What Indian Students Need to Know About PhD Study in Canada

There are lots of reasons why around 90,000 Indian students head to Canada each year for their studies. Canada boasts a world-class higher education system, with five universities among the top 100 in the world.

It’s also famous for its tolerance, with diverse communities to be found in all its bustling, cosmopolitan cities. And, of course, a country as vast as Canada provides endless possibilities for exploring nature – from the lush rainforests and powdery ski slopes of British Columbia in the west to the rugged coastlines of Nova Scotia in the east.

This blog covers everything you need to know about PhD study in Canada for Indian students. We’ve explained how PhD study actually works in Canada, how to apply for a PhD and what funding is available for Indian students. We’ve also included important information on visas, arrival procedures and post-study work permits.

The federal nature of Canada’s political system means that its 10 provinces enjoy a high level of autonomy over education. And, within those regions, there are nearly 100 public research universities in Canada, each with dedicated graduate schools for doctoral research:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Please note that PhD-level studies aren’t currently available in Canada’s three territories (Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon).

Most PhDs at Canadian grad schools last for between three and six years, following a similar research-focused structure to those doctoral programmes typically studied in the UK. This means that you’ll often have the independence and freedom to propose and pursue your own research topic. However, it’s also possible to follow a more structured, American-style PhD.

You’ll typically work under the guidance of an academic supervisor who is an expert in your field, completing a PhD thesis and an oral defence (similar to the viva exam).

When you apply for a PhD at a Canadian university, you’ll usually need to submit the following documents:

• Academic transcripts
• CV
• GMAT or GRE score (if required by the university)
• Letter of intent/statement of purpose
• Letters of reference
• Proof of English language proficiency (more on that below)

Unless you’ve completed your previous university studies in a country where English is considered the primary language, you’ll need to supply proof of your English language proficiency.

Unfortunately, if you previously studied at an Indian university you’ll normally need to take an English language test like IELTS or TOEFL.

If you’re interested in studying in French, Canada’s other official language, you’ll have to follow the same steps.

PhD fees in Canada are often (but not always!) higher for international students than they are for domestic students.

Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between CAD $2,500 and CAD $17,000 (INR 1.51 Lakh to INR 10.3 Lakh) per year for a Canadian PhD. The Canadian government also expects international students to have access to CAD $10,000 (INR 6 Lakh) per year for living costs.

Canadian PhD scholarships for Indian students

Here are some of the most well-known Canadian PhD scholarship schemes that are available to Indian students:

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) – This programme offers CAD $50,000 per year for three years of a PhD in Canada. Applications for 2022-23 are due to open at the end of this month.
• Research Associate Program from National Research Council Canada – This funding is available for students with a Masters in Engineering (as well as a PhD in Natural Science or Engineering).
• Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship – This PhD funding is available in the Humanities and Human Sciences, providing up to CAD $40,000 per year for a three-year doctoral programme.

You can read more in our guide to PhD funding in Canada.

Once you’ve applied for a PhD programme and sorted out your funding, the next step is to organise your travel documents so that you can enter Canada.

Indian students are eligible to apply for the Student Direct Stream, which is the fastest way to get the Study Permit that you need to begin your PhD in Canada. As part of the process, you’ll also receive a visitor visa or electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

Bear in mind that you can only complete the Student Direct Stream online. After beginning the process, you’ll need to submit a series of documents including:

• A letter of acceptance from your Canadian university
• Proof that you’ve paid the first year of your PhD fees
• A Guaranteed Investment Certificate of CAD $10,000
• Academic transcripts
• English language test score (if necessary)
• A scanned copy of your passport
• A medical examination certificate

You’ll also need to pay an application fee of CAD $150 (INR 9,180) and a biometrics fee of CAD $85 (INR 5,200). Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to provide your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). You can find these at the following locations:

• Ahmedabad
• Bangalore
• Chandigarh
• Chennai
• Hyderabad
• Jalandhar
• Kolkata
• Mumbai
• New Delhi
• Pune

You’ll usually find out if your Student Direct Stream application has been successful within 20 days. If approved, you’ll get a port of entry letter of introduction that you’ll need to show upon your arrival in Canada, as well as an electronic travel authorisation or visitor visa. Then you’ll receive your study permit from an immigration officer.

In terms of COVID-19 arrival policies, you’ll need to be fully-vaccinated to enter Canada (and provide proof that you received your second dose at least 14 days beforehand). You also need to use the ArriveCAN app to register your contact details and vaccine status.

After you’ve finished your PhD, it’s possible to stay in Canada via a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). This allows international students who have completed a PhD to remain in Canada for up to three years.

You’ll need to submit your application for a PGWP within 180 days of finishing your doctorate. This costs CAD $255 (INR 15,615).

Ready to begin your Canadian PhD journey? Check out some of the Canadian doctoral projects we list on FindAPhD.com or read our guide to PhD study in Canada.

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