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Study in Canada: graduate opportunities for international students
Graduate admissions
Though admissions processes and requirements alter from institution to institution, generally an honours baccalaureate (or equivalent) and high academic standing are required for admission to a Masters program. Masters programs that have a professional focus often require work experience in the intended field of study. For a doctoral program, a high level of achievement at the master’s level is typically required.
Other factors that are considered as part of an application include an official transcript of marks, official test scores (which are required by certain professional Master’s degree programs), letters of recommendation from faculty members or professional colleagues, and a personal letter describing your academic and career objectives and your reasons for applying to the program. The graduate school admissions committee will be looking for evidence that your goals are realistic, that the program is appropriate to your interests and that you have the qualities that are required to successfully complete your studies.
Funding and graduate scholarships
Graduate scholarships are available to offset some of the costs of studying in Canada. The best source of funds tends to be individual universities and colleges, many of whom offer a range of different scholarships types that cover tuition costs or living expenses and sometimes both.
Many awards are based solely on academic merit and therefore financial aid is not taken into account through the application process. The Canadian government also offer a range of awards for graduate students as do a large number of individual universities. A free service coordinates most scholarships and is available at www.scholarshipscanada.com. A number of scholarships that offer funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses are administered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, details of which can be found at www.aucc.ca/scholarships/open_e.html.
All international graduate students are also given permission to work on and off of campus at the same time as being a full-time student.
In order to be eligible for the program, foreign students must have a valid study permit and they must have studied full-time at an eligible public, postsecondary institution for at least six months out of the 12 months preceding their application. Institutions must sign an agreement with the province or territory in which they are located in order to participate in the program and this agreement includes monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure that students retain their eligibility for the program.
More information on studying in Canada at the graduate level is available at the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada at www.aucc.ca.
