How Budget Conscious Students Can Get A Canadian Degree?

You are not alone. every year, several hundred thousand students depart to Canada with hopes of graduating from some of the internationally renowned colleges or universities located in Canada. Canada has a lot to offer to international students in terms of higher education. According to the National Statistics Office of Canada, there are 388,782 international students currently enrolled in Canadian universities.

Canada has it all, from its welcoming community to its impressive locations and high-quality of education. It also has bustling and beautiful cities like Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver, which are great places for students of all backgrounds to enjoy their time in Canada. It is impossible to avoid the biggest factor of studying abroad which is cost of studying.

The cost of studying in Canada greatly depends on the type of course you are studying and from which university or college. Studying cost in Canada includes application fees, tuition fees, accommodation fees, transportation fees and other living expenses. if you are one of those students who wants to get a Canadian degree with maximum money-saving options, don’t worry, to assist students like you, we have comprised a step-by-step guide to help you to understand how budget-conscious students can get a Canadian degree. Following are the steps that can help you save your time and money to get a Canadian degree:

Make A List Of All The Requirements You Must Fulfill

Note down all the requirements and deadline of your short-listed universities. Even though each university in Canada has its own admission requirements, students still need to meet certain national requirements. Here are some examples:

• A latest passport with at least 1 blank page.

• An English or French language proficiency test certificate.

• Proof of financial support or funding.

However, keep in mind that these requirements may differ from province to province. So it is really a wise choice to make a list of requirements in advance before filling out the application forms.

Choosing A University And The Degree Program

Tracking down a course and a perfect university to seek after can be tricky. However, in contrast to the United Kingdom, students in Canada have more easy ways to change their majors if they decide to switch. It goes without saying that the total cost of your tuition will vary depending on the program and the university you choose. Make sure the university you applied to, is listed as a designated learning institute (DLI). These establishments refer to a list of institutions that have been approved by the government of the province or territory. It's essential to check as it's important to get a Canadian student visa. Confirming you university from DLI list can save you from wasting your money on an unrecognized institute. You can also check our detailed article on best Canadian universities for Pakistani Students to pick a perfect university for yourself.

Research All Scholarships Options 

Once you’ve chosen a program and a perfect university for yourself, it’s time to figure out how to pay. Financial aid and scholarships are available for international students at most of the Canadian universities. These can be partially or fully funded and awarded by the university or the Canadian government itself. Keep in mind that different scholarship applications have different requirements. Before applying, verify that you meet these requirements to avoid wasting time and effort.

Requirements And Documents For University Admission

Admission requirements vary from university to university. The English/French language proficiency certificate, Academic transcripts, proof of financial support, recommendation letter, valid passport and police clearance certificate are the most important documents, you will need to apply in any Canadian university. Make sure you meet the minimum English/French language proficiency scores. All Canadian universities accept IELTS as a more acceptable English language proficiency test, but you can also take Cambridge English or TOEFL examinations. In case of any confusion, contact the university through the university’s provided contact info. This save you a tremendous amount of time.

Applying To Your Short-Listed Universities 

It's time to apply at your narrowed down Universities. Application fees are an overlooked aspect while filling out the university admission form. Depending upon the Canadian universities provided information, maximum application fee of a single university can be almost 190 US Dollars. This application fees will really become a budget-problem for you, if you decide to apply at multiple universities at the same time. To avoid this kind of problem and save your time and money, check the application fee waivers of your short-listed universities or you can visit; universities in Canada with no application fees.

Applying For Scholarships

It’s time to apply for those noted down scholarships. Check the eligibility requirements carefully because they vary accordingly. There are bunch of Universities in Canada offering scholarships to under-graduate and post-graduate students. They are usually given to students who have an excellent academic background. You might also be eligible to receive one of these scholarships if you have had exceptional work experiences or volunteer work of a specific field. Bursaries are also an option for the students who cannot pay their full tuition fees. Scholarships and Bursaries can be offered by the university or the Canadian government itself with different requirements. You can visit our website; studyabroad.pk for the latest Canadian scholarships for Pakistani students. Try your best to avail these scholarships, as they can liftoff your burden of paying tuition or accommodation fees.

Student Visa Applications

You should have an acceptance or offer letter from one of the universities you’ve applied to, before applying for the Canada study visa. You can apply for a student visa either online or in person at your local visa center. You will be required to pay the standard student visa application fee of CA$150 with an additional CAD$ 85 for the biometrics. You have to fulfill all the student visa application requirement like acceptance letter from DLI, valid passport, proof of financial support etc. Student visa application requirement will be different if you have applied at any university in the Quebec province of Canada, you have to submit the “Certificat d’acceptation du Québec” (CAQ), which your university will send you. For a detailed guide on Canada Study Visa Requirements for Pakistani Students click here.

City And Accommodation 

Now it’s time to plan your accommodation in Canada. The city and province in which you'll be living, will decide, how much you pay for it in Canada. There are three types of accommodation that you can consider; on-campus accommodation, private housing accommodation or homestay. 

The term "on-campus accommodation" refers to student housing that is either on or near the campus. First-year students typically benefit from this choice because it reduces the amount of time and money spent traveling to classes. It might also make it easier for them to meet and connect with other students, but it is considered to be the most expensive option due to the furnished rooms, meal plans and electricity and other bills.

Private housing is a slightly cheaper option, popular among international students. In private accommodation, most likely, you would have to pay for your own heating, internet, and electricity, furniture as well, if the apartment is not furnished. Keep in mind that off-campus housing rental costs can vary massively, particularly in the larger cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

A homestay is the final and cheapest option. If you want to get a better sense of Canadian culture, this kind of accommodation is ideal for you. Find local families who are willing to host students, by contacting your university. Typically, this means having a room and eating three meals a day. Additionally, there are options without meal plans.

Planning Your Journey

Finally, the time has come to plan your trip to Canada. Your flight tickets may cost you more than you anticipated if you don't plan them in advance. Explore the discount option, some international airlines like Qatar Airways, Air Canada etc. offer students special discounts with different perks, so make every effort to take advantage of these discounts, as they can save you a lot of money, which can be useful in the future. Once you’ve sorted your flight tickets, you have to figure out your transport arrangements from the airport. Canadian universities often offer free airport pick-up services for international students arriving in Canada. International students arriving in Canada frequently receive complimentary airport pick-up services from Canadian universities.

Planning Your Budget 

Plan your budget as it is the final step on this list. As often as we’ve mentioned it throughout the guide, if you want to control your expenses while traveling, budgeting is absolutely necessary. Pakistani students in Canada can expect to pay anywhere from CA$600 to CA$800 for living, the cost of groceries and other daily expenses are included in this estimate. Depending on your lifestyle and spending habits, this estimate will definitely vary. Try not to spend carelessly and make a list of most needed items or things this will help you to focus on the important things. Also be aware of the currency differences, use currency converter apps to avoid any difficulty while shopping, and be aware of the shopkeepers who will definitely try to sell you cheap things on expensive rates. Most of the Canadian universities allow international students to work part-time. Part-time jobs will definitely help you maintain you budget. Start a part-time job only after gathering the full information regarding allowed working-hours.