5 Things You Need to Know About Studying in Canada

As an international student in Canada, you’ll join a diverse student body representing over 200 nationalities! Canada has a famously high standard of living, one of the world’s largest state budgets for higher education, and no shortage of stunning natural landscapes – no wonder it’s the fifth most popular study abroad destination in the world!

If you’re considering heading to Canada for your Masters or PhD, here are five things you should know before packing your bags.

#1 Canada is one of the world’s most diverse countries

Part of what makes Canada such an attractive destination for international students is its diversity. More than one in five Canadians originate from outside of the country, and there are over 250 ethnicities represented, along with more than 200 languages.

#2 There are two national languages

Both English and French are official languages in Canada. French is the first language of over 20% of Canadians, and French speakers form the majority (over 75%) in Quebec.

Most universities in Quebec offer French-taught courses, and if you’re planning to study one of these, you will probably have to take a language test. Since there are some differences between Quebec French and that spoken in France, requirements may be different. We explained how the two dialects compare and which test you’ll need to take if you want to study in Quebec in a recent blog.

A typical PhD in Canada will cost between CAD $2,500 and CAD $17,000 for international students, which, though significant, is lower on average than in the US and UK!

There is plenty of support available to help you cover your costs, however. Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the government department responsible for overseeing international affairs, offers a variety of scholarships for international students in Canada. Funding may also be available from individual provinces and territories.

You can find out more in our guide to fees and funding in Canada.

Learn more about working in Canada as an international student.

Want to know more about studying in Canada? We have plenty of information on universities, funding, visas and more in our detailed guides.

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