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When you mention Canada, what do you usually think of? A country with the longest territory and second largest area in the world, a country with the famous red maple leaf symbol, or a diverse lifestyle and culture? Regardless of the reason, Canada is still a study-abroad destination that attracts a lot of attention from students and parents.
However, what conditions are required to study abroad in Canada? What do you even need to apply for a scholarship to study in Canada? Find out with IDP in this article!
The Canadian government sets separate requirements for international students regarding age (middle school, high school, university, graduate) and academic qualifications. Here's a breakdown of the requirements by education level:
For students applying for pre-university programs, the first requirement is to have completed the 11th-grade program with a GPA above 6.5 and IELTS above 5.0.
Students applying for college or university programs need to:
Case 1: Graduate from high school, have a GPA of 6.5 or higher, and have an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher.
Case 2: Complete a pre-university program in Canada and accumulate enough credits before entering a college or university. Typically, the number of credits requires you to pass at least 70 to 80% of the subjects.
Students must be at least 12 years old to be eligible to apply for high school or junior high school programs in Canada. The minimum GPA is 6.5 and the English proficiency level is equivalent to IELTS 5.0.
Students applying for a master's degree must have completed and graduated from a university in their host country with a comparable field of study. Some schools that offer programs in special
When it comes to what you need to study abroad in Canada, English is indispensable. A foundation in English is one of the necessary conditions when studying abroad, no matter which country you are in. In Canada, English and French are most used. Therefore, the learning programs and lesson plans are presented in English.
English proficiency is essential for studying in Canada, regardless of country of origin. In Canada, English and French are the most widely spoken languages. Therefore, all educational programs and teaching materials are presented in English.
What band in IELTS is needed to be eligible to study in Canada? You need to ensure you achieve an IELTS certificate according to the standards of the school you registered. In addition, you need to fully meet the English requirements depending on the level you study.
In any list of requirements for studying abroad in Canada, financial conditions are essential. Currently, you can study in Canada via two main pathways: financial proof or financial exemption.
All levels of education and educational institutions in Canada require international students to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees for at least the first year, as part of their study permit application. These fees include:
High school tuition
: From 13,000 to 30,000 CAD per year.
College tuition
: From 12,000 to 18,000 CAD per year.
University tuition
: From 17,000 to 50,000 CAD per year.
Postgraduate program tuition
: From 18,000 to 25,000 CAD per year.
Living expenses
: Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 CAD per year.
For those studying through the standard (financial proof) route, proof of income includes:
A savings account with a balance that meets the above requirements.
A guarantor with a minimum monthly income of 50 million VND.
Passive income from assets, such as rental income from land, buildings, workshops, cars, or income from a business.
School fees can be paid as a deposit, per semester, or for an entire academic year, depending on the institution.
For the study pathway in Canada without financial proof, you are exempt from submitting proof of income documentation, but you must meet these conditions:
The student must be a legal resident of a country authorized by the Canadian government, including Vietnam.
An acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and a Confirmation letter from the province or territory (PAL).
A receipt for the tuition fees paid for the first year of study in Canada.
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) with the required amount of 20,635 CAD for the province or territory where you plan to study.
An IELTS Academic score of at least 6.0, or another test recognized by the Canadian government.
In addition to financial, language, and academic requirements, health is another essential factor for studying in Canada. Your health status will determine whether you can study in Canada for an extended period. All students must undergo a regular medical examination at a center designated by the Canadian Consulate (usually at IOM or Care 1 Canada) as part of their study permit application.
Medical Examination Process Before Studying in Canada:
Schedule an appointment at a medical facility designated by the Canadian Consulate.
Fill in all required personal information as requested.
Bring the following documents:
Passport
Completed medical examination form (IMM 1017 E) with a photo attached in the top right corner
Photos and the medical examination fee
Undergo the medical examination at the designated healthcare facility.
To obtain a Study Permit in Canada, you must meet several important conditions. You need to prepare all necessary documents, commit to complying with Canadian regulations, and understand the proper procedures for receiving your Study Permit upon arrival at Canadian customs. For students from Vietnam, once your Study Permit application is accepted, you will also receive a Canadian student visa.
Academic Requirement: An acceptance letter from a school on the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) list and, in some cases, a letter from the province.
Financial Proof: Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any family members accompanying you, as well as travel costs.
Legal Requirement: No criminal record, compliance with Canadian laws, and provision of a police clearance certificate (if required).
Health: Good health condition, with a medical examination if required.
Commitment to Leave Canada : A commitment to leave Canada when the Study Permit expires.
Passport (with visa)
Proof of tuition payment
Letter of Acceptance
from the enrolled school
Letter of Introduction
from the Canadian Embassy
From Vietnam: If you apply for the Study Permit from Vietnam, you will receive an introductory letter to present at customs upon arriving in Canada.
Within Canada: You will receive the Study Permit by mail if you are already in Canada.
For Vietnamese students, after the Study Permit is approved, you need to provide your passport to the Canadian government for visa stamping. Upon arrival at Canadian customs, request a check of your study documents to receive the Study Permit.
This year, Canada has expanded scholarship programs for international students at both college and university levels. Some institutions offer scholarships of up to 120,000 CAD for four years, approximately 140% of the average tuition fee. This creates attractive opportunities for international students, helping to reduce financial burdens and encouraging them to pursue their studies in Canada.
To receive a scholarship to study in Canada, you need to complete the following documents and meet these requirements:
High GPA: An average GPA in the “good” to “excellent” range.
Minimum IELTS Score: At least 6.0.
Certificates or Awards: Certificates of achievement or awards in academic competitions.
Research Participation: Participation in scientific research with proof of certification.
Extracurricular Activities: Participation in and certification of achievements in extracurricular activities at school.
Scholarship Essay: A personal essay as required by the scholarship.
Interview: Successful participation in an interview with the scholarship committee or school board.
Some entrance scholarships in Canada are valued at a minimum of 1,000 to over 2,000 CAD. Students need only complete the corresponding program in their home country and meet the basic requirements when registering for a course, with early completion of the application.
Although you may meet all the above conditions, navigating the application process can still be challenging if you don’t work with an experienced and reputable Canadian study-abroad consultancy. For this reason, you should consider IDP as your companion throughout the consultation and application process.
IDP Education is proud to be an international education and recruitment consultancy based in Australia. With over 55 years of establishment worldwide and more than 25 years in Vietnam, IDP has helped over 800,000 students successfully study abroad at leading high schools, colleges, and universities in Australia, the UK, the U.S., New Zealand, and Ireland, especially Canada. Benefits of choosing IDP as your study-abroad consultant include:
Comfortable 1-1 Counseling Sessions: IDP offers private, comfortable 1-1 consultations.
Free Consultation and Application Guidance: IDP does not charge for consultation and guidance with the study-abroad application process.
Essential Services Support: IDP assists students with essential services for studying and living abroad, such as health insurance, accommodations, and banking transactions.
Student Network Access: With IDP’s extensive and dynamic network, you can connect with experienced international students and alumni.
With IDP’s broad network and strong connections, it ensure that new students can connect with alumni and employers globally, providing support so you won’t have to face challenges alone while studying abroad.
With the information above, you should have a good overview of the requirements for studying in Canada. We hope this helps you and your family prepare well for your journey. If you have any questions about studying abroad in general or studying in Canada specifically, feel free to contact us through our website: https://www.idp.com/vietnam/ or hotline: 19006555, for detailed answers from our consultants.
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