Why Canada

1. Internationally Recognized Degrees:

Canada’s high academic standards and rigorous quality controls mean that you’ll be earning a high-quality education that will open doors for your future and benefit your career over the long term. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is globally recognized as being equivalent to those obtained from the United States or Commonwealth countries.

2. Highly Affordable Education Costs:

The quality of education and living standards in Canada are amongst the highest in the world, but the cost of living and tuition fees for international students are generally lower than in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. As such, Canada is often the preferred choice for students attending college or university.

3. Multicultural Environment:

Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages, English and French. The vast majority (75 per cent) of Canada's French-speaking inhabitants live in the province of Québec, which is located in the eastern part of the country but there are French-speaking communities throughout the country.

Internationally, it is estimated that over 1 billion people speak English and over 250 million speak French. As a bilingual nation, Canada offers superior English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) programs for students wishing to learn either or both languages.

4. Global Technology Hub:

Canada is a stimulating environment in which to do business and to learn, thanks to the contributions of many bright and talented scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs. The country is an international leader in computer and information technologies and has a reputation for excellence in such sectors as telecommunications, transportation and engineering; and specifically, aerospace, urban transport, microelectronics, medical devices, advanced software, hydroelectric and nuclear power, lasers and opto-electronics, biotechnology, food and beverage processing, geomatics; and ocean and environmental industries.

5. Education Quality:

Canadians place great importance on learning, and have developed a first-rate education system with high standards. The country spends more on education (as a percentage of GDP) compared to the OECD average, and is the second highest among G-8 countries.

Canadian teenagers consistently rank among the best in the world on international tests of reading, science and math - a testament to the outstanding quality of Canadian schools

6. Quality of Living:

Canada has ranked as one of the top ten places to live in the world since 1994 according to the United Nations (UN) and the Economist Intelligence Unit. In the UN survey Canada earned particularly high marks for its access to education, high life expectancy (due to universal health care system); and low crime and violence rates. In addition, Canada's largest cities -- Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal -- have been recognized as world class cities in which to live and work, for their cleanliness and safety and for their cultural activities and attractive lifestyles.

 Life in CanadaDownload Guide

• Rent can be especially high in some cities. Expect to pay from 400-1500 CAD per month, depending on the city.
• Many higher education institutions have accommodation located on or near campus. Dorms generally have a shared kitchen, bathroom, and laundry facilities. Some offer optional meal plans.
• Canadian movie theatres are typically large and modern, featuring stadium-style seating.
• Most Canadian cities have wonderful theatres showing a range of musicals and theatrical performances.
• Canadians love playing and watching sports. Popular sports include hockey, cross-country and alpine skiing, snowboarding, swimming, baseball, tennis, basketball, golf, soccer and curling.
• Tuition at some universities is just under 2,000 CAD per year, but some courses can charge 18,000 CAD or more per year.
• Learn about Aboriginal arts, culture and heritage that is woven into the fabric of our country.
• The Swiss population is mainly urban, with more than one third of the population living in the five biggest cities.
• Vancouver is a city of sports, also the host of Winter Olympic Games 2010.
• The capital, Ottawa, is not as big as other Canadian cities but its diverse architecture, state-of-the-art museums, boutiques and snack joints provide a rich experience.
• Montreal represents the melding of the Old and New Worlds, with 18th-century structures blending into a 21st-century skyline..
• Toronto is an impressive city, home to one of the tallest free-standing towers in the world, the largest underground shopping mall; or as the place where you'll find the longest street in Canada.
• Niagara Falls in Canada is a must-see top natural wonder of the world.

 Higher Education system

Canada is one of the world’s top education performers and is the top OECD country in spending per student on public postsecondary education. Students score high on international tests reflecting the dedication each jurisdiction has on the quality of our education system.

In Canada, post-secondary education is the responsibility of provincial and territorial governments, and in each province and territory there are laws, policies and procedures that govern the operation of education institutions. The basic structures of provincial and territorial education systems across Canada are similar. Each has 3 tiers — elementary, secondary, and postsecondary; all provide universal, free elementary and secondary schooling for Canadian students.

Each jurisdiction has its own quality assurance mechanisms that are used in combination to ensure quality in the country’s wide range of post-secondary institutions. This ensures Canada’s academic credentials continue to be valued worldwide: