Conditions for studying at colleges and universities in Canada

If we want to explain the conditions for studying in educational centers in Canada very simply, first, you need to have the required GPA and language score for each college or university. Then, if you are applying for graduate programs such as master’s and research-based doctoral degrees, you need to have research and academic experience.

Studying at colleges in Canada

A college program in Canada focuses more on preparing applicants for the job market. Therefore, colleges place less emphasis on theoretical courses and more on practical and operational aspects.

College programs in Canada are recommended for applicants who are looking to quickly enter the job market and seek jobs with moderate income and high applicability. We recommend participating in colleges that offer internships as part of the main course, as this provides applicants with the opportunity to expand their professional network during the internship and increase their chances of employment.

Colleges in Canada are divided into two categories: government-funded and private. The requirements for continuing education at colleges in Canada are usually simpler compared to universities, and there are fewer prerequisites for entering college programs in Canada. Also, the language score required for admission to college programs in Canada is generally lower than that required for universities.

Obtaining admission for continuing education at a college in Canada is a specialized task, and we recommend discussing this with your consultant. This is especially important if the applicant intends to obtain permanent residence in Canada through an educational method, as having complete knowledge about choosing the desired course at the college is crucial.

Courses taught in colleges include:

• DEC programs: Offered at colleges in Quebec, these programs require a secondary school diploma as a prerequisite.
• Diploma programs: Prerequisite for these programs is a high school diploma and a secondary school course.
• Certificate programs: Prerequisite for these programs is a secondary school course.

Language score required for college admission in Canada

Some colleges require a minimum IELTS score of 6. However, many colleges allow applicants to prove their English or French language proficiency through an online language test.

College tuition fees in Canada

The tuition fees for colleges in Canada range from $8,000 to $16,000 per year. The cost varies depending on the course and class intensity. During your college studies, you will also need to pay for your own health insurance. Add living expenses in Canada to your list of study expenses.

Age requirement for admission to colleges in Canada

According to the law, there is no age requirement for admission to educational and student visas in Canada. However, immigration officers definitely consider age conditions in evaluating visa applications, and the applicant’s study plan must be justifiable to the officer. For example, an applicant who is 50 years old and intends to study at a college in Canada may find it difficult to convince the officer with their documents that they intend to study and return to their home country. Therefore, according to the law, there is no prohibition on obtaining admission based on age, but the applicant’s case must be justifiable to the immigration officer.

Possibility of obtaining a visa for accompanying dependents of a student in college in Canada

The accompanying individual can apply for a visitor visa or work visa, and there are no restrictions in this regard. The applicant’s child also has the opportunity to receive free education in Canada.

Possibility of obtaining permanent residence after studying at colleges in Canada

After studying in college programs in Canada, depending on the province where you studied, there are various immigration methods to obtain permanent residence in Canada.

Each of Canada’s 11 provinces has specific requirements for obtaining residence after studying at colleges in Canada. In some provinces, it is possible to obtain permanent residence immediately after continuing education, while in others, the applicant first obtains a work permit and then a residence visa. Consult with Afshar Group experts on this matter.

Choosing the desired type of college in Canada is very important because the conditions for obtaining permanent residence after studying at colleges in Canada vary greatly depending on the chosen course. Some courses make the applicant eligible for residency and work visas, while others do not. Therefore, the importance of consulting with admission and study visa experts for continuing education in Canada is very high.

Undergraduate programs in Canada

Complete guide to application, acceptance, and costs

After completing high school, many students enter university and continue their studies at the undergraduate level. If you are among those who have obtained a diploma and intend to study at the undergraduate level in Canada but do not have enough information in this regard, you will become familiar with the complete guide to undergraduate education in Canada by reading this article.

Course length: 3 to 4 years

Course fees: Between $20,000 and $25,000 annually

Language proficiency required: IELTS 5 for conditional acceptance or IELTS 6.5

Duration of undergraduate studies

The duration of a bachelor’s degree program in Canada is 3 to 4 years. Most students opt for 4-year programs.

The academic year consists of two or three terms.

University academic terms include fall term (September to December), winter term (January to April), and spring term (May to July).

Advantages of studying for a bachelor’s degree in Canada

• Benefit from high-quality education with world-renowned professors.
• Access to advanced educational facilities.
• Opportunity to work during studies and earn income.
• Receive a globally recognized bachelor’s degree.
• Opportunity to work after graduation and obtain permanent residence in Canada.

Important points for undergraduate education

• Do not prioritize ranking in the selection process because in this case, you will have to pay a very high tuition fee.
• Familiarize yourself with the transfer program between colleges and universities as it helps reduce your costs.
• Before choosing a major, talk to an educational consultant to avoid mistakes.
• Analyze post-graduation residence requirements in your field and desired university.

Conditions for studying in Canada with a bachelor’s degree

• Minimum GPA of 12 in high school diploma
• Language score:

Direct or unconditional acceptance: To obtain direct acceptance to a bachelor’s degree in Canada, you must have an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent scores.

Conditional acceptance: For conditional or conditional acceptance, you need an IELTS score of at least 5 or equivalent scores. Some universities in Canada also accept applicants without language requirements. In this case, you must complete a language course to reach the language level required by the university.

For example, to be admitted to the biology program at the University of Ottawa, you must have passed language, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics courses in grade 12 with a minimum score of 14. You also need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a writing score of 6 or a TOEFL score of 86 with a writing score of 22.

After completing high school, continuing education in all provinces except Quebec is possible. In Quebec, after completing the 11th grade of high school, a student can either enter a college program or, after completing a two-year pre-university course, enter a three-year bachelor’s degree program.

Some colleges and universities in Canada offer a transfer program at the undergraduate level. This means that after two years of college diploma studies, you can enter university and obtain a bachelor’s degree with only two years of study. The college and university must cooperate in the transfer program, so you cannot enter the bachelor’s degree program of any university with any college diploma.

Documents required for undergraduate studies in Canada

• Scan of translated diploma certificate and final grades of the last two years of high school along with a copy in Persian (pre-university and high school diploma for students of the old system)
• Scan of language proficiency certificate (if available)
• Scan of a valid passport
• Attestation letter from the province
• Resume
• Motivation letter
• Recommendation letter from school teachers (if available – not mandatory)

Language certificate for undergraduate studies in Canada

Various English language tests are accepted to obtain acceptance for undergraduate studies in Canada:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
• English for Academic Success (EFAS)
• Duolingo (Currently, Duolingo’s online test is accepted by some universities in Canada for acceptance in the undergraduate level. It is best to check the university’s conditions for accepting the Duolingo test.)

Note

At the application stage for Canadian universities, scanning of documents is usually sufficient, but after obtaining acceptance, you must send the original translated documents and your grades from the school to the university. You must also send your language proficiency certificate from the exam center to the university.

Cost of undergraduate studies in Canada

On average, undergraduate tuition in Canada for international students ranges from $20,000 to $25,000 per year. The cost of undergraduate education in Canada varies depending on the field of study and university. Generally, tuition fees for engineering and basic science programs are higher than for other fields.

Postgraduate studies in Canada

Complete guide to application, acceptance, and costs

Postgraduate studies in Canada have many applicants worldwide, and many students from around the world enter Canada each year to continue their studies at the graduate level.

By reading this article, you will become familiar with the complete guide to applying for a master’s degree in Canada for the academic year 2025-2024.

After graduation, you can still stay in Canada and work with a 3-year work visa, and ultimately, after meeting the necessary conditions, you can apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Course length: 1 to 2 years

Course fees: Between $10,000 and