Study Options in Canada?
There are different options for studying abroad in Canada. You can choose between several different types of education, and also between amounts of time you wish to spend. Universities and colleges in Canada offer:
- Study Abroad Programs give you the opportunity to study in Canada for a semester or an academic year. You are free to choose whatever classes you like from different faculties and subjects.
- Associate Degrees are degrees awarded by community colleges for a course of study usually lasting two years. An associate degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year college or university bachelor degree. This is often a starting point for further studies. For example you can receive a social science degree - a perfect fit for anyone wishing to work with people, and can then go on to further studies within a more specific chosen field of study.
- Bachelor's degrees normally require three or four years of full-time study. Students at the baccalaureate or bachelor's level are known as undergraduates.
- Master's degree typically requires two years of study after successful completion of an honours baccalaureate.
- A Doctorate (PhD) normally requires a minimum of three years and up to four or five years of study and research, as well as a dissertation.
Costs for studies in Canada
Most universities in Canada are cheaper than American Universities. Tuition fees for international students vary for every school and depending on the program you want to study. Costs for tuition can range from about $5,000 to $15,000 (Canadian dollars) for undergraduate degrees. Community colleges are generally cheaper. Keep in mind that you must also budget for books, equipment, student activities, food, housing, travel, local transportation, health care, clothing, laundry and entertainment.
Academic Year in Canada
Universities usually run from early September until the end of April or early May. Often this winter session is split into two terms running September to December and January to April. Various forms of summer studies may be offered May to August.
Languages
Canada has two official languages - English and French. Universities in Canada offer instruction in both official languages. You do not have to speak both to study at a Canadian university - however, you will have to show proficiency in one depending upon where you apply. Most English universities require a score of at least 550-600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 60 on the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment. Canadian French-language universities usually assess applicants on a case-by-case basis. The registrar's office at each university can provide you with specific language requirements.
University size and character
Each university has a style all its own. You can study at a large, research-intensive campus in an urban centre, or if you'd prefer, you can enrol at a small liberal arts institution with a focus on undergraduate education, where most of the students live in residence. Universities in Canada also play a vital part in their local communities - offering concerts and plays, sports and fitness facilities, lectures, museums, on-campus radio stations and art galleries.
