Canada is well-known for offering high-quality education, with affordable tuition fees, and their degrees are recognized globally. Currently, Canada is hosting more than half-a-million international students, as the Canadian Government has made the opportunity for immigration easier. Canada provides not only top-class education and an excellent environment but also employment opportunities which makes the immigrants easier to settle. Adding to that, the environment is welcoming as well as friendly towards the immigrants and leads to an excellent quality life with diverse, vibrant cultures. Hence, Canada is considered as the most preferred option for international students, especially Indian students.
Here are six factors that lead international students determined to Study in Canada.
Quality of Education
The most important reason why students choose Canada to pursue their degree is the quality of the education they provide. Canadian universities are included in the list of international universities that provide top-class education. Times Higher Education World University Ratings (2018) has listed five Canadian universities in their list of Top 100 Universities in the World.
A lot of significance is placed on the quality of education by Canadian universities; hence, they maintain high standards in education. Degrees obtained from Canadian universities are recognized globally and are of high value in the international market. For advancements in scientific research, Canada is ranked at 4th position in the world.
Research-Intensive Universities and Internationally Recognised Degrees
Canada is recognized for its research-intensive universities, especially the field of scientific research. The courses offered by the Canadian universities are not only a lot but internationally recognized. Students can choose from various options, from small liberal arts schools and universities to major research institutions, from a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate to professional degrees that can be obtained in flexible modes.
Canada has over 100 universities and 200 colleges as well as renowned and specialized institutes. The universities’ ranks, compared to the previous years, have risen. Health and Medicine, Engineering and Business and Management are top subjects that students opt for; the students not only get into top-class universities offering these subjects but also get opportunities to work with world-leading industries.
Affordability and Immigration Options
In comparison to US and Australian universities, Canadian universities provide top-class education with low-cost tuition fees. Usually, the cost is the major criterion for international students; hence, Canada makes an attractive option for students to study abroad. Canadian universities also offer a range of scholarships for international students.
Canadian Government has made it easier for international students to remain in the country both during their course and after the completion. Other countries such as the USA and the UK do not provide international students with employment opportunities post completion of their courses; this makes obtaining degrees harder and unaffordable from the above-mentioned countries.
Compared to the USA, where international students are paid low wages and are only allowed to work on the campus while they are pursuing courses, Canadian universities provide good options for international students. Canada has a special regulation for international students that provides all the international students with an opportunity to work for up to 20 hours every week both during their semesters and during their breaks. No work permit is required if any international student wants to work in the university or college campus or as an intern in any Canadian company. International students can work on their study permits for either part-time jobs or full-time jobs.
Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PWPP) permits international students to stay and work in Canada for up to three years after completion of their course duration. If any international student wants to apply for permanent residency, he/she can gain some work experience in Canadian companies for easier processing.
Safe and Multicultural Environment
Canada is one of the safest countries in the world, consistently. The Global Peace Index in 2018 listed Canada as the 6th peaceful country across the globe. Additionally, the crime rate is also under control. The government takes measures for the safety of international students on the campus. Most of the universities/colleges/institutions have security 24/7. There is a “Walk Safe” program for commuters traveling during late hours through public transport.
Safety is an important factor to consider while choosing admission into an international program. Also, cases of racial discrimination are lower than in other countries. Statistics by Numbeo reveal that the safety index for Canada is 62.42, which is higher than that of other countries, namely, Australia, the USA, and the UK.
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Canada is known for its multicultural environment, with people of diverse cultures, races, and religions. People are warm, friendly and welcoming towards immigrants. The diversity allows interacting with people of different cultures and ethnicities. Numerous communities and associations are formed within the campuses by the international students to promote unity among them and get a feeling of homeliness.
Canada is also welcoming in terms of providing permanent residency to international students and immigrants. Students who wish to settle in Canada after completing their courses can apply for Canadian permanent residency, which can take up to 15-18 months if they meet the minimum eligibility criteria. Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages i.e. English and French. The vast majority of people is English speakers, except for Quebec, where there are French-speaking communities.
Lively and Attractive Campus Locations
Canada has stunning landscapes and thriving cities. International students prefer to study in a location with an attractive landscape where they can enjoy outdoors as well as study in a bustling, thriving city. Canada has a penchant for natural preservation, and the country boasts of natural surroundings amid the cities and campuses. Toronto and Ontario are listed as best international cities by Fortune Magazine.
Top Canadian Institutions
Canada offers varied courses and programs from undergraduate and postgraduate levels to professional courses for subjects such as Health and Medicine, Engineering and Business and Management. According to Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020, three universities i.e. the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia and McGill University ranked 18th, 34th, and 42nd respectively.
The University of Toronto is one of the top universities in Canada. Notable alumni include renowned Nobel laureate, Frederick Banting and writers such as Michael Ondaatje and Margaret Atwood as well as five Canadian Prime Ministers.
Other universities such as McMaster University, University of Montreal (Université de Montréal), University of Alberta, University of Ottawa, University of Waterloo, Western University, University of Calgary are included in top lists by different resources. Different universities are well-known for the subjects or courses they offer. Ryerson University is best known for technical courses; Simon Fraser University is well-known for their Business school, and faculty of arts, communication, and technology; Laval University (Université Laval) is known for being the most innovative university and for being a top research school for artificial intelligence.
Students can research well to narrow down their preferred list of universities, which are recognized and well-known for specializations; they wish to apply. Thorough research will surely help international students to finalize their choice of subject as well as preferred college or university in Canada.
With hosting over five million international students, Canada is most definitely the most preferred destination to pursue education for students all across the globe. Not only Canada’s healthcare policy, welcoming environment and cultural diversity is an attraction but also its universities and institutions that provide various courses and programs that are internationally recognized and valued.