Key Aspects
- Canada has 97 universities, mostly public
- Flexible entry like US colleges when it comes to majors.
- Canada leads the world on Coop Education (Paid work experience related to your degree), with 54 universities offering programs. Try the searchable database here.
- Thinking long term? Studying in Canada can be a pathway to Canadian Citizenship. You can work on and off campus during your studies and potentially stay up to three years to work after you graduate.
- Download NACAC’s Guide to Applying to Canada
- Check out the Guide for IB students wishing to study in Canada for helpful information.
- Advanced placement recognition policy varies considerably by institution. Check the Collegeboard AP website for specific details.
Timeline
- Spring Junior Year: Research Universities
- Early fall: Applications open typically early October
- November 1: Priority Deadline for University of Toronto
- January 15: McGill University Deadline
- Most universities work on rolling admissions, but if you aim to apply by January 15th you should hear back by end of March.
Application Procedure
- For most universities you will apply directly on the university website.
- For all Ontario Universities, use OUAC for your application.
- Most Canadian University applications are deceptively simple. They want your biography, list of programs you are applying for, your transcripts and/or IB Predicted grades.
- UBC does require written responses, what they call Personal insight
Tuition fees:
- Average Tuition fees (in US Dollars/year):
- Citizens: $4963
- International students: $17,498
- Examples for international students
- University of Toronto arts/humanities:$48,530CAD
- University of Toronto Business:$$56,730
- University of Toronto Engineering:$54,430
- McGill Engineering: $42,392.10
- McGill Business $48,747.90
- McGill Social Sciences: $19,169.70
Links
- Find a study program in this searchable program
- Here is a useful tool to compare three universities on basic information.
- Profiles of Canadian Universities
- Costs of attending a university in Canada
- University profiles by Globe and Mail
- Rankings: McCleans
- Just for the province of Ontario: Searchable Database
- A pretty interesting and helpful guide to Canadian Universities. Published in 2018, much the material is still very relevant.
The top 20 source markets, as reflected in the table below, sent nearly 86% of Canada’s foreign students in 2018.
Resources:
Podcast with David Hawkins, The University Guy
Webinar: Canadian Universities Webinar February 2020
Check out UNESCO’s interactive map
