Have you decided to make the jump to study abroad in Canada? If so, congratulations! Now comes the decision to determine whether a short-term or long-term study program is best for you. As you make your decision, there are a number of factors to consider, including your academic and professional goals, finances, and other personal circumstances.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of each type of program, and to see whether a short-term or long-term study program is the right move for you.
Want a more interactive way to determine which study abroad program length is the best fit for you? Take our quiz to find out!
Personal Circumstances
Choosing a length of program is heavily dependent on your personal circumstances. Some personal factors include:
- How comfortable you are living away from home
- Family circumstances
- Whether you might want to immigrate later
- The academic and practical skills you want to gain
A long-term program could be for you if you are in a position to live away from home for a longer period of time, want to apply to immigrate to your country of study later, or are looking to gain both professional and interpersonal skills.
Or, a short-term program may be a better fit for you if you plan on staying in your home country, don’t want to travel abroad for too long, or simply want to boost your career opportunities.
Academic and Professional Goals
Determining your academic and professional goals can also help you decide whether a short or long-term study program is best for you.
It can be helpful to ask yourself questions like:
- What are my academic goals?
- How do my career prospects change if I study abroad, vs. staying in my home country?
- What steps do I need to take to launch my dream career?
- Would the length of my program greatly impact my professional goals?
Want to improve your professional credentials and knowledge just that little bit? If so, a short-term program with a certificate might be your best bet. However, if you want to improve your professional position more significantly and gain experience in your field, then a long-term program with a degree (ideally with a co-op or work placement) might be better for you.
Read our blog for some short-term upskilling programs to improve your employability.
Finances
Studying abroad is an investment in your future, but it’s also one that comes with a financial commitment. So, your personal finances are another important factor to consider when choosing a short or long-term program.
Remember, as an international student in Canada, you’ll usually only be able to work part-time during your studies, which might cover your cost of living but limit your ability to put money aside as savings, especially if you’re considering post-secondary study abroad directly after finishing secondary education.
Short-term programs where you earn certificates or diplomas are typically available at a lower cost, between C$15,000–C$30,000. Longer-term program tuition for diplomas or degrees falls between C$30,000–C$90,000+.
As you consider programs, think about the impact your studies will have on future earnings. For example, a professional degree like law will be more expensive than a shorter diploma, but your lifetime salary as a lawyer can more than balance out your initial investment in your studies.
Tuition fees aside, it’s also important to factor in the cost of living in Canada. Costs like housing, food, healthcare, utilities, transportation, and leisure can add up, and are also important to keep in mind when choosing how long you want to study abroad.
Choosing a short-term or long-term study program abroad requires careful judgment of many factors, and you know your own situation best! Take into consideration the factors we’ve outlined, and see how they apply to your life as you pursue your study abroad goals.
