Living in another country involves several steps. We at BFF Canada usually say that to study in Canada (with the intention of immigrating in the future) you need to have three things: will, money and language. The will, the dream that moves everything, is the first step. Then, of course, comes the action.
Don't have English yet? With resources, it is possible to study English until you reach the level necessary to enter a college or university, if the student chooses to study at a paid English school, whether in Brazil or Canada. So, one of the most important points of the Canada Plan is the financial planning. Without it, the dream doesn't get off the ground.
If you are now approaching the subject “Studying in Canada”, we recommend reading this text, so you have a good foundation before you start thinking about values.
But how much does it cost to study in Canada?
As there are several paths and possibilities, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. We will include expenses here until the student arrives in Canada, so costs of living here, such as rent, food, etc., are not included in the examples below. What you need to keep in mind is that the investment to reach Canada through studies involves several expenses, such as:
– Value to be proven to the Canadian government when applying for a student visa (it is necessary to prove to the government that the student and his family (if applicable) are able to support themselves in the country without difficulties while studying, on the Canadian government you can check the values to prove. For a family with one child, for example, this value today reaches 17 thousand Canadian dollars) plus the cost of the first year of the course. Whether college or university, you will need prove which costs one year of course. And you must pay your tuition (generally the first semester of the course) to be able to have the school's acceptance letter to apply for your study permit. Courses vary greatly in price, it all depends on where the student is going to study, the duration of the course, at which institution, etc. So keep that in mind, you will have to prove these two things to the government: first year of college/university + the amount required by the government. There is no way to escape this proof, this applies to everyone. Here you can see how you can prove the amount required by the government.
– Visa expenses. O study permit is the visa necessary for anyone who wants to study for more than 6 months in Canada. You will incur costs for visa advice, exams, biometrics, etc.
– Expenses with air tickets and accommodation. Flights, rental price for an apartment/house until you find the ideal place to live (Airbnb, for example, hotel or other temporary housing options).
- Health insurance. As a student, you will be able to benefit from the Canadian public healthcare system, however, there is a monthly cost to be paid (it depends on each province, the value for the province of BC today is CAD $75.00), but before taking advantage of the healthcare system, Canadian health, you will need to arrange provisional student health insurance. Many schools require this insurance, as the student cannot run the risk of being left without medical care in an emergency if they do not have the money to pay for the service.
- Extra expenses. We always recommend that students bring savings, extra money. To be prepared for emergencies and also for the period of at least the first six months of adaptation and job search. Just as you can get here and everything goes well, find a job right away to cover basic expenses, it can also happen that it takes a while to find something or there are some unforeseen events.
REAL LIFE (ideal)
We usually say that two investments are always necessary: the one involving the values to be proven to the government (as described above) and the “real life” values.
“Real-life values” correspond to what the student will spend in addition of what he has to prove to the government. Someone who makes a two year course, for example, will need more resources. The student does not always get the full value, that is, the total time of the course. The government requires proof only for the first year, so many come with this period's money and intend to work (the 20 hours per week allowed to a student) to cover day-to-day expenses. Many people use the amount that was proven to the government (which everyone can do what they want later) to pay the tuition for the second year of the course or to pay the expenses for the first few months here, for example. Everyone has a different reality.
As it is impossible to know what will happen when you get here and unforeseen events that may occur in people's lives, we always recommend that students plan and bring, if possible, this “real life value”, that is, that they really have guaranteed the total college tuition and also bring savings, as this provides security during this period of adaptation. And, of course, we recommend that the proven value to the government is real, that it is actually used for this plan in Canada.
Are there people who don't come with the full amount of money for the course and “make do” to pay in Canada? Yes, a lot. But here we are talking about what would be ideal, the best of paths. We see many cases of people who left to resolve the financial aspect after arriving in Canada and many are in trouble. It’s the famous “we’ll see later”. We don't want this to happen to our students. That's why we address and explain all of this in detail in our educational consultancy, where we listen case by case and suggest the best plan according to each person’s goals.
Factors that facilitate
There is the possibility of spouse (if it is the case of coming as a couple) have a full-time work visa (open work permit), which helps a lot with expenses and in some cases, even paying for the course. You must choose a course at a college that provides this eligibility, that is, enroll in a program lasting at least one year or more at a public college or university, master's or doctorate.
Another possibility to help prove the amount required by the government is to have someone in the family as sponsor. This person will deposit the amount into your account so that you can prove the amount to the government, in other words, they will be the one who will sponsor you on this journey. For the visa approval stage (study permit), all of this is analyzed by the Canadian government and the sponsor must prove that they are able to do this.
Example for one year of studies in Canada (government proof + course)
For a family with one child, it is estimated that in the first year, studying in a public college of CAD $15,000.00 (year), for example, plus government fees CAD $17,000.00 (10 thousand student applicant + 4 thousand spouse + 3 thousand one child), totals 32 thousand dollars (about 126 thousand reais, in today's dollars 07/09/20). This has to be proven.
And for those who are single? Anyone who comes alone should use the same reasoning. It is necessary to bear in mind that you will also have to prove the government fee (10 thousand Canadian dollars for the student applying) plus the first year of college/university. Following the example above, subtracting the value of the spouse and child, it would be 25 thousand Canadian dollars (about 98,750 reais, at the dollar exchange rate on 07/09/20). The single person will also have all other expenses, but everything for one person. It is also important to remember that singles will pay all the bills themselves while they are here and as working students only 20 hours per week without a spouse with open work permit to help, need to be aware that this job salary part time It's around 1,000 to 1,200 Canadian dollars per month, which only pays for basic expenses. So we recommend having all of college paid for (or at least one year) and a well-structured financial plan as well.
The value of “real life”:
Adding other expenses (second year of college/university, if any, visas, tickets, advice, insurance, money for emergencies, temporary stay, etc.) the investment for a family with a small child is approximately 190 thousand reais (considering today's Canadian dollar 07/09/20). Can it vary more or less? Yes, this is just an example. It is in educational consultancy that we will analyze each case.
Remembering that those who come as a couple, being the student enrolled in public college or university course lasting more than one year, children (from 5 years of age) can go to public school for free. Another factor to consider when choosing the course program and which makes all the difference in the family's budget in Canada.
And the language?
These examples were calculated without consider the English course. If the student needs to prepare to reach the level of English that a college or university requires and wants to do this in Canada, then the values change. An English course for someone who is at an intermediate-basic level, for example, and wants to achieve the grade needed to enter college, can range from CAD $5,000.00 to CAD $7,000.00 (a course lasting 6 to 8 months). There are cases where the student is almost there, that is, there is little left to reach the necessary level of English, so there will be less course time and less investment. Therefore, during our work educational consultancy, We send English tests so that the student really knows what level they are at.
Is studying in Canada a great investment? Yes. Is it worth it? For many people, without a shadow of a doubt. Many manage to recover the value of what was invested in studies in Canada after obtaining their PGWP and enter the job market in your area. In some fields – those that pay well, for example – many students are able to see a return on their investment in less than two years, if they secure a position in the field. You can research your profession on Job Bank Canada and check salaries, statistics, vacancies and requirements, all by province.
Keep in mind that a international study plan For those who wish to immigrate in the future, it requires detailed and strategic planning. There is no “magic formula” and no path that suits everyone. Each person has a different professional background, experience, unique expectations and goals, and a deadline in mind (and heart) for being in Canada.
How can BFF Canada help you?
- EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANCY
- ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION IN THE COURSE
- OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR YOUR ARRIVAL
- VISAS
Why is consultancy the first step?
Why if you want to immigrate in the future and having your professional career in Canada, you need to do good planning and this involves many things. The course is just one of them.
Choosing the course and enrolling is not everything, that's why we work with personalized educational consultancy, where we will cover important things for YOUR plan to stay in Canada after studies, such as:
- Ideal course type: diploma, certificate, undergraduate, postgraduate or master's programme? Which is best for your case?
- Are the course you will take and the institution valued by companies in the province where you will live?
- Language: is your level of English sufficient for the course? Will I have to do a pathway? IELTS test?
- Family: will you come alone or with family? What does all this involve and what are the best paths for everyone? Who will study and who will work?
- Budget: How much do you need? College or university fees, general expenses, what the government requires, etc.
- Future in the professional market: BFF Canada helps you choose the program that best suits your goals in the country.
- Immigration: 90% of our clients want to immigrate in the future, so choosing the course can greatly contribute to their dream of staying. Issues such as course time and eligibility for the PGWP are very important.
Book your appointment now through from this link and take your first step towards your dream of living in Canada. 🙂
Study in Canada. Change your life.
Hugs,
BFF Canada
