Top of main content

Guide to studying in Canada

Known for its beautiful scenery, vibrant cities, friendly people and maple trees, Canada is a popular choice for international students.

Whether you’ve been accepted to a college already or you’re just exploring your options, this guide covers how to prepare for studying in Canada and what to expect when you get there.

Jump straight to:

Deciding what to study

Choosing where to study

Your application and visa

Accommodation for students

Check your passport

Setting your budget

How to set up your finances

Canada’s culture – lifestyle tips

Deciding what to study

Here’s a summary of the options for studying in Canada, depending on your existing qualifications:

  • Colleges and Institutes – government-recognised training programmes and courses suitable for all types of learners
  • Universities – undergraduate and graduate degree programmes
  • National Association of Career Colleges – courses for specific trades and vocations

Choosing where to study

Your lifestyle as a student could vary greatly depending on the province you’re studying in, so think carefully before you choose.

Do some research into the climate, culture and history of the provinces and cities you’re looking at, to see if they’re suited to you.

When you’ve found a university or institute you like the sound of, see if there are any testimonials on the website from ex-students you can learn from. There might also be some guides and articles published about studying there.

Find out more about choosing an institute and programme on Canada’s government website.

Your application and visa

Every school or university has a different application process, but here are some general tips to keep in mind:

  • try to apply at least a year in advance for university courses
  • contact your school or institute to get specific information, such as the documents you need to complete
  • you might need to provide evidence of your existing qualifications, a recommendation letter, and a personal statement for your application

Once you’ve been accepted by your learning institute, you can apply for a study permit online. At this stage, you’ll need to show you have the finances to support yourself throughout your studies.

You might also need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter Canada, but you should automatically be issued one of these when you’re granted your study permit.

Accommodation for students

If you’re studying at a university or college with a campus, your institute may have dormitories and townhouses for student living.

Living with other students on campus is a great way to make friends in your first year, but it’s common to move into a shared house with friends in later years.

You’ll typically need to pay a deposit upfront to cover any damages for a privately rented house, and commit to a contract of 12 months.

As an international student, you'll be protected by the landlord-tenant laws of the province or territory you're studying in.

Check your passport

It will probably be a lot trickier to renew your passport in Canada than in your home country. So, if it’s due to expire while you’re studying, try to get it done before you go.

Also, if your home country requires you to have a re-entry permit, you may need to get one for your passport before you're issued a Canadian visa.

Setting your budget

You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re able to support yourself financially throughout your studies. This includes providing details of any financial aid you’ll get while studying, and how you intend to pay for accommodation and tuition fees.

Aside from those big costs, here are some other things to include in your budget:

  • food and bills – including your phone contract and internet supplier
  • transport – including regular commuting and your flights to and from Canada
  • socialising – from sports clubs and activities to eating and drinking out
  • travel insurance
  • health insurance – although Canada has a public health service, it’s not available to international students
  • emergency fund – for unexpected costs, like an emergency flight home

How to set up your finances

You’ll likely need a local chequing account to withdraw cash, pay for things, and transfer money while you’re studying.

You might find you need to be a Canadian resident to set up a standard student account. But we can help you get your international student account set up before you arrive, so you can manage your finances as soon as you land.

Canada’s culture – lifestyle tips

Depending on where you’re from, life in Canada might be different to what you’re used to. But in general, Canada is a diverse and welcoming country that embraces multiculturalism.

You can learn a lot about Canada online and from books about the country and its history – but, you’ll learn the most when you’re actually there.

In the meantime, here are a few key things to know:

  • in Quebec, over 60% of residents speak French as their first language
  • although the big cities are compact and lively, there’s a lot of very remote space between them – and much of the northern regions aren’t accessible by road
  • people generally love the outdoors in Canada, and this is complemented by the country’s beautiful landscapes and scenery
  • living in a big city like Toronto or Vancouver can be expensive, especially in the cold winters when you need to heat your home
  • tipping culture – whether it’s a taxi ride or food delivery, you’ll be expected to give a tip of around 15% or 20% for your service – otherwise, you might be considered rude

Explore more

Discover everything you need to know about relocating to Canada.
Find out how to send money internationally from your HSBC account.
Relocating to Canada? Discover more about what it's like to live in Canada.