How to apply to college and university in Canada

It’s essential to start thinking about college and university early because many Canadian application deadlines pass quickly. You might want to consider applying a year before you plan to begin your studies. These schools receive hundreds of applications each year, so planning ahead can give you the best chance of acceptance.

There are a few steps you can take to prepare ahead of time.

Information you'll want to research:

• Programs you’re interested in
• Schools that specialize in your subject of interest
• Competitiveness and grade point average (GPA) requirements
• Application deadlines

When you've chosen which schools you'd like to apply to:

• Contact the school for information on the tuition and textbook costs, language tests and answers to any questions you may have
• Calculate whether you can afford the necessary costs or if you’ll need a loan
• Determine where you’ll get your funding from
• Submit your application along with any documents and materials requested by the school

Remember, early acceptance can happen — and it’s a huge relief when it does!

After narrowing down your school choices, go ahead and contact them. Ask about their application process and what the school will need from you. The school will be able to provide you with the right application forms or send you to a website to fill them out. They can offer details regarding the following:

• Tuition fees
• Application fees
• Language tests
• Health insurance coverage
• Rent costs
• Transportation
• Information about the cost of living in Canada

Keep in mind that the cost of living will be higher than the cost of textbooks and tuition. That’s because there are groceries, transportation costs, leisure activities, and more to consider.

The cost of living in one province or territory can be very different from another province or territory. Even the cost of living in certain cities within the same province or territory can vary. For example, in Canada, the most expensive cities to live in include Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. If you’re considering attending a school in one of these cities, confirm you have the funds to afford it first.

For more details regarding campus lifestyles, programs and school-specific information for Canadian institutions, check out Campus Guides Opens in a new window..

Once you decide on the Canadian school and program you’d like to apply for, it’s time to sort out how you plan to pay for it. All international students need to provide proof that they can afford to pay for school and live in Canada. Will you need a student loan? Are you applying for scholarships?

When it’s time to submit your application, fill out the forms that the school (or schools) of your choice have provided. Some provinces such as Ontario use a portal Opens in a new window. for all post-secondary applications. Follow the instructions carefully when you’re submitting your application. If a school admits you, they'll send you a letter of acceptance. Keep in mind that you’ll need your letter of acceptance to apply for a Study Permit Opens in a new window..