All About Canadian Universities
Canada might not be the first destination students looking to study internationally might think of, but with its world-class universities and simple application process, we believe it should be! The Great White North boasts over 97 universities, ⅓ of which are considered top academic institutions. Here’s a run down of everything you need to know:
Why Study in Canada?
The application process is much simpler than that of the US. In contrast to the holistic admissions process of the US, most Canadian universities are very quantitative in assessing applications. Most don’t even ask for an activities list or essays! Of course, we still encourage students to take up activities they love, but this means you won’t have to participate in what can feel like an arms race of building the most impressive extracurricular profile around. Most Canadian university applications can be completed in 30 minutes or less!
Note: an outlier is UBC, which does include an activities list and 5 essays.
More accessible acceptance rates: top Canadian universities have much higher acceptance rates than similarly ranked US universities. For instance, University of Toronto, ranked 29th worldwide, has a 43% overall acceptance rate. Compare that to Princeton University, ranked 25th worldwide, and its 4.% overall acceptance rate, and you can see how much more accessible top-tier Canadian universities can be (UBC and McGill have similarly high rankings and acceptance rates).
Flexible curriculum and ability to change your major. Like the US, Canadian degree requirements often include a mix of major-related classes as well as electives and breadth requirements, allowing you to explore academic interests outside of your chosen degree. Additionally, most universities will allow you to change your major. While the process is not as simple as it is in the US — there are restrictions on when you can do this, and you often have to meet certain requirements in order for the change to be approved — the fact that it’s possible might be appealing to students who aren’t certain enough to apply to universities with policies like those in the UK, where change is so difficult you often simply have to reapply to the university and start over from scratch. Note: a change into very competitive programs such as engineering, computer science, and business may not be possible. It’s important to check this when you’re building your university list!
A Focus on Co-Op and Hands-On learning. These experiences are a cornerstone of many Canadian degree programs, and are an excellent way to begin building professional experience before you graduate!
Top-tier universities at a fraction of the cost. University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, and McGill University consistently rank in the top 50 worldwide — higher than NYU — but have tuition and fees that are often half or less what it costs to attend a US university. What’s more, many Canadian universities offer more scholarships and grants to international students than their highly selective US counterparts.
You are allowed to work on your student visa. Students are allowed to work as many hours as they want in an on-campus position or up to 24 hours per week in an off- campus position. As a comparison, US student visas only allow students to work in on-campus positions, ruling out any off-campus jobs or paid internships.
Defined Pathway to stay in Canada, become a permanent resident, and even (eventually) a citizen. Many students assume that graduating from university in a country automatically grants them permission to work there, but in many countries, that’s not the case! Canada shines in this category — if you graduate from a Canadian university, the Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) will allow you to work for up to three years after graduation. By that point, you’ll likely qualify for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (or Express Entry). From there, you’re essentially just a citizenship test away from becoming a Canadian!
Where to Apply
While there are dozens of Canadian universities that would offer a top-tier education, the most highly ranked and popular amongst international students are:
University of British Columbia (British Columbia) — with campuses in Vancouver and Okanagan, it boasts highly-ranked programs in engineering, computer science, management (commerce), and the arts, amongst many. A top choice for students looking for an option on the West Coast.
University of Toronto (Ontario) — with three campuses in the greater Toronto area, Like UBC, its top programs include management (commerce), engineering, and computer science.
McGill University: (Quebec) — a dual-language (English and French) university located in Montreal that is especially well known for its engineering programs, but is strong across the board.
University of Waterloo is an excellent addition to this list if you’re considering computer science or engineering. Of course, there are many more very strong universities to consider in Canada. Maclean’s Magazine does an excellent job of profiling Canadian universities.
How to Apply
Application Sites
Canada is broken into provinces, and several of these have centralized application sites that make it easy to apply to multiple universities at once. These include:
Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) – The centralized location to apply for public universities in Ontario such as University of Toronto, York University, and University of Waterloo.
EducationPlannerBC – The centralized location to apply for public universities in British Columbia such as University of British Columbia and University of Victoria.
ApplyAlberta – The centralized location to apply for public universities in Alberta such as University of Alberta and University of Calgary.
Other provinces don’t have centralized application systems, so you will have to apply individually to each university. The most popular university that requires an individual application is McGill University.
Note that in most cases, students are applying to a specific faculty, such as the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, rather than the university as a whole. Most universities therefore allow you to apply to 2-3 different programs, and you will receive separate admissions decisions for each program.
When to Apply
Applications for most Canadian universities open in late September or October (compared to August 1st for the Common App). Final deadlines are often in January, but students should aim to submit their applications by mid November, as some universities have early deadlines for specific programs and international students.
Admissions Criteria, Testing Policies, and Additional Materials
As Canadian universities are more quantitative in application assessments, it’s crucial you meet the minimum entry requirements. These often change by program. For example, if you want to apply to the College of Engineering at many Canadian universities, you must take chemistry in your final two years of high school, no matter the type of engineering you want to study.
You will need to submit an official transcript along with your online application to show that you’ve met these requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements doesn't guarantee that you will be accepted, but there is a strong chance that you will be. Of course, some degrees are more competitive than others, such as engineering, computer science, and commerce (business), so the chances of acceptance are harder to predict.
If you’re coming from the US, an SAT or ACT score can be an excellent additional data point to help admissions officers assess your application. While most universities are still test-optional, some faculties do require submitting a test score. For instance, an application to any of U of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering requires students to submit the full history of their standardized testing. If you don’t submit a score, you must explain why in an essay, and must have a compelling reason - “I didn’t want to” won’t cut it!
Most universities won’t require any additional materials, but always carefully check the application requirements of each program you apply to! For instance, U Toronto requires a supplemental application for its computer science and commerce programs, and many art-related programs will require a portfolio.
Tips to Ensure Success
If your program of interest has any specific prerequisite courses (such as Calculus, Biology, or a foreign language), it’s important to take those courses in 11th or 12th grade as they often don’t “count” when taken in 9th or 10th grade.
12th grade courses and grades are very important. If you receive an offer of admission, you are expected to maintain at least the minimum GPA required by the program (and preferably maintain the GPA with which you were admitted, if it’s higher than the minimum). There is very little flexibility on this, so make sure you continue to excel throughout senior year!
Want to learn more about applying to Canadian Universities? Connect with a LogicPrep Global College Advisor today!