Have you ever wondered why people are flocking to this English-speaking, frigid North-American country? In fact, Canada has seen a steady increase in education tourism in the last few years. For the nine consecutive years, the UN survey claimed Canada to be among the top three places in the world to live. The country is a peace loving, friendly, caring and secure society. This constitutional monarchy believes in equality, diversity, and respect for all individuals, thanks to Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
Canada has also repeatedly claimed the top spots in categories like ‘the best place to live’ and ‘best place to study’. It also ranks high in entrepreneurship, employment, and tourism in various international surveys and standards assessments. Students who want overseas education recognise the value proposition it offers—high-quality institutions at an attractive price in a safe, beautiful, multicultural, progressive, and welcoming atmosphere. They lap up Canada’s excellent combined offer of high-quality education with opportunities for working both while and after studying and a chance to possibly immigrate after the completion of studies.
Higher education, which is also called postsecondary education in Canada, is available in both government-supported and private institutions. Postsecondary education refers to all kinds of formal education beyond secondary school, degree-granting education or not. These institutions offer degrees, diplomas, and certificate courses, depending on the length of the programme and the nature of the institute. In Canada, universities are no longer the sole degree-granting institutions. A recognised postsecondary institution, which can be both private and public, too can grant degrees, diplomas, and other credentials .
1. High-quality education in world-class institutions
A Canadian degree, certificate, and diploma is considered equivalent to the degrees in other Commonwealth countries and the US. Canada’s universities maintain high standards of academic excellence and are consistently recognised in top international rankings. In 2012, four Canadian universities: University of British Columbia, McGill University, McMaster University and University of Toronto, were listed in the top 100 colleges by ARWU Shanghai Rankings. The QS University Ranking had five more: Universität de Montréal, HEC Montréal University of Alberta, Queen's University, University of Waterloo in its list of top 100s.
2. Wide range of programmes and courses to choose from
Universities, colleges, and other postsecondary education institutions offer a range of programmes in a wide variety of purely academic and skill oriented professional and technical fields. Canadian universities offer more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate degree programmes, as well as professional degree programmes and certificate courses. Students can also choose to pursue various workshops, short courses, and upgrades for skilled workers and professionals side by side to their main degree programme. Some institutions offer specialised courses from a wide range of fields like fisheries, agriculture, apiary, paramedical technology, etc. However, fields such as telecommunications, medicine, agriculture, computer technology, business studies, and environmental science are the most sought after by Indian students.
3. Low cost of education
Tuition fees for foreign students in Canada are the lowest compared to the US, UK, and Australia. The average cost for a foreign student for one year in an undergraduate programme is CAD 11, 903. Fees for bachelor’s degrees at the US public universities are almost 1/3 higher than Canadian universities. Compared to private universities in the US, fees in Canadian universities for undergraduate programmes were found to be less than half.
4. Multiple scholarship opportunities
The Canadian government recognises that international students bring fresh ideas to Canada and contribute a great deal to various disciplines and the industry with the knowledge they bring from their home countries. This is the reason why the federal, provincial, and territorial governments of Canada as well as various public and private organisations, provide several scholarships and bursaries to deserving international scholars.
5. Safe and peaceful atmosphere
Canada is a relatively safe and peaceful country. The rate of violent crimes decreased for ten consecutive years in the period of 1993 to 2003. Firearms are strictly controlled and are generally not permitted, unlike the US. The Global Peace Index consistently ranks Canada among the top 10 safest countries to visit in the world. It is also relatively unaffected by natural disasters.
6. Multicultural country with deep democratic values
Canada is a country of immigrants and follows a policy of fostering multicultural diversity. The Canadian society comprises of almost all of the world's ethnic groups. You will easily find most ethnic foods and cultural activities. You will easily find informal clubs and associations representing various ethnicities. People of Canada are generally very open minded and respectful of different perspectives. Over the past century and a half, Canada has welcomed 15 million immigrants. Canada is also home to over one million aboriginal people, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
7. Easier visa acquisition
One of the most exciting aspect while considering studying in Canada is that the process of acquiring a Canadian study visa is relatively relaxed. Students increasingly face issues and complain about the strict visa norm of the US. It has led to international students being diverted to other countries. The Canadian government has left no stone unturned in reaping the benefits of the tightened US visa system post 9/11.
8. An exciting and beautiful place to live
There is a great diversity in the landscape of Canada as it is as large country situated near the Arctic Circle surrounded by three oceans (the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Arctic). Canadian cities are famous worldwide for their beauty and they attract a large number of tourists each year. There are four very distinct seasons and the temperature varies a great deal throughout the year depending on the distance from the ocean and the Arctic Circle.