It’s easy to see why Canada is one of top destinations for international students around the world. Aside from welcoming international students with open arms, Canada is also able to provide them a quality education that equips them with the skills to be globally competitive.
However, one of the biggest hurdles for any international student dreaming of pursuing their education in Canada is finances. With tuition, school supplies, accommodation, and daily expenses, the cost of studying in Canada can be high, which is why many aspiring international students ask: Can I study in Canada for free?
Can I study in Canada for free?
While Canada does offer free public education until high school for their citizens and residents, universities, colleges, and other post-secondary institutions do not offer education completely for free. Tuition-free universities for international students are not available in Canada, and most designated learning institutions (DLIs) will not waive their tuition fees for their students.
But don’t let this get you down. Canada has many other ways of ensuring their international students are financially capable of supporting themselves.
Work and Study in Canada
One advantage Canada has that appeals to international students is the ability to work and study at the same time. Work permits are not necessary for international students hoping to find jobs in Canada. For students hoping to take on part-time work to supplement their income, they may work up to 20 hours per week during the school year, and full-time during scheduled breaks.
Many international students have been able to not only pay for their education this way, but also pay for their living expenses. Plenty of them have also been able to find meaningful employment after graduation, as many employers wish to hire international students full-time once they graduate.
It helps that international students in Canada may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) after graduation. The PGWP is an open work permit that encourages international graduates of Candian DLIs to obtain work experience in Canada for up to a maximum of three years.
This is just one of the solutions available to international students hoping to study in Canada. Another way to help with the cost of studying in Canada is scholarships.
Study in Canada Scholarships
Many Canadian universities and DLIs offer scholarships to international students. In fact, many post-secondary institutions apply for scholarships through the Study in Canada Scholarships program on behalf of their students. International students who have been admitted for a full-time post-secondary academic program in their chosen DLI may be eligible for the scholarship, and can apply for the scholarship through their DLI.
The Study in Canada Scholarships program offers academic scholarships for up to two years of study in any post-secondary institution that leads to a diploma, post-secondary or post-graduate certificate, or a Master’s degree at a college, technical or vocational school, or university in Canada.
Canada values International Students
As you can see, Canada is a top choice for international students because the country continues to demonstrate how much they are willing to invest in students who want to pursue their dreams in Canada. Things like the Study in Canada Scholarships program, waiving the work permit requirement for international students, the Post-Graduate Work Permit, and even some DLIs offering students the chance to study in Canada without IELTS requirements, tell us that Canada does value their international students.
Just as international students are taking a chance on Canada by choosing to study there, so too does Canada take a chance to invest in and aid their international students.
Canada understands the value of cultivating global talent, and this is why international students continue to make their way to Canada today.
