Canada is a country with a developed system of education at different levels. The number of colleges in the country, both public and private, is approaching the 200 mark. The quality of education is controlled by the association of regional educational institutions.
The advantages of Canadian colleges include special, personal attention to students, small study groups, as well as moderate cost compared to higher education institutions.
There is no national educational system in the country. Each individual province of Canada takes responsibility for this issue. The state helps military personnel and the indigenous population to receive education.
For foreigners, Canadian colleges are of particular interest because of their affordable cost and a large selection of study programs. In colleges, you can become a bachelor, complete diploma and postgraduate programs. Everything takes place taking into account the requirements of the labor market, and the study itself is based on obtaining practical skills.
Classes are held in classrooms where working conditions are recreated as plausibly as possible. takes place in prestigious organizations.
Admission to the college of this country guarantees in the future a good job as a specialist. Foreigners are attracted by both favorable and. For admission to a Canadian college in 2019, it is necessary to collect a package of documents for the admission committee:
- a school diploma of secondary education or a university diploma;
- the average level of knowledge of English - the minimum requirements;
- confirmation of linguistic knowledge;
- a portfolio of creative works, if you plan to enter the faculty of graphic design or animation. It is also mandatory to pass an exam in drawing.
The cheapest places to live for college students are student residences and the home of a local family. The second option is chosen by many foreign citizens, since there is a separate room in a large house, meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner - are included in the price, and you need to pay about 800 Canadian dollars per month, which is considered a pretty good deal.
It is worth considering the fact that all students who have not reached the age of majority are required by law to live with a local host family. The exception is the summer language program at the college: students study and live on the territory of the educational institution throughout the entire language course.
Types of educational programs
All colleges in the country are divided into community, that is, public, and technical - technical orientation. The rating of educational institutions is on many sites of the relevant subject. Training takes place with the aim of training professionals in the field of business and production.
College them. J. Brown
Each educational institution offers students various educational programs:
- Mastering skills in programming, accounting, marketing, website design, construction (the student receives a diploma 3 years after admission).
- Mastering professions such as a firefighter, hairdresser, marketing assistant or secretary (the student receives a certificate after training for a period of 6 months to 1.5 years).
- Obtaining a bachelor's degree in the following specialties: tourism, business administration, computer technology.
- If a student has a diploma or bachelor's degree, a student may complete a subspecialty postgraduate program in one calendar year. Directions - personnel management, programming of computer games, marketing in the field of beauty and fashion.
The best thing you can get from college education is a practical focus in any chosen field.
An obligatory element of the curriculum is the time period for which students undergo practical training. For this reason, many locals prefer college education, as practical skills are essential for any high-paying job.
Entry methods
Admission to a Canadian college involves a variety of ways. Everyone can choose the most suitable for themselves. Many decide to take preparatory courses at the chosen educational institution. The terms depend on the knowledge of the English language, but, as a rule, training takes six months or a year.
It is worth considering that the received certificate is valid only within the framework of the institution in which it was received. Therefore, it is worth deciding in advance in which college there is a desire to undergo basic education. In addition, the method is the most expensive of all - the courses will cost no less than 8 thousand dollars.
An effective way to enter is to take linguistic courses at a private school, which will positively affect the level of English proficiency. The certificate received at the end will be valid in almost all colleges in the country. Short-term English education in boarding schools will cost 3 thousand dollars.
The method of entering a Canadian college by passing or differs in the possibility of a remote location from the chosen educational institution. The limits of passing scores depend on the chosen curriculum: IELTS - at least 6, TOEFL - 80. The method is perfect for those who are well prepared, for whom passing the test is not difficult. The exam is paid - about 500 dollars.
Another way is to take exams at the chosen college in different disciplines. It can be listening, a grammar and vocabulary test, an essay about yourself, reading, and more. etc. All results are relevant only for the specific institution where the student was tested. One test costs approximately $100.
When communicating with international students who have recently applied to a Canadian university or college, the words they say most often are “I can’t believe the process was so easy and straightforward” or “Is that it?”. And it is true. Applying to the University of Canada is a very simple and straightforward procedure, and the whole process will take you no more than an hour. Probably the hardest thing to come up with is a username and password.
There are over 100 universities in Canada and they are all different. This article will present "typical" information for most higher education institutions, but in some universities the process of admission to study has its own characteristics. Therefore, it is best to study the application process for each university you are interested in applying to, and use the information in this article only as a general starting point. Here are five key steps to successfully applying to a Canadian university:
1. Review the application requirements for each Canadian university
Education in Canada is the responsibility of each individual province, so there is no central information center in Canada like UCAS in the UK or Common App in the US. If you set out to go to Canada, then you will need to apply separately to each university or college. However, there are exceptions such as the Ontario University Application Center (OUAC) where you can apply to multiple universities by completing only one form. Some other provinces also have equivalents to the OUAC system, but for the most part you will need to submit separate applications to each university.
2. Apply instantly online
Application forms can be found and completed online from start to finish. As mentioned earlier, the entire application process will take you no more than an hour (rather, about thirty minutes). Most applications only need to include your curriculum vitae, educational history and information such as interest in enrollment and motivation, and start date and certificate confirming the level of English (IELTS, TOEFL). There is usually no requirement to provide additional information in the form of letters of recommendation or essays. Again, there are exceptions, so check every university in Canada. But, as the students say, “Is that all?!”
3. Find out the application deadlines for each Canadian university.
The deadlines for accepting applications to Canadian universities are often longer than in other countries. Typically, their admissions campaign starts no later than October of your high school year and runs through January or July, depending on the school. Some universities have multiple start dates for the admissions campaign in order to accept students from different countries and programs. The "typical" start date for applications is September each year, but at some universities it is January or even May, so students have a lot of options.
4. Learn the specifics of each university's admissions campaign in Canada
Many Canadian universities use a system called "rolling admission". This means that once the university has received your application and copies, it can evaluate you and decide on your admission. Sometimes it takes only a week from the moment you submit your application to the announcement of the results! There are also "competitive admission" programs. Universities that adhere to them will not evaluate your application until the admissions campaign is over. As you can see, it makes sense to clarify the details of accepting applications at universities you are interested in.
5. Find out what are the final requirements for admission to a Canadian university
Most Canadian universities will send you a "conditional offer of admission". This means that you have been pre-admitted to the university for the major you applied for (or an alternative major if you did not qualify for your desired major), but there are some requirements that must be met in order to receive full admission. Typically, these requirements include maintaining a GPA and successfully completing your high school studies. Please read this letter very carefully because it may contain requirements that are not so clear and obvious. International students can use this letter of pre-admission to begin the process of obtaining a study permit. All international students must obtain a valid study permit.
More information about study permits can be found at: www .cic .gc.ca. Continuing your studies in Canada is a great opportunity. One of the biggest benefits of studying in Canada is that almost 95% of our universities are publicly funded and have similar accreditation standards. This means that you will receive an excellent quality education, regardless of the university you choose. The reputation of Canadian education is highly valued around the world, and a diploma from one of our universities will give students the opportunity to continue their education further, find work and fulfill themselves anywhere in the world. By applying to a Canadian university, you are making an excellent choice!
Well, welcome to Canada? For more useful articles about studying in Canada, see our section ""
Here you will learn how to enter a Canadian university on your own.
Remember that at universities in Canada, there are employees who receive a salary for answering questions from students. Be sure to get information from the universities you are interested in by asking questions to their representatives on the pages of universities in Canada!
The sequence of steps for admission to a Canadian university
STEP 1: Choose the right universities
If you already know which university you want to go to, skip to Step 2. If not, read the guide on how to choose a university in Canada.
Need help - order the service of individual selection of the university and program.
STEP 2: Choose a specialization
If you know exactly what profession you want to get, great! Browse the Canadian university program finder and choose the right program for you.
Still thinking about which specialization to choose? Then watch the list of subjects in Canadian universities, as well as the video below about professions that will be in demand in the world and in Russia in the next 5-20 years.
STEP 3: Choose a program
If you are not sure which program is best for you, read our guide How to choose a program at a Canadian university.
STEP 4: Register in the electronic application system or on the university website
You can apply to several universities or to several programs of the same university. Most universities in Canada close applications 6-12 months before the start of the semester. You can start training in September or January, calculate the deadlines depending on this. Some universities have adopted a floating application system: documents are accepted throughout the year until the maximum number of students in the program is reached, and applications received after that are automatically transferred to the next academic year.
A complete list of admission requirements and information about deadlines can be found on the university website.
Applications and documents to universities in Canada are sent online or in paper form (which is more difficult and longer). A number of provinces have centralized electronic application systems, in others you need to submit documents through the website of the selected university.
Before sending applications, write to the selected universities in Canada that you plan to enter and want to find out in detail the contents of the package of documents, applications for admission and how to send them - the requirements of universities differ. Find out the exact entry requirements before you start preparing your application.
Need help verifying your application for admission? Order the service of checking the application and documents.
STEP 5: Prepare documents for the application for admission
For programs with a low competition, the applicant will need a minimum of effort to prepare an application. If a ranking university is chosen, get ready to work on the application in earnest.
The standard package of documents for admission to a Canadian university includes: a document on previous education, a GPA and a certificate confirming knowledge of the English language. For admission to undergraduate studies, sometimes they are asked to provide SAT / ACT tests - general and subject. Some universities may require a motivation letter and recommendations. For admission to creative specialties, a portfolio is required. Sometimes universities conduct interviews with applicants.
Document confirming previous education
The main document on the basis of which the university makes a decision on enrollment is a document confirming the previous education. When it comes time to apply to a Canadian university, applicants most often do not yet have it on hand.
Canadian universities rarely require a recommendation or characterization of a student from a teacher or employer, but this is possible. Having requested this document at home, the student may hear: “write something, and I will sign it.” Under no circumstances should you submit such recommendations to the university!
Step 6: Take TOEFL or IELTS - a test confirming knowledge of English
If your previous education was not in English, you will need to take a test to prove that you have sufficient English proficiency.
STEP 7: Pass SAT or ACT - tests for knowledge of the school curriculum
For admission to some undergraduate specialties in universities in Canada, an applicant must provide the results of SAT or ACT tests. These tests are one of the important criteria by which members of the selection committee evaluate applicants; their results are also taken into account when allocating scholarships.
STEP 9: Pay the Application Fee
Canadian universities and electronic application services charge an application fee of CAD 75-150 for admission. Payment is due after you submit your application. Within a few days you will receive a letter from the university with payment instructions.
STEP 10: Submit an application and wait for a response from the university
If you prepared the application yourself, postpone the submission for a few days - of course, if the deadlines allow - in order to carefully check everything again.
Would you like to have your application reviewed by experts?
And be patient. Most universities will respond within a month after sending the application. Even if the university is ready to take you, it is likely that you will receive a conditional offer. It will become final when you pass the final exams, and their results satisfy the chosen university.
At this stage, you will also need to communicate closely with representatives of the university - be sure to find out everything down to the smallest detail with representatives of Canadian universities.
Good luck! Break a leg!
The question of which country is better to get an education is often asked by both parents and future students themselves. Fortunately, nowadays many people are ready to pay for the education of their child in one of the foreign countries. Moreover, compared with the prices for education in the leading schools and universities of Moscow, the prices of foreign educational institutions do not look at all high.
The question of where it is better to get an education often has the following connotation: in which country, after receiving a university degree, one can stay to work and, possibly, obtain a residence permit. That is why we are going to focus on Canada.
Canada has a high standard of living and a highly developed society. The collected taxes are spent for the benefit of citizens, and therefore it is very comfortable to live here. The climate of Canada has much in common with the climate of Russia. Only about 30 million people live on the vast territory of Canada.
Education in Canada is controlled by the state in the good sense of the word (that is, it is really controlled) and is of high quality. Canada's public secondary and tertiary institutions are excellently equipped, and the student monitoring system delivers good results.
Canada is a country of immigrants. Here, after receiving a university degree, you can get a work permit within two years, and after finding a job in Canada, you can easily get a residence permit in the shortest possible time.
So, having decided that Canada is the best fit for our purposes, consider what is required to enter a Canadian university.
When it comes to the best universities in Canada, it usually takes 1-2 years of preparation after finishing 11 classes in Russia. This time will be required not only to improve the English language: even if you speak English at the IELTS 6.5 level, which allows you to study at a foreign university, it will not be superfluous to additionally improve your English. During preparation, there is an adaptation to the new learning environment and local culture, and in addition, during preparation, you can more accurately assess which of the Canadian universities and which of the specialties are best for you. The need for pre-university training in Canada is also related to the difference in the secondary education programs in Russia and Canada - Canadian schools study a year longer.
The duration of training - one or two years depends on your final grades in the certificate, the level of English proficiency, as well as the entrance requirements of universities.
Speaking about the minimum required training period, it should be noted that it is better not to strive for a minimum, but, if possible, to transfer to a Canadian school before completing a complete secondary education in Russia, or by graduating from school as an external student a year earlier. Two or three years spent in a Canadian school will allow the child to better prepare for admission to Canadian universities. For example, after the ninth grade in Russia, you can enter the tenth grade in Canada. Or after the tenth grade in Russia, enter the eleventh grade of a Canadian school. If a child graduates as an external student and completes a tenth and eleventh grade program during tenth grade, a Canadian school will most likely accept the child in their age group, eleventh grade.
The requirements of Canadian universities are very high, for poor progress they can be expelled from the university. Although this is not a reason to panic: if you receive a warning from the university, you can transfer to a college where the performance requirements are lower, and lean on your studies, close the gaps, and then, after a semester in college, return to your university again.
On the other hand, if a diploma from a prestigious Canadian university is not your goal, you can enter a college of professional and higher education immediately after finishing the eleventh grade in Russia. The entrance requirements of Canadian colleges are lower, it is easier and cheaper to study here than at universities.
To prepare for admission to universities in Canada, any public schools are suitable, as well as private schools that specialize in preparing foreigners for admission to Canadian universities.
To enroll in a secondary education program or a pre-university preparation course, you must have a good level of English proficiency. This will allow less time to be devoted to the language and more to the main subjects of the school curriculum. Otherwise, it will take more time for language training, which will affect the overall duration of preparation for the university.
When and how to apply to the university?
Admission process to Canadian universities
International students should apply directly to their chosen Canadian university. In Canada, there is no central system for applying to educational institutions, such as the Common Application in the United States.
In Canada, all educational institutions are administered by a provincial or district government, depending on location. Some provinces have their own university application system. These systems include OUAC (Ontario University Application Center) of the province of Ontario. However, many universities in Canada do not cooperate with central systems. In this case, you need to submit documents directly to the educational institution, usually online on the website of the university.
Deadline for submission of documents
For those who are going to start studying at a Canadian university in September, the application period begins almost a year in advance - in October. Submit your documents as soon as possible. It makes sense to start collecting and preparing documents a few months before they are submitted.
The deadline for submitting student documents is usually in January/February. In some cases, universities accept applications for admission until spring, after which students begin to send out the decisions of the host committee of the educational institution.
It is important to note that the host committees of different universities in Canada also work differently. So, in some universities, a decision on a student's candidacy is made immediately after receiving his documents. In other universities, enrollment of applicants is carried out on a competitive basis after the deadline. In both cases, consideration of student applications lasts about 7 weeks.
Documents for admission
In most cases, foreigners entering Canadian universities need to submit the following documents to the university:
- Transcript of school grades
- Copy of school certificate
- Transcript of university grades (if available)
- TOEFL or IELTS certificate (depending on university requirements)
A motivational essay and letters of recommendation are traditionally not as important when applying to universities in Canada as they are when applying to the US or the UK. Nevertheless, the submission of additional documents that characterize you on the positive side can still help, especially when enrolling applicants on a competitive basis.
You will also have to pay about CAD50-100 for the university to consider your application. In case of refusal to enroll, this amount is not returned to the student. You can save money by applying to several educational institutions through one of the regional systems, for example, through OUAC.
University enrollment
Students enrolled in the course, after reviewing the documents, receive an invitation letter (Offer of Admission) from the university confirming enrollment. In response to this letter, the student must also once again confirm his readiness to study at this university according to the chosen program. Detailed information about this is usually indicated in the letter itself.
After enrolling in an educational institution, the student can begin the registration process.
