Why Study in Canada in 2023?

Updated on: 20 Mar 2023

Canada offers many opportunities for international students from top-ranked universities, quality of education in a multicultural environment to beautiful natural landscapes. According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education, more than 6.2 lakh international students were enrolled in Canadian institutes of higher education in 2022. With 35% India had the highest share. In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons why studying in Canada may be a great option for you.

Top 10 reasons to study in Canada for international students

Mentioned below are the top 10 reasons that make Canada a popular choice among international students:

1. Academic excellence

One of the most important reasons why Canada is chosen by many study abroad aspirants is due to its academic excellence. The Canadian Council of Ministers reports that there are 223 public and private universities in Canada. 11 Canadian universities are able to manage to get a place in the top 250 ranking of QS world university rankings for the year 2023.

The degree earned from a Canadian university is highly acclaimed and globally recognized. Another reason for their academic excellence is the inclusion of practical knowledge and critical thinking that results in holistic education. Top 5 universities with their respective QS world university rankings are shown in the table below.

2. Colleges and Vocational institutes in Canada

Canada has many colleges and vocational schools that provide career oriented courses that will make you employable for the global market. Canadian colleges offer certificates and diplomas courses that are much less in duration and are easy on entry requirements as well. A lot of students prefer going for advanced certifications in colleges after completing their graduate studies in universities.

There are more than 10,000 programs at 127 publicly funded colleges, institutes, and polytechnics across Canada. The different fields to study in these colleges are:

• Health
• Hospitality management
• Information and communications technology
• Languages and arts
• Sciences
• Social services
• Agriculture and agri-food
• Broadcasting and journalism
• Business
• Dental hygiene
• Design
• Engineering Technology
• Environment

3. Cultural diversity

Canada’s diverse cultural environment is what makes it one of the most hospitable countries. The multicultural environment promotes peaceful coexistence and inclusive nature. You will get an opportunity to study in a multicultural environment that will help you to understand the cultures of other countries as well. Cultural perseverance and inclusivity are best in Canada as compared to any other country. For instance, the top university in Canada for the year 2023 is McGill University. It has 12,000 international students which are almost 30% of its total student population.

The top 5 cities of Canada which are considered to be most multicultural because of the large immigrant population they have are:

• Toronto - it is easily the most multicultural city in Canada with 2.7 million immigrants living there. This accounts for 46% of the city’s population and 35.9% of the country’s immigrant population.
• Montreal - it is the home to 936,305 immigrants which makes it the second most diverse city in Canada. This accounts for 23.4% of the entire population of the city and 12.4% of the entire immigrant population of Canada.
• Vancouver - with 989,545 immigrants i.e. 41% of city population, Vancouver follows Montreal as being a multicultural city. This immigrant population is a little over 13% of the entire immigrant population of Canada. Most of these people come from India, China, UK, Philippines, and Hong Kong.
• Calgary - this city is home to around 5.4% of Canada’s immigrant population. That is around 405,000 people or more than 29% of the city’s total immigrant population.
• Edmonton - this city has become a hub for immigrants with 4% of Canada’s immigrant population living here. They have more than 150 languages that include Punjabi, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and more.

• Toronto - it is easily the most multicultural city in Canada with 2.7 million immigrants living there. This accounts for 46% of the city’s population and 35.9% of the country’s immigrant population. 

• Montreal - it is the home to 936,305 immigrants which makes it the second most diverse city in Canada. This accounts for 23.4% of the entire population of the city and 12.4% of the entire immigrant population of Canada.

• Vancouver - with 989,545 immigrants i.e. 41% of city population, Vancouver follows Montreal as being a multicultural city. This immigrant population is a little over 13% of the entire immigrant population of Canada. Most of these people come from India, China, UK, Philippines, and Hong Kong.

• Calgary - this city is home to around 5.4% of Canada’s immigrant population. That is around 405,000 people or more than 29% of the city’s total immigrant population. 

• Edmonton - this city has become a hub for immigrants with 4% of Canada’s immigrant population living here. They have more than 150 languages that include Punjabi, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and more.

4. Safe and peaceful country

There are several safety measures that are taken by Canadian universities to ensure a safe environment for international students on campus. For instance, York University provides shuttle services between its campuses. The university has its security services team. They have a goSafe initiative which provides a safety resource so that a student can walk across campus in evening or later safely rather than walking alone.

Canada is overall a very safe and peaceful country. As per the 2023 Global Peace Index, Canada ranked 12 out of a total of 163 countries. Also as per World Happiness Report, Canada ranked 15 for the year 2022. Thus, it is fair to say that if you are planning to study at universities in Canada as an international student then you are going to feel safe and peaceful in Canada.

5. English is widely spoken

Canada is often known as a bilingual country as it has two official languages i.e. English and French. A vast majority of the population is able to communicate in English in Canada. As per the data by Statistics Canada, out of the total population in Canada, 75.5% of people have English as their official language for communication for the year 2021-22.

The medium of education in almost all universities is English and therefore international students will not have any problem in understanding and learning their subjects. It is important that international students clear English language proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL. 

6. Work and study simultaneously

As a student in Canada, there are several part-time work opportunities available that you can explore to earn some extra money. Canadian student visa allows students to work part-time on campus for 20 hours per week during semesters. During summer or winter breaks the students can work full-time on campus. 

1. On-campus jobs: These jobs can be in the library, student center, cafeteria, or any other department that requires extra help. These jobs are usually flexible and can be adjusted around your class schedule.
2. Retail and hospitality jobs: You can look for jobs in restaurants, cafes, stores, or hotels. These jobs may require you to work evenings and weekends, but they can be a great way to gain work experience.
3. Online work: You can work as a virtual assistant, tutor, or freelance writer/editor, among other things. These jobs are flexible and can be done from the comfort of your home. There are many platforms, such as Upwork and Fiverr, where you can find freelancing opportunities.
4. Tutoring: If you excel in a particular subject, you can offer tutoring services to other students. You can do this online or in person, depending on your preference.
5. Delivery and courier services: With the rise of online shopping, there are many opportunities to work as a delivery or courier driver. You can work for companies like Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, or Instacart.

Remember to check your student visa for any restrictions on the number of hours you can work per week. Additionally, it's important to prioritize your studies and ensure that your part-time jobs in Canada doesn't interfere with your academic performance.

7. Post-graduate work permit

According to the Canadian Bureau of international education, 72.5% of international students apply for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP) in Canada after the completion of studies. There are various opportunities in terms of job prospects and post-graduation work permit that an international student can take benefit from in Canada. Some of the insightful information that can help you in this area is - 

• PGWP helps an international student to stay back in Canada and work for up to 3 years. 
• The validity of a work permit in Canada depends on your program duration and thus can range between eight months to three years. 
• PGWP provides flexibility to international students to explore job roles in any field and of any nature (i.e. part-time or full-time). 

Suggested Read: Immigration Benefits for International Students in Canada

8. Growth of tech industry in Canada

In recent decades, Canada has advanced to the top of the technical frontier. For the year 2022, tech sector grew by 5.2% and growth for the period 2021-2024 is expected to be 22.4%. According to New York Times, Toronto is the third largest tech hub in North America which will create a lot of opportunities for international students studying in Canada. This growth will also bring out job opportunities as well. According to Newswire Canada, in coming 12 months 52% of Canadian businesses plans to buy intangible resources like IP, R&D employees, marketing employees, and more.

9. Opportunities to pursue research and development

In a number of research areas, including clinical medicine, information and communication technology, psychology, and cognitive sciences, to mention a few, Canada is regarded as a global leader. Canadian universities are crucial to the prosperity of the nation as a player in international research. One of the highest rates of university research among OECD and G8 countries, they carry out 40% of Canada's research and development.

You might work on faculty-led research teams as an international graduate student at a Canadian university. You might collaborate with commercial partners on real-world initiatives or carry out individual research while being advised by a skilled mentor. 

10. Easy process for permanent resident status in Canada

International students studying in Canada may apply for Canadian permanent resident status after completing their studies, provided they meet the requirements of the Canadian immigration program under which they apply. 

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• This is covered under express entry system and uses Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
• Candidates which have competitive CRS scores are invited to apply for Canadian PR.
• Individuals that have a minimum of 12 months of professional experience after study is eligible for CEC. 

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

• This helps international students to get Canadian PR in case they want to shift or migrate to a particular province.
• Having work connections in that province makes you eligible to apply for PNP.
• Each province has its own PNP requirements.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)

• It operates through express entry immigration system.
• FSW does not require work experience. 
• Eligibility to invite and apply is measured through CRS 

Compare Canada with other study-abroad destinations:

• Canada vs UK
• Canada vs Australia
• Canada vs USA

• Canada 

First published date: 17 Mar 2023