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.
Intakes in Canada | Courses offered | Admission Window |
Fall Intake (primary intake) | All courses (Undergraduate- Postgraduate degree courses) | September- January |
Winter Intake (Secondary Intake) | Selective degree/diploma courses | January- April |
Summer Intake | Diploma and certificate courses | May-August |
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
Student also liked
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.
Intake | Demand | Positives | Negatives |
Canada Fall Admission | High-in-Demand |
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Canada Winter Admission | In-Demand |
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Canada Summer Admission | Low-in-Demand |
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Questions related to Canada
Can one study for free in Canada?
Though one may not get a tuition fee waiver to study in Canada, you can apply for fully funded scholarships to study for free in Canada.
Is studying in Canada more affordable compared to other countries?
Yes, in comparison to other countries, studying in Canada turns out to be much cheaper and affordable compared to other countries. Students can also apply for various available scholarships and cut down the cost even further.
Is IELTS compulsory for obtaining PR in Canada?
IELTS is not strictly mandatory in order to obtain PR in Canada.
i am from a middle class family i want to study mpt in canada how and what can i do
If you are very sure and confident about going to Canada and have made a decision but you are having financial issues then there are multiple ways by which you can fund you education. Here are some ways by which you can fund your masters abroad:
Look for scholarships: There are many different types of scholarships for each kind of students, some are 100% whereas some are 50% scholarship. You can get scholarships from Indian Government, different institutions, philanthropist, some top companies that gives scholarships based on talent or financial condition, etc.
Student/education loan: This one might be the toughest decision to take, so take it only if you think you it would be worth it.
Student exchange programs or credit transfer options.
how can i go to canada or usa to study mpt after bpt in india
Hello aspirant,
Hope you are doing well,
There are different rules and different criteria in each country for the students outside from their own country. Likewise, USA and Canada both has different rules and regulations for admission in MPT. However there are some criteria that are similar for both the countries, such as
- IELTS/TOEFL as English Proficiency exam.
- Candidates should have done BPT from a recognized university that is approved by IAP
- Your degree should be equivalent to their four years bachelor's degree.
- You need to pass the licensure exam in order to work there as a professional physiotherapist
These are some common criteria that every university wants you to fulfill. In order to get admission in the Universities of USA/Canada you need to check with their application deadline since some colleges start their admission procedure a year prior. Along with the above mentioned criteria, there might be few other criteria that college wants you to fulfill but it can vary according to different universities/colleges.
Hope you find this helpful
Drop your queries for more information
Good luck!!