Study in Canada - Admission Cycle

Canada in recent years has emerged as a preferred destination for international students to pursue their higher education. The country with its high quality of life, safe environment, warm and friendly people, quality and affordability of education attracts foreign students to study in Canada. The Canadian government's post-study work and internship opportunities and liberal immigration policies are another reason for international students to choose Canada.

The admission cycle of Canadian universities offers three intakes for international students; Fall, Winter, and Summer. Students through these intakes can take admission in undergraduate courses, post-graduate courses, diploma courses, and Ph.D. programs.

• Fall: This admission intake starts in the month of September and is popular among the students.

• Winter: This admission intake starts in January and is perfect if one has missed the September intake.

• Summer: This admission intake starts in the month of May.

Canada admission cycle- different intakes

Among the three intakes, fall offers admission to all the major programs such as MS, MBA, Degree courses. The winter intake usually fills the vacant seats left during the fall intake or gives admissions into specialized programs offered by certain universities and colleges. The summer intake is for short-duration courses, diploma courses, student exchange programs or summer programs offered by institutions.

Steps to admission in Canadian universities

For each admission cycle in Canada students need to plan months in advance. Admission and seats are offered on a first come first basis in all the semesters/intakes. It's better if students start their application process well in advance to grab a seat in their favorite program and college/university. Here are the steps you can follow for a smooth admission process based on the admission cycle in Canada:

Step 1. Information collection (10-12 months prior)

• Gather information about universities and colleges that students wish to apply to.
• Find the courses, last date of application, fee requirements
• Download information brochures from the university websites
• Check for scholarship and bank loan options

Step 2. Prepare for and take the required exams (10-12 months prior)

• Start preparation for standardized tests like GMAT, SAT, IELTS (Academic), PTE (Academic), TOEFL.
• Enroll for the language proficiency tests like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE at least a month prior to the exam date.
• Keep a buffer time to re-register for standardized tests if the marks/grades are poor in the first attempt.
• Improve the score to better the chances for preferred university admission.

Step 3. Fill up the application form (6-8 months prior)

• Finalize course and university preferences.
• Prepare for the application process.
• Start drafting the statement of purpose (SOP), university-specific essays, self-appraisal forms for the admission process.
• A month before the application due date, get in touch with teachers, professors, direct managers to obtain 2-3 reference letters.
• Arrange all the documents required for the application process

• Submit application before the due date.

Step 4: Be alert (4-6 months prior)

• Reply to college mails.
• Appear for telephonic or video interviews.
• Once you receive an acceptance letter, don’t delay further and inform your decision to the college authorities.
• Pay the initial admission fee to confirm your seat in the Canadian college/university

Step 5. Obtain your visa and arrange for money (3-4 months prior)

• Apply for an education loan.
• Apply for scholarships
• Apply for your student’s visa on time.

Step 6. Prepare for departure (2-3 months prior)

• Book airline tickets
• Finalize initial accommodation options (Airbnb, on campus, hotel etc.)
• Arrange for international Debit/Credit card
• Collect all the documents/photocopies required to carry along
• Check pre-departure list
  
  

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Following are the universities/colleges along with their admission cycle in Canada

Top universities in Canada that open admission for September intake

University of Calgary

Niagara College

University of Alberta

University of Waterloo

The University of Toronto

University of British Columbia

McGill University

University of Ottawa

Ryerson University

Top universities in Canada that open admission for winter intake

• Carleton University
• Queen’s University
• Lambton College
• The University of Toronto
• Douglas College
• University of Ottawa
• Mount Saint Vincent University
• McGill University
• Centennial College

Top universities that open admission for summer intake

• University of Waterloo
• Centennial College
• Ryerson University
• Northern College
• Centennial College
• Vancouver Community College

Pros and cons of different admission cycles in Canada

Each admission cycle in Canada has some positives and negatives. Here is a list of pros and cons for different intakes. Students can make their admission decisions based on the few below.

Also read

• Living costs to study in Canada
• Best student cities in Canada
• Stay back policy in Canada