This three-step process will provide an overview of how to begin your study in Canada journey!

Know your “Why” and Make a Plan

Before we dive into our three-step process, it is important that you are clear on your “why”. Why study in Canada? Do you want to migrate, or do you just want an international credential and work temporarily? Studying abroad can be challenging but having a solid reason why you are doing this can help you overcome hurdles in your application, studies, work, and new life in a new country.

Equally important is making a plan. Sounds cliché but there is a gem in the quote from Benjamin Franklin, “Failing to plan, is planning to fail.” Write it down in your notebook. When do you plan to study in Canada? Is it in the fall of next year (September)? What are you doing now that prepares you for this? Are you sharpening your English skills? Are you saving up money for your studies? Make a plan and stick to it.

Knowing your “why” covers your motivation, but motivation alone will not be enough. Making a plan and turning this plan into action is key to your success.

Now if you are clear of your “why” and have an action plan, read ahead! Note that this three-step process is an overview and targets those who are new to the Canada Study Abroad Process. However, towards the last step, I will provide a link to another article that gives a more detailed checklist on the Canada Study Abroad journey.

STEP 1: Find your Program

In Canada, those who finished high school in a K-12 system can take a four-year bachelor’s degree program or a shorter, two-year diploma program. Certain professions require completion of a bachelor’s degree to practice, while others can be pursued with a diploma completion.

Meanwhile, those who finished a bachelor’s degree in their home country can consider taking another four-year bachelor’s degree, a post-degree or post-graduate diploma (typically one to two years to complete), a graduate certificate (typically one year to complete), or a master’s or doctoral degree (more than two years to complete).

It is recommended that you list at least three programs in your target study level. For instance, if you received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in your home country, you may focus on a post-degree diploma in fields such as business management, entrepreneurship, or business analytics. It is also common to pivot your career and take a program in a completely different field! A lot of international students do this, especially if they want to explore other career paths or enter a field that is more in demand in Canada.

Your homework: List your top three programs

STEP 2: Join Global Study Guide and Get Support From Our Consultants

Global Study Guide is a network of educators, aspiring students, and education agents all collaborating to create a great study abroad experience. It is also a platform that lists all necessary information on programs offered by hundreds of colleges and universities from top study destination countries like Canada and the United States.

Once you know your target programs, create a free (and always will be!) account with Global Study Guide. Browse the website to find your target programs and potential schools to apply to. Each program listing will also mention the tuition fee, duration of the study, application and entry requirements, and overview of the curriculum. Once you find the school and/or program you want, place a comment or a question and we will have our partner consultants schedule a conversation with you for the next steps.

Your homework: Join Global Study Guide, find your target program and school in Canada, comment/reach out to have our consultants assist you.

STEP 3: Finalize Your Program and Prepare Your Documents

In the Global Study Guide platform, you will see the application or entry requirements of the program you want. Simultaneously, our consultant will help you prepare your checklist and support you in making the final decision on where and what you will study.

In general, all schools require an official copy of your transcript, and identity documents (for example, a passport). Depending on the school, some will not require proof of English proficiency if you come from a country with English as the medium of instruction. Our consultant will also inform you of this as the official school websites usually do not mention English exemptions for students coming from particular countries like the Philippines.

Your homework: Understand the entry requirements of your final school and program, start preparing the general documents required like a transcript, read the detailed checklist linked below

There you go! Now, go through these steps, do your homework, and know that you have the Global Study Guide team and our partner consultants to support you.

For the detailed checklist on Studying in Canada, from initial interests to getting your Student Permit, read our article titled “The Ultimate Study in Canada Checklist (Pre-Arrival Edition)”.