26 June 2025
5 minutes read
Is it Hard to Study in Canada as an International Student or Indian Student in 2025?
26 June 2025
5 minutes read
Key Takeaways
- Is it hard to study in Canada? With changing visa rules and rising living costs, planning ahead is key for international students in 2025.
- Is it hard to study in Canada? Not if you’re well-prepared with strong academics, language scores, and a clear study plan.
- Is it hard to study in Canada? While competition is tough, thousands of international students succeed with the right guidance and documentation.
Canada has become a top study destination with over 1 million international students in 2023, proving its strong appeal—but also prompting government caps and updated requirements.
A student in Canada in 2025 will find a supportive yet competitive education system that demands planning, compliance with post-graduate work permit requirements, and adaptation to a new academic environment.
For Indian aspirants, navigating study permit, language requirements, tuition fees in Canada, and living costs requires care—but with the post-graduation work permit opportunity and high-quality university degree, the effort can be highly rewarding.
Why Apply to Universities in Canada?
Did you know Canada is ranked the 3rd most popular study abroad destination worldwide?
Here’s why thousands of international students choose to study in Canada:
- High-quality education & strong university rankings: Institutions like the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and McGill are globally recognized.
- Safe, inclusive society: Canada’s reputation for multiculturalism and tolerance attracts students from India and beyond.
- Post-graduation work permit (PGWP): Allows up to three years of work experience in Canada—especially for master’s grads.
- Affordable compared to US/UK: Tuition ranges usually from CAD 15K–40K/year for most programs.
- Pathways to permanent residence: Over 57% of international students plan to stay in Canada long‑term.
Is It Hard to Study in Canada as an International Student in 2025?
Fun fact: Canada issued more than 1 million study permits in 2023, though the cap was reduced to 437,000 for 2025.
What that means for you in 2025:
- Competitive admission: Limited slots mean strong grades, English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), and a powerful SOP are essential.
- Higher student permit standards: Proof of CAD 20,635 living funds, a GIC, and a provincial attestation letter are mandatory.
- Language proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/SAT/GMAT scores may be needed depending on field of study.
- Adaptation pressure: Academic rigour, academic writing, and group work demand proactive study and support networking.
- Living adjustment: High living costs—especially in cities like Toronto & Vancouver—add to stress.
How to Apply to Study in Canada?
Here’s a fun tidbit: your study permit is also your student visa for Canada.
Start with these steps:
- Choose study destination & field of study: Pick a university to study in Canada (e.g., UBC, University of Toronto) based on university rankings, program strength, and fees.
- Meet admission & language requirements: Check IELTS, TOEFL, possibly GRE/SAT/GMAT/ACT, transcripts, SOP, LORs, and resume.
- Apply to university or college: Pay application fees and submit before deadlines.
- Get letter of acceptance (LOA) from a designated learning institution (DLI).
- Apply for study permit (student-visa): Show funds (GIC + tuition + CAD 20,635), LOA, medical exams, police certificate.
- Secure attestation letter from province (new requirement for 2025 caps).
| Step | What You Need | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing & Applying | Program, university, English/SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT, SOP, LOR | Apply early to beat caps |
| LOA from DLI | Letter from a recognized institution | Confirm province and program type |
| Prove funds | Bank, GIC, loan, CAD 20,635 living cost proof | Combine GIC + bank statements |
| Study Permit Application | IMM1294, biometrics (CAD 150 + CAD 85), police/medical | Include attestation letter |
| Travel & Study | Book flights, arrange accommodation, insurance | On-campus cheaper |
What are the Study Visa Requirements and Study Permit Formalities for International Students in Canada?
Fun fact: before 2024, students showed only CAD 10K; now it’s more than doubled.
Key requirements in 2025:
- Letter of Acceptance from a DLI
- Proof of funds: Tuition + CAD 20,635 (plus family if applicable)
- Attestation letter: From province/territory for 2025 cap
- Language test: IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent
- Biometrics & fee payment: CAD 150 + CAD 85
- Police certificate & medical exam
- Meet intent & ties: Show you’ll leave when studies end
| Requirement | Details | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Study Permit Application | IMM1294 form | CAD 150 |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint, photo | CAD 85 |
| Proof of Funds | GIC + CAD 20,635 | Varies |
| Attestation Letter | Provincial confirmation | Usually free |
| Language Test | IELTS/TOEFL | INR ₹ – depends |
| Police & Medical | Country-specific | INR ₹ – depends |
What are the Scholarship Options Available for International Students and its Eligibility Requirements?
Fun fact: You can get full scholarships (tuition+living) at top Canadian universities!
Common scholarships include:
- Vanier CGS: Up to CAD 50K/year for doctoral students
- Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute: For Indian students
- University-specific awards: At UBC, University of Toronto, McGill, etc.
- Provincial/state funding: E.g., Ontario Graduate Scholarships
- External grants: Mitacs, Fulbright, Commonwealth
| Scholarship | Level | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Vanier CGS | PhD | Academic excellence, leadership |
| Ontario Graduate | Masters/PhD | High GPA, proposal |
| UBC International | UG/Grad | Academic merit, SOP |
| Shastri Indo-Can | UG/Grad | Indian citizenship |
| Mitacs Globalink | UG/PG | Research projects |
Language Requirements to Study Abroad in Canada
Interesting: Listening to maple leaves rustling can sharpen your English—but you still need IELTS or TOEFL!
Language benchmarks:
- IELTS: Overall 6.5+, no section <6.0
- TOEFL iBT: 90–100+ overall
- Duolingo: Some colleges accept 105+
- GRE/GMAT: Required for many graduate or MBA programs
- SAT/ACT: Required by select UG programs
| Test | Requirement | Typical Score |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | UG/PG | 6.5 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | UG/PG | 90+ |
| GRE | Masters/PhD | 300+ |
| GMAT | MBA | 600+ |
| SAT/ACT | Select UG | SAT:1200+ |
Cost of Studying: Insights on Tuition Fees in Canada
Fun fact: International tuition rose to CAD 36,100/year on average in 2024.
Typical expenses:
- Undergrad: CAD 15K–40K
- Postgrad: CAD 18K–50K
- MBA: CAD 30K–70K
- PhD: CAD 7K–20K
| Degree | Range (CAD/year) | INR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| UG | 15,000–40,000 | ₹10–32 L |
| MSc/MSW | 18,000–50,000 | ₹12–38 L |
| MBA | 30,000–70,000 | ₹24–55 L |
| PhD | 7,000–20,000 | ₹5–16 L |
Cost of Living in Canada for those on a Student Visa
Even winters can’t freeze your budget understanding! In 2025 living costs:
- Accommodation: CAD 6K–10K/year (on‑campus)
- Food: CAD 3K–5K/year
- Transport: CAD 600–1,200/year
- Personal, utilities: CAD 2K–4K/year
| Item | Annual Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Rent | 5,000–10,000 |
| Food | 3,000–5,000 |
| Transport | 600–1,200 |
| Insurance | 600–900 |
| Misc | 2,000–4,000 |
| Total | 10,000–20,000 |
Toronto/Vancouver: top-tier costs. Places like Halifax, Ottawa are 20–30% cheaper.
Job Opportunities in Canada and How to Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit?
Fun fact: 70% of international students plan to apply for their PGWP.
Opportunities:
- On/off‑campus work: 20 hrs/week + full-time during breaks
- Internships/co‑ops: Often part of degree programs
- PGWP: 1–3 years open work permit after graduation
- Permanent residency: Work experience + PGWP = eligibility
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| On-Campus Work | No permit, 20 hrs/week |
| Off-Campus Work | Permit, 20 hrs/week |
| PGWP | 1–3 yrs, tied to program length |
| Co-op/Internship | Work component, permit needed |
| PR Pathway | Via Express Entry; using Canadian work experience |
Can I Come to Canada on a Visit Visa?
Fun fact: you can tour Canada first, then apply to study later!
- Visitor visa: Short-term stays, no study/work
- Change of status: Possible in-Canada if you apply early
- Letter of Invitation helps
- Travel proof: Round-trip ticket, hotel, or local host
- Visitor → Student: Apply online before visitor visa expires
| Visa Type | Purpose | Can it change to Study? |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor | Tourism/visit | Yes, via in‑Canada apply |
| Courier | Travel/documents | Possible, but limited |
| Study | Study permit | No, can’t use visitor visa instead |
| Transfer | Visitor → Student | Requires online process |
Conclusion
Canada as an international student offers a powerful combination of world-class education, work opportunities through the post‑graduation work permit, and potential pathways to permanence.
While it may be challenging to apply—thanks to caps, funds, and linguistic demands—the long-term payoff of studying in Canada is definitely worth it.
Have a plan to study and work in Canada? Choose Ambitio and make your dreams come true!
FAQs
Is it hard to study in Canada as an Indian student in 2025?
The question “is it hard to study in Canada?” depends on how well Indian students prepare for changing visa rules, higher proof of funds, and competitive university admissions in 2025.
Is it hard to study in Canada with average academic scores?
Is it hard to study in Canada with average grades? It can be, but some Canadian colleges accept students with moderate scores if other credentials like SOP, IELTS, or work experience are strong.
Is it hard to study in Canada without IELTS?
Yes, it is hard to study in Canada without IELTS because most Canadian universities require proof of language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent tests.
Is it hard to study in Canada and get a study permit in 2025?
Is it hard to study in Canada and obtain a study permit in 2025? The process has become stricter with new GIC and visa requirements, making early planning essential.
Is it hard to study in Canada and manage the cost of living?
Yes, study in Canada becomes a financial challenge when factoring in rising tuition and cost of living in cities like Toronto or Vancouver.
Is it hard to study in Canada and find part-time work?
No, study in Canada and work part-time isn’t a big issue, as students are allowed 20 hours per week and job opportunities exist in most cities.
Is it hard to study in Canada and stay after graduation?
Is it hard to study in Canada and stay after graduating? It’s possible with a post-graduation work permit, but students need to follow eligibility requirements strictly.
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