Thinking about studying health science in Canada? As an international student, there are many advantages to studying in Canada. Whether you’d like to become a hospital administrator, doctor, or radiologist, Canada’s colleges and universities offer lots of great programs. Plus, after you graduate, you’ll be eligible for Canadian post-graduation work programs. This can help you line up valuable work experience, and connect with top researchers and practitioners.
Wondering if health science is the right path for you? Here’s a few reasons why you might want to study health science.
Study in an Innovative Field
Canada is home to many medical innovations and discoveries. Two of the most famous include the first production of insulin and the discovery of the T-cell receptor. However, did you know that Canadian colleges and universities are also known for innovative teaching methods?
In the 1960s and 1970s, McMaster University pioneered its Standardized Patient Program (SPP). This program employs healthy people to portray scenarios that health science students might face in their jobs. Students benefit from learning in a controlled environment, and from the feedback from their “patients” and instructors. Students in SPP-based classes and exams build strong diagnostic and interview skills. In the years since, this teaching format has been adopted by academic institutions worldwide.
More recently, Canadian schools introduced health science programs that are responsive to students’ evolving needs. In 2016, years before hybrid or online learning became a necessity, Queen’s University introduced Canada’s first fully online 4-year Bachelor of Health Science Honours program. They aimed to create a program equally rigorous to one held in person, while also “providing undergraduate training that is accessible to students from varying socio-economic backgrounds and or/those with personal circumstances that make attending traditional face-to-face courses difficult.” As students readjust to in-person or hybrid classes, this early foundation in diverse class delivery can help ensure students always get the academic support they need.
While studying, it’s important to stay healthy! Here are some ways you can support your mental health as an international student.
Set Yourself Up for Success
As you consider health sciences programs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by options. Focus your search by:
- Thinking about what you love doing, and how that translates to a career. If you love helping people directly, consider a program in a clinical setting like pharmacy or kinesiology. If you enjoy spending time in a lab, or are very introverted, becoming a pediatrician might not be a good choice.
- Do your research. Programs range from a high-level focus where you’ll learn a little about many different fields to specializing in one field. Programs often become more specific with more advanced degrees.
- Learn about different Canadian communities to find your best fit. While major cities like Vancouver and Toronto may have famous schools and diverse communities (and restaurants with food almost as good as your auntie’s), they are competitive places. From being accepted into a program to post-graduation work, you’ll compete against more people than in smaller cities. It can take longer to get used to smaller communities. But the cost of living is often lower, and there are post-graduation work programs that incentivize working in Canada’s more rural and northern areas. (Also, did we mention some of these communities are gorgeous?)
Considering different locations? Here’s our guide on how to choose where to study in Canada.
Room to Grow
Did you know that by 2030, the World Health Organization estimates a global shortage of 15 million health workers? That’s a lot of jobs to fill!
By entering a career in the health sciences, you’ll help your community’s ability to grow and thrive. The need for health workers is high: in 2022 in Canada, Statistics Canada noted almost 140,000 job vacancies in the health care and social assistance sector. Fortunately, international graduates from designated learning institutions are eligible for Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). The PGWPP allows new grads to pursue related work in the province or territory they studied in.
These grads are also strong candidates for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) after at least one year of work experience. Some PNPs are even specifically for health science professionals! If you decide to stay in Canada, PNP can help fast track your permanent residency,.
Equally, you might choose to work in Canada for a few years and then return to your home country or move to a third country. Because Canadian credentials are well-regarded, you’ll be set up for success.
Learn more about Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
We hope this guide to studying health science in Canada has sparked your interest! It’s a growing field with many study and work opportunities. Plus, your work can be interesting, steady, and have a positive impact.
Ready to start your study abroad journey? Connect with the team at ApplyBoard! Our team (many of us have been international students ourselves) is here to help.
