Certainly, studying in Canada is an incredible opportunity for Brazilians who want to have the diploma of a country internationally recognized for the quality of its higher education. To give you an idea, it is estimated that 400,2020 visas were approved for international students.
Check out our complete guide with tips on how to study in Canada, what are the requirements, visas and costs to develop your academic life in the country.
How to study in Canada?
Canada is one of the preferred destinations for Brazilians to study and also to live in the country. However, to join one of the institutions, you need to follow some basic steps to graduate in Canada. Check.
Choose your university
Choosing the ideal university for your course is the first step when it comes to knowing how to go to college in Canada. To do so, it is necessary to consider your personal, educational, professional goals and the budget available for the studies.
It is worth remembering that each institution has its own selection process. This means that they may require different levels of proficiency in English or French.
See if you’re eligible
Admission to an undergraduate degree in Canada considers the applicant’s educational background. In this sense, you will have to present a certificate of completion of high school with a good performance to compete for a place in college. Therefore, it is important to contact the educational institution to know how a Brazilian can go to college in Canada.
English or French proficiency test
Brazilians can go to college in Canada as long as they present a certificate of proficiency in English or French. This requirement varies greatly between universities because it depends on the language of instruction adopted by the institution.
Financial criteria
Doing financial planning is another important step to graduating in Canada. When applying for the visa, you need to prove that you can stay in the country. This can be done through your bank statement or a family member. This value must be equal to or greater than CAD 10 thousand².
Health insurance
To go to college in Canada, you will have to take out good health insurance because, although you have health insurance in the country, some universities require the student to have the services of an insurer.
| University of Toronto | Tarifa Anual³ |
|---|---|
| Medicina | $94,043.83 |
| Architecture | $59,141.94 |
| Computer science | $61,285.66 |
| Administration | $67,125.66 |
| Information security | $61,285.66 |
Values checked on February 12, 2021.
| University of British Columbia | Annual Rate⁴ |
|---|---|
| Right | $40,419.87 |
| Computer science | $44,354.14 |
| Music | $40,307.87 |
| International economics | $52,312.71 |
| Nursing | $44,625.87 |
Values checked on February 12, 2021.
| McGill University | Annual Rate⁵ |
|---|---|
| Arts and sciences | $24,553.15 |
| Nursing | $24,741.29 |
| Right | $48,885.75 |
| Engineering | $49,142.95 |
| Medicine | $49,213.47 |
Values checked on February 12, 2021.
| McMaster University | Monthly Rate⁶ |
|---|---|
| Administration | $ 1,272.26 |
| Nursing | $1,365.97 |
| Arts and sciences | $1,187.78 |
| Engineering | $1,484.74 |
| Social sciences | $1,128.39 |
Values checked on February 12, 2021.
| University of Waterloo | Annual Rate⁷ |
|---|---|
| Engineering | $61,300 |
| Business Administration | $45,500 |
| Biotechnology | $42,900 |
| Mathematics | $45,500 |
| Computer science | $61,300 |
Want to study in Canada? Plan your finances
As noted in the tables above, you will need to shell out a good amount in dollars to do a degree in Canada. But in addition to the costs of college, it is also necessary to include in the financial planning the expenses with the cost of living in the country during your time abroad.
It is estimated that students spend about CAD 12,<> per year on expenses such as accommodation, transportation and food.
In addition to a good budget of spending in the country, to manage finances in Canada it is important to use practical and economical services to send and receive money from abroad. For this, you can count on Wise’s educational transfer service.
Through the platform, it is possible to send reais to or from Brazil for educational payments, such as:
- College tuition
- Seminars
- Congress
- School fees
- Accommodation
- Health insurance
To use the service and start sending transfers through Wise. Just make a free registration on the platform and inform the data of the beneficiary. The process is carried out 100% online and in a few minutes. In general, shipments are made within 2 business days.
Student Visa in Canada
The student visa to attend a college in Canada is intended for interested parties approved in courses lasting more than six months. In 2021, the student visa fee in Canada is $150 per application⁹. The visa application can be made online or at the Canadian consulate. In general, the following documents² are required:
- Letter of acceptance from the educational institution
- Passport
- Financial proof
How to study in Canada by ENEM?
Many Brazilian students have doubts about how to study in Canada with the Enem grade. However, currently only the University of Toronto, the largest in Canada, accepts the Enem grade as a form of admission of the student in several courses of the institution¹⁰. To apply for a university course, you must access the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC 105)¹¹.
For undergraduate courses, foreign students need to present the following documents¹²:
- School transcripts
- High School Completion Certificate
- Certificate of proficiency in English
It is also worth remembering that the University of Toronto charges a fee of $ 60.00 in the Online application fee¹¹. Therefore, although the rate is low, it is still not possible to study in Canada by Enem for free. In addition, the student needs to have a good grade on the test to compete for the vacancies.
Colleges in Canada by ENEM
Currently, the main university in Canada that accepts the Enem is the college of Toronto. The student’s grade is used as part of the selection process for Brazilian students.
Study in Canada without ENEM
It is possible to study in Canada without the Enem. As the Canadian application system and selection process is not centralized, Brazilian students must apply directly to the country’s universities.
In general, the process is quite simple. Colleges usually evaluate the academic record of the last four years of the candidate, that is, the institutions consider the grades of the various subjects taken over this period.
Thus, if you intend to join a course related to physics, for example, your chances increase if you have a good performance in this subject since the 9th grade of elementary school.
Canada’s top universities
If you want to study at the best university in Canada, check out below which are the best educational institutions, according to the Qs World University Rankings 2021¹³.
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- Université de Montréal
- University of Alberta
- McMaster University
- University of Waterloo
- Western University
- Queen’s University at Kingston
- University of Calgary
In addition to these institutions, there are several other renowned universities scattered throughout the country for Brazilians who aspire to study in Canada.
Study English in Canada
Canada is one of the most sought after destinations for Brazilians who wish to learn a language abroad. The country offers several options of courses offered by different schools and with prices that fit all budgets.
Language schools offer programs for students who want to learn English in a short time even for those who want to go to college in Canada. Check out below what are the main types of English course for Brazilians in the country:
- General English (Intensive English)
- Business English
- English TOELF and IELTS preparation
- University Pathway
The first step to studying English in Canada is to be accepted into a language school in the country. Some Brazilian exchange agencies have partnerships with Canadian schools, which makes the process less bureaucratic for students.
After enrolment, students must arrange for a study permit at the Canadian consulate. However, the rules for applying for this type of visa have changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Therefore, if you intend to take a language course with up to 6 months of duration you must present the following documentation²:
- Valid passport
- Letter of acceptance from a designated educational institution (DLI) with a plan for Covid-19 approved by the local province
- Financial proof
- Motivation letter
- Temporary residence visa worth CAN$100
- Certificat d’acceptation du Québec, to study in Quebec City
If you intend to study for a period longer than six months, it is also necessary to apply for the study permit, which entitles you to the temporary residence visa. It should also be remembered that students of language courses can only work in Canada if they have a specific work visa¹⁴.
Study French in Canada
Another advantage of living in the country is the possibility of also learning French, the second official language of Canada along with English. Therefore, studying French in the country is a good alternative to accelerate the learning of a new language. After all, it allows the student to attend classes and practice the language in everyday situations.
Language schools have an excellent standard of quality and offer courses for the various profiles of students. See below the main ones:
- Intensive French course
- French for academic purposes
- French Exam Preparation (DELF)
- French training programs for teachers
- Business French
How to study for free in Canada?
To be able to study for free in Canada, students need to have a full scholarship, either from Brazil or abroad. But how to get scholarships in Canada? The good news is that there are several alternatives to fund full or partial study costs.
Scholarships in Canada for Brazilians
There are scholarships in Canada for Brazilians that fund the costs of research and housing for students. Check out the main ones below:
- Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP)
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships
- Mitacs Globalink Research Internship
Scholarships in Canada
Scholarships in Canada are intended for international students from other countries. Below is a selection of the main types of financing:
- Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)
- Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership Program
- Humber International Entrance Scholarships
- Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
Studying and working in Canada: is it possible?
With the residence permit it is possible to study and work in Canada at the same time. The authorization is for jobs with a workload of 20 hours per week during breaks in the school year.
However, foreigners who are taking the following course modalities are not eligible to work:
- Exchange of English or French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL)
- Courses of general interest
- Courses to prepare for another study program
In such cases, it is necessary to apply for an extension of work on the student visa. This can be done at the Consulate in Canada.
If by chance you got here and got some doubt on the way, let’s make a summary with the highlights below and a list with all the sources used in this material, check here:
How do I study in Canada?
Students need to be approved at an educational institution to study in Canada. Some of the prerequisites are the transcript with good grades or ENEM grade and proficiency in English or French. You also need to have a study visa and proof of income.
How much does it cost to study law in Canada?
In Canada, law school can cost about $40,419.87 per year. The rate includes university fees, health insurance, among other benefits. But this price varies for various reasons such as the shift, level of education and region of the college.
How much does it cost to study medicine in Canada?
Studying medicine in Canada requires a high investment. In general, annual fees range from $49,94 to $<>,<> at major Canadian universities. But students have to pay for food, housing and other medical school costs.
Is it possible to study for free in Canada?
Higher education in Canada is not free, but it is possible to receive a scholarship to fund spending in the country. Currently, there are several scholarship programs available for students from Brazil and other countries, which cover the total or partial amount of the costs with the university.
Sources used in this article:
- CIC News – International students in Canada
- Government of Canada – Study Permit
- University of Toronto – Tuition Fees
- University of British Columbia – Financial Planning
- McGill University – Student Accounts
- McMaster University – Tuition Fees
- University of Waterloo –Tuition Fees
- EduCanada – Study Cost
- Government of Canada – VISA Applications
- University of Toronto – International High School
- University of Toronto – High School Applicants
- University of Toronto – International Students (BRAZIL)
- Top Universities – World Ranking 2021
- Government of Canada – Work off campus as an international student