms. Thereby, making Canada one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse countries in the world. Over 50% of the population does not speak English as their first language and most of these foreigners come to Canada for higher education.

However, international students are welcomed in Canada each year count more than 120,000. Therefore, while studying in Canada, you will be surrounded by a large multicultural environment. However, you’ll find extremely warm and welcoming people who come from varied ethnic groups with different cultures and lifestyles both in classrooms, as well as in society.

4. Friendly Immigration Options

Canada is known for its immigration-friendly policies. For instance, Canada has a lot of programs designed to encourage international students to transition to permanent residence after their studies. Such as Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PWPP) allows students to stay and work in Canada for up to three years after completing their graduation. You can gain some international work experience and apply for permanent residency later on.

Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Studies in Canada

However, the eligibility requirements for any study level in Canada may vary depending on the university or institution you are applying to. But Canadian universities and colleges use a minimum Grade Point Average score to assess the academic eligibility of applicants to study in Canada.  The GPA is a standard method of calculating a student's average grade for his or her study period in high school.

Moreover, aside from GPA qualification, international students need to take certain standardized entrance tests/exams to enroll for their undergraduate studies in Canada. However, these tests include the following:

IELTS (International English Language Testing System):

IELTS is an international standardized English language test for study, migration, or work. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration for non-native English speakers.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):

TOEFL is an internationally accepted standardized test of English language proficiency for those who want to study and work abroad. It's the only test that measures all 4 academic English skills — reading, listening, speaking, and writing — the way they are actually used in a classroom.

How to Apply to Undergraduate Studies in Canada

Furthermore, here's how the application process for undergraduate studies looks:

1. Choose a Program:

Firstly, you start by choosing the degree program that is right for you. However, there are degrees in a multitude of fields across disciplines. You can study in Canada and almost every degree program in Canada will be taught in English.

2. Universities to Consider for Your Undergraduate Studies in Canada:

Secondly, you should do thorough research and find the university of your preference that suits your standards. However, there are top universities in Canada that are all recognized internationally as excellent global schools and still offer much more affordable tuition rates than their international counterparts.

• Graduation certificate/diploma
• Filled-in application form
• Resume or CV
• A letter of intent
• Evidence that you can support yourself financially during your studies in Canada
• Two letters of academic reference that attest to the preparation for Master's/PhD studies (including letters from employers).

Translated documents should be certified by a professional translator. You will have to include the original versions of the documents as well.  Always consult the university website for specific admission requirements and contact the appropriate university office if you have any questions.

4. Submit Your Application:

Most applications to universities in Canada are done through an online application system. Application forms are available through specific university websites, and often require an application fee to be paid. After you’ve completed the application form, attach the necessary documents or prepare to mail them to the university.

However, international students planning to start their undergraduate studies in Canada have the opportunity to enroll in their studies during two enrolment sessions:

• The application deadline for winter enrolment is the 1st of September.
• Summer enrolments start on 15th January for Master's students and earlier for Bachelor's students.

You should always check the official website of the study program for up-to-date information as deadlines vary between institutions different courses at the same university may have different deadlines. Try to submit your application 8 to 12 months before courses start, to increase your chances of acceptance.

5. Final Step:

After meeting the requirements, completing the application process, and getting accepted at the university, you will receive an official letter of acceptance from the university.

Upon acceptance into a Canadian university, begin the Canadian Visa application process (if necessary) as soon as possible. Because the process can take up to sixty days and requires several important documents, do not wait. Students from countries outside Canada will not be allowed to enter and stay in Canada if they are not in possession of the proper visa.

After you’ve been admitted to a university and have received the necessary visa, it’s time to begin your adventures in Canada.

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Moreover, here are affordable options available to international students looking for the most affordable study options Canada has to offer:

Brandon University:

Location: Brandon, Manitoba

Tuition: $7,203

Degree Programs: BA, BBA, BEd, BFA, BM, BN, BSc

International students at Brandon U are invited to apply through the university’s international application process. Brandon University claims to have a long and positive relationship with international students and offers one-to-one professor interactions and research opportunities not available at larger universities.

Université de Saint-Boniface

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Tuition: $7,482

Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degrees in Arts, Social Work, Translation, Science, Nursing, Business, and Education. Students may continue studies towards a Master’s degree at the University of Manitoba

International students at Saint-Boniface must expect to be able to speak a certain level of French as this is a French university. Some programs also require a level of English proficiency as well.

University of Guelph

Location: Guelph, Ontario

Tuition: $9,730

Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degrees from 5 Colleges (Arts, Biological Sciences, Business & Economics, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Social & Applied Human Sciences)

International students at Guelph will receive special assistance at the university with visa applications, English language study, and housing, and have access to an advisor specifically for international students.

Canadian Mennonite University

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Tuition: $10,003

Degree Programs: Three- and four-year BA, BSc, BBA, and Master’s Programs

International students at CMU are welcomed and encouraged to apply due to the undoubtedly wide variety of experiences and perspectives that they may bring. International students may choose from over 19 majors for bachelor’s studies.

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Location: St. Johns, Newfoundland

Tuition: $11,460

Degree Programs: More than 100 programs for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Certificates

International students at MUN: Memorial University warmly welcome and encourage international applications. The university offers specialized services for international students such as student advising, an internationalization office, and international student groups.

Funding and Support Available for International Students in Canada

Furthermore, while studying in Canada may save you on tuition fees, you may still want to consider applying for funding and scholarships. There are plenty of scholarships and grants available to international students.

The Canadian government and other agencies provide scholarships for international students studying in Canada. Some of the most popular ones include:

Organizations such as CGS, and IFPI also offer scholarship opportunities to foreign students who are interested in pursuing a degree program at one of their member universities.

In addition, some provincial governments have developed specific programs which help post-secondary students from other countries to study in their respective provinces.

International students are welcome at many universities across Canada because they help them financially to reduce tuitions fee. Some of the best universities at which foreign students can get scholarships are the University of Toronto, McGill University, Queen's University, McMaster University, etc.

There are many private scholarship agencies that also offer full-ride scholarship opportunities to international students studying in Canada.

The Scholarships Group is one of the most popular scholarship agencies that students can approach for information and guidance about their university programs.

Final Thought 

With these opportunities available, Canada is one of the most ideal destinations of preference among international students to pursue a degree at an undergraduate level. This is because it offers a quality education as well as good job prospects after completion of studies.

Canada is a great place to study because of many reasons. It has the best education system in the world and increasingly high demand for graduates and foreign students with good qualifications.

In addition, Canada hosts more than 300 colleges and universities. Which provides better opportunities for international students when it comes to pursuing undergraduate studies in any field that they wish to study. Moreover, you can check out our previous posts on Canadian Immigration.