Top 7 steps you must know to Study in Canada

Get a fact check before you intend to pursue higher education in Canada. Remember, you cannot travel to Canada without a study permit. To have a Permit, you need to apply and take admission to the Designated Learning Institute (DLI). All you need is to be familiar with the Canadian Education System and understand the Student Visa Criteria to study as an international student.

In a way, it is the country’s universities offering a flexible education system, state-of-the-art infrastructure, experienced faculty, and excellent curriculum. A lot has to do with different institutions running graduate, postgraduate, undergraduate, and diploma programs. The list includes research-based courses as well.

In short, the Education System is super flexible and offers a variety of programs at each post-secondary level. These programs are designed in such a way that it imparts excellence or upskilling. The teaching techniques are unique and focus on comprehensive development by implying blended learning teaching techniques and carves the holistic development in the students.

The country has the maximum literacy rate, and more than 56% of the population has attained graduation. Statistics show that how vital education is in the country.

Precisely, all these reasons make Study in Canada a priority for aspiring students. Similarly, you need to be aware of the Canadian study permit formalities with the help of a step-by-step guide.

Steps to study in Canada are

Step 1: Understand visa procedures

Before applying to Canada, the first and foremost thing is to understand the procedure for Visas. Canada has categorised the Visas into two – SDS and General. All the students from India are directed towards the Student Direct Stream – a type of visa procedure. However, it has qualifying parameters like:

1. A Confirmed, Unconditional Offer letter from a DLI
2. IELTS – Straight 6.0 or higher (overall as well as in each of the modules)
3. 1 Year Complete tuition fees payment
4. GIC – Guaranteed Investment Certificate

Anything above and beyond this directly goes under General Category.

So, before applying for the permit to study in Canada, understand the pre-requisites and make headway with careful planning. Start its entire process one year in advance.

Step 2: Opt for DLI institution and course

Understand the Education System in Canada and the different levels where the international student can apply for them to study. Select a DLI (Designated Learning Institution) by filtering out the preferences and the constraints. It is DLIs admitting overseas students.

Know the admission requirements to apply and meet all the requirements. Then, apply at the right portal and the time. Leave no options when selecting the major courses. It is the academic setup that is flexible in every institute. Switch from a particular course to the other. Compare different options before choosing a major one. Moreover, the application deadlines play a tricky role in shortlisting the institutes. Consider the deadlines well in advance if you have a particular aspiring institute.

Step 3: Crack language proficiency test

Do the students get to choose whether or not they want to take up the language proficiency test?

Being the Non – Native English Speakers, English Language Proficiency Tests results are mandatory to submit to the institutes for admission and visa application processes.

There are various tests conducted to prove English Proficiency, however. In Canada, IELTS/PTE/TOEFL/CAEL is widely accepted. IELTS is preferred widely. Even for SDS Visas – IELTS is the only exam (with PTE/TOEFL, you may apply in Non – SDS Category, even this have yielded positive results, but IELTS is the ONE)

At the same time, TEF is the most common exam for those applicants who want to take the French test. Once you choose the test, you can pay fees and book dates in advance. Brush up your communication skills.

Step 4: Apply to different universities

Every applicant has to shortlist some universities from the list of dozen institutes. The application fee varies from $100-$250. There is no need to apply in a hurry.

As a backup plan, choose two to five institutes and start comparing the options based on courses. Be careful before filling your application form. Make sure to provide exact information backed with documentary evidence. Soon, you receive an acceptance. It is the university providing an acceptance letter after confirming an interest.

It is LoA – Letter of Acceptance, which means the institute has confirmed your application and has provided you the admission. The LoA has the validity date and a deposit payment deadline. To confirm the offer from your side, you need to pay the Deposit amount (Token Amount) or full one semester to 1-year complete tuition fee payment within the mentioned stipulated time. (If not, offer letter will be revoked)

Step 5: Applying for a study permit

Once the institution admits you, you can apply for a Canadian permit. Before applying for the visa, kindly procure all the necessary documents like Medical Certificate, Standardised Passport Photograph, Financial Document – GIC, Police Clearance Certificate, IELTS TRF Copy (or any English Proficiency Test Result) academic Documents, DLI – LoA – Acceptance Letter, Tuition Fee Deposit Receipt, SOP – Client Information Document and so on.

In this Pandemic, the only mode of application is online, so apply online only. (visit cic.gc.ca) As part of the study in Canada requirements, you should upload every document. More so, they vary based on different provinces.

Step 6: Book your own biometric

Step 7: Time to travel to Canada