Studying in Canada
Canada is one of the most popular study destinations in the world – and for good reason. The country combines excellent universities with a unique quality of life. As an international student, you will have the opportunity to study at prestigious universities and colleges that are known for their diversity and innovation. But studying in Canada is not only an adventure in the lecture theatre, but also an opportunity to experience the country itself, with its impressive nature and multicultural society. Be it in bustling cities like Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal, or in the country’s vast, unspoilt landscapes, Canada offers a beautiful and friendly environment where you can quickly feel at home.
Requirements for studying in Canada
Studying in Canada requires careful planning and preparation. Before you decide to study there, there are a few prerequisites to consider:
Language skills: To study in Canada, you usually need to demonstrate your language proficiency in one of the two official languages: English or French. You can prove your English language skills through tests such as the IELTS or the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), for example. In the case of universities that offer programmes in French, the language skills are assessed on an individual basis. You can obtain more detailed information directly from the respective university.
University entrance qualification: In order to study in Canada, you usually need a university entrance qualification that is comparable to the Canadian high school diploma, such as the Abitur. Just like in Germany, some degree programmes, such as medicine, require a certain grade point average (GPA = Grade Point Average). But it is also possible to study in Canada without a high school diploma. If you hold a vocational baccalaureate or intermediate school leaving certificate and have completed vocational training, you can study at a Canadian college and acquire what is known as an associate degree.
Application process: The application process in Canada varies from university to university. It is important to find out early on, as many deadlines are often up to a year before the start of your studies. The required documents usually include certificates, a personal statement / cover letter and a letter of recommendation.
Visa: To study in Canada, you need a so-called study permit. To attend a university in Québec, you will also need the Certificat d'acceptation du Québec pour études (CAQ pour études), a permit specific to Quebec.
Tuition fees: Costs vary depending on the university and programme. In general, annual fees for international students range from 7,000 to 36,000 CAD (4,600 to 24,000 euros). However, medical and other specialised courses can be more expensive.
Cost of living: The cost of living in Canada varies according to where you live. In cities like Toronto or Vancouver, the cost of housing and living can be higher than in smaller towns or rural areas. On average, however, students should expect monthly costs of around 1,300 CAD (865 euros).
Additional costs: In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, students should also expect extra costs, such as insurance, study materials or additional fees.
Student life in Canada
A central aspect of being a student in Canada is campus life. Most universities offer accommodation directly on campus, which not only means you do not have to go far to attend lectures or visit the libraries, but also makes it easier to socialise with other students. For international students, universities often offer special services and programmes, such as language cafés, groups or events, to help them settle in. Everyday work can also be part of life. With a valid study permit, many students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester – be it on campus or in the surrounding area. This not only helps with funding, but also provides valuable insights into the working life in Canada. But Canada also has a lot to offer off campus. National parks, outdoor adventures and exciting cities such as Vancouver, Montreal or Toronto await to impress you with their cultural diversity and dynamism.
Academic landscape in Canada
Canada’s higher education system allows for many different educational paths. It is characterised above all by flexibility and modularity, allowing students to adapt their course of study to their individual goals. In Canada, a distinction is made between degree-granting institutions, such as universities and technical institutes, and non-degree-granting institutions, the colleges.
The academic year typically consists of two semesters: the fall semester from September to December and the winter semester from January to April. However, some institutions divide the academic year into trimesters or quarters.
The Canadian academic landscape consists of several types of higher education institutions that offer different programmes and degrees:
Universities: Canadian universities offer a wide range of academic programmes that are particularly suitable for students who, for example, want to study medicine, law or physiotherapy in Canada. These programmes are divided into Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes, and offer flexibility, allowing students to choose courses from different disciplines. Many Canadian universities also offer co-op programmes that allow academic studies to be combined with practical experience. For students who want to work in interdisciplinary fields, liberal arts universities offer a comprehensive education.
Colleges: Colleges focus more on vocational courses of study and offer qualifications such as certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees. These serve in their own right as qualifications for entry into professional life. Some colleges also offer transfer programmes that allow students to transfer to a university. The CÉGEP system (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel) in Québec offers a special form of college education, with two-year university preparation programmes and three-year programmes focused on the labour market.
Polytechnics and technical institutes: In collaboration with industry, polytechnics and technical institutes offer specialised programmes that are highly practice-oriented. These institutions offer a variety of technical and vocational courses, such as mechanical engineering, engineering, technology and IT, which specifically prepare students for the job market. At these institutes, you can obtain certificates, diplomas and Bachelor’s degrees in applied fields.
Requirements for a “study permit”
To study in Canada, you usually need a study permit. The study permit is required if you want to study full-time at a recognised Canadian institution. With this permission to study, you will automatically receive a visa to stay in the country during your studies. If you are studying in Quebec, you will need an additional permit: the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). The application must be made before entering Canada and can be submitted online or through the Canadian embassy or consulates. Here are the key requirements:
- Admission to a Canadian institution of higher education: To obtain a study permit, you must have an admission confirmation from a recognised Canadian educational institution.
- Provincial Attestation Letter: You will receive official certification from the Canadian province in which you will be studying. This Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) must be submitted when applying for the study permit.
- Proof of sufficient financial resources: You must prove that you can afford tuition fees, living expenses and the flight back to your home country. The amount varies depending on the university and region.
- Police clearance certificate: You must have an impeccable police clearance certificate and may not have a criminal record.
- Good health: For a study permit, you must prove that you are in good health, possibly by means of a medical examination.
- Copy of passport
- Two biometric passport photos
- Other documents: You may be required to provide additional documents when applying. Find out about this on the Canadian government website.
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More information about Canada
Would you like to learn more about Canada, or do you need information and tips on how to settle into everyday life in Canada? Then find out more here:
FAQs: Studying in Canada
Canada offers excellent universities, a high quality of life and a multicultural society. Co-op programmes and opportunities to work after graduation make it particularly attractive to international students. The country is also known for its natural beauty and safe environment.
With a technical college entrance qualification, you can study in Canada at colleges or at CEGEPs in Québec. These offer programmes that are also accessible without a university entrance qualification. A typical course of study for students with a technical college entrance qualification often leads to an associate degree, which can form the basis for a later Bachelor’s degree at a university.
Yes, in Canada, international students can study at colleges or CEGEPs (in Québec) without a high school diploma. At these, you can study towards an associate degree, which can serve as the basis for a later Bachelor’s degree. Some colleges also offer so-called “transfer programs” that allow students to transfer to universities to complete a full Bachelor’s degree. The prerequisites are often sufficient language skills and an intermediate school leaving certificate as well as completed vocational training.
Yes, it is possible, but recognition of a foreign medical degree in Canada is contingent on certain requirements being met. International medical professionals must have their studies evaluated by the Medical Council of Canada, pass a licensing exam (MCCQE) and often complete additional clinical experience in Canada.
It is possible for international students to study medicine in Canada, but difficult because many programmes only accept Canadians or permanent residents. After completing their studies, international graduates can work in Canada with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). However, additional exams and a residency are required to practice as a doctor.
Canada offers excellent psychology programmes at prestigious universities, which often combine a research-based approach with practical applications. The international recognition of Canadian degrees, the multicultural academic environment and the opportunity to deepen topics such as intercultural psychology make Canada an attractive choice.
You can study law in Canada. In Canada, law studies are offered as a “Juris Doctor” (JD), which is roughly equivalent to law studies in other countries. Entry to JD programmes typically requires a Bachelor’s degree, with no specific course of study required for admission. Applicants are also often required to take a standardised test such as the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
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Jasmine Chegaing, Content Writer
Jasmine joined lingoking as a working student in November of 2024. She supports the content marketing team with its SEO strategy and writes for the lingoking guide and other media. Her motto: “The most radical thing you can do is be yourself.”
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Dr. Tracey Kimmeskamp
A native of Northern Ireland, Tracey has lived in Germany’s Ruhrgebiet for over 20 years. She has been working with lingoking as a translator since 2016, all the while diligently training for her dream career in mochi quality control.
