Get ready for the summer intake at the top Canadian universities

The summer intake is generally popular among students who wish to opt for short-term courses at Canadian universities. These include diploma programs, certification courses, and other study programs for relatively shorter durations. Very few universities in Canada generally offer summer intake programs to international students. The fall and winter intakes are mostly popular among students overseas applying in Canada. This article explains all about summer intake in Canada and the top universities in the country that you can choose to study.

What is Summer Intake in Canada?

The last and final intake of the academic year at Canadian universities is the summer intake program. This is also called the spring or May intake, which generally lasts between May and August every year. The summer intake is offered by very few colleges and universities, which allow admissions to international students for various short-term study programs. These may include certification courses, diplomas, and some other courses that may be for short durations only (generally one year or less).

Admission deadlines for the summer intake in Canada are generally in January-February. However, these may differ for different universities; hence, it is best advised to check with the specific university you apply to.

What are the Benefits of Summer Intake for International Students?

Many international students generally opt for summer intake programs at Canadian universities for the prime advantage that they have a shorter duration. Faster completion of the study program enables the students to start employment in Canada faster. There are many other such benefits of pursuing courses in summer intake in Canada, some of which are detailed below:

  • Since only a few students opt for summer intake in Canada, the class size at most universities is generally small. This allows the students to receive more personal attention from the faculty and also gain better focus on their studies with fewer distractions in class.

  • The study programs offered as part of the summer intake at Canadian universities generally finish faster than other conventional courses owing to their shorter durations. These accelerated programs are in high demand since they enable students to gain employment sooner.

  • Since fewer students apply for these programs, the competitive rate for admissions is relatively lower, which further means that students find it easier to get into the university of their choice.

  • Summer intake also offers flexibility to those students who may have missed the deadlines for the Fall or Winter intake deadlines. It provides them a second chance to apply for studies in Canada without waiting a whole year for admissions the next academic year.

Top Universities / Colleges in Canada with Summer Intake

If you are keen on applying to a Canadian university during the summer semester, listed below are some of the popular summer intake colleges in Canada that are in demand among international students. The popular courses offered at each of these colleges for the summer intake program, along with their corresponding program cost, are detailed below:

Top Canadian Universities

Popular Courses with Summer Intakes

Average Cost of the Program

University of British Columbia

Master in Applied Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering

CAD 19,000

University of Alberta

Master of Engineering in Civil and Environmental Engineering

CAD 20,155

University of Waterloo

MSc in Biology - Ecology and Environmental Biology

CAD 46,176

University of Ottawa

Bachelor of Social Science in Anthropology

CAD 144,643

Carleton University

Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering

CAD 28,708

Related Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings/2023?page=1&countries=ca

Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process for Summer Intake in Canada

Students applying for summer intake courses at Canadian universities must go through a set of eligibility requirements for selection. Detailed below is a step-by-step guide on the admission process for summer intake at most Canadian universities:

  • Step 1: Start researching the universities and colleges offering summer intake programs in Canada from April onwards. Between April and August, you may take your time to do thorough research on the best choices of universities that you would like to apply to for admissions in Canada.

  • Step 2: Once you have shortlisted the institutions, it's time to begin your preparations for standardised competitive examinations conducted at most Canadian universities. You may start appearing for some of these tests, such as the GRE, GMAT, or SAT, between September and December.

  • Step 3: The wait is over and it's time to start applying for admissions at your shortlisted universities in Canada for the summer intake programs. You may begin this process in January. The standard

    deadline to apply for summer intake in Canada

    at most universities is February. However, some universities may allow students to apply by mid-January; hence, check with the university you apply to or consult your study abroad expert for more assistance in this matter.

  • Step 4: In response to your application for admission, you may start receiving an acceptance letter or call for an interview at a university in case you have been selected for the summer intake. You may expect this sometime during the period of February-March.

  • Step 5: After receiving the offer letter from a university, it is the ideal time to start applying for a student visa to Canada. It is best to initiate the process (ideally in April-May) since visa application processes can take a lot of time and can be cumbersome.

Listed below are some common documents that most Canadian universities offering summer intakes might ask from international students at the time of application. It is best to keep these documents and their copies ready and handy for submission. Also, make sure that they are in order and submitted on time to avoid any chances of rejection. You would ideally need to submit the following:

  • Letters of Recommendation or LOR (at least 2-3, or as demanded by the university applied to)

  • Official transcripts (attested) of all academic records

  • Valid passport for travel to Canada

  • Scorecard of GRE/GMAT tests

  • Recent photographs (passport-sized)

  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS Test Report Form)

  • Statement of Purpose or SOP

Tips for a Successful Summer Term Abroad

Before you embark on your journey to Canada for the summer term, here are some important tips to bear in mind to help you derive the best study experience abroad:

  • Remember that you are in a new country, and it is only natural to have the urge to explore the destination as much as possible. It would, therefore, help to create a realistic study schedule that gives you sufficient time to focus on your coursework while you explore the new country and have fun. Creating a daily/weekly goals calendar can be very helpful too.

  • It is equally important to familiarise yourself with the new culture of the place. This could also prove to be of much use as you are going to be here for a long time to come. Try to make an effort to learn the local language of the people. Also, involve yourself as much as possible in extracurricular cultural events at college or in your neigbourhood where you reside to learn more about the city's culture.

  • Make sure to learn some new skills to offset the load of the coursework. As a student, it is easy to be bogged down by the pressures of studying; hence, learning a new craft/art/skill can help keep the spark of moving abroad alive. It could be some local art/craft or a new cuisine, or just take membership of the local library to spend some quiet moments reading your favourite material other than books!

FAQs

1. What is the summer intake in Canada?

Summer intake at some Canadian universities and colleges is the admission period for certain courses between May and August in an academic year.

2. When is the application deadline for summer intake?

This may vary between universities; however, the common acceptable deadline to receive applications for the summer intake at Canadian universities is around February.

3. When should I start preparing for the summer intake application?

It is ideally advised to start your preparations for applying for the summer intake at a Canadian university at least one year before the application period. This would allow you sufficient time to do your research for top universities and colleges, prepare for competitive tests, and keep ready other documents required for admission.

4. What are the advantages of summer intake in Canada?

Some of the key benefits of applying to the summer intake program in Canada are faster course completion, flexibility in applications, smaller class sizes, and better weather conditions.

5. Do Canadian universities care if you take summer school?

They generally don't, and it doesn't impact your admission application either. However, in case of any doubt, contact your study-abroad expert for Canada to help you with more details on this.

6. Which intake is easy to get in Canada?

Summer intake generally has less competition at the time of admission since very few universities offer these courses to students. Less competition facilitates the admission process for most international students.

7. Can I apply for two intakes in Canada?

Yes, you may. Most Canadian universities generally offer three intakes to international students for admission applications.

Updated on Dec 17, 2024