Admission in Canada is offered to international students across undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses. Canada is one of the leading countries in the world for international student population with 388,782 students enrolled in higher education programs. In the past decade, universities in Canada have experienced a significant growth of international students from 7.2% to 17.8%.

The universities in Canada accept Indian students with degrees from recognized higher education institutions. You will need an IELTS or equivalent test score as a proof of English proficiency to enter the universities in Canada. You might also need competitive scores in entrance examinations like GRE or GMAT for admission to select graduate programs. Students should demonstrate academic and professional LORs, SOP, Resume, professional experience and related documents for specific courses.

How to get Admission to Canada?

The application process for admission to Canada varies based on universities, course types and admission sessions. Some of the key factors to consider before applying to study in Canada are as follows:

  • Eligibility for admission
  • Documents required for admission to the specific program
  • Language proficiency requirements
  • Application process
  • Application deadlines
  • Decision dates
  • Canada student visa eligibility criteria and application process

Canada Application Process

The step by step process of applying for admission to the universities in Canada is provided below:

  • Step 1: Choose a suitable program for yourself. Check for universities offering the program.
  • Step 2: Check the intakes in which students are enrolled. The intake process in Canada is generally conducted in the academic terms of Fall, Winter, or Spring.
  • Step 3: Visit the websites of the universities you are interested in and check for the application process, application deadlines, admission requirements for international students (check country specific requirements if available).
  • Step 4: Apply to the university through the official application portal, pay the application fee and submit all the supporting documents.
  • Step 5: Wait for the decision to be released by the university. If selected, you can confirm your admission within the stipulated deadline.
  • Step 6: Apply for a Canada student visa. You need to demonstrate your proof of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with a letter of acceptance from the university.
  • Step 7: You can apply to the scholarships available for international students to fulfill your financial requirements for the program. International students are offered with various need or merit-based scholarships to study in Canada.

Admission Requirements in Canada

The admission requirements in Canada widely vary based on the university, program type, and citizenship of the student. A list of the documents generally required for admission to the undergraduate and graduate programs in Canada is provided here:

  • Completed application form(s)
  • Academic transcripts and related certificates of high school, undergraduate or graduate degree (if available)
  • Course-specific standardized test score
  • SOP for Canada
  • Letter(s) of Recommendation
  • Language proficiency test score (English proficiency is required for majority of the programs, French proficiency is required for a few courses)
  • Scanned copy of passport
  • Canada student visa
  • Photograph
  • Updated CV or resume
  • Proof of finance availability
  • Proof of professional experience (if any)

Note: Some universities in Canada might require your physical interview after the initial selection process.

English Proficiency Requirements in Canada

International students from a non-English speaking country need to demonstrate their proficiency in English for admission to the Universities in Canada. You can demonstrate your English proficiency with competitive scores in IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo and few other tests. The following table consists of some of the top universities in Canada and the minimum English language proficiency test scores required for admission.

University Minimum IELTS Score for UG Courses Minimum IELTS Score for Graduate Courses
University of Toronto 6.5 (6.0 in each section) 6.5 (6.0 in each section)
McGill University 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each component Band score of 6.5
University of British Columbia 6.5 (6.0 in each section) 6.5 (6.0 in each section)
University of Alberta 6.5 (6.0 in each section) 6.5 (6.0 in each section)
University of Ottawa 6.5 band score 6.5 band score
McMaster University 6.5 (6.0 in each section) 6.5 with 5.5 in each section
University of Montreal - 6.5
University of Waterloo 6.5 overall,Writing and speaking: 6.5Reading and listening: 6.0 7.0 (6.5 in each section)
Western University 6.5 6.5
University of Calgary 6.5 6.5 (6.0 in each section)
Queen’s University 6.0 (5.5 in each component) 6.5 (6.0 in each section)
Simon Fraser University 6.5 (6.0 in each section) 7.0 (6.5 in each section)
Dalhousie University 7.0 band score 6.0 band score

Standardized Test Score for Admission to Canada

International students need to submit course-specific standardized test scores for admission to various graduate programs in Canada. Following are some of the popular exams for admission to Canada and the scores required.

Program Type Test Average Score Required
MS and related courses GRE 300-320
MBA and other business courses GMAT 500-600
MD MCAT 490-500

Graduate Admissions in Canada

Admission to the graduate programs in Canada is moderately competitive. For the majority of the master’s programs, students need a good bachelor’s degree. A GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is considered as the minimum requirement to apply for admission to the top universities in Canada. For master’s programs, a competitive GRE or GMAT score can add value to your application. Following are some of the top universities in Canada for graduate courses and their application fees:

University Graduate Application Fee (CAD) Fee for Indian Students (INR)
University of Toronto 125 7,640
McGill University 125.71 7,680
University of British Columbia 168.25 10,285
University of Alberta 135 8,250
University of Calgary 145 8,870
Queen’s University 110 6,730
Simon Fraser University 125 7,640
University of Ottawa 75 4,590
McMaster University All Programs: 110 6,730
MBA and MS in Finance: 150 9,175
University of Montreal 112 6,850
Dalhousie University 115 7,035
University of Waterloo 125 7,640
Western University 150 9,175

Undergraduate Admissions in Canada

In Canada, the majority of the undergraduate students are enrolled in the spring semester. A list of the top universities in Canada enrolling undergraduate students, their application deadlines and application fees are as follows:

University Program Undergraduate Application Deadline
University of Toronto All programs January 12, 2023
Bachelor of Information June 4, 2023
Medical Radiation Sciences February 1, 2023
Nursing January 15, 2023
Physician Assistant January 17, 2023
McGill University All programs January 15, 2023
University of British Columbia All programs with few exceptions Winter and Summer: January 15, 2023
University of Alberta Most programs March 1, 2023
University of Ottawa Science Fall: April 1, 2023
Engineering Fall: March 1, 2023 and April 1, 2023
Arts Fall: April 1, 2023
McMaster University Arts and Science, Business, Computer Science and related courses January 12, 2023
University of Waterloo Most Programs February 1, 2023
Western University Full time first year programs (early consideration) March 1, 2023
University of Calgary All programs Fall: March 1, 2023
Nursing Winter: September 1, 2023
Energy Engineering Spring: February 1, 2023
Community Based Education Summer: March 1, 2023
Queen’s University All first year programs February 1, 2023
Simon Fraser University Undergraduate programs Fall: January 31, 2023
Summer: January 15, 2023
Spring: September 15, 2022 (Closed)
Dalhousie University Bachelor of Science, Arts, Computer Science and Engineering January 2023 Entry: November 15, 2022
September 2023 Entry: April 1, 2023
Bachelor of Health Sciences February 15, 2023
Bachelor of Science (Nursing) February 28, 2023
Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies March 1, 2023
Bachelor of Science (Medical Sciences) March 15, 2023
Bachelor of Agriculture (International Food Business) July 1, 2023

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Considering the ultramodern education facilities, admission in Canada is a wise choice. The admission requirements in Canada are comparatively more achievable than countries like USA. Remember, the university might require you to apply early for scholarships.

FAQs

Ques. How can I get admission to Canada?

Ans. For admission to Canada, international students need a high-school degree, undergraduate degree or graduate degree from a recognized university. The top Canadian universities expect a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (77 to 86%) from prospective students. You must acquire a Canada Student Visa to secure admission.

Ques. Do I need IELTS to study in Canada?

Ans. Indian students need a competitive IELTS score or equivalent English proficiency test score for admission to Canada. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 is the minimum requirement for admission to the majority of the universities in Canada.

Ques. What month is Fall admission in Canada?

Ans. The Fall applications in Canada are generally accepted between September and December. Some universities also accept students for the fall term post application deadline, based on the seats available.

Ques. Can I get free admission in Canada?

Ans. Students can secure admission in Canada for free with tuition and living expenses being waived by scholarships and grants. In Canada, universities and private organizations assist students financially by offering up to 100,000 CAD (61 lakhs INR).