A globally recognised degree or diploma in engineering, media communications or business management will cost you less in Canada than in countries such as the US, Australia, the UK or the UAE.
While the average annual tuition fee in Canada at one of the top ten education institutions is $18,474 (Dh67,854), foreign students would pay $25,375 in Australia, $25,226 in the US and $19,291 in the UK according to a recent study by HSBC. In the UAE, international students pay an average of $21,371 a year, just in tuition fees.
The cost of living is another issue that concerns most international students. Canada has lower living costs than other higher education destinations, the study points out. With the combined average cost of university fees and living expenses, a degree in Canada will cost you $26,011 a year, while it costs more than $35,000 in the US.
On a global high
Offering an education on par with international standards, Canada is favoured by foreign students worldwide, including those from the UAE. Apart from quality teaching, Canada also offers the option to work and study at the same time. Last year, more than 100,000 permits were issued to new international students, 636 of whom were from the UAE, according to data released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
“While the competitive tuition fee is always a motivator, students from the UAE choose Canadian institutions for the quality of their programmes,” says Tara Pillay, Managing Partner, Varsity Connection, adding: “The possibility of staying back and working towards permanent residency is the biggest draw, especially for male expat students as after 18 years, UAE residency becomes an issue.”
The curricula at Canadian institutions allows students to think independently. Students also gain valuable experience through internships.
“Whatever programme students decide to focus on, the combination of a strong academic environment and opportunities to work on research projects with professors or through co-op work placements prepares them for the next phase in their lives,” says Bing Lee, Associate Director, New Student Enrolment and Transition, Simon Fraser University.
Smart campuses
International students are allowed to work on or off-campus while they are studying. They can take advantage of full-time employment opportunities as well through various university programmes.
Co-op students at the University of Victoria, for instance, alternate school terms with jobs specifically related to their programmes. “On an average, co-op students earn more than C$2,700 (Dh9,456) a month. In addition, they have the choice to work locally, nationally or even overseas with top employers, including National Geographic, Engineers Without Borders, the United Nations and Microsoft,” says Carolyn Russell, Director, Department of Student Recruitment in the Division of Student Affairs, University of Victoria.
Overseas students who graduate from Canadian post-secondary institutions are eligible to apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program (PGWPP). “This permit is valid up to a maximum of three years. With relevant Canadian work experience and language skills, many graduates can eventually qualify for permanent residency,” says Kathleen Massey, Registrar and Executive Director, Enrolment Services, McGill University.
