After selecting an educational institution and study program in Canada, prospective international students will need to receive admission to their school of choice.

While the exact admission requirements and procedures vary from school to school, outlined below are some of the things that should be taken into consideration when preparing an application.

Language Requirements

Canada’™s two official languages are English and French. To qualify for an academic program, most English-speaking schools may ask students for whom English is not a first language to either pass an English examination test, such as TOEFL, IELTS or CAEL, or enroll in their own language program, or at an ESL partner school. French institutions may ask for a DELF test or have their own language assessment methods.

Entrance Requirements

There is no Canada-wide entrance test. Each institution sets its own admission standards and assesses the qualifications of each applicant individually.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary from school to school, and it can take four to six months to receive a decision from a school once an application has been submitted. It is important to apply as early as possible in order to ensure enough time to obtain a Study Permit and land in Canada before the study program begins. This process can take between eight and 15 weeks. It is a good idea to begin gathering the necessary documents and information approximately one year in advance.

Academic Year

The academic year usually runs from September to May. Some schools are on a semester or trimester system, with all courses available even in the summer. Some programs also have a January intake.

Studying English or French as a Second Language

Prospective international students studying either French or English as a second language at a private institution in Canada can verify that the program is of good quality on the Languages Canada website. This organization provides a quality assessment of the language schools across Canada and offers lists of approved programs and members.

Institution/Program Recognition

In Canada the provincial and territorial governments are in charge of education. Through provincial legislation, universities are given the right to grant degrees and the establishment of colleges is regulated. If you wish to verify whether an institution you are considering attending is recognized or authorized to grant degrees, diplomas, or certificates, please consult the directory of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.

There is no official ranking of Canadian universities and colleges, as it is widely acknowledged that most post-secondary programs are quite consistent in terms of quality.

Distance Education

Individuals unable to come to Canada to study at a post-secondary institution may wish to consider the many online programs offered by Canadian universities and colleges. These programs can provide individuals a head start on a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate by taking a course or two online before arriving in Canada.

Financial Assistance

Individuals who need help to finance their Canadian studies may, as a first step, contact the government of their country of citizenship. There may be scholarships, low-interest loans, or other awards you qualify for. In addition, the financial aid office of the university or college you wish to attend may be in a position to offer assistance. They may have financing options available to international students.

In order to determine if credits can be transfered from another post-secondary institution, contact the Canadian university or college you wish to attend, as each institution has its own policy regarding transfer credits. Your current educational institution may have an agreement with certain institutions in Canada to allow for credit recognition. You should contact the international relations office of your university for more information.

Application

Once a university or college you wish to apply for admission to has been selected, prospective international students will need to write directly to their office of admissions or office of graduate admissions (for undergraduate/college programs and graduate programs, respectively) and ask for detailed application information and forms. The decision will generally be announced four to six months after the application deadline. In some provinces/regions. candidates may submit applications electronically.