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Deadlines for September intake at Canadian Universities

Canada has become the Mecca for students who wish to pursue high-quality education across the globe. Thanks  to the availability of a wide variety of globally recognized courses from certificate level to postdoc level, the Canadian higher education system stands tall among the most eminent education systems in the world. Unlike the other study-abroad destinations, the accessibility to quality education at a low cost, post-study stay-back opportunities, high-paying jobs and careers, along with the finest living conditions, attracts masses of international students to Canada every year.

Owing to the Canadian government’s welcoming immigration policies and post-study benefits, many Indian students prefer Canada for their studies as well as for career. Since the provincial governments offer an opportunity for permanent resident status to skilled international individuals, there has been a booming growth in the number of Indian students who opt to stay back in Canada after their studies.

Canadian education system:

The Canadian education system comprises four levels: elementary, primary, secondary, and post-secondary, all under the supervision of provincial and territorial authorities. While the first three levels of education—elementary, primary, and secondary, fall under the school system, the post-secondary level of education comes under the higher education institutions such as universities and colleges.

The public schools of the country offer mandatory free education for citizens from the age of six to eighteen in English, French, or both. Once the students graduate from high school, they are given the opportunity to apply for their desired courses at colleges and universities.

Canadian higher education institutions range from small universities with intimate and personalized study environments to large, extensively research-oriented universities that provide qualitative education. More than 100 public and private universities and colleges in Canada offer endless possibilities of courses that use interactive and innovative learning methods, including both theoretical and practical approaches that help the students upskill their careers. While the public universities run by provincial governments provide courses with comparatively low tuition fees, the courses available at the private universities might come with hefty prices.

Most Canadian universities offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses along with short-term certificate courses and vocational courses for aspiring students who dream to pursue an affordable study abroad Programme.

Course duration at a Canadian university

Undoubtedly, the intense competition in Indian universities and the ongoing boom for study abroad programs might have intrigued a student to choose Canada for higher studies and dream of a better future.

So how do we get into a Canadian university? 

Well, it starts with the selection of the course and the university according to the student’s preferences. Canada offers a wide variety of globally recognized courses in almost every field of study in universities and colleges across the country. Once you finalize your preferred course and university, go through the university website to check for the dates and deadlines for student intakes and the application process.

To accommodate a larger number of students, Canadian universities offer three intakes in a year, unlike the Indian education system, which accepts students in a single intake in an academic year.

Popular intakes in Canadian universities

Fall Intake/September:

It starts in September and is widely popular among Indian students. Most of the Canadian universities offer a large number of courses at this time of the year in various streams of studies, so there’s a chance for tough competition for acceptance. 

Spring Intake:

It usually starts in January and has less competition than fall intake. It gives students enough time to prepare for the qualifying tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, SAT etc. However, one of the major con of this intake is that students might find it difficult to adjust to the cold weather in Canada unlike other seasons. 

Summer intake:

It starts around April and May and only a limited number of courses are offered. Majority of them are short term courses such as certificate and diploma programs. Less competition, hence high acceptance rate. 

Universities and colleges offering fall intake 

The application deadline for the admission process in Canadian universities varies by universities and courses. However, most of the application deadlines for the September intake or fall intake start tentatively around December and end around March. Some universities allow students to apply even after the deadline  if there are any vacant seats available in the Programme. 

Click here to know more about  Top Canada Universities for International Students

Application deadlines for undergraduate programs fall intake:

Even though the semester starts around September, an aspirant who wishes to join a Canadian university must start the preparation at least nine to 10 months prior to the starting date of the semester, since it requires one to submit proof of eligibility like language proficiency tests and standardized academic test results.

After cross-checking your preferred university’s admission criteria, one must prepare the required documents, such as transcripts, grade sheets, and qualifying test results like English proficiency tests and standard academic tests, for the application process.

Application Procedure:

• Selecting the course

Decide on the course you want to study. Canada offers more than 15,000 courses covering all streams of study at various levels. Make sure to do proper research on the courses of your interest and their availability and job markets, as well as future aspects, before finalizing. It’s better to seek help from a consultant to select the course and university if you’re confused about your study Programme.

• Selecting the university

After selecting the course, search for the institution according to your budget and location. Even though Canadian universities are more affordable than their counterparts in the USA and Australia, we should always consider other factors such as location and living expenses. The major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver will have higher living expenses than other cities. So, while selecting the university, please make sure to collect an overview of tuition fees, living costs, and other expenses and search for scholarships to manage your finances.

• Cross -check your preferred university’s admission criteria 

Check the eligibility criteria and admission requirements for your desired course on the university’s website. Always keep an eye out for the dates and deadlines for the admission process.

• Prepare the required documents, such as grade cards,  LOR, and SOP

Most universities demand letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose when you apply for a Programme. So make sure you write a unique and engaging SOP that describes your purpose for studying your preferred Programme. Also collect your transcripts and other credentials, along with the results of your English proficiency tests and standardized academic tests.

SOP:  The Statement of Purpose is a brief essay that outlines your intent and motivation to choose your particular stream of study, your goals, and your career plans.

LOR: The letter of recommendation is a letter written by an employer or professor stating the applicant’s conduct and character as well as their professional performance.

• Submit your application

After gathering all the required documents, go ahead and fill out your application before the deadline. Once you’re done submitting your application, pay the application fee and keep the receipts and details safe for future reference.

• Wait for Acceptance letter

After submitting your application, wait for your acceptance letter. Usually, universities will notify you by mail whether you have been accepted or rejected within 6–8 weeks. Once you get the confirmation mail of admission, go ahead and pay the admission fee.

• Arrange your funds

Studying abroad can be expensive, so make sure to arrange your funds accordingly. Apply for scholarships if necessary. It’s better to get help from a consultant if you’re unaware of scholarships and bursaries.

• Apply for a study permit 

Study permit is an official document issued to the international students who got admitted to a Canadian institute. However, in order to enter the country, you need a visitor visa or a temporary resident visa. Along with the study permit, you’ll also get a visitor visa or temporary resident visa if you plan to stay up to 6 months in Canada and an ETA (electronic travel authorization), depending on your nationality.

Don’t confuse a study permit with a work visa,  if you wish to work while studying in Canada, you need a work permit as well. 

Documents required for applying to a Canadian university:

1. Mark Sheets/ grade cards of 10th and 12th class
2. Statement of purpose
3. Letters of recommendation
4. English proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE)
5. Standardised academic test results (SAT, GRE, GMAT)
6. Passport details
7. CV/Resume
8. Online application details. 
9. Proof of Payment of Application Fee
10. Two or three years of work experience (For MBA)

Exams Required to Study Abroad

English language proficiency tests

The score of English language proficiency tests vary according to each university’s admission criteria, but most of the Canadian universities require a minimum score of 6.5 band in IELTS and 90 in TOEFL. 

• IELTS 

International English Language Testing System or IELTS is a standardized test that is used as an admission criteria in several countries for students who wish to enroll in a course or work in a foreign country. There are two types of IELTS:-

IELTS Academic: Preferred by students who wish to study abroad. 

IELTS General: Preferred by individuals who seek employment in a foreign country. 

• TOEFL 

Test of English as a Foreign Language is a standardized test that is used to test the proficiency of non-native speakers who wish to study or work in a foreign country. 

• PTE

Pearson Test of English or PTE scores are also accepted as a proof of English proficiency over more than 500 across the globe. 

Apart from these tests, some universities accept scores of Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CEAL), Cambridge English Assessment, Duolingo English Test, Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) etc. as a proof of applicant’s English Proficiency. 

Standardized Academic Tests

To enroll in a Canadian university for an undergraduate or graduate degree program, you need to submit the scores of standardized academic tests according to the admission criteria. 

• SAT

The Scholastic Assessment test or SAT, is taken by students who wish to enrol in an undergraduate course.

• GRE

Graduate Record Examination is written by students who wish to pursue a graduate degree. 

• GMAT

Graduate Management Admission Test is a computer adaptive test taken by students who wish to pursue MBA in a business school abroad.

Timeline:

In order to get admitted for fall intake at a Canadian university in September, one must start the preparation at least 10-12 months before the commencement of your preferred course. Since you need to prepare for tests like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT etc., it’s better to start a year earlier. If you are planning to enroll for September intake of 2024, start preparing from April 2023. 

*Timings for acceptance letter, visa and study permit are subjected to change according to your profile, nationality and issuing authority. 

Apply for Upcoming Intake in Canada with Texas Review. For more details contact us at: 9100444920, Mail us at: info@texasreview.in