“I want to go to a university in Canada. How it works?"
The education system in Canada is among the best in the world. At the text about private college and public college We talk about the difference between these two concepts and we also explain what a college is, an institution that offers short-term courses (in general, from 8 months to 2 years) and which are very focused on market practice, that is, more “ hands-on". At some colleges it is possible to take postgraduate (specialization) courses, many of them offer excellent programs in the most varied areas. To do this, you must have graduated from a higher education course and have the prerequisites required in each program/college.
Basically, in terms of higher education, in Canada we have the “Associate Degrees” (which allow transfer to universities), programs diplomas (1 to 3 years) and certificates (generally 1 year), these in colleges. In the universities we have the “Bachelor's Degrees”, which are bachelor's degrees (3 to 5 years, depending on the course) and postgraduate degrees “Master's Degree/Doctoral Degrees” (study times vary depending on whether it is a master's or doctorate). There is also the MBA, which we will explain later.
Today we are going to talk a little about graduation at the level of bachelor degree and also master's and doctorate.
GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE
First of all, it is important to understand the nomenclature in English, which can be a little confusing. If you go to Canadian university websites, you will see two very common categories: graduate It is undergraduate. It's quite simple: graduate is postgraduate It is undergraduate is graduation.
QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES.
According to the website EduCanada.ca, “Canada is home to 11 of the world's top 250 universities. Its higher education institutions range from small universities with smaller environments to large, research-intensive universities with world-class reputations.
Additionally, faculty bring a global perspective to the classroom, 40% has at least one international degree. Our graduates are recognized for their critical thinking, research and leadership skills across a wide range of programs.”
We had the opportunity to get to know several universities in Canada up close on trips we took to the provinces of Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Quebec and also here where we live, in British Columbia. We interviewed several students, coordinators and teachers and we were able to confirm that the quality of teaching, the structure of the universities and the quality of the teaching staff are exceptional.
The way we learn in Canada, at any level, is broad and encourages greater student protagonism, encouraging critical debate and the production of projects that can be applied in society and industry. International students are very welcome and multiculturalism is found in all institutions in Canada. Furthermore, student support departments on issues such as career, psychological support, health, language and various other things exist in all institutions and help all students.
Just like colleges, There are public and private universities in Canada. Public ones tend to be more expensive and more competitive, with higher levels of demand. What many international students do, when they want to attend university in the future, is to start at a college (which has the option of transferring to a university) and after some time in the country, after applying for an immigration program and obtaining their permanent residence, try to enter a university. Thus, already being “PR” (permanent resident), they will be able to pay the same amount that Canadian (domestic) students pay, that is, much cheaper.
There is also the advantage of a domestic student being able to count on financing for their studies (student loan). That is why it is very important to build a study plan carefully and thinking about the future. Are there students who arrive here and go to public universities directly? Yes, but you need to have a good budget For this you need a profile that meets all the prerequisites, which is not the reality for most people.
THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PHASE
International students are not immigrants. So, when you are applying for a study program in Canada, it is not the same thing as applying for immigration. Studies are the beginning of the path, which has several stages.
It is necessary to understand that for a student visa to be approved (study permit), the Canadian immigration officer needs to be convinced (through the documents and your letter of intent) that you will return to Brazil after studies. So your course – whether undergraduate or postgraduate – needs to make sense in terms of:
– Why will the chosen course be good for your career in Brazil?
– What does the course have to do with your current profession?
– Why did you choose to study in Canada?
– What are your ties with Brazil?
It will also be evaluated the proof of funds that Canada requires and whether the course was paid, how much, etc. Among other important things that Canadian immigration requires. That's why the BFF CANADA It helps you with everything, so that you have a better chance of getting your visa approved and arriving in Canada, because without a visa, you cannot study.
WHAT UNIVERSITIES REQUIRE – REQUIREMENTS.
Admission requirements vary depending on the university you will study at. There is no entrance exam, like in Brazil. Each educational institution has its requirements and they are all described in the admission process on their websites.
It is necessary to go through an admission process, which starts online and in more demanding cases, can even extend to interviews, letters of reference, analysis of grades (school transcripts), portfolio and CV (depending on the course).
For all types of courses – Language requirement
All universities will require proof of proficiency level in English (or French, if it is in the French part). Generally, the required tests are IELTS or TOEFL, with scores that vary according to each course. After the pandemic, many institutions also started accepting the Duolingo test.
Prepare yourself to have a very good level of English if you want to study at a private college, for example. This also applies to universities, especially postgraduate courses. If you are thinking about doing a master's degree or a doctorate, language is an even more important condition, as you will even have to go through interviews and defend your project, in certain cases.
Degree Programs
degree programs, Bachelor's Degrees, are offered by several institutions across Canada. Bachelor's degrees in Canada typically require three to five years of full-time study, depending on the course or whether the program is generic or specialized. There is the “Bachelor of Arts” – BA (no, it is not Fine Arts in this case and many people get confused). It has nothing to do with “Fine Arts” but with studies in the humanities, and there is the “Bachelor of Science” – BS, focused on science areas. The choice depends on the objective and focus of each student.
BA – A program of Bachelor of Arts offers students a broader education by requiring fewer credits directly related to a specific course. Instead, students need to take credits in a range of subjects in humanities courses. English, social sciences and foreign language are part of these degree programs. Students can choose from a wide variety of subjects (courses) to reach their goals and objectives. BA degrees are offered in areas such as English, anthropology, philosophy, art, political science, music, languages and communication.
B.S. – Programs to obtain a diploma Bachelor of Science They are generally more focused on a specific subject, requiring more credits directly related to the course. Students focus their academic energies on mastering the technical and practical activities of their field. They have fewer opportunities to explore topics outside the subject of their course. BS bachelor's degrees are generally offered in technical and scientific fields such as computer science, nursing, mathematics, biochemistry, and physics.
CHOICE OF SUBJECTS AND PROGRAM STRUCTURE.
If you've already researched a little about North American universities, you've already seen that they are very different from Brazil in terms of the choice of subjects. Here, the term “course” does not mean the entire course but rather a discipline. It's different from when we say in Brazil “I'm taking a chemistry course”, for example. The terms major It is minor are very common and they define the structure of the courses. In Canada, you will choose the subjects for the first years and then the specialties, which will define your profession.
Basically, Majors These are the ones that define your bachelor's degree. The area in which you want to work in your professional career when you graduate and what will be your greatest specialty. For example, Psychology, Law, Medicine, etc.
To the Minors They are complementary to your major and are secondary classes that may or may not have anything to do with your undergraduate degree. Everything will depend on the course and university the student chooses. Some minors can serve as a basis for the student's future specialization. For example, a Law student can opt for a Minor in Human Resources while thinking about their next academic step and their professional performance in the future. Another example, you might graduate from a university with a major in Psychology and a minor in philosophy.
Sound confusing? Don't worry, every international student has an advisor available to help with choosing these subjects at each university. The program is a set of several subjects, some you will choose and others are mandatory. When you visit a university's website, go to “programs” and read more about your area of interest. It is important to familiarize yourself with university websites to refine your search.
It is also important to keep in mind that you need to build an academic career that has coherence and start thinking about building your bachelor's degree and postgraduate degree.
Postgraduate programs (master's and doctorate)
In virtually all areas of academic study, Canadian universities offer postgraduate programs. Some colleges also offer 1- or 2-year specializations.
Master's degrees (Master's Degree) require 1 or 2 years of study after completing your bachelor's degree. In Canada, master's studies may include a thesis, internship, research paper, or a course-based practical project. Many Brazilian students prefer master's degrees that do not need to present theses but rather more practical work.
A BFF CANADA can recommend some courses like this and guide you in choosing the university. Postgraduate degrees such as the MBA (Master of Business Administration), for example, in Canada, these are master's degrees focused on the area of business and very focused on practice. It is a Masters in Business Administration, a degree that covers a wide range of business areas such as marketing, accounting, leadership and management. In Brazil, the MBA does not have a master's level, it is just a lato sensu specialization.
Source graphic: cicic.ca.
PhD (Doctorate).
PhD is the acronym for Doctor of Philosophy. It is the title for those who complete a doctorate degree abroad (or doctoraldegree). It involves 3 to 5 years of study. This usually occurs after completing a master's degree. The doctoral path includes a thesis that the student prepares based on extensive and original research in their field. The acronym comes from the Latin expression “philosophiae doctor”, a title that was granted to those who reached the end of their studies in a certain area. Although the translation is “Doctor of Philosophy”, it does not necessarily mean that every professional PhD is a philosopher, unless he has completed the doctorate degree in philosophy. The word “philosophiae” refers to its Greek origin, which means “love of knowledge”.PhD is the last and highest academic title received by an individual. Are there scholarships? Some scholarships are awarded to highly qualified students who meet the requirements of some programs, you can check more here. Reinforcing what I said previously, for postgraduate programs in general, reference letters, student transcripts with all grades, CV, portfolio, interviews, pre-projects and other things that may be required by the university/program you wish to attend. It is very important to carefully read the admission conditions on university websites. Most of them have very complete websites, with all the necessary information.
All these types of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in universities can give eligibility to the PGWP (post-graduation work permit), a visa that allows the student to stay in the country for longer after graduating (from 1 to 3 years), being able to work full time. This can open the doors to permanent residence, if the student wishes to immigrate in the future and thus follow the correct steps of existing immigration programs in Canada. In general, here are the steps for your studies in Canada:
- Make a brief plan for your academic career, even if changes happen later, it is essential to have a path in mind. If you need help or guidance, talk to a teacher or advisor you trust in Brazil, at the school/college where you study.
- Make a study plan according to your immigration goals, if you wish.
- Choose your study program and find out who offers it and which Canadian city it is located in.
- Research the city and province where you will study, study its rules, job market and possibilities.
- Prepare your financial plan to study in Canada.
- Apply to the Canadian universities that interest you most. Once approved, apply for your study permit (visa).
- Plan your trip.
If you can't or don't want to do everything yourself, BFF CANADA can advise you at all stages to take an undergraduate or postgraduate course, always planning the best path for those who want to live in Canada permanently one day. Our specialized team has already helped hundreds of Brazilians of all ages to get here, whether to study or live.
Don't have English yet? We have several English course options for all levels and also academic English (Pathway) that prepares you for entry to college or university without having to take proficiency tests.
Speak now with us and schedule your educational consultancy.
Study in Canada. Change your life.
Hugs,
BFF Canada
