Akhilesh Kumar
Getting admission to a Canadian university can be a hard fight since the number of applicants are far more than the prospective students to be accepted. In order to study in Canada and get admission, the students must start preparing one or two years in advance.
Application forms to study in Canada can be filed at common admission portals for universities in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Other applications for international students are available on the respective student websites.
When to Apply for Canadian Universities?
Applications from International students in Canada are usually accepted till September. Accordingly, a rough admission timeline for international students has been given below:
| Month | Timeline |
|---|---|
| April- June (previous year) | Start researching for universities and institutions, meanwhile apply for loans or financial assistance |
| July- August | Contact the universities and take up the standardized tests for Language proficiency and academic requirements |
| August- October | Fill university application forms, gather supporting documents and pay the application fee |
| October- January | Submit application forms and wait for a response |
| March- May | University will send in the response |
| May- July | Apply for visa after acceptance and arrange for finances |
| July- August | Prepare to go |
Admission Requirements for International Students in Canada
Students at all the program levels must provide Language Proficiency Proof, academic requirements also vary as per the course opted.
Language Proficiency
English
- TOEFL: Undergraduate- 79+, Graduate- 80+
- IELTS: 6.5- 7
- PTE: 60+
- CAEL: 70+
- MELAB: 85+
French
- TEF
- TEFAQ
Read More About Exams to Study Abroad
Academic Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Diploma | Grade 12 |
| Degree and Diploma programs | Grade 12 |
| Graduate Program | University degree or three-year college diploma |
How to Apply to Canadian University as an International Student?
Application process for Canadian universities is quite straight-forward. Students must apply at the university’s international students application page. However, applications for undergraduate programs can also be filed via common application portal for universities in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
OUAC (Ontario Universities’ Application Centre)
Online application forms can be processed via OUAC for domestic as well as international students. There are two types of application forms under OUAC:
- OUAC 101: For students currently attending Ontario high school
- OUAC 105: For students who are not attending Ontario high school (105D) or international applicants (105F). International students can fill OUAC 105 F form at ouac.on.ca
How to Apply?
To apply for 3 universities in Ontario, pay $50 (additional $100 for 3 more forms). Continue with steps given below:
- Register at OUAC application portal and obtain username and password.
- Once done, proceed to fill the application form.
- Add choices for universities and courses.
- Submit the form and wait for the answer.
- Fill AIF form sent via mail for extra curricular activities and submit it.
Apply Alberta
All the 26 institutes in Alberta accept applications from international students through the common application portal, ApplyAlberta.
How to Apply?
Following are the steps to apply for universities in Alberta.
- Create a Secure Login Account at applyalberta.ca.
- Find Your Alberta Student Number
- Authorize Transcript Transfer
- Fill in Profile
- Complete Application at Institution of Choice
- Submit Application and Pay Any Application Fees
Education Planner BC
Education Planner BC assists some post secondary institutions in British Columbia province to accept applications for various programs. Following universities in British Columbia accept applications through educationplannerbc.ca.
| Camosun College | Capilano University |
| Coast Mountain College | College of New Caledonia |
| College of the Rockies | Douglas College |
| Emily Carr University of Art and Design | Justice of British Columbia |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University | Langara College |
| Nicole Valley Institute of Technology | North Island college |
| Northern lights college | Selkirk College |
| Simon Fraser University | Thompson Rivers University |
| University of Fraser Valley | Vancouver Community College |
| Vancouver Island University | – |
How to Apply?
- Decide the institution from the given list
- Prepare documents and gather them
- Apply at educationplannerbc.ca as per the instructions given at the institution page
- Pay the application fee as asked
- Submit the form and check its status in your email box.
Commonapp.org
Applications for some universities in Saskatchewan can be filled via commonapp.org, the common application portal for province.
How to Apply?
- Choose an institution from the given list at commonapp.org.
- Prepare documents and gather them
- Apply at commonapp.org for desired university/college.
- Pay the application fee
- Submit the form and check its status.
Types of Admission Offers
There are 4 types of admission offers made by Canadian universities to the international applicants
Unconditional Offers
The most common type of admission offer is unconditional offer, wherein, applicant is granted acceptance without any condition. Such acceptance is given by confirming that an applicant has fulfilled all the required conditions.
Conditional Offers
In case applicant fails to fulfill some requirements, he/she is asked to accept offer only after confirming certain conditions. If failing to prove English proficiency, an applicant has to enroll in English Language course. If falling short of other academic requirements, pathway programs are suggested to be undertaken.
Alternate Offers
If grades are sufficient for the applied program, the institute can offer some other program. Candidates can accept it as per their convenience.
Transfer Credits
An international student who finished high school and completes a coursework at post-secondary level in Canada or abroad can be offered admission on the basis of these credits acquired.
