Study Overseas | Expert Tips

Study in Canada

Taking up a university course, especially one that is miles away from home can be a life changing decision and a daunting task to accomplish. The choice of university can shape the course of your future life. A number of factors such as your earning potential, your career and your social network as well as your relationships will be influenced by this one decision. So it is extremely important to do a proper due diligence of all the universities one is considering and selecting the one that would be the best fit for your choices as well as your budget. Among st the many universities offering world class graduate and post graduate courses, Canadian universities routinely appear at the top of various rankings.

Many of them are housed in cities which have been identified as the best student cities in the world, for example the University of Montreal is housed in Montreal, which is ranked as the best student city in the world as per QS world ranking and the University of Toronto, which is ranked as the 11th best student city in the world, as per QS World rankings for 2017. The Canadian health care system, its modern transportation and superior infrastructure, all make it the ideal choice for students who are looking at adding an overseas education to their life's experience and to their resume. Canada is home to a huge number of universities, many of which are ranked amongst the best in the world. With such a wide selection to choose from, selecting the right university in Canada can be a task that is fraught with many nuances, and has to be taken with a lot of consideration and care. We suggest a few points you should consider before zeroing in on your university

Is the University a Reputed One?

Canadian Universities are reputed to be amongst the best in the world, as such they attract students from all over the world and a degree from Canada is in high demand. However, this demand for Canadian universities has led to many dubious organizations cropping up to open fly by night colleges to take advantage of gullible students. In this scenario it is extremely important to thoroughly research the university you are considering before accepting a seat. Global Tree's consultants are well versed in all aspects of researching universities and can help you make an informed choice

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Does the university teach the courses you are interested in majoring in? What is the academic standard of the course?

This one is a no-brainer, especially the first part. Obviously you would be less likely to choose a university that doesn't teach the course you are interested in? However the second part is equally important. It is imperative to make sure that the course is taught with high academic standards. It obviously does not make sense to travel half way across the world to settle for a course that is mediocre. Many Canadian Universities offer courses that are the best in quality of research and teaching

What is the quality of the faculty at the university?

Just as the standard of the course is important, it is equally important to make sure that the faculty teaching the course is well qualified, and has the recourse to the latest research in their field of study. It is very often a member of the university's faculty that has a strong influence on the student's career choice and subsequent decisions in life.

What are the costs of tuition and living expenses for studying at the university? Is financial aid or scholarship available?

The cost of tuition at Canadian Universities, though lower compared with countries like UK, USA and Australia, can still be quite high as compared to studying in India, taking into account the exchange rate. It is therefore necessary to consider the costs of tuition and living expenses before deciding on a university. It is also important to determine whether and what kind of financial aid is available for students. Many Canadian universities offer scholarships and soft financial loans to students on both merit and need basis.

What are the accommodation and other facilities like in and around the university?

As a student living away from home, availability of quality accommodation would play an important role in your decision regarding which university you study in. Many top universities in Canada provide accommodation on campus for their students. Many Canadian Universities also lease apartments around the campus and provide them to students at nominal rent on a sharing basis. Taking up an apartment outside campus on sharing basis can lower the cost of your living expenses.

What is the international student ratio in the university? Are there any specific measures that the university takes to make the student integrate into life in the university?

It's extremely important as an international student to understand how good the university is for students from the international community. Most good universities in Canada have an International Student Department to help students who are nonresidents to integrate with the culture, find appropriate housing, and get oriented to life on campus.

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To know more about studying in Canada and for personalized advice on selecting the right course and university in Canada, get in touch with our consultants at Global Tree, the most trusted Canada education consultants in India.