Choose your Education
There are many different types of schools and institutions in Canada.Whether students want a school with a robust athletics department, innovative research or experiential learning programs, Canadian universities have a lot to offer. Many schools and institutions across the country also offer opportunities to study in French.
- Do you want to study in the city or in the country?
- Do you want to study at a small or large college or university?
- Is it important that you live somewhere warm or cold?
- What level qualification do you want? (certificate, diploma, degree etc). You will probably find that the course you want to study is offered at several places in Canada.
- You will also need to consider the institution’s academic entrance requirements, as each college or university and each course has its own standards. If you don’t have enough English, you will need to think about English Language too.
Tuition Fee
Range of Annual Tuition Fees:
Language School (ESL/FSL) C$315 per week
High School (public/private) C$10,000 – C$22,000
Diploma (post-secondary/post-graduate) C$5,500 – C$15,000
Undergraduate (bachelor) C$16,000 – C$24,000
Graduate(masters) C$12,000 – A$19,000 per year
English Language
Canada has two official languages, meaning that international students can come to Canada to study either English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL). International students can choose from short-term language programs, intensive immersions, executive or business programs and academic preparation courses. Some language schools offer programs that combine classroom studies with sightseeing and cultural activities, or work-study programs for advanced learners to practice their skills in the workplace. In addition, students can receive training in the teaching of ESL. Almost all universities and community colleges have ESL programs. FSL programs are offered both through private and public institutes. Most, but not all FSL schools are located in the province of Québec. Similar to ESL programs, students can usually enter an FSL school program at any time of the year for any length of study.
You can study:
• Business English
• Conversational English
• English for the workplace
• English for academic purposes
• University preparation
• And more
Education Providers
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university provides:
- Undergraduate
- Three years for most programs (or four years for Engineering, Education, Medicine, and Law) leading to a Bachelor’s degree. Non-Quebec students require an extra year to complete the same degree because of the extra year in college.
- Graduate (or postgraduate)
- One or two years leading to a Master’s degree.
- three or more years leading to a Doctoral degree.
The title “university” is protected under federal regulation. Higher education institutions in Canada are prevented from becoming diploma mills by provincial legislation and regulation. Each Canadian university is autonomous in academic matters including policies and procedures of quality assurance of its programs, instructors and procedures.
In Canada, the term college usually refers to a community college or a technical, applied arts, or applied science school. These are post-secondary institutions granting certificates, diplomas and in some cases, bachelor’s degrees. Those colleges are enabled by provincial legislation to provide a limited set of bachelor’s degree programs or provide bachelor’s degrees through joint programs with universities. This ability is highly restricted and must be renewed yearly. In Ontario and Alberta, and formerly in British Columbia, there are also institutions which are designated university colleges, as they only grant under-graduate degrees. This is to differentiate between universities, which have both under-graduate and graduate programs and those that do not. There is a distinction between “college” and “university” in Canada. In conversation, one specifically would say either “They are going to university” (i.e., studying for a three- or four-year degree at a university) or “They are going to college” (suggesting a technical or career college).
Includes Colleges of Applied Arts and Technologies and all schools whose highest diploma/certificate is vocational or technical. Not including technical degree-granting institutions. Many international students coming to Canada may not immediately consider pursuing vocational training and studies, or they may not even know what vocational education is. Vocational training refers to job-specific technical training that prepares students for working in the trades, such as construction, technology, justice, mechanics, cosmetology, and even education.
Secondary education in Canada offers a variety of schools, programs and formats, each designed to meet different student needs. The Canadian secondary school system includes public international high schools, private international high schools, boarding schools, all-girls schools, all-boys schools and Catholic or other Christian high schools. This wide range of options gives students looking at schools in Canada great choices for their education.
Secondary-level education in Canada is overseen at the provincial level, not the federal level, which means there can be substantial differences between the provinces, and even between different school districts within a province. These include differences of terminology, grading, years of study, programs and curricula. Likewise, tuition can vary depending on whether the student is looking to attend a Canadian public high school, a religiously-affiliated high school, or a private high school. Costs will also depend on whether they are at a boarding school or will need separate accommodation.
Regardless of affiliation, location, cost or school type, secondary schools in Canada are all held to provincial government standards of quality, ensuring that all international secondary school students in Canada have access to a world-class educational opportunity.
Some examples of the types of courses you can study at a Technical and Vocational Education:
• Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
• Applied and Pure Sciences
• Architecture and Construction
• Business and Management
• Computer Science and IT
• Creative Arts and Design
• Education and Training
• Engineering
• Humanities
• Health and Medicine
• Law
• Personal Care and Fitness
• Social Studies and Media
• Travel and Hospitality
• And many more
Length of Courses
The following is a guide only. Each course and each college or university may be slightly different:
Quebec:
Non-Quebec:
How to Apply
Make your Decision
Once you have read through the information on the Popular Education website, you must consider:
• What kind of course you would like to study.
• What level qualification you would like to study.
• In which Canadian city or town you would like to live and study.
Generally, in order to apply, you will need to provide details of your previous study, including copies of qualifications you already have. You may also need to have proof of your level of English (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL) as well as the name of the person responsible for paying your tuition fees.
Consult with Us
Contact us and send us information about your educational needs and goals.
• We will then give you free counselling via email and will advise you of your choices and opportunities in Canada.
• When you have decided on a particular university, college or school, Popular Education will help you make an application. We will advise you of the academic and English language requirements as well as other documentation you need to provide with your application.
• When you are accepted into a course, Popular Education will advise you and send you a Letter of Offer from your school, college or university.
• You must read the Letter of Offer and understand any conditions such as upgrading your English language skills. You will be asked to pay the first semester tuition fees as well as the compulsory medical insurance fee (if applicable) to pay for any medical or hospital treatment which you may need during your stay in Canada.
We Guide You All The Way!
• When we receive your fees, we will send you a Letter of Acceptance. You need the Letter of Offer, Letter of Acceptance and receipt for your first semester’s (or first year’s) tuition fees to apply for your student visa for Canada.
• Popular Education will give you advice about how you make a visa application. You will be asked to have a medical examination in order to get your student visa, and your doctor will fill out information on special forms.
• After all this, you will be told if your visa application is successful. The length of your student visa will be the same length as your course in Canada.
• Popular Education can assist you arrange homestay accommodation and we will tell you when you should arrive in Canada to start your studies.
Student Visa
Popular Education will give you advice about how to apply for your visa. To be given your visa, you will need to show the following:
• Letter of Acceptance from the school, college or university
• Letter of Offer Receipt showing you have paid your tuition fees Valid passport
• Medical report showing your good health
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Biometrics – new requirement since December 31, 2018
You should be aware of the conditions of your visa:
• You must leave Canadawhen your visa has expired
• Your visa is not valid for permanent residency of Canada
• You must satisfy course requirements and continue your enrolment
• As a study permit holder, you may qualify to work on-campus or off-campus without an additional work permit if you meet specific criteria.
Insurance
In Canada, each province or territory is in charge of its own healthcare system covering Canadian citizens for hospital and physician care. Virtually all Canadian post-secondary institutions have medical insurance plans available for international students. Regardless of whether or not you plan to purchase coverage from a Canadian institution, it is highly recommended that you purchase travel health insurance.
