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APPLYING TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN CANADA

 

Canadian universities operate much like those in the US. Applicants get evaluated based on their high school academic preparation, meaning their semester marks from grades 9-12, as well as SAT and SAT Subject Test scores in some cases. IB course work and diplomas are well received in Canada, and although universities will look at predicted scores, they do not base their decisions solely on what is predicted the way they do in the UK, unless you do not take the SAT. Canadian universities like IB students and getting accepted is a pretty straightforward process if you are on track to earn the full IB Diploma and your predicted scores are decent.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Often Canadian Universities will make Unconditional Offers to students schooled abroad who have taken the SAT tests and Conditional Offers to those without SAT scores who are applying with an IB Diploma (based on attainment of predicted IB grades). Conditional Offers only become finalized when students receive their final IB grades the July after they graduate. The Canadian universities interpret the SCIS transcript and diploma as if the school were in the United States.

 

Undergraduate programs in the humanities, social sciences, physical and applied sciences are available at most universities in Canada. However, professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, law, architecture, engineering and journalism are not available in all provinces. Degrees conferred from Canadian universities include Bachelor‘s, Master‘s and PhD‘s.

 

The application process varies according to the province. A large number of the universities in Ontario use the OUAC (Ontario University Application Center) as a central application agency. Applications to other universities must be done directly through that university. Most application deadlines are in mid-February and the notifications for admission, wait-listing or denial usually arrive in April or May.

 

If you would like more information about Canadian universities and the admission process, MacLean’s magazine usually does a review of Canadian universities in October and is a useful place to find details about the different institutions (www.macleans.ca). The Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada (AUCC) (151 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Ontario K1P 5N1) is another good source of information. Another source is the Real Guide to Canadian Universities by Sara Borins. Again, it is necessary to check with each individual university regarding procedures and requirements either on line or by writing to the admissions office.

 

 

 

 

Guide to studying in Canada

 

The Higher Education System

 

Higher education in Canada falls into three broad categories: universities, university colleges and community colleges/ technical institutes. In broad terms, universities provide degree programs and community colleges diplomas in vocational areas of study, with university colleges coming somewhere between the two. In addition to the above, which is predominately publicly funded, there is a wide array of private colleges and institutes, some of which specialize in certain areas.

 

The Canadian university system is publicly funded, consisting 92 universities and university colleges registered with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). There is no overall federal structure or centralized accreditation system. This gives institutions a high degree of autonomy and contributes to the wide variety offered by the HE sector, while membership of the AUCC combined with provincial government charters ensure qualitative excellence across the board. This means that, regardless of the province or institution, the qualifications students gain will be guaranteed international recognition.

 

University colleges combine the academic traditions of universities with the vocational/ applied approach associated with colleges. They are able to offer university degrees but also run courses to diploma and certificate levels which encompass areas of study not necessarily associated with universities. These include practically orientated courses leading to vocational qualifications and skills, English as a Second Language and so on. University colleges are able to register with AUCC.

 

Community colleges/ technical institutes are represented by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and there are over 150 colleges, institutes of technology, university colleges represented, with a full time student population of nearly a million. Community colleges allow students a route into universities as well as providing university graduates with courses that give them vocational skills. Colleges typically provide a more job-related curriculum than universities, featuring smaller classes, off-campus course delivery, a greater ratio of laboratory space to classroom space, a more interactive teaching style and more inclusive entry criteria. There are a few colleges that offer degrees and many of them have great opportunities to pursue practical courses with built in work terms for which students are paid. This can make them a practical and attractive option for international students, who may also benefit from less stringent entry requirements and much lower fees.

 

Career colleges are privately owned and operated schools with the main objective of preparing students for the job market after a short study period. Students may want to consider applying to a career college if they require a short-term training program in media, film studies, IT, graphic design and tourism for example. The emphasis at technical/career colleges is on practical skills over a broad range of programs. They may specialize in specific areas such as business, computers and secretarial skills. Although privately owned, these schools are provincially approved and regulated, ensuring that program standards and quality are maintained. Career colleges have highly competitive fee structures.

 

For further information visit: www.studycanada.ca.

 

 

Why students choose to study in Canada...

 

  • Canada is safe, clean and affordable and provides a high quality of life

  • Canada is a multicultural country with two official languages - English and French

  • Over 90 universities span the country, giving huge variety

  • Canada has traditionally been a country of immigrants and positively encourages multicultural diversity.

  • Canada is a country of diverse geography, there is something for everyone

Costs

 

Fees for Canadian universities differ depending on the province, institution and program of study. The following is a guide to the average charges international students might expect to pay compared to the USA and the UK. Since international students will need to seek out any financial aid before entering Canada, please see below for details of funding opportunities:

 

Canadian Information Centre: www.cicic.ca/indexe.stm

FinAid www.finaid.org

International Education Financial Aid www.iefa.org

Student Awards Canada www.studentawards.com

 

To receive authorization to study in Canada international students must prove to the Canadian authorities that they can meet their estimates for living expenses. They estimate that exclusive of tuition, and other student fees, international students should show proof of the following in bank statements, registered funds or other sources: CDN$10,000 for twelve months. As the cost of living varies greatly between cities, and depending on where the school is located in each city, the best estimates on living expense will come directly from the university or college students are applying to. As Quebec requires separate authorization for students applying to study in that province, it too has different living costs. Students will have to show proof of CDN$9,600.

MORE WEB RESOURCES FOR CANADA

 

Canadian Universities

Information on and links to all Canadian universities and financial aid/scholarship resources.

www.aucc.ca

 

Association of Canadian Community Colleges

Information about facilities, services and academic programs offered by AUCC member universities as well as links, expert information, stats and deep content -- it's all here.

http://www.accc.ca

 

Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture

Information about colleges and universities in Nova Scotia

http://edunova.ca/

 

Study In Canada

Learn how a Canadian education can make a difference. Find out about ESL, CAEL, and TOEFL scores and how to get a student visa. Find the right program for you.

http://www.studyincanada.com

 

British Columbia Universities

Online applications for British Columbian universities

www.pas.bc.ca

 

Ontario Universities

Online applications for Ontario Universities

www.ouac.on.ca

 

CanLearn

A great resource for anyone interested in studying in Canada, this site has a budget estimator and financial planner.

www.canlearn.ca

 

 

Live, Learn and Succeed

On this site you will find information about student visas and working on campus as well as a budget estimator.

www.livelearnsucceed.gc.ca

 

 

 

 

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