Study in Canada

Key highlights

• DLI framework — every Study Permit application must name a Designated Learning Institution; since 2024, most undergraduate and college applicants also need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — up to 3 years of open work rights after graduation; eligibility is now tied to a field-of-study list aligned with in-demand occupations.
• Pathway to PR — Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class (CEC) rewards Canadian study + skilled work; Provincial Nominee Programs add further routes.
• Three intakes — Fall (September, main), Winter (January), and Spring/Summer (May).
• Work rights — 24 hours/week off-campus during term (raised from 20 in 2024) and full-time during scheduled breaks.

Popular programmes

• Computer Science, Data Science, and Business Analytics
• Engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, software)
• Healthcare, Nursing, and Pharmacy
• Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Supply Chain and Construction Project Management

Tests & eligibility

• English proficiency — IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT 86+, or PTE Academic 60+ (most universities). The Student Direct Stream was discontinued by IRCC on 8 November 2024; all applicants now use the regular Study Permit stream.
• Academic record — 65–80%+ in Class XII for undergraduate diplomas/degrees; 65–75%+ in the bachelor's for postgraduate diplomas and master's programmes.
• GRE / GMAT — required for selected research master's and top MBA programmes (Rotman, Ivey, Desautels, Schulich); most taught master's and college PG diplomas are test-optional.

Cost of studying in Canada

Canada remains one of the more affordable English-speaking destinations, especially for college diplomas and Atlantic/Prairie provinces. Total annual budget for most students sits between CAD $35,000 and CAD $60,000 including tuition and living costs.

• Tuition — CAD $20,000–$45,000/year at universities (UG and PG); CAD $14,000–$22,000/year at public colleges. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal cluster at the higher end.
• Living — CAD $12,000–$15,000/year on average; metro Toronto and Vancouver typically need CAD $18,000+ once rent is included.
• Health — provincial health coverage in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland; mandatory private/university insurance elsewhere.
• Scholarships — Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Banting Postdoctoral, Trudeau Foundation, plus university entrance scholarships and program-specific awards.

Student visa basics

• Secure a Letter of Acceptance from a DLI and obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) where required.
• Apply online via IRCC: visa fee CAD $150 plus CAD $85 biometrics; submit proof of funds, academic and English documents, and medical exam.
• Show proof of funds equal to at least one year of tuition plus IRCC's minimum living-cost benchmark (CAD $20,635 single applicant since January 2024, indexed annually). Many applicants still use a Canadian Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) as the cleanest evidence.
• Biometrics at a VFS Global centre; processing typically 4–12 weeks. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was discontinued on 8 November 2024.