Studying at university in Canada: what you need to know

For our latest feature on life beyond school, we’re shining the spotlight on studying in Canada. For many students with their eye on a university place abroad, the US might be the most obvious choice: it’s home to some of the most highly regarded and prestigious universities in the world and can open doors to peerless alumni networks and career opportunities. But getting a place at an American university can be a complicated and competitive minefield.

Historically, many students have looked to Canada as a back-up plan – but there are clear signs it’s now becoming a first choice. And, indeed, to consider Canada as ‘second best’ to the US does a huge disservice to its education system, argues Martine Gagnon from . With a wealth of internationally renowned universities, this geographically immense – stretching all the way from the Maritime provinces and French-speaking Quebec in the east to the Pacific coast in the west – and brilliantly multicultural country is firmly on the radar of many students around the world. Canada is regularly lauded for its superb quality of life, and its universities come with many perks: a decisively simple application process, flexible courses, extensive work opportunities after graduation – and more affordable fees than you might think.

‘I often recommend Canada as a possible destination for students who want a high-quality international university experience with a lower price than the US,’ says Ruth Davis, the head of university and careers at Tonbridge School. Over the past three years, the Kent-based school has seen leavers head off to the likes of , the , the and the – which are all considered to be among Canada’s most popular and prestigious public universities. Located in the country’s biggest and buzziest cities, they all have large student bodies (with high numbers of international students), knockout research facilities and teaching staff at the very top of their game, while satellite campuses offer students a change of scenery: McGill’s McDonald campus boasts the largest green space in Montreal, while the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus is right in the heart of Canada’s beautiful wine country. If students do well academically, it’s usually a breeze to switch between campuses and swap big-city living for more suburban life.

Trinity College, The University of Toronto - credit Narciso Arellano

‘The University of Toronto is a standout choice among our students at Queen Anne’s,’ adds Ben Stephenson, the school’s director of sixth form. ‘Its global reputation for excellence in academia, beautiful buildings and thriving university life make it an attractive option to explore.’

But that’s not to say that these better-known universities are the only ones worth considering – and the key message is to look beyond the obvious, Martine tells us. If you’ve got your heart set on moving to Montreal, consider – it has a world-ranked business school and a thriving fine art department – and admissions are significantly less competitive than McGill. Also in Sherbrooke, Quebec, is a smaller liberal arts college that ticks plenty of boxes for students who enjoy the great outdoors (there’s skiing practically on the doorstep) and don’t want to stray too far from the US (the border is less than an hour’s drive away). Thanks to their location in the heart of Canada’s oil and gas industry, the Universities of and are an ideal stepping stone for students with their eye on a career in environmental technology, while the – in Canada’s bilingual capital city – has a glittering reputation for courses in politics, translation and journalism. Canada has its own take on the Ivy League, too, aptly named the Maple League. This group of four small, highly selective universities – , Bishop’s, and – are known for their more pastorally focused, tight-knit student experience, and can be a compelling choice for anyone worried about getting lost in a big-city setting.

The application process is one of the things that really makes Canadian universities stand out. Unlike in the US, where it is long, complicated and requires many years of preparation, it is reassuringly straightforward in Canada. Many students in the UK tend to apply to two or three Canadian universities and often do so in tandem with US applications – and there’s no SAT or ACT testing required for pupils sitting A-levels or the IB.

‘We are seeing a growing realisation from schools and students that the Canadian system is a more straightforward way of “hedging” against competitive UK applications in a way that the US is often (mis)represented as being,’ says David Hawkins from the . ‘Applications to universities such as Toronto, McGill and Waterloo are all really straightforward and admissions chances are very transparent.’

Best of all, as Martine points out, admissions teams are hugely approachable and on hand to offer support. ‘Canadian universities are keen to engage with UK schools, and the High Commission in London runs events for students and teachers,’ adds Laurence Goodwin, the head of US and international university applications at Sevenoaks School. Lisa Kearney, Bryanston School’s international universities adviser, says: ‘Canada is very welcoming towards UK applicants, and university admissions departments are very open and supportive. The website , the official Government of Canada source about studying in Canada, is excellent.’

But that doesn’t mean that students can shirk extensive research or don’t need to be on the ball. ‘There’s no centralised system, so it’s vital to ensure that all the application materials reach the right place,’ advises Ben. ‘Students have said that the websites are not always the easiest to navigate,’ adds Helen Robinson, Lancing College’s head of overseas university applications.

By and large, Canada’s educational system is run provincially, meaning students must apply directly to each institution (except those in British Columbia and Ontario, where UCAS-like portals allow you to apply to multiple universities within the province at once). It’s important to note that each university has its own deadlines and requirements. At some, all applicants have to do is create an online account and upload a handful of references and transcripts (to apply to McGill, students just need to submit their GCSE results and predicted A-level grades), while others ask for a piece of writing (applicants to Trinity College at the University of Toronto must write and submit four 250-word essays, and UBC applicants must complete a personal profile).

It’s important to ensure that A-level choices align with Canadian course requirements too. Some have very specific prerequisites (engineering, for example, requires maths A-level), but it’s good to know that, unlike in the UK, there’s no need for students to specialise from the start. Most undergraduate courses last four years and – as in the US – students at Canadian universities can major and minor in different subjects and explore various fields of study through electives. ‘The focus is not on linear thinking but more on lateral thinking, encouraging a broader way of problem-solving,’ says Nick Nelson, director of internationalism at Cheltenham College, which has seen a notable uptick in students applying to universities in Canada, now the second-most popular overseas university destination for pupils at the school after the US. ‘This focused flexibility is one of the key aspects that attracts our students to Canadian universities, especially those interested in the humanities,’ adds Laurence.

And then there are the aforementioned fees. In the USA, the sticker price for fees for international students (including tuition, health insurance, accommodation, etc) can amount to six figures per year; in Canada, the average figure for tuition only is closer to $36,000. Thanks to a student-mobility agreement between Quebec and France and Belgium, French and Belgian citizens studying in Quebec pay the same tuition fees as Canadian students – which may be as little as C$4,000 per year. ‘At Lancing College, we have three to four students who apply to Canadian universities each year. These are usually Canadian citizens or those whose parents reside in Canada,’ says Helen – and somewhat unsurprisingly, many international students applying to Canadian universities have a family connection to Canada. Means-tested bursaries are sometimes available, and it’s worth doing some research into merit scholarships, too, which could amount to significant fee remission.

Martine cites the Canadian lifestyle as another major pull. Canada is considered one of the safest countries in the world and is regularly ranked as one of the best countries to live in. For students with an outdoorsy streak it’s utopia, and you never have to travel far from the major cities to find miles of wild coastline, epic ski trails, glassy lakes and thrilling wildlife encounters. The cities boast impressive public transport networks and are well connected – although it’s useful for students to have a car if they’re choosing a more suburban campus. ‘More of our young people are considering Canadian universities as these institutions are well regarded and Canada offers a high quality of life,’ comments Oliver Hayes, Wetherby Senior School’s head of sixth form. Last year, five Wetherby leavers joined Canadian universities, with one awarded a top scholarship to McGill. Representatives from the country’s top universities regularly visit the school to answer boys’ questions and tell them more about life on campus.

'From skiing on the weekends at Mont Tremblant, Mont Blanc, and Orford, to meeting people from all over the world (and I mean all over!), my McGill experience has completely changed my outlook on life, and sparked my ambition to travel and live in new places', says student Eleanor, who left St Swithun's School a few years ago to take up a place at McGill. 'It was by far the best decision I have ever made. In fact, it was so good that I still have not left Montreal!'

Quebec, Canada - credit Matthew Mortimer

As Canada is bilingual, students may get the opportunity to learn a new language. In Quebec, where the official language is French, three universities popular with international students (McGill, Concordia and Bishop’s) use English as the main language of instruction; students interested in studying in French can opt for the excellent French-speaking universities in the province, such as , , and . Montreal is one of the most diverse cities on the continent, and non-French speakers are highly likely to pick up a very good grasp of the language while living and studying there.

Another quirk of the Canadian university system is the country’s co-operative programme, which allows students to pair their studies with a paid internship or job. It’s a brilliant opportunity for students to gain valuable career experience while earning money to fund their degree – and universities work closely with students to help place them in a suitable role. Tonbridge boys who have headed to Canadian universities in recent years have all opted for co-op programmes, ‘meaning that working was part of their programme of study, giving them valuable experience and contacts in their chosen field’, says Ruth. The University of Waterloo offers one of Canada’s largest co-op programmes, offering students access to over 7,500 different employers.

Crucially, the benefits of studying in Canada continue long after the end of a degree. After graduating, students’ visas are automatically extended, allowing them to stay on and work in the country for a period of time, before returning to the UK with years of valuable international experience and networks under their belt. ‘For me, the best thing about the Canadian university system are the opportunities it gives students for work – both in terms of placements during their degree, and to stay and work in Canada after graduation,’ adds Ruth. ‘Whenever we speak to employers in the UK, most mention how similar a lot of students’ résumés are after they leave university,’ says Martine. ‘But as soon as a student can prove they have done something different by living and working abroad, they immediately stand out.’

Keen to find out more? Martine Gagnon from UES 用帥杏 will be hosting a webinar on Monday 6th November at 5pm (UK time), where she’ll discuss everything you need to know about studying in Canada – admissions, requirements, programmes of study and much more – with the admissions officers from McGill, the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. Sign up .

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Studying at university in Canada: what you need to know

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