Every year, thousands of international students across the world travel down to Canada to undertake their academic programs, and you might wonder what these students see in Canada that make them choose Canada over other countries. Well, there are tons of benefits associated with studying abroad on low tuition in Canada and they are shown below:
* There are a good number of Canadian universities that are in the top 100 of the 2014 – 2015 QS World University Rankings: University of British Columbia, Université de Montréal, University of Alberta, University of Toronto and McGill University.
* A country that celebrates diversity- As you may know, Canada is a multicultural republic that attracts international students from more than 130 countries,and has a dynamic cultural mix and students genuinely love each other without needless racism, bias or complexities.
* Canadian Institutions are not different from their counterparts in the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom.
* If you have a good knowledge of French or have a willingness to learn French, then you should opt to study in Quebec, although McGill University in Quebec teach in English language.
* About 15 Canadian universities were included in the 2014 – 2015 QS World University Rankings
* Emphasis is put on well coordinated independent research through project work.
Entry and Visa
* International students are expected to have student’s permit once accepted into the program.
* You’ll need to show financial proof of your ability to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses.
* Medical examination is equally important.
Application Fees
Typically, applications for international students are processed within eight weeks and a letter of acceptance is issued.
Universities usually determine their own admission’s application fee independently, if you decide to apply for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you’ll have to pay between $100 – $150 for bachelor’s degree and $150 – $250 for a master’s course.
Tuition Fees
Generally, Canadian students and students who possess Canadian residency pay lower tuition than international students.
* Although tuition cost will depend largely on course studied, a healthy estimate to have in mind is $12,500 – $15,000 per year.
* In most cases, undergraduate level students are awarded scholarships and grants opportunities, you can explore this if you are interested. Scholarships are usually awarded based on merit,need,sporting and academic achievements.
*it’s mostly organizations and the government that provide scholarship benefits for post graduate and doctoral programs.
Part time job for international students
International students are also able to work with a valid study permit. You can equally work on campus and may not need an extra work permit to secure a work opportunity on campus.
Accomodation and Student Expenses:
*Typically,a one room apartment will go for $500 per month
* Meal – Students are presented with a meal plan at the students’ cafeteria, each school will provide at least three different types of meal plans to international students affording them sufficient variety and meal plan good enough to meet your individual needs.
* Entertainment – Entertainment is equally cheap.A cinema ticket will go for $10 if you are interested in seeing a movie occasionally.
* Cost of some other basic commodities you will need throughout your stay are as follows:
– Loaf of Bread – $2.0
– Cup of cappuccino – $1.85
– Water (0.3liter ) – $0.75
– 0.3 liter of coke or Pepsi – $0.9
– Meals at eateries – $5
– One way transport – $1.8
Work and Study in Canada
The opportunity to work and study in Canada is one of the biggest advantages of selecting Canada as your desired study abroad destination, but before you move forward, there are a few things you should know before you go on this path.
Typically, most international students studying in Canada can work up to 20 hours per week, and also full-time during summer breaks, without a work permit. Understandably,working while studying affords you the liberty to provide for yourself and meet new people while building much needed connections and experience that’ll make you stand out when job hunting years latter.
Before you even start looking for your dream student job, please do well to read on to learn more about working in Canada as an international student.
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Eligibility Criteria
International students in Canada who have a study permit and are enrolled full-time in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), are able to work off campus without the need for a work permit. What this actually means is that you can work for any world class employer anywhere in Canada. If you so wish you can also work on campus.
Securing a job off campus implies working for an employer who is outside of the university or college.On the other hand, working on campus implies working for any employer that lives on the university or college’s campus, such as working for the university or college admissions department itself, for a faculty member (as a teaching assistant, for example), for yourself (self-employed vlogger, working on campus), for a student run venture, or in a few cases for a hired contractor who provides essential services on campus, for example car dealership or food delivery company.
Please note that even if you plan to work while studying in Canada, you will be asked to show proof of sufficient financial resources when you apply for a study permit. What this means is that you have to show you have sufficient cash to take care of yourself during your studies without working. Projected future earnings will not be enough when demonstrating sufficient financial resources, so the fact that you have plans to be working while studying in Canada will not be enough to justify the condition to prove financial capacity before arrival.
The study permit you obtain will state whether you are permitted to work in Canada or not plus the conditions of employment. This statement will allow you to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada; please note that obtaining a SIN is an important requirement before you are able to work while studying in Canada.
Suppose the study permit you obtained does not have the statement you need in order to apply for a SIN, you can easily have your study permit amended for free.This amendment can be done after you’ve arrived, but it advisable and much easier to do it the moment your study permit is first issued. The moment you arrive at Immigration, go on and ask the officer about your student permission to work if you are unsure about anything on your study permit.
It is important to note that you cannot work in Canada unless otherwise authorized to do so if your study program is less than six months in duration, or if you are doing an English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) program. On top of that,please note that visiting or exchange students at a DLI are not permitted to work while studying in Canada.
And you are not allowed to work while in Canada unless you’ve began your course.
Securing a job
Looking to see if you’re eligible to work in Canada is the simple part – the next important step is searching and finding a suitable job. Employers in Canada typically like to recruit students for part time and summer jobs, and there are to of loads of jobs available .
Before you begin looking for jobs or applying, remember to put together your resume (CV) and cover letter.In fact,your resume and cover letter are your best chances of connecting with a potential employer and standing out in the job market. Make sure your resume is properly updated and formatted for the expectations of Canadian employers. Your cover letter gives you the opportunity to display your personality and achievements. As such, always write a tailored cover letter for each position and company, showing just how you fit the exact criteria the company is looking for. If you’re applying online, the cover letter you submit can form the basis of your introductory email, in which you attach your resume as a PDF not ms word at the end.
When searching for a job, there are several places you can start looking for jobs. Popular websites such as Indeed, Monster and Craigslist put up hundreds of job postings for part-time employment. If you are not aware, your city or town may have its own job portal for jobs, such as at pub centres, libraries, or in administration capacity.
Additionally, you could walk around your city and see if shops or restaurants are recruiting workers. If you want to do this, move around with paper copies of your resume, and wear smart clothes that are decent (for example a collared shirt, and avoid blue jeans would do) and know when you are available to work. If a shop or company looks promising, you can ask to speak to someone about a vacant position. This is a good opportunity to make a good first impression face-to-face, one that could eventually turn into an immediate job interview. The truth remains that effective networking is a tried and tested formula for hitting goals and milestones.
Do not be scared, Canada already has an existing culture of working while studying, and you shouldn’t hide be afraid of the fact that you’re an international student. Lest we forget do not forget that your academics come first, so do not be afraid to ask for time off during exams or in preparation for a major deadline. Please note that students who work while studying possess the same labour rights as all workers in Canada, and you should understand what your labour rights are, including the stipulated minimum wage in your district or province. Do not fail to save your payslips and the proper record of employment, so you can file your tax return properly when it’s time.
Co-op work permit
No doubt, international students who study in Canada are not always required to obtain a separate work permit in order to work while studying, however there is a key exception. Some programs typically require students to complete a Co-op or internship work placement to be able to graduate on time. Given such a situation, international students are thus expected to obtain a Co-op work permit in addition to their study permit.
Inorder to apply for and obtain a Co-op work permit, you’ll need a valid study permit and a stamped letter from your university or college indicating that all students in your program are expected to complete work placements inorder to get their degree.
The Co-op work permit is issued along with your study permit. If your acceptance letter states that a Co-op or internship placement is required as part of your study program, your work permit will thus be processed in addition to your application for a study permit.
You can also apply for a Co-op work permit when you have gotten your study permit, and then go on to apply online or via paper. Also note that your university or college will be adequately able to assist you with this, as the placement is a much bigger part of your study program and they probably help many other international students to apply for this permit every year.
Related Post:2019 List of Cheapest Tuition Universities in the USA for International Students
Now take a look at the list of top 10 cheapest tuition universities in Canada with tuition fees going from $2,000 to $15,000 per year.
List Of Low Tuition Universities in Canada
Top 5 Cheapest Student Cities in Canada
1.Sherbrooke, Quebec
First on our list of cheap cities in Canada for students is Sherbrooke-a city in Quebec. Located about 160 km east of Montreal, Sherbrooke is u often known as Quebeck’s “student town”. Home to roughly more than 40,000 students in about eight campuses, Sherbrooke has the largest number of students in Quebec. This is probably because Sherbrooke is very affordable for students. The cost of living is put at 15.6% which sits below the national average and it’s not uncommon to see 1 bedroom apartments going for under $800 per month.
2.Laval, Quebec
Local and international students can save a lot by living in Quebec. This is because Quebec houses a good number of low tuition universities compared to other Canadian provinces. Cities in Quebec also have costs of living that are under the national average. Simply, students can make the most of their savings by choosing a city that has cheaper living costs, such as Laval which is just 30km northwest of Montreal, Laval is one of Quebec’s larger cities and has a cost of living that is 9% below the national average.
3.Moncton, New Brunswick
Even though it is the largest city in New Brunswick, Moncton is presently one of the most low cost places to live in the province. The cost of living is 6.3% below the national average, with a one bedroom apartment going for an average of $835 per month. Like other parts of Canada’s east coast cities, Moncton is a welcoming destination for international students, as the region receives a large number of students from other countries in recent times.
4.Abbotsford, British Columbia
Since Vancouver has very high living costs, British Columbia is usually thought to be an expensive province for international students. However, Canada’s Pacific province has cities that are student-friendly per budget. To provide context, one of the most affordable is Abbotsford, which is the largest city per land area you’ll find in BC. Abbotsford’s cost of living is 3.6% lower than the national average, which makes it the cheapest largest city in BC. As an international student, you will discover one of Canada’s most diverse populations when you live in Abbotsford, as the city houses the third highest proportion of visible minorities in the country.
5.St. Catharines, Ontario
The last on our list is St. Catharines, Ontario, and is currently the largest city in Canada’s popular Niagara Region. St. Catharines has a cost of living rate which is roughly 0.5% below the national average, with the average monthly cost of a one bedroom apartment going for $1,136. St. Catharines is commonly known as “The Garden City” because it has 1000 acres (4 km2) of gardens, parks, and trails.On top of that, It’s just a 20 minute drive from the popular Niagara Falls!
Master’s Studies in Canada
We all know just how expensive it is to study MBA in some of these countries. Today, I have put together a select list of universities in Canada with cheapest MBA. Simply put, the tuition fees charged by these universities for MBA courses are cheaper than what other universities or countries charge.
Applying for admission into these universities is quite straightforward and simple. All you have to do is review their requirements on the university website and if you are suitably qualified, start the online application and make sure that you submit all relevant documents. Once you have submitted your application, the university admissions department will reach out to you and inform you about the status of your application.
Affordable Canadian MBA programs
The top 10 Canadian universities awarding the most affordable MBA programs are shown below. Tuition amounts are quoted in Canadian Dollars:
Related Post: List of Top Ranking Universities in Canada with Affordable Tuition
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Memorial University of Newfoundland ($5,718)
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University of Quebec and Montreal ($8,186)
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Moncton University ($9,810)
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Sherbrooke University ($11,000)
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Dalhousie University ($11,500-$15,300)
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Lakehead University ($12,500-$17,500)
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Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business at University of Regina ($13,083-$22,000)
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Lansbridge University ($14,000)
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Odette School of Business at University of Windsor ($14,134.50)
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Carleton University ($15,265.08)
Current Canadian student visa requirements involves candidates having to prove they have enough funds to support themselves during their stay in Canada. This is estimated at CAD10,000 for every year of your stay in Canada, in addition to your tuition fees. Have this at the back of your mind when putting together your budget.
Related Post: Comprehensive List of Low Tuition Universities in South Korea for International Students
MBA Admission Requirements in Canada
Institutions in Canada operate specific admission requirements but for an international student to be considered for an MBA program in Canada, you are expected to have a 4-year undergraduate degree, a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score, work experience, and a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (for applicants whose first language is not English).
Language Proficiency
Most masters programs in Canadian institutions are taught in English with some delivered in French. As such, proficiency in English is a must before you are granted admission. Most Canadian universities typically accept IELTS proficiency test with others accepting TOEFL. Cut off mark for these tests is set by individual universities.
How to apply
Majority of schools in Canada accept online applications. Do note that you will be charged a non-refundable application fee which ranges from CAD$100 to CAD$150, so you should possess a valid credit card which allows international payments, or initiate a bank transfer. Before going on to complete your application online, it is important that you check the visa requirements for studying on low tuition in Canada.
