TAKING A FIRST DEGREE AT A CANADIAN UNIVERSITY

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1 acu information TAKING A FIRST DEGREE AT A CANADIAN UNIVERSITY These notes have been prepared to answer general enquiries received from students interested in studying for a first (bachelor s) degree at a university in Canada. 1. What universities are there? Currently there are ninety-four institutions in Canada which are members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Each of the ten provinces has at least one and the most populous province, Ontario, has some thirty-two institutions listed. The universities vary considerably in size and structure. International students are at virtually all of them. Every big city has at least one university, but some are located in quite small communities. There are several distance learning institutions (i.e. Athabasca, Université du Québec: Téléuniversité (Teluq), Thompson Rivers University (incorporating the former British Columbia Open University)). In addition there is the Canadian Virtual University, a consortium of 11 Canadian universities offering over programs available through the Internet or by distance education ( The national representative body for the higher education system in Canada - the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) - makes available much detailed information through its website and publications ( It issues an annual Directory of Canadian Universities (also searchable as an academic program directory on its website), as well as a series of information resources and links specifically for international students. 2. What degrees are offered? There are two main levels of degree: first (undergraduate) and higher (postgraduate) degrees. First degrees are generally awarded as Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated as BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc), though specialist degree titles are being increasingly used. Some institutions offer both a general BA and a general BSc at the end of a three-year (sometimes four-year) programme with specialised honours following greater concentration on a chosen subject. Honours degrees are generally a prerequisite for admission into graduate studies. In addition, specialised degrees in many professional subjects are also available, though not necessarily at every university. Entry to first degree programmes in certain professional fields, e.g. architecture, dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, optometry and veterinary medicine (see also 8 below), is open only to those who have successfully completed all or part of a bachelor's degree programme, usually in arts or science. Competition for such programs is considerable. Admission of students from abroad to many professional schools is limited. 3. What subjects can I study? The range of subjects offered is very wide but obviously varies from one university to another. The AUCC s database of programs (undergraduate and graduate) in Canada is a useful and comprehensive source. The AUCC site generally also has an overview of the Canadian higher education system and links to the universities themselves (

2 4. Where can I get official details of degree programmes? 2 Full, up-to-date and official information about programmes is available from the universities direct either through their websites or their regular publications (calendar, prospectus, etc.). Students are advised to check with the Admissions/International Office of the university in order to confirm details of current courses and application procedures. The universities can be accessed through several general Canadian sites, such as the AUCC ( the Council of Ministers of Education (CMEC) ( and the CICIC (Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials) ( (Full details of useful websites are given at the end of this information summary.) 5. What is the cost of study and residence? Tuition fees throughout the country obviously vary considerably depending on the province, the university and the degree. The overall cost of a year's study also inevitably depends on the student's own needs and 'lifestyle'. Standard expenses for an academic year would include textbooks, laboratory facilities/equipment and student activity fees, as well as accommodation costs, food, health care, etc. Tuition fees, and international travel costs, would obviously need to be budgeted well in advance. (Canadian immigration authorities also require proof that incoming international students have enough money to pay for fees, living expenses, and return transport for themselves and any accompanying family.) There are various reasons for the wide range of costs within Canada. International students taking a first degree course have to pay higher fees than Canadian students in all provinces, and those fees that are payable are far from uniform. (The highest differential fees are generally applicable in British Columbia and Ontario.) Full details of tuition fees and an estimate of other costs at the university in which you are interested should be checked with the relevant Admissions/International Office. All such fees and other charges must of course be paid in Canadian dollars. Average tuition fees for international students in different provinces are included on the AUCC site in several of its publications (eg Notes for International Students, Canada s Universities: a Fact-Filled Guide for International Students ( ( Similarly, the StudyCanada website includes a reference to the cost of studying, and living costs, in Canada ( Each year Statistics Canada also produces a comparative survey of average tuition fees by province and by subject 6. Can I get a scholarship? Only very rarely does a Canadian university offer scholarships to students from abroad which would cover (or almost cover) the cost of first degree study and residence. Several universities do offer entrance scholarships which are open to international students, though many would cover only a proportion of the fees. Students are advised to see the relevant sections of the university s website, or check with the financial aid/awards office for information and advice as well in advance as possible. If you live in a developing country you could contact your own Ministry of Education for information on awards tenable in Canada or scholarships offered under inter-governmental arrangements. For students from Australia, Britain, New Zealand or another developed country there are few first degree scholarships for which you could apply for study in Canada. Competition for the schemes that are available is therefore intense. Details of scholarships are listed in various online and printed sources, both international and specific to Canada. The CICIC site, for example, has a relevant summary Academic Exchange and Financial Assistance Resources ( There is also some information on scholarships on the CBIE s site ( which administers several awards for international students, at various levels, for study in Canada, and its booklet Awards for Study in Canada remains available on its related DestinEducation site (

3 3 Some published guides may also be available in academic/reference libraries, and some British Council offices internationally. The Grants Register: The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide (Palgrave). An annual directory to grants and scholarships, including a few available at undergraduate level, which are tenable internationally ( Study Abroad (Unesco) An international handbook of awards offered outside a student s own country. Although now out of print it may still be available in some academic and reference libraries (upo.unesco.org) ( [See Further Reading, below, for further details.] Please note that neither the ACU nor the AUCC has money from which they can independently award undergraduate scholarships or give loans, nor can they sponsor students. 7. How can I get into a university? First try to check the websites/directories suggested above for details of relevant and available programmes. Contact the International/Admissions Offices of the universities in which you are interested. Try to make your initial enquiry well in advance, several months or even perhaps a year before you hope to start your university studies. (The usual academic year runs from September to April or May but some universities operate a trimester system under which students can start their studies, in some or all programmes, at certain other times - e.g. January or May - as well as in September.) When contacting the international/admissions office: a) state clearly which degree you want to take and in which subject(s); b) request further information on the university and its courses (e.g. handbook, faculty/international prospectus, etc.), in addition to details available on the relevant university website; c) state your educational qualifications and grades d) indicate how you plan to finance your studies. Application procedures vary. Some provinces have central application services to make applying more efficient (eg Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) ( Post Secondary Application Service of British Columbia ( Application deadlines also vary within as well as between universities. Each university has its own admission requirements and will assess students on an individual basis. Since entry to some programmes is limited satisfying a university's entrance requirements does not guarantee admission. The ACU cannot: (i) provide or accept application forms, nor can it complete or forward one for you (ii) say whether a particular educational qualification would satisfy a Canadian university's admission requirements (iii) say whether a particular university has vacant places, or (iv) seek a place at a university on your behalf. You must do this yourself 8. Can I get into a professional school? In many Canadian universities priority is given to Canadians in admitting to professional degree programmes, for example business administration, computer science, engineering, the health sciences (including nursing, optometry, pharmacy and rehabilitation medicine), law and veterinary medicine. All medical and dental schools in Canada form part of a university. It is extremely difficult for students living outside North America to gain admission to a Canadian medical or dental school, since many universities have limits or quotas on the number of qualified applicants

4 4 accepted. Standard (US) admission tests are often used (eg Dentistry: DAT ( Law: LSAT ( Medicine: MCAT ( The Association of Canadian Medical Colleges (ACMC) ( publishes a useful guide Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine details of which are included online. 9. Can I get into a co-operative program? Some universities offer in certain subjects co-operative programs in which students alternate periods of academic work on campus with periods of supervised practical work off campus in industry, government or business. Students interested in such programs are advised to check with universities direct to enquire about their policy on admitting international students. 10. Is my knowledge of English, or French, good enough? In Canada, universities provide programs in English, French or in both languages. Students do not have to be fluent in both languages to study at a Canadian university, but obviously should have a very good command (written and spoken) of whatever is the language of instruction. If your mother tongue is not English, any English-language institution in which you want to study will require proof of proficiency in that language, but not all require a test. The standard test used is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language, Princeton, New Jersey ( though the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment Test (CAEL) ( is also used. Other internationally recognised tests are acceptable (i.e. MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) administered by the English Language Institute, University of Michigan ( IELTS (International English Language Testing System) tests conducted at British Council offices ( and CanTEST (Canadian Test of English for English for English Scholars) are alternatives ( At most universities and for most programmes minimum acceptable scores range from 550 to 600 in TOEFL, from 85 to 95 in the Michigan English test, from 6.5 to 7.0 in the IELTS, and in the CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language). Information about the minimum score for the programme of your choice can be obtained from the admissions office of the university offering the programme. Minimum test scores vary from university to university. Canadian French-language universities usually assess applicants on a case-by-case basis. Students are therefore advised to contact the university direct to check its language requirements. A very good command of the language of instruction is as essential for those wishing to study science-based degree programmes as it is for those intending to study the humanities. (Indeed, science degree programmes may include the compulsory study of arts subjects.) Details of English language courses (including a list of recognised programs in Canada) are usefully summarised in information available from Languages Canada ( (see below). Language schools are also listed on the Study Canada website Where can I live? If you would prefer to live on campus in a university residence for students you should check with the accommodation/housing office of the relevant university as soon as possible after you have been accepted. Such accommodation is not guaranteed. Housing off-campus in rented rooms or apartments cannot usually be reserved in advance from abroad. 12. Do I need health insurance? Yes. Health insurance is a necessity. You will have to arrange for medical coverage before you arrive in Canada. Medical coverage varies from province to province, and sometimes from

5 5 university to university within each province. A summary of current provincial coverage is again included in the AUCC s Notes for International Students ( In addition, check with the universities to which you are applying to see if they have any medical insurance plans for students from outside Canada, and if so the costs involved. 13. How can I get a Study Permit (student authorisation)? To enter Canada for short-term or long-term study you must comply with Canada's immigration laws which are administered by the federal government in co-operation with provincial governments. The federal government imposes processing fees for its services (C$125); for applications to Quebec an additional C$100 is required for a C.A.Q. (Certificat d acceptation du Québec). International students can now study in Canada up to 6 months without a Study Permit, so simplifying the process for one-term exchange students. (If, however, you intend to continue studying in another program after this initial period you should apply for a study permit before coming to Canada.) After you have been accepted for admission by a university, you must apply for a Study Permit. You must apply for it abroad, at the nearest visa or CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) office (often based at a Canadian Embassy/High Commission/Consulate), before arrival in Canada (see CIC s list of contact offices: Detailed information on applications, and on the conditions which different visa categories involve (study, work, immigration, refugees, etc.), is available on the CIC website ( Depending on citizenship, or where you live, a temporary resident visa to visit Canada may also be required. Since it can take some time to obtain a Study Permit, you should apply for one as soon as you have been accepted by a university in Canada. Medical examinations, which would increase the time taken to process a Study Permit application, may also be required. The Study Permit will incorporate various conditions based on your application, including for example the duration and place of your course of study. However if enrolled on a post-secondary program - such as at a higher education institution - it is now possible to change school, level, program, or field of studies without applying for a new study permit. To apply for a Study Permit you should contact your nearest Canadian Embassy/High Commission/Consulate. A personal interview is usually required. There are various documents which you will need in making an application for a study permit, as listed on the CIC website ( These include, for example, proofs of identity, of acceptance from an educational institution, and of financial support. A summary of the other requirements which may be needed are outlined in the Studying in Canada ( section of the CIC website. Studying in the Province of Quebec. If you plan to study at a Quebec university, you must also obtain permission (the Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec or C.A.Q. ) from the Province of Quebec prior to applying for a federal (Government of Canada) Study Permit. Information on how to obtain a C.A.Q. is detailed on the Government of Quebec website ( and may also be available from the university to which you have been accepted. Accompanying dependants. If you intend to go to Canada with dependants, then they must meet the normal requirements for temporary residents. You should inform the Canadian authorities about your dependants' intentions when you apply for a Study Permit, and be prepared to show sufficient evidence of financial support for yourself and your family. (Information for international applicants who have studied at a Canadian postsecondary institution, have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, and wish to apply for permanent residency, is available under

6 the Canada Experience Class section of the CIC website ( 6 (Please note that the ACU cannot answer enquiries about immigration or about Study Permits. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and the relevant departments within Canadian High Commissions, Embassies and Consulates deal with such issues.) 14. Can I work my way through university? You must not plan to finance your studies in Canada in this way. Although in certain circumstances you may be allowed to work while studying there, jobs can be hard to find, and some restrictions exist. Students may undertake (voluntary or paid) work on campus at the institution where they are based without requiring a work permit, provided that they are enrolled as full-time students and have valid study permits. There is also an Off-Campus Work Permit program which enables some international students, while remaining full-time students, to work off-campus up to 20 hours per week when completing their studies. Information on the conditions for off-campus work permits, and a list of participating institutions is available on the CIC site ( In some cases where work experience is an essential and integral part of the programme of study international students need to apply for a work permit. It may also be possible to work in a job related to one s studies, for up to 2 years, after graduation, provided that an application is made within 90 days of a student s final marks being issued. (In addition to the information available via Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) there is a useful summary in the AUCC s Notes for International Students.) 15. Further reading Many resources are available on relevant websites, either as databases with appropriate links or as publications. A summary of the most useful follows. Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. The Directory of Canadian Universities. AUCC. (Available from AUCC Publications, 350 Albert Street, Suite 600, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1R 1B1) ( Annual. (Priced). Bilingual. Comprehensive guide to higher education in Canada, it includes a national index to more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate university programs across the country. Each university chapter provides information about the campus and its facilities, admission requirements, programs, degrees, financial assistance, student life and services. Some information from the Directory, particularly its valuable program database, is also available on the AUCC website. Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Notes for International Students. AUCC. Annual. (Single copies free. Also available on AUCC website) ( Answers common student questions on universities in Canada. Canadian Bureau for International Education/DestinEducation.ca Awards for Study in Canada (CBIE; DestinEducation.ca) (CBIE, 220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1100, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 5Z9) (Useful summaries and links for international students studying in Canada.) Available on Awards section of the DestinEducation website developed by CBIE ( and ( Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Studying in Canada: Applying for a Study Permit Outside Canada CIC. (Available from CIC visa offices and on CIC website) ( ( Brief outline of application procedures and immigration requirements.

7 7 Languages Canada (Source of information on English/French courses offered at Canadian universities and colleges) ( Unesco. Study Abroad. Unesco. (Although now of print it may still be available in some academic and reference libraries ( and

8 8 17. Addresses/Websites i) ACU Woburn House, Tavistock Square, London, England WC1H 9HF ii) AUCC (Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada) 350 Albert Street, Suite 600, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1R 1B1 (Includes a searchable list of university programs and links to all universities in Canada) iii) CBIE (Canadian Bureau for International Education) 220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1550, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 5Z9 iv) Canadian High Commission (London) Canada House, Trafalgar Square, London, England SW1Y 5BJ v) CanLearn (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada) vi) CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) vii) Canadian Information Centre For International Credentials (CICIC) 95 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 1106, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4V 1N6 viii) CMEC (Council of Ministers of Education, Canada) ix) Languages Canada x) Visa Section, Canadian High Commission (London) Macdonald House, 1Grosvenor Square, London W1K 4AB xi) xii) Study Canada Study In Canada Association of Commonwealth Universities, Woburn House, Tavistock Square, London, England WC1H 9HF CAUG June2009 Association of Commonwealth Universities, Woburn House, Tavistock Square, London, England WC1H 9HF Association of Commonwealth Universities This Paper is published for information purposes only. It should not be regarded as definitive and the ACU accepts no responsibility or liability for its contents. Readers should check with the appropriate university or other institution regarding the current position on any question of fact. NM (6/2009)