10 things to know about studying in Canada

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Have you considered studying abroad? Moving to Canada to study? With more than 100 world-class universities across the country, there’s good reason to. From coast to coast to coast, it offers many international students a safe and supportive learning environment and the opportunity to work after graduation.

Want to learn more? In this guide, we cover ten things you should know about studying in Canada:

things you need to know about studying in Canada
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1. Canada is incredibly diverse

More than one in five Canadians were born outside the country – making Canada one of the most multicultural places in the world. According to, nearly half of the people born outside Canada are from Asia, about 28% of the people are from Europe, and 8.5% are from Africa. Even more, 37.5% of children in Canada were either born abroad or have a foreign-born parent.

A large number of students at Canadian universities and colleges also come from abroad – which is a big draw for many international students. In fact, international students areacross Canada!

2. The country has two official languages

Canada has two official languages: English and French. The English-speaking part of the population is called anglophone, while the French-speaking part of the population is called francophone. Aboutin Canada have French as their first language, and the majority of them live in the province of Quebec. There are also more than 100 French-speaking universities and colleges across Canada.

It’s important to note that federal government institutions are all bilingual. This means you can submit your student visa documents in either English or French. When you enter Canada at the border, you’ll also notice the officer will greet you by saying “bonjour, hello” (or vice versa)

In addition to English and French, there are alsospoken in Canada.

3. Tuition costs can be more reasonable

International student tuition fees in Canada are usually lower than in places like the US and UK. However, they are still a big expense., tuition ranges between $1,800 CAD – $20,000 CAD per year for an undergraduate university degree. Colleges are sometimes less expensive; however, tuition can still reach $18,000 CAD per year.

4. There are scholarships available

Good news: there are lots of. Many scholarships, called entrance scholarships, are offered to students by institutions upon acceptance based on academic performance. So, you don’t have to apply for them.

Others are offered by the government. For example, if you’re studying in the province of Ontario, theOntario Graduate Scholarship Programoffers masters and doctoral students up to $15,000. To learn more about scholarships and awards for international students,is a good resource.

5. Institutions provide lots of support

Universities and colleges in Canada want their international students to succeed. Your institution will have an international student office that should provide services like visa and health insurance support, upskilling workshops, and advice on how to adjust to life in Canada. There will also be campus-wide support services. These include:

  • mentorship programs
  • mental health services
  • academic accommodations
  • language workshops
  • housing support
  • employment support.

6. On-campus housing is a community hub

The majority of institutions in Canada offer on-campus housing. Sometimes, student residences are reserved for first-year students. But many universities and colleges will also offer on-campus housing to students coming from abroad.

Residences can consist of dorm rooms, private studio apartments or shared houses, and often come with a meal plan. Living on campus is a great way to meet new people from around the world and make lifelong friends – and for many students, residences become a real community hub.

But, you can still have a student housing experience off-campus. In most cities, student housing options aren’t affiliated with any particular institutions, but still offer a similar experience with the same amenities – things like cafeterias, study spaces, and entertainment areas.

7. You might be able to work while you study

As an international student in Canada, you can only work if you’re enrolled full-time at a. If so, you’ll be able to work for 20 hours per week off-campus, and full-time during scheduled semester breaks. Your study permit should have your work conditions printed on it.

However before you begin work, you’ll need to apply for a. This is free and only takes a few minutes to do online.

How much you make will depend on where you live. The minimum wage in Canada varies by province and territory. So checking this is a good idea to ensure you can budget your living expenses appropriately if you plan to work in Canada.

8. Travel can be expensive – but there are some cheaper options

Did you know Canada is the second-largest country in the world? It has a landmass of 9.1 million square kilometers! This is one reason traveling in Canada is expensive. There are also high airport taxes and a lack of competition in the aviation industry, so. For example, a 1-hour flight between Toronto and Montreal can cost up to $300 CAD.

However, if you want to explore the country – and travel is deemed safe by government authorities this year to do so – there are some cheaper ways to see Canada. For example, the country’s train serviceoffers discounts to students and riders under 25. Alternatively,is a discount bus service that offers routes throughout Canada and the U.S.

9. Canada offers post-study visas

Want to settle in Canada after you graduate? You’re not alone. Three in 10 international students who came to Canada after 2000.

Canada offers a few ways for students to work in the country after graduation. For example, if you are eligible, thecould allow you to stay in Canada for up to three years after studying. You could also apply for a.

10. Canadians value a global perspective

Having international experience in Canada is viewed as a big advantage. Nearly every university in the country offers their students the opportunity to study or work abroad. Better yet,say it makes their business better.

Most students must take an English language proficiency test to meet the requirements to study in Canada.PTE Academicis accepted by more than 200 Canadian institutions – and is the best choice to help you get accepted.

Read about the Student Direct Stream (SDS) pathway here, an efficient route to studying in Canada.

Learn more about PTE and our other tests

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  • A Parent reading to his two children from a book with all three of them laying on the floor

    How can teachers encourage parents to get kids reading at home?

    By Donatella Fitzgerald MBE

    “Sharing a story with your child is one of the most incredible things you can do for them.” – .

    Research shows that getting kids reading at home can increase their reading ability at school – and improve their overall well-being. Parents and guardians can make a big difference. But how can teachers encourage parents to get their children to read more at home? We explore some strategies you can use.

    Tell parents about the benefits

    Reading can give children a break from technology-centered activities. It can help them to relax and unwind; reading a book can make children laugh and feel happier! Through hearing stories, children are also exposed to a rich and broad vocabulary.

    “It is important for teachers to establish contact with parents as much as possible and give very clear guidelines on the benefits of reading, and how they can create a reading routine and help their children read at home,” says Kasia Janitz-De La Rue, Product Development Director at app.

    So, encourage parents to find time for a reading routine. Just before bedtime is a great time, as .

    Give parents practical ideas for reading strategies

    Encourage parents to read with and not to their child. It doesn’t matter how long they set aside to read – just 10 minutes of quality reading time can make a big difference.

    Here are a few tips concrete reading tips for teachers to share with parents:

    • Ask children lots of questions while reading.
    • Use encouragement and praise to keep children engaged. Saying things like “what fantastic ideas” or “you thought so carefully about that, what might happen now?"will keep their minds working.
    • Use their past experiences to talk about what’s being read. Things like “have you learnt about…at school?” or “do you remember when we watched…and found out about…?” are good conversation starters.
    • Tune in and listen to children, and be curious about their interests. “I didn’t know you knew so much about…” or “I love reading stories about…with you,” are good phrases to keep in mind.

    It’s also a great idea to share online resources with parents. You can also suggest that parents look up read-aloud YouTube videos featuring authors, teachers or librarians reading their favorite stories. This way, children can watch and listen as often as they like.

    Recommend graded readers

    Graded readers are books that use language in line with a child‘s learning level. They can help children build confidence, and help slowly expose them to authentic reading levels.

    Encourage parents to identify what genre their child is interested in and show them the readers available. Each time parents see their children move up a level, they’re sure to see their children’s love for reading grow.

    Suggest before, during, and after reading activities

    Before reading

    Parents can take turns with their children to predict what the story is about – or what will happen next. Here is an activity teachers may suggest they try:

    “Start with the cover of the book and the blurb on the back cover. Reveal the cover slowly to ask the child what they can see. Ask them to guess what is on the cover. Once they have seen the cover, ask them questions about the images on the cover – who, what, why, where and how?”

    While reading

    Remind parents to focus on their children’s reading comprehension by using strategies like prediction, questioning, clarifying, and summarising. Teachers can ask parents to:

    • check ideas and understanding as the child reads: ‘So, you think that….’ ‘Did you expect…to happen?’ ‘Why do you think that happened?’
    • use the pictures in the book to help with comprehension
    • describe what is happening and talk about the characters.

    After reading

    Don’t forget: parents can continue to explore the book’s topic once reading time is done! A few ideas to share with parents include:

    • organising a puppet show for family members and siblings after making puppets of the characters in the book
    • having children draw a picture of their favorite character or their favorite page in the story
    • encouraging children to express their opinion on the book.