8 Reasons Why International Students Prefer Canadian Schools

You must have seen quite a number of prospective international students looking to study in Canada, haven’t you? And it makes you wonder “Why Canada?” Well, in this article, we will look at the reasons why international students prefer Canadian schools, this could also help you in considering applying for universities in Canada. So, let’s dive in!

Why do international students prefer Canadian schools? Well, firstly, Canada is a great place to study. There is no list of best study destinations for international students without Canada. The country always sits at the second or third position or comes after the United States. Every year, more than 300,000 students from different parts of the world come to Canada to study.

Most, if not all, of these international students, come to Canada for the purpose of education or to explore job opportunities and they are usually successful. Aside from being famous for its excellent academics, Canada is also popular for its high demand for workers and is open all year round for immigrants to come and work.

Canada provides employment opportunities to international students after they graduate which provides a gateway to permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship.

source:- Quora

This is just one among the many reasons why international students prefer Canadian schools or prefer studying in Canada. Let’s review the complete list below.

Reasons Why International Students Prefer Canadian Schools

Studying abroad in Canada is an exciting and fulfilling experience and many people long for this experience. Here, I will show you the reasons why international students prefer studying in Canada. Let’s dive in.

1.     Academic Excellence

I’m sure you already knew that academic excellence would be the first thing on this list and that is because it is the major reason why students from other countries want to study in Canada. The academic excellence of Canadian institutions is what mainly binds all international students pursuing an academic degree in the country.

Higher education in Canada is one of the best in the world, the universities like the University of Toronto and the University of Alberta are among the world’s best universities and are on par with the likes of Ivy Leagues and other top UK and Australian universities and colleges.

According to IDP, 26 of Canada’s universities rank in the QS World University Rankings 2023, and 30 of them in the THE World University Rankings 2023.

2.     Ample Research Opportunities

The academic excellence of Canadian universities does not lie in teaching only, they are also a powerhouse for research and you will have support from even the Canadian government to help fund your research. We have an article on fully-funded Canadian government scholarships where you will find a number of scholarships offered annually by the government of Canada to assist international students who are in research programs. 

Aside from the government, the institutions are ever-ready to offer you support in your research. The universities, colleges, and research institutes all have cutting-edge laboratories and other facilities to ensure success in your research. Research scholars will also get support from renowned professors to assist them in their research and ensure that they come out successful.

3.     Reputable and Generally Acceptable Degrees

Since Canadian universities are widely recognized, academic degrees obtained from the institutions are equally reputable and authentic. This means that graduates of any Canadian university will be recognized and admired wherever they go which gives them an edge or an advantage in the ever-competitive workforce whether in Canada, the US, the UK, or in their home country.

source:- Quora

It is unheard of that a certain university in Canada is not accredited which is quite common in other countries. Bear in mind that whichever institution in Canada you are getting accepted is already accredited by the right accreditation body. To ensure that every degree is just as authentic and reputable, every university in Canada is accredited.

4.     Financial Aid Opportunities

Canada is known to offer a variety of scholarships for international students more than any other country in the world. For example, the University of Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships offers fully-funded scholarships to 37 new undergraduate students each year. This covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for up to 4 years. For 37 new undergraduate international students. This could be up to $30 million dollars per year, just guessing and this is just from one school.

source:- X (Twitter)

Other universities like the University of Alberta, McGill University, UBC, and many others offer millions of dollars in scholarships annually to international students. Even the Canadian government and other corporations and foundations like Mastercard Foundation offer international students millions of dollars in scholarships annually.

If you are looking for that one country that offers quality academics and a variety of scholarships to international students, it is Canada. This country has scholarships for international students even more than the US and UK combined. And you know the best part? The scholarships are easy to access.

source:- X (Twitter)

Scholarships are not the only financial aid opportunities in Canada for international students, there are also bursaries, fellowships, and work-study programs that allow international students to work while studying to help pay for college. The country just works well for you to have an amazing experience. Scholarships and other financial aid options in Canada are another major reason, after academic excellence, why international students prefer Canadian schools.

5.     Study Permit is Easier to Get

Yes, a study permit or student visa is easier to get in Canada compared to the US, UK, and Australia. After academic excellence and scholarship opportunities, this would have to be the third reason why international students prefer Canadian schools. You can process your study permit in just a few months and get approval plus there are no interviews.

source:- X (Twitter)

6.     Long-term Return on your Investment

Getting an education is an investment in oneself, isn’t it? This means that after a few years, you should be reaping the investment. This is not the case when you study in the US because you will spend years paying off student loans because of the expensive cost of education.

The quality of education in Canada is on par with US and UK universities but Canada still offers the cheapest option both in tuition and cost of living. So, when considering the return on investment, it is quite a viable option for international students.

Moreover, don’t forget there are a host of scholarships in Canada for international students that you can apply for to cut down on your educational expenses. This makes studying in Canada affordable compared to its US and UK counterparts.

7.     Safe and Peaceful

Now, aside from Canadians’ prestigious institutions and quality academic offerings, the country itself is an attractive place to be. It is one of the safest places in the world, Canada ranks third in the world for the best quality of life according to the US News & Report, 2022, and international students benefit from the same rights and freedoms that protect all Canadians: respect for human rights, equality, diversity, and a stable, peaceful society.

8.     Cultural Diversity

Canada offers a safe and culturally diverse society. You will meet people from various ethnic groups and different cultures and lifestyles and the amazing part is that Canada is accepting of any culture. The multicultural environment in Canada promotes friendliness and peaceful living like no other country.

So as an international student, you will feel welcome both in the classroom and in the community. The cultural diversity in Canada is among the reasons why international students prefer Canadian schools.

9.     Experience Memorable Adventures

Typically, going abroad to study means that you are ready for memorable adventures but in Canada, you will get more than that. This is a beautiful country with a rich culture, diverse cultures, vibrant communities, spectacular landscapes, and much more. The major languages in Canada are English and French and the parts where these languages are mostly spoken are different. You get to experience this as well and be in the center of it all if you wish.

As a student, you get to meet and connect with students from Canada, your country, and other countries and learn about their cultures and connect with them. Being an international student in Canada is an opportunity to create a network of friends from around the world.

All these are memorable adventures that will live with you forever!

Conclusion

I skipped something interesting in the list above so I am just going to add it here.

Do you know that as an international student in Canada, it is easier, quicker, and cheaper to bring your spouse over to Canada? And not just that, but your spouse can even start working which can eventually lead to a permanent residence. Mind-blowing, isn’t it?

source:- X (Twitter)

No other country would make it this easy for an international student.

Canada is often regarded as the best place to study and work which is why a great number of international students flock there annually and the country is so welcoming both to students and immigrants.

Moreover, the Canadian Government does want you to stay after graduation which is why they offer these attractive opportunities to international students and immigrants.

source:- Reddit

So, if you are looking for reasons why international students prefer Canadian schools this article should satisfy you well enough. And if you are looking for reasons to study abroad in Canada, I hope this guide will help you make better decisions. One thing you may find a little challenging is making the choice of the institution to apply for or going through the application process but you can seek assistance from international counselors, advisors, or professionals like Study Abroad Consultants in Dubai.