Canada is not just a vast and rugged land, it is the second largest country in the world in area after Russia but has only one-half of one percent of the world’s population. The application process for studying in Canada is very simply laid down in the following steps:
- Choose your preferred university and course.
- Go to the university website and check their dates of application
- Fill out the online application form
- Attach the required documents like the college transcripts, letter of recommendation, SOP, etc to your application
- Wait for your acceptance letter from your DLI
- Apply for your student permit (Visa).
Letter of Acceptance by DLI
DLI means your Designated Learning Institute. It refers to the university that accepted your application and is ready to give you admission.
A letter of acceptance is a crucial document that you may receive via mail after your online application has been mailed. Acceptance depends on how much your application matches the candidate’s expectations.
A letter of acceptance will be required while you apply for a Canadian student permit. It will take around 1 to 2 months after the applications for you to receive a Letter of Acceptance.
Pro Tip – To increase your chances of acceptance, we suggest that you apply 8 to 9 months before the semester starts.
Letter of Explanation
This letter helps the visa officer to understand you and your goals.
It explains:
- Why do you want to study in Canada and,
- That you understand your responsibilities as a student.
- Students have to include that they have applied for a study permit, even if they may not be required to do so for their studies.
Also Read: Ontario Government Announces Exciting New Scholarship Opportunity for Canadian Students!
Canadian Study Permit
I suggest that you apply for the student permit at least 4-6 months before your semester starts. The application may take approximately 35 working days to be processed.
To apply for the study permit, you have to pay 150 CAD or NGN 48,369 as application fees. There are no interviews so you must ensure your documents are accurate and as explanatory as much as possible. Once your study permit is successfully given to you, the duration of the permit is your course time plus an additional 3 months.
★ Proof of English Proficiency
Students from Nigeria are not required to provide proof of their English language proficiency in Canada.
★ Proof of Funds
Proof of funds is one of the key requirements to study in Canada for a study permit. It is a document that will prove that once on Canadian soil, you will be able to take care of yourself as a student. You can prove your financial soundness via the following evidence –
★ Bank statements for the last 6 months
- Proof that you have already paid your tuition and housing fees
- Loan letter if you have taken a student loan from any bank
- In case a financial institution from Canada is providing your education, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is required
- Documents that prove your scholarships/funding
- Want to study abroad but are worried about expenses? Let Leverage Finance help you!
★ Immigration Medical Exam
Folks at the Canadian embassy take the Immigration Medical Exam extremely seriously. If you plan to study in Canada for more than 6 months, an IME is compulsory. Your doctor cannot perform a medical exam for you. You have to contact the Canadian panel of physicians who will assign you a doctor. The medical exam can be done before applying to universities as well.
From your medical history to your eyesight, everything is checked before you are given your results. Once your medical results are mailed to you, they are valid for 12 months. So you have to fly to Canada in that period or get a new medical exam done. The IME fees have to be paid by you.
★ Police Certificate
For some nationals, producing a police certificate is one of the requirements to study in Canada. A police certificate is submitted as proof that you do not have a criminal record and hence are fit to study in the country. A police certificate is a background check that visa officers may need to ascertain your credentials and process your application faster.
★ Statement of Purpose
If you’ve liked writing long essays in your high school, consider SOPs the king of long essays (500-1000 words). Here you pour your heart out about why you’d like to study at a Canadian university and how mutually beneficial it can be. It also tells the university about your academic writing skills and written English prowess. SOPs have to be well-curated as they become the basis of your application acceptance. A good SOP might get you admission even if your resume is comparatively mediocre.
★ Guaranteed Investment Certificate
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate of CAD10,000 (NGN 32,24,599) is another one of the requirements to study in Canada, especially if you are studying in an SDS college. It is a short-term investment that colleges require students to make to provide proof of financial funds for 12 months or more. Most Canadian banks offer GIC programs to international students at varied interest rates.
★ How to get Student Permits:
Here are some documents you may need to provide for a student permit:
- A letter of attestation;
- A GIC certificate;
- An Investment Directions Confirmation or
- An Investment Balance Confirmation
- Eligibility Requirements for Bachelor’s Degree
- Following are the requirements to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Canada –
- You must have a senior school certificate issued by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
★ For undergraduate courses, you are expected to have a WAEC or NECO result with at least five/six credits including English and mathematics.
- Online application form
- Proof of funds
- Statement of purpose
- Updated CV
- Eligibility Requirements for Master’s Degree
★ For a 1-2 year master’s degree in Canada, the following are the requirements:
For postgraduate courses, you must have obtained a minimum of a second-class lower (2:2) with a high GPA in the last two years of your undergraduate studies or second-class upper (2:1).
- GMAT or GRE score
- Letter of recommendations
- Statement of purpose
★ Eligibility Requirements for MBA
- MBA, a highly sought-after course in Canada, asks for the following requirements from international students:
- Graduation degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Canada
- GMAT or GRE score depending on the university
- Work experience for a certain period is also dependent on the university you are applying to.
★ Eligibility Requirements for a Doctorate
Want to pursue a Ph.D. in your field and be called a doctor? Know the requirements for you to study in Canada here:
Postgraduate degree in your relevant field
A research proposal within your statement of purpose
Letter of recommendation
GMAT or GRE depending on your field
Updated resume.
CANADIAN FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS 2024
If you’re interested in studying and working in Canada, here comes a great chance for you. Study and paid internship at the University of Toronto, Canada.
THE PROGRAM COVERS
– Travel expenses
– Housing
– Accommodation
– Medical facilities.
REQUIREMENTS
– Applicants must be 15 years or above.
– Can speak basic English
– Minimum of high school graduate.
BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM
– Visa application assistance
– All nationalities can apply
– 100% free course fee
– Paid internship.
Interesting Links
- Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)
- Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership Program
- Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program
- Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program
- Study in Canada Scholarships
- Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships Program
- International Scholarships for Canadians
- Search for scholarships
- Apply for scholarships
NOTE: We do not offer visa/legal advice or application services, so we do not respond to such inquiries
