Last Updated on October 25, 2022
No doubt, Canada has risen to become one of the top-notch destinations to study abroad for higher level education. It’s known worldwide to be a country that provides outstanding quality of education, high quality of life, amazing job opportunities to graduates including international students, and a welcoming community which is very student friendly.
If it crosses your mind or you desire to know the tuition-free colleges in Canada that offers free admission for international student or perhaps you seek to pursue a career in one of the tuition-free colleges in Canada as an international student, then this is the right place to be!
In this article, we shall be considering the top 13 free colleges in Canada for international students. But before we dive into the list, let’s consider briefly why you should study in Canada and the basic requirements for studying in Canada. Keep reading to find out the most suitable choice that appeals to your goals and aspirations.
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Why study in Canada?
Like we stated earlier on, Canada is a reputable hub that offers a great education system for higher level of education among the top-notch and highly ranked institutions in the world, both to domestic students and international candidates alike. There are lots of reasons why many students consider studying in Canada these includes:
1. Affordable: Years ago, studying abroad seems to be for the affluent families. However, Canada’s tuition fees and cost of living are favorable and affordable for most international students.
2. Quality of life: In terms of quality of life, Canada according to EduCanada ranks best. With student-friendly cities like Toronto, Ontario and Montreal international students finds it easier to adapt to a new country.
3. Practical education: Canada has an educational system that emphasizes a lot on skill development which is through the aid of internship as well as theoretical education as it degree programs are offered in a co-op format.
4. Cultural diversity: Canada has a diversified, multicultural and a heterogeneous demographic composition that accommodates citizens, international students alike from around the world that have come from different origin, ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds that makes up its population.
Basic requirements for studying in Canada
There are also some basic requirements to bear in mind when you want to consider studying in Canada. Mentioned below are the requirements that guarantees you to study in Canada, they include:
Letter of Acceptance by DLI
DLI stands for Designated Learning Institute. This refers to the institution that accepted your admission and is ready or has offered you admission. A letter of acceptance is a vital document that you could receive through mail after you have mailed your online application and which depends on level at which your qualification satisfies the candidates expectations. This letter also comes handy as it will be required when applying for a Canadian student permit.
Letter of Explanation
This letter best helps to explain and create a better insight to the visa officer of your goals. It also helps to explain why you want to study in Canada and that you understand your responsibilities as a student.
Certificat d’acceptation du Québec
For students planning to study for longer than 6 months in Quebec, it is essential they provide the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Gouvernement du Québec. To know the application process and fees for application, students can visit the official website of their preferred choice of university.
Canadian Study Permit
Canadian study permit is also one of the essential requirements to consider as an international student before you can study in Canada. The application may take up to 35 working days to be processed and to apply for the study permit; you need to pay about 150 CAD or equivalent amount to your country currency as the application fee. Once your application is examined and approved, you will be invited for visa interview.
Proof of English Proficiency
Another requirement to guarantee your study in Canada as an international student is your proof of English proficiency. IELTS is the standard test that is accepted by most Canadian universities for non-English speaking nations. While TOEFL is also a popular choice, however, IELTS exam is recommended for a Canadian study permit of which you are required to score up to 6-6.5 or higher before you are accepted to study in a Canadian university.
Proof of Funds
One of the key requirements amongst other basic requirements to study in Canada is Proof of funds. It’s a document that proves you will be able to carter and fend for yourself as a student once you are on Canadian soil. This can be proven through the following evidence: your bank statements for the last four months, documents that confirms your scholarships/funding, a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) is required if a financial institution is funding your education, evidence of loan letter if you have taken a student loan from a bank, and the attestation that you have paid for your accommodation and tuition fee.
Immigration Medical Exam
Immigration Medical Exam at the Canadian embassy is extremely serious. Immigration Medical Exam is considered very compulsory if you want to study in Canada for more than six months. The Canadian panel of physicians are to be contacted, who will assign you a doctor to conduct the medical exam which can be done before your application in the university. The result however, is valid 12 months after which you would have to fly to Canada in that period or get a new medical exam done.
Police Certificate
A police certificate is also a requirement to study in Canada as an international student as it stands as a proof that you are void of any criminal record and hence qualified to study in the country. It also serves as a background check of which the visa officer may require to verify your credentials and process your application faster.
Statement of Purpose
Statement of purpose is an avenue that allows you to pour out your heart about why you want to study at a Canadian university and what mutual benefit it can be. It also informs the university you applied to study about your academic writing skills and written English prowess. Your Statement of Purpose has to be well written as it’s also a key factor of your application acceptance and can earn you an admission even if your resume is comparatively mediocre.
Guaranteed Investment Certificate
Part of the requirements to study in Canada as an international student is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate of CAN$10,000, particularly when you are studying in an SDS college. It is a short-term investment that is required to be provided by college students as proof of financial funds for 12 months or more. Most Canadian banks, offers Guaranteed Investment Certificate programs to international students at varied rates.
That said, let’s dive into the list of free colleges in Canada for international students. Key in to find the most suitable choice!
Top 13 Free Colleges In Canada For International Students
1. Simon Fraser University
Ranking top on the list of free colleges in Canada for international students is Simon Fraser University, which is due to its fully funded scholarship program. It offers International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship with Distinction and Scholars living allowance to International high school Students with good academic performance that were admitted in any facility undergraduate degree in this institution , which covers the tuition and compulsory supplementary fees for first undergraduate degree. Although, the value of the scholarship depends on the program of study, as well as a living allowance of $7,000 per term. The scholarship sums up to over $120,000.
2. Concordia University
Concordia University has two different scholarship programs which include: Concordia Presidential Scholarship and Concordia International Scholars, which it offers to an international undergraduate student with the aim of acknowledging students that demonstrate and exceptional academic excellence.
Concordia Presidential Scholarship is the University’s most reputable undergraduate entrance scholarship that sponsors International Students. The award covers the full costs of tuition and fees, books, accommodation, and meal plan fees and it last for four years of study provided the student maintains the renewability requirements.
3. Saint Mary’s University
Saint Mary’s University with over $7.69 million dedicated to student scholarships, fellowships and bursaries annually is used to rewards academic excellence which makes the University one of the top 13 free colleges in Canada for international students. The University has number of programs that offers rewards to entering students for their academic strength or financial need.
4. University of Toronto
University of Toronto is known to be one of the best universities in Canada and also one of the best 50 Universities when considering the best universities in the world in the World. In the University of Toronto, Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship which is only available which is aimed at recognizing International Students who demonstrate an outstanding academic achievement and are recognized as leaders within their school. The scholarship is only available for first entry undergraduate programs.
5. University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo is also a free college in Canada for international students as it provides two graduate scholarship programs namely: Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship and Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.
Students in full-time doctoral program in humanities or social science are beneficiaries of Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship which is approximately $60,000 per year for a maximum of three years.
While a value of $50,000 per year is awarded to doctoral students for three years who are beneficiaries of Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. The University of Waterloo also offers lots of entrance scholarships that are awarded to entering undergraduate students.
6. York University
International Students in York University are provided with several scholarships which make it a free college for international students who want to study in Canadians free colleges.
The scholarship program offered in this institute is the President’s International Scholarship of Excellence of which is awarded to International high school applicants who attained an exceptional academic performance and where devoted to extracurricular activities.
The awards which is awarded annually to about20 International, values up to $180,000 of which $45,000 is given to the student for a period of four years.
7. University of Alberta (UAlberta)
Another top Canadian university considered as one of the top free colleges in Canada that is available for international students is the University of Alberta. The university offers President’s International Distinction Scholarship to students with excellent academic performance and has exhibited an outstanding leadership quality.
The scholarship covers for four years and is valued at $120,000 CAD, which is awarded to students on a Student Visa Permit who are entering their first year of an undergraduate degree in this institution.
8. University of British Columbia (UBC)
Another top Canadian university amongst the top 13 free college in Canada for international students is the University of British Columbia. It ranks third when considering the top 3 Universities in Canada, and has also consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the World.
In the University of British Columbia, entering international students directly from secondary school for undergraduate programs are awarded The International Major Entrance Scholarship for their outstanding academic performance and strong extracurricular involvement, which is renewable for up to three extra year of study.
9. University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba is also on the list of free college for international students in Canada, Which receives support from Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships in funding doctoral students’ education. Canadian Institutions through the aid of Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are able to attract highly qualified doctoral students. The scholarship values up to $50,000 per year, which covers for three years of the doctorial studies.
10. University of Calgary
At the University of Calgary, international students enrolling in full time undergraduate degree program are awarded with The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship, which valued up to $20,000 per year and can be renewed if certain criteria’s are met. The university also has Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships which is available for doctoral students in the university.
11. Carleton University
The University of Ottawa is also among the top 13 free college in Canada for international students, which offers various scholarships for International Students, which include the President’s Scholarship for International Students which is awarded to only full-time undergraduate International Student and it valued at $30,000 whereby $7,500 is awarded per year for a period of four years.
12. University of Ottawa
Also on the list of free college for international students in Canada is the University of Ottawa which offers several scholarships that is available for International Students such as President’s Scholarship for International Students.
13. McGill University
At McGill University, first-time International Students entering for a full-time undergraduate program are offered merit based entrance scholarships by McGill’s Scholarships and Student aid Office which makes it one of the free colleges for international students in Canada.