CANADA

For a long time Canada ranked among the leading countries for study abroad — affordable fees, good universities, a safe environment and the chance to stay on afterwards. Over the past two years, though, much has changed: the government has sharply cut international student numbers, brought in quotas on study visas and tightened the entry rules. Demand for a Canadian education nonetheless remains high, and the quality of teaching is still world-class.

What people come to study

For schoolchildren. Families come to Canada for secondary education at private boarding schools and public schools (open to overseas pupils too, though a study permit is required). The age range is wide, with private schools taking children from 12 to 18. At some boarding schools overseas pupils make up more than 60% of the roll, and these schools run dedicated support, including English classes and cultural settling-in. Canadian boarding schools teach the local curriculum (the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, OSSD, for example) and the Advanced Placement (AP) programme. The OSSD is recognised by every Canadian university and many abroad. Boarding schools are found both in big cities (Toronto, Vancouver) and in beautiful rural areas. The day is full: lessons, sport, the arts and independent study under the supervision of housemasters. Classes are small, 10–15 pupils.

For students. Canadian universities have long appealed to overseas students with the quality of their teaching, a safe environment and the prospect of residency after graduation. As of 2025, around 690 000 international students held valid study permits in Canada — 30% fewer than two years earlier, when the figure was almost 1 000 000. The largest numbers came from India, China and the Philippines. The most popular fields are engineering, IT, business, medicine and nursing. The decline stems from new restrictions: in 2024 the government introduced quotas on study visas and raised the proof-of-funds threshold. Even so, Canada remains one of the leaders in attracting international students, thanks to the quality of its education and its immigration prospects.

What studying here is like

Secondary education. Canadian boarding schools pair a strong academic programme with an active extracurricular life. Lessons take place in small classes of 10–12 pupils, followed by sport, the arts and clubs, with the evening given over to independent study under the supervision of housemasters. Weekends mean excursions, sports tournaments and volunteering. Where British schools lean on tradition, Canadian boarding schools are more flexible and modern. Many offer full support to overseas pupils: English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, guidance on choosing a university and help with visas. Graduates go on to universities across the country, with the Canadian school certificate valued on a par with the British or American.

Higher education. Canada has two kinds of institution: universities (academic education) and colleges (focused on practical skills, much like the German Fachhochschulen). A Bachelor’s takes 4 years and a Master’s 1–2. The system resembles the American one: students mix courses across disciplines and can change their specialisation, with strong emphasis on practice and research. Canadian universities feature prominently in the world rankings — the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia and McGill University are consistently in the top 50. Colleges such as Seneca College and George Brown College offer highly sought-after vocational training with a compulsory work placement (co-op).

Canada’s defining feature is a clear split of responsibility: the federal government sets the quotas on study visas, while the provinces run the education system themselves. As a result, admission terms and costs vary widely — Ontario, for instance, is dearer than Newfoundland or Saskatchewan.

Visa requirements

Citizens of countries other than Canada need a study permit for courses lasting longer than 6 months. The process has several stages.

The main requirements:
- Confirmation of enrolment at a Canadian institution (Letter of Acceptance)
- Proof of funds: enough to cover the first year of study and living costs (in 2025, a minimum of 20 635 dollars for living, plus tuition and the flight)
- A clean criminal record (a police certificate)
- Medical insurance (can be arranged after approval)
- A written account of the purpose of your studies and your plans on completing them (Statement of Purpose)

New rules from 2025:
- Annual quotas on new study permits have been introduced. In 2025 the cap was about 360 000 nationwide (30–40% lower than in 2023).
- For admission to colleges and non-core programmes, you must now provide additional proof of the link between your studies and your future career.
- Provinces have been given the right to allocate the quotas among institutions themselves.

Timing and cost: apply for the Study Permit as soon as you receive confirmation from the university (usually 6–9 months before your studies begin). The processing fee is 150 Canadian dollars (plus 85 dollars for biometrics). In 2025 the average processing time for an application from Russia was 12–16 weeks.

The pros and cons

Pros:

• A quality education recognised the world over. Canadian degrees are valued by employers and count in your favour when immigrating.
• More affordable than the USA or the United Kingdom. A good university costs around 30–40 thousand dollars a year, not 60–70.
• The chance to stay on after your studies (PGWP and permanent residence). Canada is one of the few countries where a student visa genuinely leads to immigration.
• Safety, a multicultural society and a high standard of living.
• The right to work part-time during your studies, up to 20 hours a week, and full days in the holidays.

Cons:

• Since 2025 the visa process has become considerably harder — quotas, higher financial thresholds and stricter selection.
• The number of new international students fell by 61% in 2025 on the previous year, owing to the study-visa quotas and tougher proof-of-funds rules.
• A high cost of living, especially in Toronto and Vancouver, where rent can swallow half your budget.
• A shortage of housing in the big cities. Students say finding a room at a reasonable price is very hard.
• Many colleges and universities that relied on international students now face financial difficulty, with some programmes closing and staff being laid off.
• The climate: Canadian winters are harsh almost everywhere bar the south of British Columbia, so you have to get used to the snow and the cold.