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Destination guide
Canada
Affordable quality, welcoming policies, and a clear path to permanent residency.
Canada is the fastest-growing study destination thanks to lower tuition than US/UK, strong work rights during study, and a Post-Graduation Work Permit that counts towards PR via Express Entry.
Tuition
CAD 20,000 – 45,000 / year
Living cost
CAD 12,000 – 18,000 / year
Intakes
Fall (Sep) · Winter (Jan) · Summer (May, limited)
Top universities
- • Toronto
- • UBC
- • McGill
- • Waterloo
- • McMaster
- • Alberta
Popular programmes
- • MEng / MSc CS
- • MBA
- • MA Public Policy
- • BSc Health Sciences
Study Permit
Application fee
CAD 150 + biometrics CAD 85
Processing time
4–12 weeks (SDS faster: ~3 weeks)
Work rights
Up to 24 hrs/week off-campus during term
Post-study
PGWP up to 3 years (program length)
Application timeline
- 1Get Letter of Acceptance from a DLI
- 2Open a GIC of CAD 20,635 (SDS stream)
- 3Get IELTS 6.0+ overall (no band < 6.0) for SDS
- 4Pay tuition for first year (recommended)
- 5Apply for Study Permit via IRCC portal
- 6Give biometrics at a VAC
Insider tips
- Apply via the Student Direct Stream (SDS) — much faster.
- Pick programmes from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) only.
- Co-op programmes give Canadian work experience that helps with PR.
- Quebec uses a separate CAQ before the federal Study Permit.
Tests accepted
IELTSTOEFLCELPIPPTE CoreGRE (some)GMAT (business)