With low tuition fees, quality institutions, study versatility, post-study work, and immigration opportunities, and friendly people, it’s no wonder that Canada is one of the biggest destinations for foreign students, drawing more than 300,000 new international students each year.
The vast majority of students (93 percent) state they are pleased with their educational experience in Canada, according to the 2018 Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) international student Survey.
World-Class Education:
The price of Canadian education is one of the big reasons students want to move to Canada. Canadian degrees and diplomas are generally accepted to be equivalent to those from the United States, Australia, and the UK. Universities and colleges in Canada consistently position themselves high on international rankings.
In reality, 17 Canadian universities place among the top 500 in the 2020 QS World University Rankings. Many are also ranked in the top 100 by esteemed publications such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities.
Throughout Canada, education is held in high esteem. The Canadian Government is spending extensively in the education sector in Canada. As a result, Canada has one of the highest post-secondary completion rates among OECD member countries (61 per cent).
It’s also not surprising that Canadian instructors, scholars, and academics are among the most trained academic professionals worldwide. Canada also attracts top foreign professors in sectors such as medical science, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and artificial intelligence thanks to its investments in cutting-edge research.
Affordable Tuition Fee & Living Costs:
Not only is Canadian education quality is among the world’s best, but it’s also one of the most cost-effective. In Canada, the tuition fees, as well as the average cost of living, are generally lower than in the United States, UK, and Australia.
According to a 2014 HSBC report, the average cost (tuition and living expenses) of a university undergraduate education for an international student in Canada is approximately $30,000 USD per year. In contrast, the United States (US$ 36,564), Australia (US$ 42,093), and the United Kingdom (US$ 35,045) are all significantly higher.
High Quality of Life:
For four years now in a row (as from 2019), Canada has ranked # 1 in the Best Countries List for Quality of Life. It is also among the top 15 countries on the 2018 UN Human Development Index, which measures the three fundamental dimensions of human development: a long and stable life, access to education and a decent living standard.
Surveys and studies suggest that Canadians are more comfortable and content with their lives than those around the world in general. According to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD), Canada has the seventh-highest degree of global satisfaction, just above the United States, the United Kingdom.
Academic Excellence:
For four years now in a row (as from 2019), Canada has ranked # 1 in the Best Countries List for Quality of Life. It is also among the top 15 countries on the 2018 UN Human Development Index, which measures the three fundamental dimensions of human development: a long and stable life, access to education and a decent living standard.
Surveys and studies suggest that Canadians are more comfortable and content with their lives than those around the world in general. According to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD), Canada has the seventh-highest degree of global satisfaction, just above the United States, the United Kingdom.
One Of The Safest Nations to Live:
Another big reason why students want to come to Canada is safety and wellbeing. In a World Education Services study, over 25% of the international students in the US had shown anxieties about gun violence at their institution. Prospective international students and their parents will gain confidence realizing Canada is among the world’s safest countries.
Canada is recognized as the world’s 20 best countries in the 2019 Global Finance ranking of the safest countries, with over 82 percent of Canadians feeling safe at night walking. Institute for Economics and Peace’s 2019 Global Peace Index also positions Canada as one of the 10 most peaceful countries in the world.
Multicultural & Vibrant Environment:
Canada is a welcoming country with a distinctive Canadian culture that promotes multiculturalism and celebrates diversity. In fact, in 1971, Canada became the first state to make multiculturalism an official Canadian policy. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau once famously said, “Diversity is Canada’s strength,” and Canadians’ “different backgrounds… and different stories are all part of what makes our communities and our country strong.”
Immigrants form the backbone of Canada’s rise. A quarter of Canadians either are foreign-born or have been born to immigrant parents. Canada’s ten main identifiable ethnic groups are South Asians, Chinese, Africans, Caribbean, Philippines, Latin Americans, Arabs, Southeast Asians, Koreans, and West Asians. 10 + religions are followed, and approximately 200 + languages are spoken in Canada, according to a census survey.
Canadian culture incorporates flavors from all around the world, and Canadians commemorate and celebrate global events and festivals such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, Caribana, Eid, and St. Patrick’s Day.
The welcoming population and vibrant multicultural environment make Canada a great home away from home for students worldwide.
Work While You Study:
One of the decision-making factors for prospective foreign students finalizing their destination for education is the possibility of working while studying. International students enrolled in a full-time post-secondary program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) may work up to 20 hours a week during school schedules and full time (30 + hours per week) during scheduled breaks, such as summer holidays. Whether the employment is on-campus or off-campus, most students do not need a work permit to work while studying.
Immigration Friendly Policies:
Typically, students are granted temporary status while going overseas to study in the country they are studying. When their training ends, their status often expires, and they have to return home after graduation. Canada, on the other hand, has programs intended to help foreign students obtain Canadian job experience upon graduation, and eventually transition to permanent residence and finally citizenship if they so choose.
For example, a Post-graduate Work Permit (PGWP) lets students who have graduated from an appropriate PGWP-eligible program stay and work in Canada for up to three years. This work experience can also be used for students to apply for permanent residency in Canada.