Canada

Introduction

In Canada, education is regulated by each separate provincial government through the individual ministries of education. The ministries of education oversee smaller bodies called boards of education or district school boards (such as the Toronto District School Board) which oversee the individual schools.

There are 10 provinces and three territories, each with their own way of organizing education, but there are some generalizations that one can make about Canadian education.

Canada is made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories in the north. The only country Canada 's land borders with is the United States to the south (6379km long) and the US state of Alaska to the northwest.

Toronto is the largest city and commercial hub whereas Ottawa is the capital of Canada . The two official languages of bi-lingual Canada is English and French. The majority of the French speaking population reside in Quebec although communities are also strong in New Brunswick and Ontario and can be found across the country.

How much does it cost to study in Canada?

Students must request precise tuition amounts from the institution they wish to attend. The range of tuition fees shown below is for eight months of study (a normal academic year) and does not include incidental fees that might be required to complete registration.

Graduate student fees vary greatly depending on the program and province of study. Most provinces charge higher fees for international students (known as differential fees), and some offer a limited number of exemptions from the higher fees.

Reasons to Study in Canada

1. The United Nations ranked Canada as the best place in the world to live! This assessment was based upon Canada's achievements in terms of educational attainment, life expectancy, national income and general quality of life. It also included Canada's abundance of fresh water, comfortable population density, low incidence of violent crime and a health care system that is a model for the world.

2. Canada's education system is excellent and ranks among the best in the world. Moreover Canadian tuition fees are among the lowest in English-speaking countries.

3. Internationally recognized degrees. Canada boasts a wide range of quality educational institutions for both degrees and diplomas in technical and professional disciplines. Over 106,000 international students attend Canadian colleges and universities. This means that you can meet people from around the world as well as people from your own country.

4. Possibility to work in Canada after graduation. International students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college have the opportunity to work in Canada for up to one year after they receive their degree or diploma. International students can work on campus without a work permit. Plans are being made to allow international students to work off-campus, too.

5. A safe, stable country. Canada is a peaceful, politically stable, and safe country. We have laws that protect the rights of our citizens and our country is relatively unaffected by natural disasters. Almost 65 per cent of international students involved in a 1999 CBIE survey cited Canada's reputation as a safe country as an important reason for deciding to study here.

6. Excellent health care. Compared to other countries, medical insurance is inexpensive in Canada yet the services that Canadian hospitals provide are among some of the most advanced and accessible in the world.

7. Learn or improve another language! For over a century, Canada's two official languages (English and French) have been taught as second languages, which is why we are world leaders in language training. International students often choose to take language courses before beginning a regular academic program.

8. A multicultural country. Canada is home to a large number of aboriginal people, called First Nations. Over the past century and a half, Canada has welcomed 15 million immigrants. Every year, some 200,000 new immigrants arrive here making Canada the nation that receives the most newcomers annually based on its population, which recently exceeded 31 million. Canada has a national policy for multiculturalism and works to ensure that people's customs and traditions are preserved and respected.

Basic requirements for a Study Permit:

All applicants wishing to study in Canada must satisfy an officer that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for the stay, that they will not contravene the conditions of admission (for example, that they will not work without prior authorization or waiver) and that they do not belong in a category of persons inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

In reaching a decision, an officer will need to be satisfied that you:

• have a valid letter of acceptance from an educational institution
• have adequate funds available to you to pay for your tuition and living expenses while in Canada and to return to your country of residence
• are in good health
• are law-abiding and have no record of criminal activity
• will not be a risk to the security of Canada

When should apply?

You should apply as early as possible once you receive your acceptance letter. Canadian High Commission, New Delhi recommends that your application be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the beginning of the term, particularly for students commencing in September. Please note that medical examinations are usually required for students who are tentatively approved. This adds a minimum of two weeks to the processing of your application.

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