Study abroad in Canada

Country overview

Canada is a country of natural beauty – from coast to coast - with endless landscapes of mountains, lakes, rivers, forests and plains. This really is the great outdoors. Canada is the second largest country in the world, spanning six time zones. Extending from Atlantic to Pacific, and penetrating deep into the Arctic, Canada is an explorer’s paradise. In the north of the lies most of this beauty – and largely uninhabited, is unspoiled. The Niagra Falls are magnificent, as are the Great Lakes, whilst Banff and Jasper National Parks offer exquisite scenery of glaciers, peaks and fluorescent blue lakes.

Studying abroad in Canada will, you will most likely be based in one of the cities close to the American border - cities which embrace multiculturism like no other. British and French cultures penetrate the nation, culminating in two official languages, whilst a cauldron of other nationalities can be seen and heard – Indian, Dutch, Chinese, Spanish and Polish, to name but a few. Toronto exhibits this blend better than anywhere, and with its vibrant summer festivals and its love for music, will surely entice you. It is also Canada's business centre and the largest city in the country.

Education overview

Seven of Canada’s 89 universities appear in the THES – QS World University Rankings Top 200 Universities, demonstrating the good level of quality and reputation in the country’s higher education system.

Additionally, Canada boasts a range of other post-secondary school education institutions, known as colleges, university colleges, institutes of technology and advanced learning, community colleges and colleges of applied arts and technology - many of which are able to grant degree-level qualifications.

Canada’s top institutes are more commonly referred to as the The Group of Thirteen:

Alberta
British Columbia
Laval
McGill
McMaster
Montréal
Queen’s
Toronto
Waterloo
Western Ontario
University of Calgary
Dalhousie University
University of Ottawa

As one of the largest systems of higher education in the world, Canada has an extremely robust quality assurance and accreditation process ensuring that degree-level studies are recognised internationally. Undergraduate Scholarships are available to offset some of the costs of studying in Canada.

Pros and cons
Good choice of institutions and programmes Reasonable tuition and living fees Opportunities to stay after graduating Well regarded quality of education	Smaller number of world famous universities Differences in the structure of degree programmes between the provinces

Pros and cons

Good choice of institutions and programmes

Reasonable tuition and living fees

Opportunities to stay after graduating

Well regarded quality of education

Smaller number of world famous universities

Differences in the structure of degree programmes between the provinces

International student accommodation

Ever more common in Canada are home-stays. These are a great way to improve on your French and English, and also a good way to learn about the country. Universities in Canada will often arrange these for you and will try to match you with a family sharing similar interests. Very affordable, the cost will also include all your meals.

University campus accommodation is also common, with varied, but usually more than adequate amenities. The private sector is much more expensive, especially when it comes to renting houses. However, slightly more affordable options include suites – self-contained apartments with kitchen and bathroom which based within a larger unit, or typical apartments, which if shared may be a within your budget.

Click here for more information, tips and advice on international student accommodation and university housing.

Weather/Climate

A largely temperate climate, with four distinct seasons. Canada’s climate adds to its alluring habitants and environment. Winter grips the whole country, with the ski season enabling enthusiasts to take to the slopes from December through to April. Expect snow all around. Flowers blossom in Spring, whilst the summer can be very warm and extend to October – similar in temperature to the US. Autumn is perhaps the most picturesque, with astounding colours, especially in the east of the country.

Transport

Large distances between towns are made all the more manageable by an excellent transport network, whilst public transport in the cities is efficient. Air travel may be the most efficient choice if large distances are involved, with Air Canada and its affiliates connecting destinations throughout the country.

Canada is famous for its luxurious and dramatic train journeys. You will be hard pushed to find more impressive scenes as you pass from one end of the country to the other, taking in the snow capped peaks of the Rockies, to the evergreen horizons of the forest, to the abundant and tranquil wildlife you will pass on the way.

Buses are the main form of public transport in most cities, whilst trains and trams are also common. The major hubs including Vancouver and Toronto have modern and affordable metro services.

Cost*

Item	Price
litre of petrol	C$0.90
movie ticket	C$9.00
souvenir t-shirt	C$10.00
litre of bottled water	C$0.90
newspaper	C$1.00
litre of milk	C$1.40
cup of coffee and donut	C$2.00
roll of 36 exposure print film	C$6.50
t-bone steak per kg	C$22.00

*WorldGuide Index from Lonely Planet

Useful info

Dialing code: 1
Currency: Canadian Dollar (C$)
Time zone: GMT/UTC -7, GMT/UTC -6 (), GMT/UTC -5 (), GMT/UTC -4 (), GMT/UTC -3.5 (), GMT/UTC -8 ()

Study abroad in Canada

Cost*

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