Student Frequently Asked Question's
1. When should I start the application process?
We recommend that you start researching the University / Colleges you want to apply to approximately one year in advance. It will take you this long to go through the complete application process which includes - to identify which institution best suits your needs and in turn if you fit into their applicant criteria, apply to the University, wait for a response from them & visa application process. You can start your research online by using the search option in our website.
2. When is the main intake?
For Universities, the primary intake is in September / Fall Session, although very few do allow for a January / Winter Session intake. For Colleges, there are usually 3 intakes in a year: September; January; May.
3. What are the application deadlines?
Each Institution (be it a University / College / University-College) has it’s own deadline and some are subject / department specific. An average for deadlines would be six to nine months before your session begins. Therefore, it is important to note these deadlines when you start your research a year ahead; you’d be surprised to learn that deadlines are as early as January for the September session in some Universities! For Masters level, deadlines can vary depending on subjects. Each department / faculty /school may have a different deadline. For eg: Application deadlines for oversubscribed & highly competitive programs like Computer Engineering can be as early as November of the previous year.
4. Are the deadlines flexible?
For degree programs, deadlines are not flexible! However, for diploma and post-graduate diplomas deadlines can be varied and flexible. Some institutions may accept international students after the deadlines if they have space left. This is variable and could change every year with every institution. Check with our offices to find out if the institution you are interested in is still accepting applications.
5. I missed all the deadlines. What do I do now?
Contact the institution and ask about the Last Call for Admission in April & May ! This could be your last chance to get into a Canadian Institution for the upcoming session. LAP is held twice a year: for the September session and for the January session.
6. What are the options available to me if I have only completed 15 years of education and I need 16 for entry into a Masters level program?
Some Universities may accept you with the 3 year Bachelors degree for eg: York University. Others may evaluate your academic history and consider you for a direct entry to Masters if you have an excellent academic record, so it is highly recommended you check with the University or CEC. If not you will have one of the following options:
a) You can complete your Masters degree here in India, and apply for the same thereafter in Canada, or
b) You may complete your Masters degree here in India, and apply for your PhD thereafter in Canada, or
c) You may apply for admission into a College/University in Canada, enrolling into a PG Diploma program, or you may enroll into Graduate Diploma/Pre MBA course in a Canadian University
d) You may try to get your credits transferred to a University there, entering your 3rd or 4th year in a Bachelors program. (For this you would need to contact the Admissions Department of the Institution applied for).
7. Do I need to appear for an English Fluency Test?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you appear for one of the Internationally recognized English proficiency tests - IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum test scores required vary, but generally TOEFL scores of 90-102 or IELTS band of 6.0 – 6.5 are accepted. For Masters level higher scores are requested by most Universities. (We reccommend that you always check with the institution website for exact admission requirements)
8. Are there scholarships / loans available to international students?
Education in Canada is highly subsidised and very cost effective as compared to other countries. There are very few scholarships at the undergraduate level, although some universities do offer full scholarships & partial entrance scholarships that are primarily based on your academic performance. There are many more opportunities for scholarships at the graduate (MA) and post-graduate (PhD) level. Apart from these Indian students can also avail of scholarships offered by Indian education trusts & bodies. Student loans from Canadian banks are not open to international students, you can however avail of the many student loan options in India. The Government of Canada has announced the Vanier Scholarships for PhD students recently.
12. Is there an application fee for the institutions in Canada?
Yes, most universities and colleges have an application fee that can vary from CDN$30 - $250. These fees must be submitted in the form of a Canadian Dollar draft or paid via a credit card along with the application.
13. I have got my acceptance letter from the Canadian Institute. What should I do next?
We recommend that you start preparing your documents and apply for your Study Permit as soon as you have received your acceptance letter or conditional acceptance letter. For more information about study permit, processing times, fees etc. please refer to the Canadian High Commission in India’s website www.india.gc.ca and click on the Visa and Immigration section or to download the study permit and application form go directly to the student section http://vfs-canada.co.in/visaapplication.html
14. I have got a conditional letter of acceptance from my institute. Can I apply for my student visa?
Yes, you can apply for a visa with a conditional acceptance letter. We recommend that you initiate the process for a student visa as early as possible. You will need to ensure that your application is supported by the required documentation. CEC offers a visa counseling service where our trained Visa Counsellors carefully review your file. This service is by appointment only. You can book your appointment by email or telephone.
15. What is the ranking of the institute that I have selected?
There is no official or recognized ranking for educational institutions in Canada. Most educational institutions in Canada are publicly funded and provide quality education with worldwide recognition and acceptance. Some print magazines and newspapers conduct rankings every year.
16. What if I (my family) has already applied for immigration? How can I get the information required from an immigrant perspective as opposed to an international student perspective with reference to adjusting culturally, getting information on education/ work/ housing in Canada?
We understand that moving to Canada will involve a chain of culture shocks and adjustments on your behalf that we are here to help prepare you for. You can also go through the following websites for more information www.india.gc.ca , www.cic.gc.ca , www.cicic.gc.ca etc.
