CANADA AT A GLANCE

Capital: Ottawa

National Language: English and French

Largest City: Toronto

Currency: Canadian Dollar

GDP: $1.74 Trillion

Population: 37 Million

Top Universities: 102

Students: 0.3 Million
Guide to Study in Canada from Sri Lanka
Canada, one of the most-loved North American countries for its richness in culture, diversity, cuisine, magnificent scenic locations, wildlife and more is an exotic land full of magnific and stunning vibes. The country consistently ranks #1 in providing a quality-life for its citizens and immigrants, becoming the following hotspot country for immigration. Every year a whooping range of 3 lakh people choose Canada as their new country to move in to start a new life. Also, the land is home to some natural wonders like Niagara Falls, the Northern Lights, black-blue lakes, majestic western mountains, rolling central plains and forested eastern valleys, which are the main attractive points for world travellers. But whomsoever it may be, the country is a perfect destination for all kinds of people who want to embark on a new beautiful journey.
The country is a great choice for international students since the land is sitting at the fourth position in providing students with the best global standardised education. For students wishing to settle in the country after their education, the country provides an easy PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) process for them to receive their work permits as soon as they complete their studies in Canada. The Canadian PGWP is an open work permit allowing students to choose any work-field irrespective of their study courses. With Canadian PGWP, students can choose to work part-time, full time or even start their own business in Canada. So it is easy to apply for Canadian citizenship once students have a job offer after completing their studies. Above all, the country allows international students to take up courses which can lead them to get Permanent Residency permits. Since most international students have a thought of settling in the country they chose for their higher education, Canada’s PGWP policy can be a fulfilling and rewarding factor.
As we have seen the most general and career-related reasons to choose Canada for higher education, let us now move on to the specific factors which precisely emphasise the supreme benefits of studying in Canada.
If you are looking for help with your application, you can contact aecc. You will find helpful information on everything you need to know about studying in Australia from Sri Lanka.
Why Study in Canada from Sri Lanka?
- Home to the top 28 Universities of the World - Yes, Canada is not just home to a top 5 or 10 universities but to a total of around top 28 universities. Each university follows unique and progressive education standards to give the best education to the students. These universities excel in providing practical and research-based education to students, so they understand the real-time applications of their study courses.
- Excellent Pedagogy - Canadian schools and universities are known for their excellent teaching methods. Their main theme of teaching methods includes strategic and practical teaching, student-focused syllabus, experiential learning, future problem solving and community problem-solving. In this way, the Canadian universities ensure students are acquainted with the right and necessary knowledge that can shape their careers in a needful way.
- Best Professors/Lecturers - Canada’s universities have highly-knowledged lecturers or instructors who can impart great proficiency and expertise in students. The entire community of lecturers in Canada have the highest qualification for Doctorate degrees, reflecting the benchmark set by Canada’s Provincial governments for teaching aspirants.
- Internship and Co-op Placement Opportunites - Internships and Co-op Placements are part of the study courses made compulsory by the Canadian Universities. The Canadian Universities included this factor as part of the studies to help students understand their profession and clearly comprehend their strengths and weaknesses. This is one of the major benefits of enrolling in a Canadian University because it leads to so many perks like getting employment offers, acquiring professional skills, building a professional network, earning pocket money, etc.
- High-paying jobs - Students can be sure whichever professional field they choose in Canada, they will be paid high if their skills and expertise are impressive and exceptional. Moreover, the country has an income equality rate of 61.6%, which is a welcoming factor for all deserving female employees.
Education System in Canada for Srilanka Students
Higher Education System in Canada is largely provided by Colleges and Universities of Canada. In Canada, each province/territory is responsible for regulating the education system at all levels, which includes Kindergarten to Post-secondary education done in Colleges and Universities. The government as a whole is not responsible for any regulation or administration. The power solely rests in the hands of a particular province/territory. Let us now see the differences between Colleges and Universities in Canada in a tabulated form.
Before, let us see the basic traits of Colleges and Universities of Canada in general.
Colleges - Educational Establishments that provide students access to study diplomas, associate degrees, foundational courses, vocational courses, trade studies, etc., lead to immediate employment. They don’t offer degree-granting studies.
Universities - Educational Establishments pave the way for students to earn professional degrees like Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate and MBAs. Earning these degrees allows students to gain exhaustive theoretical and practical knowledge. These degrees also lead to employment, but it demands students to invest more years for studying, unlike College study courses which take only a minimum time period of two or three years.
College |
University |
|
Education Theme |
Practical/Realistic Education |
Research-based Education |
Fields Covered |
Engineering, Business, Technology, Design, Aviation, Health Care, Arts, Theology, Philosophy, etc. |
Engineering, Business, Technology, Medicine, Public Health, Psychology, Law, Humanities, Science, etc. |
Average Fee Structure |
7,000 - 20,000 CAD/Year. |
10,000 - 80,000 CAD/Year. |
Popular Institutions in Canada |
George Brown College, Centennial College, Seneca College, Mohawk College, Reeves College, etc. |
University of Waterloo, University of British Columbia, McGill University, Ryerson University, University of Alberta, etc. |
Types of Institutions |
Public and Private |
Public and Private |
Medium of Instruction |
Both English and French |
Both English and French |
Intake Seasons |
Fall (end of August/start of September to December/January), Winter (January to April), Summer/Spring (April/May to July) |
Fall (end of August/start of September to December/January), Winter (January to April), Summer/Spring (April/May to July) |
Degrees Offered |
Diploma, Associative Degrees, Diploma with Co-op Placement |
Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Ph.D, Degree with Co-op Placement |
Program duration |
Two or Three Years |
Bachelor’s - 3 to 5 years Master’s - 2 years |
Scholarship Opportunities |
Very Few |
Numerous |
If international students want to study Foundational/Vocational courses to be job-ready, they must apply to Canadian Colleges. On the contrary, if they want to earn professional degrees, they must apply to Canadian Universities.
-
One thing to note here is that an international student cannot apply for Canada’s Permanent Resident permit without a certificate earned in Vocational courses.
-
They also cannot apply for PGWP, which is strictly for students who earned professional degrees in any of Canada’s Designated Learning Institutes (DLI).
-
But with a certificate in Vocational courses, international students can easily land in a job (temporarily) in their related work field. But their employment will be validated only after they get a work permit which should be applied for before finishing their studies. To extend their work period, they need to extend the year duration listed in their work permit by officially applying for it again.
-
If they need to be eligible to apply for Canada’s PR, then they need to earn a University degree and have an additional work experience of a maximum of 2 years.
Any Questions?
Studying in Quebec is different from other Canadian Cities
Even though Quebec is a Canadian city, french-speaking inhabitants dominate it with fewer English-speaking citizens. Also, Quebec has its separate enrolling procedure for international students. Students keen on seeking admission to any of the Quebec’s universities must get their Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). This is issued by the city’s Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI). CAQ is necessary for applying for Canada’s Student Visa since CAQ acts as the legal pass to enter Canada to study in any one of the Quebec Universities.
To receive the CAQ, students need to meet the following requirements.
- Be accepted by a Quebec’s Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- Pay the fees for the CAQ Certificate.
- Agree with the terms and conditions of CAQ for a seamless education journey.
Students need not get a CAQ certificate if their study program is less than 6 months in a Quebec University.
Once the CAQ certificate, students can apply for the Canada’s Student Visa to start their higher education journey in Canada.
Popular Courses to Study in Canada
- Computer Science and IT - Computer Science is the field of studying computer hardware and software. In contrast, IT is the utilisation of computer science to code programs to build software products. Computer Science and IT is a top field in Canada, employing many young CS/IT enthusiasts, which results in the exponential growth of the Country’s economy.
- Engineering - Engineering is of many types such as Mechanical, Computer Science and Technology, Electrical and Electronics, Chemical, etc. All categories of Engineering work based on using the science of the field to develop solutions in the form of automobiles, medicine, electronic products, computer software, etc.
- Health and Medicine - Medicinal Courses always secure a top place in a country’s professional fields. The demand for Health professionals is high in countries abroad because it is considered a Sophisticated and Noble profession that saves the lives of many in despair. Canada’s Health department looks for deserving Medical professionals (Doctors, Specialists, Nurses, etc.) who can keep the Health of its citizens sound and safe.
- Applied and Pure Sciences - Pure Science and Applied Science is the study of Basic/Fundamental Science and applying the knowledge gained to extract information to i) understand the science of the particular field and ii) to develop solutions for the benefit of the humankind. Applied Sciences include Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and many others. Jobs that can be attained by learning Pure and Applied sciences are Research Scientist (Life Sciences and Medical), Soil Scientist, Microbiologist, Pharmacologist, Lecturer, etc.
- Media and Journalism - Uncovering the hidden truths and covering the live incidents of much importance are the daily tasks of a Media person/journalist. Canada needs strong-willed journalists/reporters who can expose the raw truths of society and uphold the ethics of pure journalism.
- Business Management - Business Managers are highly required in Canada to effectively run and organise a business's operations and lead productivity as the country leads in Entrepreneurship with a rate of 83.9%. It is one of the high-paying fields that ensure the business managers' growth by equipping them with many substantial and high-end responsibilities.
- Hospitality and Tourism - A lucrative field which is ready to pay talented professionals with a generous salary. Hospitality Managers and Staff are always in need in a popular-for-tourism country like Canada to provide a good and commendable service to the tourists.
- Agriculture Science and Forestry - Studying this course lead students to take up productive farmwork/cultivation/horticulture jobs/occupations that help them to be a successful farm-owner/ranch-owner.
Top Universities in Canada for Srilanka Students
Canada is home to the high-ranking 28 universities of the world. Canada has achieved this milestone by giving the utmost importance to its education system. The education system ensures students experience the best teaching and receive an education that imparts a great deal of unrivalled knowledge and expertise.
Below we have listed the top-ranking universities of Canada that have transformed the country’s higher education quality and put Canada at an impervious spot.
S.No |
University Name |
QS World Rank |
Degrees Offered |
IELTS Requirements |
Tuition Fees/Per Year in CAD |
1. |
University of Toronto |
25 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA, Honors |
7.0 |
$54,900 to $68,750 |
2. |
McGill University |
31 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
$31,000 to $63,000 |
3. |
University of British Columbia |
45 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
$39,197 to $46,241 |
4. |
University of Montreal |
118 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
$20,400 |
5. |
University of Alberta |
119 |
UG, PG, MBA, PhD |
6.5 |
$29,500 to $47,314 |
6. |
McMaster University |
144 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
$43,000 |
7. |
University of Waterloo |
166 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
$41,850 to $63,000 |
8. |
Western University |
203 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
$20,000 and above |
9. |
University of Calgary |
246 |
UG, PG, PhD and MBA |
6.5 |
$21,000 and above |
Admission Requirements to Study in Canada from Sri Lanka
- Valid Passport
- Admission Approval Mail/Certificate from any one of the Canada’s Designated Learning Institutes (DLI).
- Proof of Funds
- Passport Size Photographs
- An Immigration Medical Examination (IME).
- English Language Proficiency Exam Score.
- Statement of Purpose for Travel.
Cost of Studying in Canada
Canada may be seen as an expensive country to pursue higher education, but Canada's provinces are trying to minimalise the education cost of international students. But owing to its high quality of higher education, students are in the position to pay the needed cost. But this cost can be abridged by applying for scholarships and bursaries.
S.No |
Course Level |
Average Cost in CAD/ Per Year |
Average Cost in LKR/Per Year |
1. |
Foundational Courses |
$20,000 |
LKR 57,16,266 |
2. |
Undergraduate Courses |
$33,623 |
LKR 96,09,901 |
3. |
Postgraduate Courses |
$20,120 |
LKR 57,50,564 |
4. |
Doctorate Courses |
$8000 to $20,000 |
LKR 22,86,506 to LKR 57,16,66 |
5. |
MBA Courses |
$30,000 to $40,000 |
LKR 85,74,399 to LKR 1,14,32,532 |
Cost of Living in Canada
The cost of living in Canada depends purely on students’ lifestyle choices and spending habits. If they manage to develop the habit of minimalism, then students can easily surpass the studying period with a minimum budget. We have tabulated the average cost required for a month for different factors.
S.No |
Type of Expense |
Average Cost Per Month in CAD |
1. |
Accommodation |
$400 to $600 |
2. |
Food |
$200 to $300 |
3. |
Transportation |
$100 to $250 |
4. |
Internet |
$30 to $50 |
5. |
Miscellaneous |
$600 to $700 |
Educational Requirements to Study in Canada
Each degree program in a reputed Canadian University demands a good or best English Language proficiency score. Without an exceptional score, it is not easy for students to enroll in Canadian universities. These scores vary for each degree program in Canada.
Besides the English Language Proficiency score, we have also tabulated the high-school percentage that the Canadian universities look for in students’ academic profiles.
Degree Program |
IELTS |
TOEFL |
PTE |
High School Percentage |
Bachelor’s |
6.0 and above |
Above 100 |
50 |
70 to 80% |
Master’s |
6.5 |
90 to 100 |
65 |
70 to 80% |
PhD or Doctorate |
6.5 |
Around 90 |
61 |
70 to 80% |
MBA |
6.5 |
93 to 100 |
60 to 75 |
70 to 80% |
Entrance Tests to Study in Canada for Sri Lankan Students
There are many entrance tests available for international students to prove their English Language proficiency to qualify for admission in any one of the Canadian universities. Sitting for one of the entrance tests is mandatory as it is an essential requirement mandated by Canadian Universities.
Catalogued is the general and mandatory entrance tests for admission. But there are other entrance tests for which students have to compulsorily sit in if they choose a specific professional course like Medicine, MBA, Business Management, Law, etc.
Full-Form |
Sections |
Average Score |
Time Duration |
|
IELTS |
International English Language Test System |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
7 or 8 |
2 hours 45 minutes |
TOEFL |
Test of English as a Foreign Language |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
Above 100 |
4 hours 20 minutes |
CAEL |
Canadian Academic English Language assessment |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
70 |
3 hours 30 minutes |
MTELP |
Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
72 to 83 |
6 hours |
PTE |
Pearson Test of English Academic |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
61 |
3 hours |
DET |
Duolingo English Test |
Introduction and Onboarding, Graded Adaptive Test, Ungraded Video and Writing Sample |
110 and above |
1 hour or 60 minutes |
CanTest |
Canadian Test of English for Trainees and Scholars |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
4.0 |
50 minutes |
Scholarships to Study in Canada for Srilanka Students
S.No |
Scholarship Name |
Description |
1. |
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 2021 |
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are given for postdoctoral study programs to study Health Research, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities Research. The scholarship covers partial funding of $50,000 per year. |
2. |
Postdoctoral Research Program, 2021 |
The Scholarship is to study the Postdoctoral program in Natural Sciences. The scholarship covers partial funding of a small amount of the tuition fees, which is not fixed. |
3. |
Canada- ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development 2021 |
This scholarship can be used for doing Bachelor’s and Master’s in any course offered by the University. The scholarship covers partial funding of CAD 15,900. |
4. |
Natural Resources Canada Postdoctoral Research Program 2017-2018 |
The scholarship can be used to study Postdoctoral program in Natural Sciences. The scholarship provides partial funding of no fixed amount. |
5. |
CGSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2017 |
As the name suggests, the scholarship can be used to study Postdoctoral program. This postdoctoral fellowship provides a partial funding of $45,000 annually. |
Student Health Cover in Canada
It is compulsory for International students to apply for their Health Insurance Package after landing in Canada. In Canada, a particular province/territory is responsible for providing them with their Health insurance, while in other cases, the province requires them to obtain Private Health Insurance packages.
While in some provinces, educational providers provide students with Health Insurance Packages. But if students want to buy an outside Health Insurance package, their educational provider allows them to do so.
A Health Insurance plan varies from province to province in Canada. For example, the Health Insurance Package in Alberta is called Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). It is called Medical Services Plan (MSP) in British Columbia.
Jobs After Studying in Canada for Srilanka Students
Positions and Average Salary
- Physician - $253,843 Per Year.
- Dentist - $177,266 per year
- Psychologists $138,000 per year
- Registered Nurse $89,579 per year
- Optometrist $103,328 per year
- Product owner $118,650 per year
- Full Stack Developer $87,915 per year
- Architect $94,153 per year
- Mining-related Jobs - $128,221 per year
- Lawyer - $97,744 per year.
Canada Student Visa Visa for Sri Lankan Students
The process to get the Canada Student Visa, starts from
- Applying to a Designated Learning Institution in Canada.
- Receive your admission acceptance letter from the university.
- Apply for your study permit to study in Canada.
- Get your letter of introduction from the visa office.
- The letter of introduction has your Study Permit reference number.
- Apply for the Canada Student Visa on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
- Prepare the documents - Letter of Reference and Statement of Purpose.
- Show proof of funds covering your tuition fees and living costs, etc.
- Proof of no criminal record.
- Immigration Medical Exam (IME) results.
- Two passport-size photographs.
- Proof of paying the Study Permit fee.
- Score certificate of English Language proficiency exam.
- Biometrics appointment and Visa interview.
Best Cities to Study in Canada
-
Montreal
-
Toronto
-
Vancouver
-
Ottawa
-
Quebec
-
Edmonton
-
Calgary
-
Ontario
-
British Columbia
-
Waterloo
aecc is happy to be the ideal study-abroad educational consultancy in shaping the future of the study-abroad aspirants. We have curated student-friendly services and abide by them to the T to deliver uncompromising assistances to students. Students can reach out to us to avail our services through any of our social media handles or by directly visiting our offices.