Introduction to Studying in Canada From Nepal

Everyone these days is boasting about being the best consultancy for Canada studies. But do you know what makes a consultancy the best for the students who really want to seek a good education and bright future ahead?

Canada: A Great Country with Opportunities

Canada has become one of the best destinations in the world for international students. Let’s see why students should consider studying in Canada.

Canadian colleges and universities provide top quality education and Canadian degrees have its own reputation and demand in international job market. Universities in Canada are research intensive which have helped Canada secure 4th position in the world for scientific research. Do you know the fact that more than 50% of the Canadian citizens hold post-secondary degree? More than any other countries in the world. Canadian universities are top ranked where 11 universities falls under top 250 universities of the world.

Canadian universities not only offer quality education but also are very affordable. Canada leaves countries like UK, USA and Australia behind in terms of affordability. This means tuition fees and living expenses are fairly cheaper than the above mentioned countries.

Canada provides lots of merit based scholarships to international students. You can apply to wide range of scholarships. Deserving students receive heavy amount of scholarships which includes Graduate assistantship as well.

You can work up to 24 hours a week off-campus during your studies and full time on vacations or term breaks. This will help you loosen your financial burden and focus more on studies.

After completing an eligible program at a designated learning institution, you may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The duration depends on the level and length of study and meeting IRCC requirements.

  • Diploma / PG Diploma / Certificate:
    Programs of 8 months to under 2 years → PGWP up to the same length as the program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree:
    2 years or longer → PGWP up to 3 years.
  • Master’s Degree:
    Minimum 8 months3-year PGWP, even if the program is less than 2 years.
  • PhD (Doctoral):
    Eligible for a PGWP up to 3 years.

Eligibility is subject to current IRCC rules, full-time study status, and timely application.

Unlike other countries, you will barely hear any attacks, public gunfire, devastating natural calamities or serious threats to the public which makes Canada one of the safest countries in the world. It ranks high globally for peace and quality of life and has been consistent since years.

Besides studies, you can find a lot of wow factors in Canada which includes its culture, natural beauties, its top cities and other activities.

Canadians welcome international students with open arms. Canada is a highly multicultural country with a strong immigrant population.

As an international student, you may be able to bring your dependents (spouse or common-law partner and children under 22) to Canada.
Under updated IRCC rules effective January 21, 2025, spousal open work permits are no longer available in all cases. They are now mainly limited to spouses or common-law partners of students enrolled in Master’s programs of 16 months or longer, doctoral (PhD) programs, and certain eligible professional programs. Eligibility depends on the student’s level and program, and not all dependents are entitled to work full-time in Canada.

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    Study Permit Requirements: Edwise's Self-Assessment Questions for you

    There is no doubt most of us like to study and live in country like Canada. But before starting the process to study in Canada, one should think if he/she meets the criteria to study in Canada from Nepal. For this assessment, you should consider the following points.

    Do you meet the academic requirements to study in Canada From Nepal? ( How much GPA is required)

    If you want to study in Canada, you should be looking for 60% above or 2.8 GPA. Though some schools might accept academics lower than this, you will be limited to certain schools and courses. Each individual program in each school has different kind of requirements. For example, if you want to study BBA in Nippissing University, they might ask you for minimum Mathematics and English score. You might have to take foundation course if available in order to fulfill the requirement. So, be sure you meet academic requirements before you start processing further.

    Do you meet the language requirement for studying in Canada from Nepal?

    Canada has two official languages, English and French. In order to study in Canada you must prove your language proficiency. For Nepalese students, language tests like IELTS or TOEFL or PTE is compulsory. In general, most of the universities ask for IELTS score overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent for master’s degree whereas post graduate diploma and undergraduate programs look for a minimum of 6 on each band. Some programs like Nursing, Medicine etc. might ask for higher scores. Though some colleges and universities might have slight lower requirement, again you have limited choices. Move forward if you meet language requirements.

    Do you meet financial requirements?

    To study in Canada, you must be financially prepared to cover both tuition fees and living expenses. Studying in Canada is generally more expensive than studying in Nepal, and while you may work part-time during your studies, you should not fully rely on employment income.

    For a study permit, you or your sponsor must show sufficient funds to cover at least one year of tuition and living costs, usually held in a bank account for around four months. Tuition fees depend on the institution and typically range from CAD 17,000 to CAD 30,000 per year on an average. 

    As per current IRCC requirements, applicants must show a minimum living expense amount of CAD 22,895 for one person (outside Quebec), excluding tuition and travel.

    You may also use an education loan (recommended) from an “A” class commercial bank in Nepal. Additionally, proof of your sponsor’s annual income, property details, and tax clearance certificate is required. If you plan to bring dependents, you must demonstrate additional financial capacity to support them.

    Do you have any serious health issues or criminal background?

    You should be aware that you will not get a study permit if you have any serious health issues especially communicable diseases or diseases like tuberculosis. You will not be issued study permit if you don’t get a police report to prove that you have no criminal background.

    You also need a valid passport, acceptance letter from your school and should be able to convince the visa officer about your intention and plan to return through SOP (Statement of Purpose). A strong SOP is crucial to get a study permit. A weak SOP is often a major reason for visa refusal.

    Low TOEFL/IELTS

    If your IELTS/TOEFL score doesn’t meet the requirement to study in Canada from Nepal, we recommend you to apply to other study destinations where your score meets the requirement. But if your score is too low to meet the requirements for any countries, we suggest you to keep some patience and work hard and get better score on the language test again. Edwise provides the best result oriented IELTS/TOEFL classes in Nepal by some of the best trainers with lots of resources and many free mock tests.

    Canada_ myth_fact

    PG Diploma: Myths vs Facts

    PG diploma stands for post-graduate diploma which is generally 1 to 2 years of study after your Bachelor’s Degree which holds the same academic level of Master’s degree but not equivalent to it. It is a program which helps you get a specialized knowledge about the field of your study. PG Diploma is popular among international students who have completed their Bachelor’s Degree.

    More than 70% of the international students after their Bachelor’s Degree opt for PG Diploma. Admission for direct Masters might be more competitive and expensive; you can opt for PG Diploma. It also prepares good base for your Masters. Some people question about the visa chances if you apply for PG Diploma but it is not true. Applying for PG Diploma doesn’t affect your visa chances.

    Student Work Programs in Canada

    Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP)

    The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP) allows international students to work in Canada after completing their studies and gain valuable Canadian work experience, which can help toward permanent residency.

    To be eligible, you must graduate from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and complete a program of at least 8 months (or 900 hours). The PGWP is an open work permit, and its validity generally ranges from 8 months to up to 3 years, depending on the length and level of your study program.

    Under current IRCC rules, many non-degree programs started on or after November 1, 2024, must meet field-of-study (CIP) eligibility requirements to qualify for PGWP. Certain program structures, such as public–private curriculum licensing arrangements, may also affect eligibility. Graduates of eligible Master’s programs may receive a 3-year PGWP even if the program is less than 2 years, provided all conditions are met.

    Co-op Program

    Are you aware about the term Co-op? A Co-op program allows student to gain work experience while they are pursuing their studies. If you are in the Co-op program, you should work for certain time with the employer or companies approved by your school in order to complete your studies. Usually you are paid while you work under Co-op program. However, your Co-op program cannot exceed 50% of your total program time. Remember, Co-op is a part of your studies and you should have valid study permit.

    Work, gain experience and also make some money which is a part of your studies. Please note that co-op placements are not offered by all schools and programs.

    About Canadian Higher Education

    For further details on Universities and programs at different levels you can check this link https://www.universitystudy.ca/search-programs/

    The major reason for Canada being a top destination for International students is the “Quality Education at an Affordable Fees”. The Canadian Government who is heavily investing in higher education has made this possible. To be more specific, Canada is amongst the top 3 countries per capita when it comes to investing in higher education.

    98% of the Canadian Educational Institutions are public or government funded. However, there are private colleges and Universities in Canada offering numerous programs.

    Work, gain experience and also make some money which is a part of your studies. Please note that co-op placements are not offered by all schools and programs.

    University:
    Students seeking for Bachelors, Masters, Post-Graduate certificate, Diploma, and PhD can apply to different Universities in Canada.

    Colleges & Institutes:
    Students who plan on taking a more applied or vocational kind of education basically focused on career can apply for a Diploma, Post-Graduate Certificate, and Bachelor’s degree holders can apply to these Colleges and Institutions.

    Level of QualificationDescription

    Duration of Study

     

    Diploma and CertificatesJob oriented vocational programs (usually technical)1-2 years
    Associate DegreesAssociate degrees are equivalent to the first two years of the University degree.2 years
    Bachelors Degree120 credit worth of program where one needs to take general education, core and elective courses. Duration varies depending on the province one studies in3-4 years
    Bachelors degree with HonorsA student needs to maintain a high GPA and have extra credits compared to Bachelor’s Degree.4 years
    Post-Graduate DiplomaPost Bachelors Diploma. Engineering students need it if they want to study Master’s in Engineering.1-2 years
    Masters Degree (Non-Thesis)Course based Master’s Program, where students will not conduct any research but focus on Internships.1-2 years
    Masters Degree (Thesis)Research based Master’s, where students have to write a thesis based on the research they conduct.1-2 years
    PhDDoctorate Programs, where students have to complete dissertation and have to defend their research in-front of the panel of their faculty members.4-7 years
    Post DoctorateThese are specialized research- based programs and continuesNo time limit
    • Business Administration
    • Finance
    • Economics
    • Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Petroleum, Environment)
    • Biology/Biotechnology
    • Nursing
    • Health Science & Public Health
    • Fine Arts
    • Hospitality Management
    • Environment Science
    • Social work/Science
    • Psychology
    • Computer Science/IT
    • Data Science/Business Analytics
    • Vancouver, BC
    • The Interior, BC
    • Calgary, Alberta
    • Edmonton, Alberta
    • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
    • Winnipeg, Manitoba
    • Montreal, Quebec
    • Ottawa, Ontario

    Unlock Opportunities in Canada . Get A Free Consultation.  

      Cost Of Studies For Studying in Canada

      There is no doubt most of us like to study and live in country like Canada. But before starting the process to study in Canada, one should think if he/she meets the criteria to study in Canada. For this assessment, you should consider the following points.

      Cost of Studying in Canada From Nepal

      One of the most important things that a student needs to know before deciding on studying in Canada is the cost. Canada is one of the most affordable study destinations compared to the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

      Tuition and Fees:

      Tuition and fees are different in different provinces and are also dependent on the University one attends and the major one studies. However, the average tuition for different level is as listed below:

      Undergraduate (Bachelors Degree) $20,000 – $40,000 (CAD)

      Graduate (Masters Degree) $20,000- $45,000 (CAD)

      Accommodation for studying in Canada from Nepal:

      Cost of living varies a lot depending on where you live in Canada. Some major cities could be really expensive to live in but you can also find Universities and colleges in locations, which are lot less expensive

      Average cost of living ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 (CAD) per month.

      Cost Of Attendance (Total Estimated Cost To Study In Canada From Nepal)

      An International student should be prepared to pay a minimum of about (CAD) $40,000 – $55,000 per year for everything.

      Scholarship/Financial Aid

      Financial aid is available to international students in different forms such as Merit based Scholarships, Need based Scholarships, Tuition Waivers, Government or Private scholarships. On top of these, the Graduate students can also be eligible for Teaching Assistantships, Research Grants, and Fellowships. The amount of the aid from different scholarships could range up to 100%. For students to be able to get financial aid, we strongly recommend them to apply early. Though the deadlines are different based on the program of study and the institution, we recommend that a student applies at least 6 months prior to the intended intake. Please check the link below for scholarships provided by the Government of Canada for International Students: https://www.scholarships-bourses.gc.ca/scholarships-bourses/non_can/opportunities-opportunites.aspx?lang=eng

      Intake

      There are 3 Intakes in Canada. Two of which are major intakes and one is a minor.

      Major Intakes: September and January

      Minor Intakes: April/May

      Language Proficiency Requirements for studying in Canada from Nepal

      IELTS – Overall Band Score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. Mostly Diploma and certificate level programs may accept a lower score, but it is highly recommended that you score 6.5 or equivalent.

      TOEFL and PTE are also accepted in Canada. We recommend you check with the University you are applying to or the advisor at Edwise to make sure of the requirements.

      Canada Student Visa

      For studying in Canada, Nepalese students will have to obtain a Study Permit and a Temporary Resident Visa(TRV).

      PAL / TAL Requirement

      Most international students applying for a Canadian study permit must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL), which confirms that the province or territory has approved the student under its allocated study permit cap. The PAL/TAL is typically issued by the province or territory after the student receives an offer of admission from a designated learning institution.

      Under current IRCC policy, students admitted to master’s or doctoral (PhD) programs at public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement. This exemption does not generally apply to undergraduate, diploma, or most certificate programs, which must still meet PAL/TAL requirements.

      Temporary Resident Visa (TRV):

      Every student wanting to study in Canada needs a Temporary Resident Visa to be allowed to enter Canada. Once you meet someone at Edwise, you can get information in details about the TRV.

      Canada _ work oppurtunity

      Work Opportunities

      As an International student, one is allowed to work for up to 24 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks (as per updated IRCC rules). The earnings will be enough for covering the living expenses and students are commonly seen involved in various sectors such as Café, restaurants, clothing stores, travel and tourism, and many more. Though International students are supposed to maintain the requirements of the visa, they generally do not have many difficulties in finding a part-time job.

      International students can apply for Co-op work placement which will allow them to work as an intern in the related field which will not just ensure earning but will also ensure invaluable experience which could come handy while applying for full-time jobs after graduation under the post graduate work permit.

      However, every international student needs to have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), which is a 9-digit number that allows the Canadian government to keep track of the student’s earnings as the employers can post the payrolls and the students will have an access to government programs and benefits.

      Postgraduate work permit is allowed to students of eligible levels after the completion of their study and meeting updated PGWP rules (including DLI eligibility, program eligibility, and any newer requirements applicable to the student’s intake).

      STUDENT RESOURCE ABOUT STUDY IN CANADA FROM NEPAL

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      Best Consultancy For Canada Studies

      There are several things to consider while deciding which consultant service to hire for studying in Canada. You should look for a firm that offers advice specifically catered to your needs as a prospective student.

      Frequently Asked Questions About Studying in Canada from Nepal

      What are the minimum academic requirements to study in Canada from Nepal?

      Most universities require at least 60% or 2.8 GPA. Specific programs may have additional requirements like minimum marks in Mathematics or English. Foundation courses may be needed if requirements are not met.

      What IELTS/TOEFL score is required to study in Canada?

      Most programs require IELTS overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Undergraduate and diploma programs may accept slightly lower scores. Health and professional programs may require higher scores.

      How much does it cost to study in Canada from Nepal?

      Tuition fees range from CAD 17,000 to 45,000 per year depending on program and institution. Living expenses average CAD 1,500–2,500 per month. Total yearly cost is usually CAD 40,000–55,000.

      Can I work while studying in Canada?

      Yes. International students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during studies and full-time during breaks. Co-op programs allow paid work experience in your field, which may count as part of your study program.

      What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

      The PGWP allows graduates to work in Canada after completing eligible studies. Duration depends on the program length and level, ranging from 8 months to 3 years for eligible Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs.

      Can I bring my spouse or children to Canada while studying?

      Yes. Spouses and children under 22 may accompany you. Spousal open work permits are generally available for Master’s programs of 16 months or longer, PhD programs, and select professional programs under current IRCC rules.

      What is a Study Permit and how do I get it?

      A Study Permit is required to study in Canada. You must have an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution, proof of funds, and a valid passport. A strong Statement of Purpose is crucial for approval.

      Do I need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to study in Canada?

      Yes. Most Nepalese students require a TRV to enter Canada. TRV approval depends on meeting Study Permit requirements and other IRCC conditions.

      Are scholarships available for Nepali students in Canada?

      Yes. Merit-based, need-based, and government scholarships are available. Graduate students may also get Teaching Assistantships, Research Grants, or Fellowships. Early application is recommended.

      What types of programs are offered in Canada?

      Canada offers Diplomas, Post-Graduate Certificates, Bachelor’s, Master’s (Course-based or Thesis), PhDs, and Post-Doctorate programs. Colleges and institutes offer vocational or applied programs focused on career preparation.