With a population that exceeds 13 million, the Canadian province of Ontario continues to be one of Canada’s top study destinations for international students.
Quick factsPopulation: Approximately 13.6 million |
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In 2017, nearly 76 per cent of the international student population in Ontario was pursuing post-secondary studies in the province.
Ontario colleges and universities, like their counterparts in other Canadian provinces, offer students boundless opportunities for innovation and research. The Government of Ontario recognizes the importance of international students and continues to find ways to improve their experience in the province.
For those of you interested in attending a college or university in Ontario, Canada Study News put together the following list of responses to some frequently asked questions about studying in Canada’s top province of choice for international education.
1. How can I apply to study in Ontario?
To study in Ontario, you need to first apply for a Canadian study permit. To do so, you need to first obtain a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution, or DLI.
Learn how to get a letter of acceptance from a Canadian university or college.
If you have a letter of acceptance from a Canadian educational institution and need our assistance in preparing your study permit application, please contact us now.
2. What are the Designated learning Institutions in Ontario?
A Designated Learning Institution is an educational institution that is approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.
Ontario currently has more than 400 government listed DLIs.
3. What do I need to apply to a Designated Learning Institution in Ontario?
While it might not be true for all cases, you may need the following documents to submit a complete application to a DLI:
- original or certified copies of diplomas or transcripts from any previous educational institution attended, including courses completed and grades.
- Proof of language proficiency through test results for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment.
- Medical exam results that prove you are in good health. This usually depends on your country of citizenship.
4. What are the top universities/colleges in Ontario?
Canadian provinces offer international students with a range of educational institutions to pursue world-class education and Ontario hosts many of Canada’s top-ranking educational institutions.
Ontario is currently home to 22 publicly-funded universities and 24 publicly-funded colleges.
One way to arrive at a decision on what school to attend is to consult the course calendar at the educational institution. The course calendar will include details on study programs, prerequisites for certain programs, housing, tuition fees and additional costs, and available scholarships and/or financial aid.
Top 3 Universities
University of Toronto solidified its place at the top of world-rankings as a top Canadian educational institution. The university attracts many international students with an annual growth in overseas admissions at the undergraduate and graduate level.
The university has separate “colleges and campuses” throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Some of the university’s well-known programs include Architecture, Commerce, Medicine, Engineering, Education, and Public Health.
McMaster University follows as the next highest ranking Canadian universities in Ontario. The school appears in many of this year’s top rankings for business, engineering and computer science fields of study.
McMaster is one Canada’s older universities and has over the years built a respectable reputation for its innovative education methods and its self-directed teaching. The university in the city of Hamilton and surrounded by the Royal Botanical Gardens, “Mac”. Some of the university’s top programs include Health Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Social Sciences, MBA.
University of Ottawa is the world’s largest English-French bilingual university! It is located in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. Over the years, the school has lead breakthroughs in health, sciences, social sciences and the humanities. The school continues to attract global talent with international students making up 17 per cent of the overall student population. Popular programs at U of O include Biomedical Sciences, Law, Medicine, and Management.
Top 3 Colleges
Centennial College in Toronto is the oldest public college in Ontario. With almost 100 ethno-cultural groups and nearly 80 languages spoken on its campuses, Centennial is one of the most diverse educational institutions in Ontario.
Centennial is known for the following programs: Communications and Media Fundamentals, Business, Hospitality, Joint degree programs in Journalism, New Media Studies, Nursing, and Paramedicine
Collège Boréal is a francophone educational institution serving the Northern and Central Southwestern regions of Ontario. The school has over 78 post-secondary and apprenticeship programs to over 9,000 students, and emphasizes hands-on workplace training. The college boasts the highest graduate satisfaction rate among all the community colleges in Ontario.
Some of the top programs offered include Apprenticeship Welding, Business Administration – Accounting, Veterinary Technician, Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Child and Youth Worker.
Algonquin College, with three campuses in Ottawa, Perth, and Pembroke. The school offers over 180 programs in degree and diploma studies, certification and apprenticeships. It provides its students with a hands-on approach to education and training.
Algonquin’s signature programs include Business, Technology and Health Sciences, as well as unique programs in Outdoor Adventure and Forestry.
5. What is the average cost of post-secondary education in Ontario?
Tuition for international students in Ontario varies based on on instution type and study program. International students may expect to pay roughly between $10,000 and $15,000 per year at a college. While, those enrolled at a Bachelor program at a university may pay between $20,000 and $35,000 per year.
Language school and graduate school tuition may differ significantly.
6. What health insurance options are available in Ontario?
International students studying in Canada are required to purchase health insurance before landing in Canada.
Certain publicly funded universities in Canada are enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan, or UHIP, which carries a monthly fee. International students at the participating institutions are required to enroll in UHIP.
For those attending public colleges and/or private colleges or universities, it is best to contact the international student advising office at the school for further information on available health insurance.
7. How can I work while studying in Ontario?
As an international students in Ontario, you may be able to work on or off campus without a work permit depending on the conditions of their study permit.
If you are eligible to work off campus, you may work for up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring break.
You may also be able to work within the boundaries of the campus where you are registered if you meet the eligiblity requirements, which include —but are not limited to—having a valid study permit, a Social Insurance Number and full-time registration at an eligible post-secondary school.
Canada’s generous immigration policy also extends the opportunity to work after graduation. If you meet the eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, you may be eligible for this special work permit, which allows you to work for any employer in Canada after you graduate — possibly for up to three years!
8. Are there international student scholarships in Ontario?
One of the best ways to start looking for scholarships is by contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend.
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship and Ontario Trillium Scholarship are two popular options available to international students.
Find out more about these scholarships and others on this Canada Study News story.
9. What Canadian immigration options are available to international students in Ontario?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has dedicated streams for international students and graduates:
At the federal level, international graduates who have completed their education at a school in Ontario may be eligible to immigrate through Canada’s Express Entry immigration selection system.
For many international graduates, the Canadian Experience Class may be the fastest and most simple path to achieving permanent residence.
If you obtain at least one year of work in a skilled, professional or technical field, while on a post-graduation work permit, you may become eligible to enter the Express Entry pool under the Canadian Experience Class.
10. Can I bring family and/or spouse/partner with me as a student to Ontario?
As an international student you can bring certain family members with you to Ontario to work and/or study.
If you plan to bring family members with you, it is important to submit all the necessary additional documents with your study permit application.
Visit our dedicated CanadaVisa page for further information on bringing eligible family members to Canada.
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