Canadian Immigration News

What to Study as an International Student Interested in Immigrating to Canada

3 minute read
Are you applying to study in Canada? You’ve made an excellent choice. Canada has some of the best educational institutions in the world. Next, you’ll need to figure out what to study and how to choose the best study program for you. In today’s blog, we’re discussing your study options as an international student in Canada.
Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on:  Jun 21, 2023
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Are you applying to study in Canada? You’ve made an excellent choice. Canada has some of the best educational institutions in the world.

Next, you’ll need to figure out what to study and how to choose the best study program for you. In today’s blog, we’re discussing your study options as an international student in Canada.

University or College?

Most international students in Canada are attending either a Canadian university or college. Both are great options for students to pursue a degree or diploma after completing their high school education.

At a university, you will likely be working toward an undergraduate degree. Some of the most common degrees are the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degrees. These degrees take at least three years to complete, with a minimum of four years for an Honours degree. University programs and courses are typically very academic. You can expect to do lots of reading, writing, and research in most university programs. A university degree is the right choice for anyone seeking a professional job after graduating.

On the other hand, Canadian colleges typically allow students to work toward a diploma or certificate. In most cases, college programs focus on technical skills training. A college program can prepare you for the workforce and provide you with the necessary skills you would require to perform a particular job. College programs are often only one to two years in length. College programs are the right choice for anyone looking to become skilled to work in a trade or technical field. Often, degree holders from other countries will come to Canada and pursue a diploma or certificate to become more qualified to work in Canada.

Popular Programs of Study

Canada offers various options for study programs across colleges and universities. Some popular areas of study that international students pursue include:

  • Business
  • Medicine
  • Engineering
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Computer Science and IT
  • Media and Journalism
  • Accounting
  • Public Health
  • Nursing

You can explore many other options at both the college and university levels. You can research programs offered at a specific designated learning institution (DLI) by checking the programs listed on their website. College and university websites are also where you can check admission requirements, application deadlines, and fees for international students.

How to Choose the Right Program for You

Choosing the right study program for you will depend on your goals. If you intend to study in Canada with the hope of becoming a permanent resident, you would be wise to pursue a field in which you know you can find a job. Consider looking at in-demand jobs in your choice province of residence.

It would be very beneficial to plan ahead so that you know what you need to do to reach your goal of permanent immigration. Many immigration programs require a certain amount of work experience that you will want to ensure you can get. Canada also offers a wide range of unique immigration streams for individuals with education and expertise in specific fields of work. Make a plan so that you know how your diploma or degree can help you transition to permanent residence. By planning, you can create a roadmap to help you reach your goal and ensure you meet all the requirements as you go to avoid any issues when the time comes to apply.

Applying for a Study Permit

Once you have applied to and been accepted to a study program at a DLI in Canada, you will be able to apply for a Canadian study permit. Here are the eligibility requirements for a study permit in Canada:

  • Have an acceptance letter from a DLI
  • Have sufficient funds to support your stay in Canada
  • Clear a medical examination if required
  • Not be criminally inadmissible
  • Convince the reviewing immigration officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires
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