As an international student, moving to a foreign country to continue your education can introduce some changes and challenges that you will need to prepare yourself before moving to Canada to study. The Canadian education system prides itself on being a world-leader in research while still remaining accessible and diverse. Compared to other higher education systems, Canadian degree programs may seem more flexible as well. No matter what degree you pursue, students are given some choice when it comes to picking classes. Therefore, Canadian students have more control over their workload and what subjects they will study, depending on the discipline.

Furthermore, students can choose from over 200 institutions of higher education at which to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. On average, a bachelor’s degree will take four years, while a master’s can be completed in one to two years. The length it takes to complete a doctorate degree varies widely, but on average, it can take anywhere from four to six years. It’s also important to note that all students, both Canadian and international, are responsible for paying tuition fees unless they’re under scholarship.

Canada is one of the most popular countries for higher education. However, there are many things that international students aren’t aware of before coming here. As an international student who wants to study in Canada or has already been admitted to study in Canadian universities, it is important to know the important things you will need to have in hand – the essential necessities you need to have while studying in Canada as a foreign student. Studying in Canada can be very exciting but here are 6 Important Things You Need To Study In Canada As A Foreign Student.

6 Important Things You Need To Study In Canada As A Foreign Student

1. Your study permit

You will need a study permit if the duration of your course of study or program is more than six months. If your course of study is within six months or less, you do not need a study permit. In order to get a study permit, you need to have your acceptance letter, proof of your identity, and proof of funds.

Application for a study permit can be done electronically that is, online or through a paper application, you can get the application’s full information from the CIC website. As a foreign student, a study permit is very important.

2. Health Coverage

All international/foreign students in Canada must have health insurance. You are also advised to have travel insurance. Travel insurance could save the day because life could be unpredictable. An Illness, a theft, or an injury could cause you to need to travel home suddenly and such unplanned and unnecessary costs can only be covered by travel insurance. Health insurance and medical coverage that is available to foreign students varies depending on the province. You can get private health insurance.

3. Proof of funds

Proof of funds means documents that show that you can support yourself financially throughout your study and living period in Canada. In the Quebec province, for example, you are required to prove a minimum amount of 11,000 Dollars while in other provinces a minimum amount of 10,000 dollars is needed as proof.

Proof of financial support can be in form of a student or educational loan from the bank, a bank draft convertible to Canadian dollars, proof of funding from scholarships, etc. Proof of funds is a very important thing to have as a foreign student.

4. Your acceptance letter from the designated educational institution

The acceptance email alert sent to you that starts with “congratulations”, should be printed. Why? When you want to apply for your study permit, it is one of the necessary documents you will need to do in school, and you might need your acceptance letter for those.

During the application for your study permit, you will need CIC proof of acceptance and that is your acceptance letter from the email, so print it out.

5. Your Tuition fees Proof

Tuition fees vary widely across provinces and universities in Canada. Generally, tuition fees range between $10,000 and $30,000 yearly. But these amounts are generally affordable compared to the tuition of many countries. The CIBC’s International Student Pay Program allows students to pay their tuition fees from wherever they are in the world electronically. Also, many universities in Canada accept bank draft or money orders in Canadian currency if you are paying from outside Canada.

6. Accommodations and Housing

For housing options as a foreign student, you have the choice to stay on campus in the hostels. For more affordable housing options for you, you can consider homestays.

These six things listed and explained above are the essentials you need to study in Canada. We hope we enlightened you well.