Canadian degrees and diplomas are widely recognized as comparable to those from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Canada also attracts top international faculty because of its investment in cutting-edge research in medical science, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and artificial intelligence.
According to recent figures from QS Top Universities, the average cost of undergraduate education for an international student in Canada, including tuition and living expenses, is approximately CAD 45,000 per year. A comparable undergraduate education in the United States costs an average of CAD 49 000, approximately CAD57,000 in Australia, and about CAD 54,000 in the United Kingdom, which are all considerably higher.
Canada has ranked #1 in the Best Countries Ranking for Quality of Life for four years in a row (as of 2019). It is also among the top 15 countries on the UN’s 2018 Human Development Index, which assesses three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to education, and a satisfactory standard of living.
It is among the 20 safest countries in the world in the 2019 Global Finance ranking of safest countries, with over 82% of Canadian residents feeling safe walking at night. The 2019 Global Peace Index from the Institute for Economics and Peace also ranks Canada as one of the ten most peaceful countries globally.
According to a census report, more than ten religions are practiced, and over 200 languages are spoken in Canada. Canadian culture incorporates flavors from all around the world, and Canadians celebrate events and festivals from all over the world.
Students contribute to the Canadian economy and contributed about 12.8 billion dollars to Canada's GDP in 2016 alone.
Canada is one of the safest countries in the world, with a low crime rate. Regarding social progress and development, Canada was ranked the second country in the world with the highest quality of life.
Most students don’t need a work permit to work while they study, whether their job is on-campus or off-campus - conditions for working are listed on each student's study permit. Whether students want to build their resumes and gain more experience, save money for tuition, or make some extra cash to vacation in different Canadian provinces, Canada’s work during study option is incredibly beneficial for international students.
On the other hand, Canada has programs designed to help international students gain Canadian work experience after graduation and, if they wish, transition to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets students who have graduated from a 2+ year PGWP-eligible program stay and work in Canada for up to three years. Students can also use this work experience to qualify for permanent residency in Canada.
Federal and Provincial governments actively make efforts to ensure that international students want to stay in Canada, whether students opt to take advantage of the provincial or federal programs that allow them to go to different provinces after completing their studies.
Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program helps graduates to qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Class Experience.