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| CANADA
: OVERVIEW |
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Study in Canada
Internationally Recognized Education
Canadians place great importance on learning, and have
developed a first-rate education system with high standards.
The country spends more on education (as a percentage
of Gross National Product) compared to the Organisation
for Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD) average,
and is highest among G-7 countries.
Canadian students consistently rank among the best in
world on international tests of reading, science and mathematics
such as the OECD's Programme for International Student
Assessment - a testament to the outstanding quality of
Canadian schools. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate
is recognized globally as being equivalent to those from
the United States and Commonwealth countries.
Competitively Priced
International students can save considerably by studying
in Canada. For instance, in a 2003 survey complied by
the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Canada offered
the lowest tuition rates for foreign students compared
to the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. And, fees in the
U.S. public universities were almost 1/3 higher than fees
for Bachelor's degrees in Canada, while U.S. private university
fees were more than double.
Cosmopolitan and Innovative
Canada is an international leader in computer and information
technologies and has a reputation for excellence in such
sectors as telecommunications, transportation and engineering
and specifically, aerospace, urban transport, microelectronics,
medical devices, advanced software, hydroelectric and
nuclear power, lasers and optoelectronics, biotechnology,
and ocean and environmental industries. Canada was also
among the first in the world to connect schools and libraries
to the Internet.
Media, entertainment and artistic endeavors are well developed
in Canada. Canada's highly sophisticated broadcasting
system includes more than 1,000 AM and FM radio stations
and some 719 television stations to serve, entertain and
educate the listening and viewing audience.
A wide range of cultural activities are available in Canadian
cities and towns, including museums, galleries, live theatre,
dance and music performances and concerts.
A Bilingual Nation
Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages,
English and French. The majority of Canada's French speaking
inhabitants live in the province of Québec. This
province is located in the eastern part of the country,
but there are French speaking communities throughout the
country. As a bilingual nation, Canada offers superior
English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second
Language (FSL) programs for students wishing to learn
either or both languages.
Universities :
An international reputation for excellence is a defining
characteristic of Canada’s universities. With some
exceptions, universities in Canada are largely publicly
funded. Their programs, particularly at the undergraduate
level, are uniform in quality. And while Canadian universities
design their own missions and pursue their own futures,
they consistently demonstrate a remarkable ability to
cooperate with one another and work collectively.
There are 94 universities in Canada that are members of
the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada,
and they’re located across the country, with at
least one university in every province. Canada’s
10 provinces and three territories are responsible for
all levels of education. There is no national ministry
of education, nor does Canada have a formal system of
university-wide institutional accreditation. Instead,
membership in AUCC, coupled with the university’s
provincial government charter, is deemed generally the
equivalent. In addition, graduate programs and professional
schools such as law, nursing, medicine and engineering
have rigorous discipline-specific accreditation procedures.
Canada’s post-secondary system includes not only
the 94 universities and degree-granting colleges that
are members of AUCC, but 175 community colleges as well.
Research is widely recognized as a necessary complement
to university teaching in Canada. Scholarly research -
from discoveries in the lab, to providing new insights
into human behavior, the arts, history and the world around
us - is the driving force behind teaching and learning.
Canadian researchers rank highly compared to others around
the world.
Academic Programs Offered :
Undergraduate programs leading to a bachelor’s degree
generally require three or four years of full-time study,
depending on the province. An honors degree usually involves
a higher level of concentration and achievement within
the honors subject and may require additional credits.
An honors degree is generally considered a prerequisite
for study at the graduate level.
Degree requirements are set by each institution. At the
undergraduate level, they usually involve a concentration
in a particular subject a major and they often require
attaining a particular grade point average for graduation.
At some universities, first-year students are required
to take mandatory courses. You can choose to study in
English, French or both languages.
Many universities also offer a range of certificate and
diploma courses, both at the undergraduate and graduate
levels. Master’s degrees generally require at least
one year of full-time studies including a thesis (a long
essay based on original research), practical or research
paper. Doctoral programs, usually leading to a Ph.D.,
require a minimum of three years of full-time study, at
least one of which must be spent on campus. While a master’s
degree is generally required for admission to doctoral
studies, some universities allow students to gain admission
directly from an undergraduate honors program
Canada's universities - A profile of your higher education
options
Canada offers a wealth of higher education options and
life-enriching opportunities at its universities and university
colleges. These institutions are diverse - varying in
size and programs - and they're located across the country,
with at least one in every province.
The provinces and territories are responsible for all
levels of education including universities. There's no
federal ministry of education or formal accreditation
system. Instead, membership in the Association of Universities
and Colleges of Canada, coupled with the university's
provincial government charter, is generally deemed the
equivalent. Currently, there are 94 universities with
membership in AUCC.
Graduate degree options :
There are three general types of graduate degrees:
Course-based master’s degree
This requires the successful completion of a specific
program of graduate-level courses and is typically one
or two years in duration.
Research-based master’s degree
This requires the successful completion of both graduate-level
courses and a thesis and is typically two years in duration.
You will typically choose your thesis topic in consultation
with a graduate supervisor, although many universities
require that you state your research interests as part
of the application.
Doctoral or PhD degree
This requires the successful completion of original research
and the defense of a thesis that makes a substantial contribution
to the advancement of knowledge in the student’s
chosen field of study. The doctoral degree usually requires
either two or three years of full-time residency, although
it is common that more time of directed research and writing
are required to complete the doctoral thesis.
A thesis supervisor plays a critical role in helping you
choose an appropriate research topic, designing and directing
your research studies within a realistic period and providing
you with professional training in your chosen field. Since
your topic will often determine your career path, your
choice of program and thesis supervisor requires thoughtful
planning and expert advice.
Theses at the master’s and doctoral level include
oral defense before a board of examiners, usually made
up of departmental faculty along with scholars drawn from
other departments and institutions.
Some graduate programs offer the option of full-time or
part-time studies. In addition, a number of Canadian universities
offer master’s programs via distance education.
Choosing your university :
Choosing a university can look like a daunting process,
but there are lots of resources to help make it easier.
Choosing the right university for you is an important
step. The institution that you choose will not only be
the one that grants you your academic credentials, it
will also be where you live, learn, play sports, socialize
and work for several years. Therefore, before you start
filling out those university application forms, consider
the many variables that affect the “fit” of
a university to your unique personality and educational
goals. Take a look at the following factors, which may
help you to decide which ones mean the most to you.
Course content
Have a look at the university calendars and read the individual
course outlines. You can also compare how individual programs
are designed by different universities (such as course
components), the structure of courses (is it group work
or exam-based?) and the flexibility offered each year
in terms of what students can choose to study.
Size of the university
Do you want a small university, where most of the students
are undergraduates and live on campus? Alternatively,
would you prefer a larger university, with access to a
greater range of facilities and programs? Class size and
your study preferences should also be considered.
Location of university
Do you want a university that’s downtown in a big
city, close to restaurants and shopping? Or would you
prefer to be on a campus that’s a world unto itself,
set apart from the city? Your budget and a city’s
cost of living (for food, rent and social activities)
will affect your decision.
Reputation
A university’s reputation continues to be a major
factor in how students choose where to study. That said,
choosing a university should not be done solely on reputation,
but also take the academic programs and overall environment
into consideration. Be aware that reputations are sometimes
out of date or overstated, so first-hand experience is
often beneficial. Prospective students can visit the campuses
of their top university choices and spend some time talking
with current students and getting a feel for the campus.
Try to get a sense of how you’d see yourself living
in that particular place for three or four years.
Cost
The costs associated with attending university go well
beyond tuition fees to include housing, food, books, supplies,
and personal living expenses. These costs are different
depending upon the type of program, type of university
and the size and location of the school.
Housing
On-campus or off-campus? Single or shared apartment? Roommates
or private room? What is a meal plan? There are a lot
of factors when it comes to housing, and you should look
into the options at the university that you are considering.
Universities can provide assistance with finding accommodations
and answering questions through their student services.
Academic programs
Universities offer programs that range from fine art,
biology and commerce to astronomy, media studies and religion.
Currently, there are more than 10,000 undergraduate and
graduate degree programs offered in Canada as well as
professional degree programs and certificates. Regardless
of the program, a Canadian degree is globally recognized
and considered equivalent to those from American and other
Commonwealth universities.
University graduate program currently consists of over
3000 graduate programs covering 250 different areas of
study.
Academic quality
Canadian universities receive a great deal of public funds
and so their programs, particularly at the undergraduate
level, are uniform in quality. And while Canadian universities
design their own missions and pursue their own futures,
they consistently demonstrate a remarkable ability to
cooperate with one another and work collectively.
Academic year :
The time during which classes are taught. In most Canadian
universities, the university year usually starts in September
and ends in May. It is normally divided into three terms
or two semesters and concludes with a long vacation. Some
universities operate on the semester or trimester system
and admit students in January and/or May as well as September.
Many institutions also offer a limited number of courses
and special programs during the summer session.
Language and enrolment options
Canada has English language and French language institutions
with some universities offering instruction in both official
languages.
Many universities offer full-time and part-time enrolment
as well as opportunities to participate in co-operative
education, distance learning, continuing education and
student exchange programs.
An overview of graduate studies in Canada
Master’s and PhD graduates are in high demand in
the corporate world and academia. Our society’s
increasing focus on research and innovation makes this
a great time to consider adding to your undergraduate
education.
When a student pursues graduate studies, they become a
partner of the university. Because graduate studies embody
collaboration, intellectual curiosity, original thinking
and research excellence, graduate students are academic
colleagues whose fresh ideas contribute to the scholarly
enterprise.
Choosing a graduate program
The search for your graduate program begins by assessing
the research and academic orientation of the university
department in which you intend to study. When searching
for a suitable graduate program, it is often more important
to consider the reputation and strengths of the particular
department and its faculty than the reputation of the
university as a whole.
Gaining admission to graduate programs
Generally, an honors baccalaureate (or equivalent) and
high academic standing are required for admission to a
master’s program. Master’s 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.
Services and programs for students
Canadian universities are much more than academic institutions;
they also provide support and opportunities for their
students through a wide range of services and resources.
University life extends beyond the lecture hall or lab
to include:
Student exchange programs (study abroad for part of your
degree)
First-year student programs (orientation week, study skills
workshops, counseling)
Academic and campus services (bookstore, career placement
centre, academic advisors)
Financial assistance (entrance scholarships and bursaries)
Athletics (recreational, inter-university teams, fitness
centers)
Students also have access to career, personal or academic
counselors and can get help with medical concerns or resolving
housing issues. Many universities also have services for
students with specific needs, such as single parents,
women, those with physical, sensory or learning disabilities,
aboriginal students, part-time students, gays and lesbians,
mature students and students of diverse ethnic and cultural
backgrounds.
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