Why Canada is so popular with International Students

Nearly half a million international students study in Canada, Canada is known to offer high-quality education at affordable tuition fees with globally recognized degrees. Add to it, an excellent quality of life, immense post-study work and immigration opportunities – Canada stands out as a popular country to study among Bangladeshi students.

Intakes and semester in Canada

Unlike a single intake in Bangladeshi universities, Canadian colleges and universities offer three intakes. In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. The three intakes available in Canada are:

Fall: A popular intake among Bangladeshi students, The Fall intake starts in the month of September

Winter: Starts in January; it’s best if you miss the September intake

Summer: Available for limited programs and colleges, the Summer intake usually starts around April and May 

Top courses to study in Canada

Here are the popular courses that a student can choose for studying in Canada: Computer science *Business * Engineering * Health sciences * Physiotherapy * Information technology * Animation and gaming * Hospitality

Top universities to study in Canada

Institution: University of Toronto * McGill University * University of British Columbia * University of Montreal*University of Alberta * McMaster University * University of Waterloo * Western University *University of Ottawa * University of Calgary

English language requirements

To gain your Canadian student visa, you’ll have to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This usually means passing a secure English language test to be able to prove your communication and correspondence skills. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular high-stakes English language proficiency test for study, work and migration, with more than three million tests taken in the past year. The IELTS results are recognized by more than 10,000 organizations, including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments, in 140 countries around the world. The minimum score required in your IELTS for a Canadian student visa is 5.50 bands in each of the four modules.

Cost of study in Canada

One’s expenditure on tuition fees depends on the type of qualification and institution one can opt for. To cover this, student will need approximately CAD 13,000 – CAD 35,000 for a year.

Most commonly, courses in humanities, education, and arts are a little cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at a postgraduate level, the tuition fee is typically higher, and the costs vary depending on the program. As with most other countries, MBA programs are often the most expensive. The average cost for these programs ranges between CAD 250,000-40,000.

Cost of living in Canada

Cost of living in Canada ranges greatly depending on which city you choose with the lowest taxes in Canada, Edmonton, Alberta, is one of the lowest cost of living cities. This is one of the reasons so many young people choose to live here. Students should budget for about 10000 to 12000 Canadian dollars per year to cover cost of living expenses such as residence or rent, meal plan or groceries, cell phone plans and spending money.

Work in Canada as an international student

Many international students decide to work part-time while they attend university or college in Canada. Many begin to find local leads to a successful career after graduation. Most international students are eligible to work while studying. There are different requirements for working on campus and off campus. Generally, international students can work off campus up to 20 hours per week.

Generally, you can work full-time: # during official school breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring break. # after you finishes your studies if you have applied for a non-student work permit.