The International Student Guide to Studying in The Canadian Territories

If you want to learn more about what studying in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut is like, you’re in the right place! Full of arctic beauty, breathtaking wildlife, and rich historical culture, the Canadian Territories have a lot to offer. Here are the essentials for international students:

What Are the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut Like?

What’s the Geography of Canada’s Three Territories Like?

• Yukon - Made up of mountains, plateaus, and dense forests, Yukon is located in the Northwest side of Canada, with Alaska on its west side and the Northwest Territories on its east.
  

• Northwest Territories - The Northwest Territories has a rich, varied landscape that includes tundra, ice caps and glaciers, forests and mountains. It’s also dense with minerals like gold, diamonds, and uranium.
  

• Nunavut - Canada’s most eastern territory, Nunavut is made up of sprawling tundra, hills, rocks, ice, and glaciers.

What is the Weather and Climate Like in the Three Territories of Canada?

• Yukon - Yukon’s climate is subarctic. This territory boasts a true Canadian winter that is typically long and cold, with summers that are short but warm.
  

• Northwest Territories - Relatively dry and cold, the Northwest Territories experiences mild, sunny summers and very cold winters.
  

• Nunavut - Most of its regions are very cold, which brings harsh winters and cooler summers. Nunavut’s average warmest temperature sits around 11C.

What Are the Largest Cities in the Three Territories of Canada?

The biggest cities in Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut are:

• Whitehorse - The capital city of Yukon, Whitehorse is situated on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. Whitehorse is nestled in stunning wilderness and is known for its historical ties to the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush.
  

• Yellowknife - The Northwest Territories’ capital city is the most populous community and only city in the Northwest Territories. Yellowknife is also known as the Diamond Capital of North America.
  

• Iqaluit - Iqaluit is the capital city of Nunavut, which means “Our Land” and is a land acknowledgment in itself. It is a thriving hub of Inuit culture and is the most northern capital in Canada.

Demographics

Despite making up 40% of Canada’s total land mass, only 3% of Canada’s population lives in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.

There are 40,200 people who live in the Yukon, 5,300 of which are immigrants. There are 5,000 visible minorities in the Yukon, the largest groups are Filipino, South Asian, Chinese, and Black. There are 8,800 people with Indigenous identity in the Yukon.

41,000 people live in the Northwest Territories. 4,000 of the population is made up of immigrants. There are 4,900 visible minorities, with the largest groups being Filipino, Black, and South Asian. 20,000 people in the Northwest Territories have Indigenous identity.

There are 36,800 people in Nunavut. 1,100 of the population are immigrants and 1,300 are visible minorities. The largest visible minority groups are Black, Filipino, and South Asian. 31,000 people in Nunavut have Indigenous identity.

Universities and Colleges for International Students in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut

Here are the notable universities, colleges, and schools in the three Canadian territories:

• Yukon University - Located in Whitehorse, Yukon University is known for its small class sizes and personal approach. YukonU is a hybrid institution that offers research and degree programs as well as programs for vocational training and the trades.
  

• Yukon School of Visual Arts - Located in Dawson City, this is the most northern post-secondary fine arts school in Canada that has experimental course offerings combining studio classes with liberal arts programs.
  

• Aurora College - Located in Inuvik, Aurora College is one of the colleges in the Northwest Territories with programs that focus on northern education and preparing students for the local labour market.
  

• Nunavut Arctic College - There are no universities in Nunavut, and Nunavut Arctic College is the only post-secondary institution in the territory. Located in Iqaluit, it is known for high quality education programs with partners throughout the Arctic.

Top 10 Things for International Students to Do in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut

Take a break from studying to enjoy these sights:

1. Northern Lights - The Northern Lights are a dazzling, natural light display that occurs when charged particles enter the atmosphere at a high speed. Unique to areas at high altitudes, this once-in-a-lifetime experience can be enjoyed from any of the territories from October to April.
   

2. Nahanni National Park Reserve - A UNESCO World Heritage site in the Northwest Territories, the Nahanni National Park Reserve is known for its limestone caves, waterfalls and sprawling canyons. It is also home to wolves, grizzly bears, and caribou.
   

3. Wood Buffalo National Park - Located in the Northwest Territories, this UNESCO World Heritage site has the largest population of Buffalo and the largest undisturbed grasses and sedge meadows left in North America.
   

4. Great Slave Lake - This lake in the Northwest Territories is the second largest in Canada and is the deepest lake in North America. It is home to a wide variety of fish species and attracts fishing enthusiasts.
   
   

   

5. Yukon Wildlife Preserve - Located in the Yukon, this wildlife preserve houses over 11 different species of animals and provides a rehabilitation space for injured and orphaned animals native to the territory.
   

6. Miles Canyon - Located in Whitehorse, Yukon, the Miles Canyon is known for its circular 15 km hike that provides a spectacular view of the Yukon River. Historically, the Miles Canyon was a major obstacle for gold-seekers in the Klondike Gold Rush.
   

7. MacBride Museum - Get an overview of the Yukon’s history with exhibits that showcase stories from the Yukon’s First Nations, the Klondike Gold Rush, and more.
   

8. Iqaluit - The capital city of Nunavut is a rich location of Inuit culture and arts that is not to be missed, and has close access to the arctic ocean and tundra.
   

9. Naujaat - This secluded Nunavut hamlet is on the Arctic Circle and is home to over one hundred species of birds as well as a wide variety of animals like polar bears, caribou, whales, seals, and walruses.
   

10. Auyuittuq National Park - Southeast on Baffin Island, this park is the place to go to take in the remote natural beauty the arctic wilderness has to offer. Enjoy expansive mountains and fjords, glaciers, and ice caps.

What is the Job Market and Local Economy Like in Canada’s Territories for International Students?

Whether you’re going to be working in Canada as an international student in the territories, or looking for information about the job market after you graduate, here are the key facts you need to know.

What Areas of the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut Have the Most Job Opportunities?

The regions of the Canadian territories with the most employment opportunities are:

1. Yellowknife

2. Whitehorse

3. Iqaluit

What Are the Top Industries Offering Employment in the Canadian Territories?

In Yukon and Northwest Territories, the sectors with the most employment opportunities are:

1. Early childhood educators

2. Accountants and bookkeepers

3. Retail salespersons

In Nunavut, these industries will be offering the most employment:

1. School principals and administrators

2. Financial managers

3. Managerial positions in social, community, and correctional services, construction, and human resources

How to Apply for Permanent Residency as an International Students in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut

Annually, an average of 219 people become permanent residents in the Northwest Territories (from 2015-2022). In 2022, 225 people gained permanent residency.

In the Yukon, an annual average of 326 people become permanent residents (from 2015-2022). In 2022, the number of people who gained permanent residency was 435.

Nunavut has an average of 35 people gain permanent residency every year. In 2022, 40 people became permanent residents.

As of 2023, the Northwest Territories and Yukon have their own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), while Nunavut does not.

If you’d like to apply for permanent residency as an international student, you can do so through the federal Express Entry program, or you can apply to the Northwest Territories PNP or the Yukon PNP.

In the Northwest Territories, there are three streams that applicants can be eligible for:

1. Business Stream - For purchasing and investing in a business in the Northwest Territories.
   

2. Employer-Driven Stream - For individuals who have received a job offer from a Northwest Territories employer.
   

3. Francophone Stream - For individuals who speak both French and English and have a job offer from a Northwest Territories employer.
   

In the Yukon, there are four streams for immigration:

1. Critical Impact Worker - For individuals who are employed in certain occupations identified by the National Occupation Classification. See the stream’s page for more information.

2. Skilled Worker - For individuals who are employed in certain occupations identified by the National Occupation Classification. See the stream’s page for more information.
   

3. Express Entry - For individuals who are employed in certain occupations identified by the National Occupation Classification. See the stream’s page for more information.
   

4. Yukon Community Program - Launched in January 2020, this stream is focused on retaining and growing the employment community in the Yukon and is for workers who would like to live permanently in this territory.
   

Studying in the Canadian Territories as an International Student

We hope this guide helps you get a clear picture on whether studying in Canada’s territories is right for you.

If you still have questions about studying as an international student in Canada, reach out to IDP Canada’s counsellors! They are here to help, and booking a consultation is completely free. Whatever you may have on your mind, from choosing the right program to fine-tuning your application, support is here. Book a chat now.

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