Canada has become an ideal place for higher education studies, sought by many prospective international students. Many of the Canadian universities are present in reputed international rankings and a recent educational strategy set by the Canadian Ministry of Education stresses on increasing the number of foreign students.
This means that international students coming from any part of the globe are now more than welcome in Canada so it is no wonder it became so popular in this sense.
The detailed educational plan encourages foreign students to pursue jobs during their Bachelor’s or Master’s studies and to remain in the country for work opportunities after graduation.
Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Quebec cover for the largest foreign-student population and they all provide a vibrant and lively atmosphere. In Canada, students can pleasantly combine an enriching academic life with diverse and entertaining leisure activities.
Check out some of the main reasons why you should give Canada a serious thought in terms of studying abroad:
1. English is everywhere
English and French are both official languages in Canada and share equal status, but anywhere you choose to go in Canada, you can easily survive just by speaking and communicating in English. However, while in Canada, you can seize the opportunity and learn some French or brush up your French language skills.
All universities from Canada offer English-taught degrees for all Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level, so your main concern is to simply find a field of study according to your preferences.
2. Many of the top-ranked universities in the world are in Canada
Universities from Canada have a long history and reputation in terms of academic performance and high graduate employability rate. In fact, many of the Canadian higher educational institutions compete with leading and famous universities from the U.S. and the UK for instance.
Some of the top-ranked Canadian universities are:
- University of Toronto (top 30 best universities in Canada in THE)
- University of British Columbia (top 40 best universities in Canada in THE)
- McGill University (top 50 best universities in Canada in THE)
- University of Montreal (top 150 best universities in Canada in THE)
- University of Alberta (top 150 best universities in Canada in THE)
See the full list of universities from Canada that are present in the top 1,000 Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018.
3. Embrace a diverse and cosmopolitan environment
Canada is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse countries in the world, with over 50% of the population not speaking English as their first language.
Counting over 120,000 international students each year, anywhere in Canada, you will be surrounded by a large multicultural environment, both in classrooms, as well as in the society. This creates a great advantage for any foreigner, meaning that you can easily adapt and make friends.
4. Live in a safe country with a high quality of life
Canada is one of the safest countries in the world, with a low crime rate. In terms of social progress and development, according to Global News, Canada was ranked the second country in the world with the highest quality of life.
5. Universities focus on research and many praise their ground-breaking discoveries
Most study programmes delivered by Canadian universities focus a lot on research and students get to engage in intriguing experiments and projects, meant to provide them a complete study experience, based on innovation and forward thinking.
A significant part of the research work that has been made in universities from Canada has led to interesting new theories and distinguished discoveries. Some examples include a device meant to improve cancer detection, new methods meant to protect the world’ oceans, effective and sustained treatment of HIV/AIDS and more.
Interestingly enough, the first ever black doctor studied in Canada, and insulin was also discovered by Banting and Best while studying in a university from Toronto.
More on why the Canadian teaching style is so effective
In Canada, a Bachelor’s degree usually lasts three years, while a Master’s course (sometimes called a 'grad' programme) can last from one to three years.
University programmes are organised through traditional lectures, combined with workshops, group work, assignments and projects.
The typical classroom atmosphere in a university from Canada is incredibly open and friendly, where professors are merely the guides that help students become independent learners. In many ways, the Canadian higher education system is very similar to the one of the United States.
See tips on how to apply to a university in Canada.
Common characteristics of the university system in Canada
- Students are encouraged to communicate and express misunderstandings honestly.
- Lectures usually integrate a certain level of entertainment and engagement in order to attract students’ attention and to enhance creative and analytical thinking.
- After exams or evaluations, professors provide students with a valuable feedback where they share their learning level and progress.
Some of the reasons why the university system from Canada is considered quite successful are the career-focused programmes, curriculum adapted to current events and the needs of the job market and graduates’ high employability rate.
Most popular study options provided by Canadian universities
In universities from Canada, you can apply to any field of study you can imagine, from Arts, Languages, History, to Management and Engineering. In recent years, some of the most popular study options where international students chose to enrol are:
1. Business
Students who want to study Business in Canada can choose from a diverse palette of specialisations are including brand management, risk management, logistics management and more. Business students can combine academic terms with an internship or work experience in the field.
Professors that teach a business degree are experienced professionals and they come from all over the world, which creates great networking opportunities for students and enlarges their horizon in terms of approaches on business matters.
Universities in Canada where you can study Business:
2. Environmental Science
Universities in Canada that offer Environmental Sciences programmes train students how to approach and solve environmental problems with the help of ecosystem ecology policies, and ethical considerations.
Environmental science study programmes are based on experience-based learning so students will get to see and experience first-hand the impact of human activity on the global environment through research and on-site projects.
Universities in Canada where you can study Environmental Sciences:
3. Social Sciences
Whether you choose to study psychology, international relations, political science or other, curriculum of study degrees is adapted to the realities of today's world. Delivering an interdisciplinary perspective, programmes of social sciences help students gain valuable skills like leadership, critical thinking and project management skills, meant to match perfectly with the needs of the current job market.
Universities in Canada where you can study Social Sciences:
4. Engineering and Technology
Because in recent years in particular, Canada has met a considerable boost in major economic sectors such as infrastructure, construction and transportation, you can’t go wrong if you choose to study an Engineering and Technology degree in one of the local leading universities. Specialisations in the field include systems engineering, electrical and computer engineering, biomedical engineering and you can benefit from a wide array of career opportunities in this field after graduation.
Universities in Canada where you can study Engineering:
5. Medicine
The health care system and services in Canada are known to have always been highly rated compared to other countries. Canada has been praised for the prevention and primary care and since medical schools focus a lot on research, students who plan to pursue a degree in Medicine should consider one of the local universities.
Universities in Canada where you can study Medicine:
6. Arts
Art is a big part of the cultural life in Canada and the country actually has an interesting history and legacy in this field. The art scene in Canada (including painting, sculpture, photography, film and design) was marked by the large and diverse wave of immigrants that came here, many of them from Europe. As a result, the artistic and cultural life has met a mix of interesting styles, still present in all large cities in Canada.
Naturally, many universities and art institutes in Canada offer a plethora of Arts degrees, all combining theoretical lectures with practical exercises visits to important artistic landmarks.
Universities in Canada where you can study Arts:
Study abroad in Canada and become a professional in your field
Canada truly covers all the ingredients to help you achieve whatever you have planned for your future successful career: excellent academic training, the safe and diverse environment and a friendly cultural life. Find the perfect degree in Canada and pack your packs for an outstanding study adventure!
Still curious? Take a sneak peek at other reasons why undergrads should study in Canada.