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    Things To Know Before Choosing Canada As A Study Destination

    By Jitin Chawla
    5 Mar'22  7 min read
    Things To Know Before Choosing Canada As A Study Destination
    Synopsis

    Canada is one of the premier study abroad destinations for international students, especially for Indian students. Studying in Canada has great merits as the country provides an education that is best-in-class, a variety of learning opportunities, and enough opportunities for students to earn while they study. However, there are a few things that one should know about before deciding to study in Canada after 12th. This article will help you understand the nuances of studying in Canada, including the types of educational institutions in Canda, the colleges and universities in Canada, the study in Canada cost, and the types of degrees that are awarded.  

    Things To Know Before Choosing Canada As A Study Destination
    Synopsis

    Canada is one of the premier study abroad destinations for international students, especially for Indian students. Studying in Canada has great merits as the country provides an education that is best-in-class, a variety of learning opportunities, and enough opportunities for students to earn while they study. However, there are a few things that one should know about before deciding to study in Canada after 12th. This article will help you understand the nuances of studying in Canada, including the types of educational institutions in Canda, the colleges and universities in Canada, the study in Canada cost, and the types of degrees that are awarded.  

    Canada, with its stellar reputation in research, professional courses, quality of life, and academic freedom, has established its presence in the domain of international education and profession. When the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the entire system of education, national and international, a lot of countries shied away from hosting international students. Canada acknowledged the essentiality of these global citizens and immigrants, wholeheartedly inviting applications, providing the best support, and accommodating the international community with sincerity and assurance. Canada offers immersive and interdisciplinary courses across all fields of study. Similar to the United States, medicine and law are only taught at the graduate level as MD and JD programs respectively.

    Studying In Canada - Types Of Educational Institutions

    1. Universities: Universities are the educational bodies that offer undergraduate and graduate programs, the duration for which is 4 years and 6 years respectively. Graduation programs that are of 6 years lead to awarding of an integrated master’s + PhD, while those shorter than 6 years lead to awarding of a master’s. For those who want to study in Canada after 12th, the co-op programs are amongst the most sought after as students are allowed to engage in work experience during their academic journey, and extend the duration of their degree to 5 years. Students also have the option of pursuing doctorate degrees, which can take up to 4-5 years, depending upon one’s chosen specialisation. Similar to the United States, Canada also offers integrated graduate programs (Master’s + PhD) for students with an interest in academia in the long term. Canadian universities are segmented into different schools and institutions which offer specific programs. Students are encouraged to be flexible in their academic approach, and benefit from the diverse variety of courses offered in universities. Universities in Canada like the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, McGill University, McMaster University, and Western University are amongst the most popular destinations for students. Universities in Canada are typically more academically intensive institutions, with degrees focused on research, instead of having a vocational inclination. When opting to study in Canada, cost factors are important to consider as well. University education costs students anything between 20 lakh - 40 lakh annually in reputed institutions, in terms of only the tuition fee. There are also several scholarships that students can look into to reduce the cost of studying in Canada.

    1. Colleges or vocational schools: Whilst certain colleges offer degree programs at the undergraduate level, most of these institutions are renowned for offering specific, industry-centric certificate programs, short term courses and diploma courses. The duration can vary from 1-2 years, depending upon the course. Because the diploma courses offer specialised knowledge, these courses can help an individual’s transition from high school to university become easier. Some of the institutions offering the same are George Brown College, Dawson College, St. Lawrence College, Niagara College and more. Students typically opt for colleges for coursework that is not academically intensive but offers students direct pathways into specific fields of employment. College education is inexpensive compared to universities, with the average tuition fee ranging from 8 lakh - 20 lakh in renowned institutions.

    Studying in Canada - Types of degrees awarded

    1. Degree Programs: Degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels are academically focused programs that give students research and practical opportunities in a particular subject field. Most degree programs are offered by universities in Canada, and are 1-5 years long. Outcomes after degree programs include placements in multinational/large scale companies and organisations as well as distinguished careers in academia. However, admission to degree programs is very competitive, especially at the graduate level, due to the limited number of seats available for international students. Admissions into degree programs require students to develop comprehensive and thorough profiles and achieve excellent academic and standardised test scores. Students can apply to degree programs whilst they are enrolled in another academic institution. Some examples of degree programs are Bachelor’s in Science with Biotechnology, Bachelor’s in Science in Psychology, Master’s of Management in Analytics, Master’s of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and many more.

    1. Diploma Programs: Diploma courses offer a holistic as well as an in-depth insight into specific courses, which facilitates a student to gain an understanding of the scholastic and co-scholastic merits of a specific course. Since diplomas are often more technical or trade-based, they are helpful when a student wants to pursue vocational careers in specific industries. Diploma programs allow students to enter specific industries such as hospitality, without incurring a high investment on their education. One of the major advantages of diploma courses is that they are relatively cost-effective, and allow students to work while pursuing the program through organised co-op opportunities. Whilst diploma programs are typically less competitive from an admissions standpoint, students need to complete their existing degrees/diplomas to apply. This implies that whilst you can apply for a degree program during the last semester of your 4-year long course, your diploma application can only be submitted once your program has concluded. Students studying in Canada can pursue diplomas after their undergraduate education, or after their high-school education. Examples include Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management, PG Certificate in Web Development, PG Certificate in Cyber Security, Diploma in Business Management and more.

    Canada is an ideal study abroad destination to pursue education and training at any level because it offers extensive training related to both coursework and research interest. Many opportunities also facilitate you to gain experience in the job market, allowing you to build your personality. And since the employability rate is high, along with professional skill development, students try to settle there because of the high standard of living and world-renowned reputation. Other positives can include :

    1. Co-Op Learning: This gives students a deeper, richer educational experience, real-world work experience, career connections and employment income during work terms. This helps students gain practical work experience in areas that complement one’s personal strengths, interests and educational needs. Co-op programs also facilitate you to build up associations and develop networks in the job market. It is very common for students who study in Canada after 12th to convert their co-op opportunities into full-time jobs after the completion of the diploma program which, basically, allows them to earn while learning. Building an evidence-based career portfolio to support the application process for work, college or university can assist one in getting good credits.

    2. Stay Back Policies: Canada allows you to stay up to 3 years depending upon your course. But how are these policies beneficial for you? Students often look forward to becoming a part of the Canadian job market for the intensive training they get at the academic level. Fields including interior design, architecture, and environmental engineering are developing at a rapid rate. Upon completing your study in Canada after 12th, if you are planning to settle in Canada, the stay back policies offered by the country might help you make your decision. From post-study work permits to taking up to 1 year to look for employment, everything is available to accommodate students there.

    With more than 600 thousand international students currently pursuing their dream education in the various top-ranked universities in Canada, and more entering the international job market with stellar qualifications and lucrative post-study opportunities, it is safe to assume that the allure of Canada is only going to grow. Going beyond simple rankings and scales, the feedback, growth, experience, opportunities, healthcare, safety, versatility, and ease of access makes Canada an ideal study abroad destination to pursue education and training at any level.

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