Studying in Canada is a dream for many international students all over the world. Not only does Canada offer a high quality of education, but it also promises a great quality of life and the possibility of settling here permanently after your studies.
Ontario is home to many of Canada’s top universities and colleges and the vast majority of international students choose to study in Ontario, Canada. Over the years, Ontario’s market share of student visa approvals in Canada has continued to increase. In 2022, the province welcomed over 226,000 international students, representing an overwhelming 54 per cent of all approvals in the country.
In this article:
There are many reasons why Ontario is the most popular study destination in Canada. Here are some common factors that attract international students to the province:
Ontario is home to several prestigious universities and colleges, including four of the top 200 universities in the world. College programs in Ontario, too, are gaining popularity among international students due to their shorter program duration and alignment with job market readiness. Regardless of what study program you wish to pursue, you’ll find several high-ranking institutions in Ontario that fit your requirements.
Whether you’re in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or in the popular student cities of Kingston or Waterloo, you’ll get to experience a high quality of life. Ontario offers everything students need to live well, including access to amenities, comfort, safety, freedom, community, and a strong job market. Keep in mind though that Ontario also has a higher cost of living compared to other provinces, so the cost of accommodation and amenities may be relatively high.
Ontario is home to people from all parts of the world, and 29.97 per cent of the province’s population was born outside of Canada. 26.8 per cent of Ontarians speak a mother tongue other than English or French.
Whether you’re looking for social connections within your community or your native food and groceries, it may be easier to find a taste of home in Ontario, compared to other provinces and territories in Canada.
As an international student, the ability to communicate in the official language is essential. Not only will you need to be proficient in the language to understand what’s being taught in class and keep up with your classmates, but you’ll also need to understand and speak the common language to effectively manage your day-to-day tasks.
In Ontario, the most commonly spoken language is English, and that will be the language in which you communicate at school, at work, and in your daily life. Many international students find it easier to master English, compared to French, Canada’s other official language.
Whether you’re looking for part-time work during your studies or full-time work after graduation, Ontario has a strong job market with ample job opportunities in most fields.
Many international students choose to work part-time while studying. This is a great way to gain Canadian experience and earn some money to cover your living expenses in Canada. Bear in mind that you can only work while studying if your study permit allows you to do so.
If you intend to stay and work in Ontario after you graduate, you’ll need to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). You may qualify for a PGWP if your study program was more than eight months long and if you studied at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI). If you plan to settle in Canada, your Canadian work experience can make it easier for you to qualify for permanent residence programs.
Before you move to Ontario for your studies, it’s important that you know what to expect. Here are a few things to keep in mind while planning your international student journey:
Ontario is home to many of the world’s top-ranking universities. According to the QS World University Ranking 2024, the following universities are the best ones in Ontario:
Ranked #21 in the world, the University of Toronto is usually considered the best university in Canada. U of T comprises three campuses, located in Mississauga, Scarborough, and St. George, Toronto. In the 2022-23 academic year, more than 97,000 students were enrolled in various programs at the University of Toronto.
The university offers over 700 undergraduate degree programs and over 200 post-graduate programs. U of T offers programs in various disciplines ranging from medicine and architecture to law and accounting.
The University of Waterloo is the second-most prestigious university in Ontario and ranks #112 worldwide. Renowned for its focus on experiential learning and employer-student connections, the University of Waterloo enrolls over 42,000 students each year.
The university offers undergraduate programs across six faculties: arts, engineering, mathematics, science, health, and environment. If you’re interested in graduate programs, you’ll find more than 180 options to choose from at the University of Waterloo.
Ranked #114 in the world, Western University in London, Ontario, is the third-best university in the province. The university attracts more than 43,000 students each year, including over 4,700 international students from 129 countries.
The school offers over 400 undergraduate module options for 17 different undergraduate degrees and 160 graduate programs, including master’s, doctoral, and graduate diplomas, across 12 faculties.
McMaster University in Hamilton is ranked #149 in the world. Known for its focus on research, the university is renowned for its prestigious medical school and top-notch engineering, humanities, and social science faculties. According to the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, McMaster ranked #33 in the world for global impact.
The school offers over 152 bachelor’s programs and 100 graduate programs across six faculties: health sciences, humanities, social sciences, business, science, and engineering.
Ranked #203 in the world, the University of Ottawa is the world’s largest bilingual university. It is also one of the top 10 research universities in Canada. The large school spans three campuses: one each in Ottawa, Toronto, and Windsor, Ontario.
The school offers over 500 undergraduate and graduate programs across 10 faculties. It also has a French immersion program for students who want to complete part of their studies in French.
Ranked #209 in the world, Queen’s University is one of Canada’s leading research universities and is known for its business faculty.
The school offers 100 bachelor’s programs, 78 master’s programs and 58 doctoral and graduate diploma programs across six faculties: arts and science, education, engineering and applied sciences, health sciences, law, and business.
Although some international students mistakenly believe that college programs are not as serious or valuable as university programs, that is not true. College-level education was the fastest-growing study level for international students in Ontario last year, with over 143,000 study permit approvals. This was an increase of nearly 44,000 approvals over 2021, representing a 44% growth rate.
If you’re planning to apply to college programs in Ontario, these prestigious colleges should be on your list:
Seneca College is one of the most renowned colleges in Canada. The school has several campuses in and around Toronto.
Seneca offers over 160 study programs across disciplines such as accounting, business, aviation, marketing, engineering technology, arts, computers, and hospitality. Most programs grant you a certificate or diploma credential but graduate certificate and advanced diploma programs are available as well.
The annual tuition fee for international students ranges from $20,791 to $35,743, depending on the study program you choose and its duration.
Incoming international students enrolling in diploma or graduate certificate programs are automatically considered for entrance scholarships based on merit. These awards typically range between $500 and $1,000. You may also be eligible for in-course awards, depending on the program you’re applying for.
In 2021-22, roughly 45 per cent of students enrolled at Seneca College were international students.
Established in 1967, Conestoga College has multiple campuses in Ontario, including Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Ingersoll and Brantford. Conestoga is considered the top institute for apprenticeship training in Ontario.
Conestoga offers over 300 career-focused programs in engineering, business, architecture, aviation, marketing, public relations, arts, hospitality, trades such as construction, and more. Depending on your needs and budget, you can also choose between certificate, diploma, graduate certificate, advanced diploma, and degree programs.
The annual international student tuition fee usually varies between $20,625 and $22,788, depending on the study program, howeverthe tuition fee for degree programs may be as high as $62,000 per year.
You may be eligible for one or more of the 400 awards, scholarships, and bursaries available to students enrolling at Conestoga. Of note for incoming international students are the Conestoga College International Entrance and Regional Scholarships and the ApplyBoard International Student Premier’s Award Bursary which are valued between $1,000 and $1,500.
In 2021-22, international students comprised more than 56 per cent of the total incoming students.
In addition to five campuses in Toronto and the GTA, Centennial College also has a presence in countries such as China, India, South Korea and Brazil.
Centennial offers over 400 programs across faculties, including courses in business, science, engineering technology, health studies, arts, and hospitality. You can choose between certificate, diploma, graduate certificate, and advanced diploma programs. If you’re looking for programs in information technology (IT) or public relations management, Centennial also offers four-year bachelor’s programs in these disciplines.
The annual international student tuition fee typically ranges from $15,385 to $19,484, depending on the program. For some degree programs, the annual tuition fee may be between $50,287 and $58,980.
Several merit-based scholarships are available for incoming and existing students at Centennial. These include college-wide awards, as well as program-specific awards.
In 2021-22, 18 per cent of students enrolled at Centennial College were international students.
Lambton College was set up in 1967 to contribute skilled employees to Ontario’s industries. The college’s main campuses are located in Sarnia and Ottawa, and the school also has international student campuses in Toronto and Mississauga.
Students at Lambton can choose between 50 undergraduate programs and 61 graduate-level programs across the areas of business, community services, engineering and sciences, healthcare, hospitality, education, IT, marketing, finance, and project management. The school offers diploma, advanced diploma, and graduate certificate programs.
The total tuition fee for the entire program for international students typically ranges from $22,192 to $49,480, depending on the chosen program and the credential it provides.
Lambton offers several program-specific scholarships and incoming international students with the top academic grades may be eligible for awards of up to $3,000.
In 2021-22, 82% of the total incoming students at Lambton College were international students.
Fanshawe College has a significant presence in Southwest Ontario as well as a campus in Toronto.
The school offers over 200 post-secondary programs across 16 areas of study, including programs that award degrees, certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, and graduate certificates.
The per-term tuition fee for international students ranges from $2,483 to $41,039, depending on the program chosen.
Fanshawe offers a range of scholarships and awards, including some specifically for international students. Students may be eligible for entrance scholarships based on their academic average or for athletic awards based on their extracurricular activities.
In 2021-22, 31 per cent of students enrolled at Fanshawe College were international students.
George Brown has three campuses in downtown Toronto and offers its students an edge in Canada’s job market.
The school offers over 177 certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, graduate certificate, and degree programs in the areas of art, information technology, business, education, health sciences, engineering technology, hospitality, and more.
Annual tuition fees for international students range from $15,190 to $41,895, depending on the program.
The school offers several scholarships for international students, including the Assist on Scholarship for International Students in Two-year Programs, Post-Secondary Scholarship for International Students, International Student Scholarship, and more.
In 2021-22, 27% of students enrolled at George Brown College were international students.
Set up in 1967, Humber is known today for its research partnerships and industry-specific programs. Humber College has three campuses in Toronto, including a separate campus for international graduate students.
The school offers over 220 certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, graduate certificate, and degree programs in technology, engineering, business, health, social services, hospitality, and more.
The annual tuition fee for international students typically ranges between $11,005 and $32,042, depending on the program selected.
International entrance scholarships of $2,000 each are offered to meritorious students starting their Diploma and/or Advanced Diploma studies at Humber. The school also offers Bachelor’s degree scholarships to incoming international students with an academic average of 75 per cent and above.
In 2021-2022, 17 per cent of students enrolled at Humber College were international students.
Sheridan is one of the top colleges in Ontario and has three campuses in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario—Oakville, Brampton, and Mississauga.
Sheridan offers over 140 programs across five faculties: Animation, Arts and Design, Applied Health and Community Studies, Applied Science and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Business. These programs include 90 programs with integrated work opportunities, such as internships, co-ops, apprenticeships, or field placements. Students can choose programs based on the credentials earned, such as certificate, diploma, graduate certificate, or bachelor’s degrees.
Annual tuition fees for international students ranges between $16,771 and $30,182, depending on the program selected.
All international students enrolling in a full-time post-secondary program at Sheridan are eligible for an International Entrance Scholarship ranging between $500 and $2,000. Students enrolling in an English Language Studies program or programs with tuition reduction are not considered for this scholarship.
In 2021-22, 26.4 per cent of students enrolling at Sheridan were international students.
As an international student planning to study in Ontario, Canada, you’ll have many universities and colleges to choose from. Ontario is home to some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, including the University of Toronto. Moreover, the province’s diversity and multiculturalism make it easier for international students to adapt to their new life and feel at home in Canada.
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