The Canadian University Experience: The guide has been well-received by both new students and school officials around the world.
The Canadian university experience can be a daunting one for international students. This is because they are often faced with the challenge of adapting to a new culture, language, and academic system. It’s well worth it though! Canada has some of the best universities in the world that will provide you with an excellent education and your life-long friends from all over the world. In this guide we hope to provide you with as much information as possible so that you can have a smooth transition into studying at a Canadian University.
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Language Requirements for Undergraduate Studies in Canada
Generally speaking the language of instruction at most Canadian universities is English. This means that you are required to have an adequate command of written and spoken English in order to be able to study there successfully. However, some universities do offer classes with French as the language of instruction so it would be good to research if this will be possible in your program of interest before applying. Keep in mind though that even if your program is one where French is the only language of instruction you will still need good English skills since most courses require mandatory pre-requisites that are only offered in English.
The exact language requirements vary from one university to another, but a good guideline is to have a score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS or equivalent on other test of English proficiency. For average students this means that you may need between 7 and 8 depending on the institution you’re applying to since some universities require higher scores for admission. If your first language is not English then you will also need to provide proof of secondary education completed in English such as an official high school transcript or diploma bearing evidence of completion of all courses taught in the official language (i.e., all classes taken through grade 12 must be in English).
If your native language is not English and it is not your first language you may need to provide proof of secondary education completed in English such as an official high school transcript or diploma bearing evidence of completion of all courses taught in the official language (i.e., all classes taken through grade 12 must be in English).
Since requirements on how well English is spoken and written can vary depending on which institution you are applying to it’s a good idea that you do the following:
- – Ask for a list of English requirement on the university website and even call them if necessary
- – Request example writing samples from previous students who studied there
- – If possible, arrange for some Skype practice sessions with current students studying there so they can assess your level
Citizenship & Immigration Canada requires your test scores to be sent directly from the testing company or you can upload these on their website directly. Please note that if you are not a Canadian citizen do not list English as your first language on the application forms since this could result in refusal of entry into Canada even if you have good English skills. Instead, list your native language and provide proof that it is indeed your first language.
Learn about other ways to prove English Proficiency
One important thing to mention is that there may be some opportunities for students who don’t fit the above criteria, especially with connections at the university (i.e., parents or alumni). Keep in mind though that this will depend on how well spoken and written your English truly is so it would be best to check the requirements with each university you plan on applying to.
Language Requirements for Graduate Studies in Canada
Graduate studies in Canada follow a similar pattern as undergraduate studies – nearly all courses are taught in English so if you’re planning on doing an advanced degree here, don’t worry about having good language skills since they will definitely come in handy. However, some universities do provide courses where French is the medium of instruction and admission into these programs may require proof of adequate proficiency in French; however, this is very rare and not widespread at all institutions.
If you’re interested in pursuing graduate studies but your level of English isn’t quite up to par with the above guidelines it wouldn’t hurt to start brushing up on your English skills. This way you’ll be able to transition into full-time studies smoothly and efficiently saving yourself extra time, effort and money in the near future .
Establishing proof of language proficiency is one of the last steps in the admission process; therefore, it would be beneficial to arrange for some test taking practice sessions before applying so that you’ll get the best score possible since this will also help boost your confidence levels when actually sitting for the real thing. Language tests are not cheap but they can definitely save you lots of time and frustration later on; don’t forget that if your safety school (i.e., your “back-up” schools) require proof of language proficiency it will be much easier for you to take the tests there instead of having to travel far from home.
If you’re a student who plans on pursuing university studies in Canada, don’t worry about proof of adequate English skills since almost all institutions do not require this. However, if your school requires proof of good language proficiencies before signing off on applications make sure that you start brushing up on your English well ahead of time and get organized with the necessary documents (i.e., diplomas, transcripts and/or certificates) so everything is ready when needed .
Remember that language exams are expensive; therefore, planning ahead to avoid scheduling conflicts with other parts of your application can save you lots of money and headaches