2024 has been a year of change for Canada’s international education sector. However, there are still many great reasons to choose Canada as a study destination!
Canada is home to several of the world’s top-ranked institutions. These colleges and universities blend classes taught by dedicated professors with paid co-op terms where you can build practical career skills. Plus, Canada offers some of the most flexible work-while-studying policies, and the ability to bring your family with you. Let’s take a closer look at why you should study in Canada in 2025 and beyond.
ApplyBoard can help find the best Canadian study program for you, organize your documents, and prepare you to arrive in Canada, all on one platform.
Canadian Universities and Colleges Are Highly Regarded
In Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2025, eight Canadian universities were ranked in the world’s top 200—not bad for a country with only 0.5% of the world’s population! Many of the institutions at the top of the charts are part of the U15 Group of research-intensive universities, which hold over 80% of all Canadian university patents.
Whether you’re enrolling at a polytechnic where you can build hands-on skills for success in the skilled trades, are upskilling in your field after a study gap, or are applying for a master’s program, Canada’s diverse education sector offers options to suit every student. While different kinds of Canadian institutions offer varied learning experiences, they have a shared goal of providing high-quality education to domestic and international students.
Don’t just take our word for it! In ApplyBoard’s Fall 2024 Recruitment Partner Pulse Survey, we connected with education professionals from 40+ countries. Over 90% of survey participants agreed Canada’s colleges and universities offered high-quality education:
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Canadian Institutions Offer Unique, Hands-On Learning
Studying at a college or university in Canada will look different for every student. However, a common thread across many programs is the opportunity to build your career-related skills in a work-integrated learning opportunity. Whether it’s a co-op term, practicum, or internship, these (usually) paid positions let you mix theoretical studies in the classroom with days-in-the-life at local workplaces. It can be a fantastic way to learn where you’d like to be after graduation—or learn which work environments don’t suit your goals or personality.
Canadian universities like the University of Waterloo and the University of Regina are pioneers and innovators in the co-op term system. And while the co-op system started in STEM—UWaterloo‘s engineering co-op program is especially well-regarded—you’ll find co-ops across Canada in fields from arts to health care to environmental studies.
In a country as diverse as Canada, completely unique learning opportunities are waiting for you. Perhaps you’ll trade lab coats for work boots on the Olds College Smart Farm, where you’ll work with (and build!) autonomous agricultural equipment. Or, map near-Arctic ocean conditions at The Launch, Memorial University of Newfoundland‘s lab space for tech testing and ocean research.
Curious about what studying in Canada is like for K-12 students instead? Learn more on our blog.
Balance Study, Work, and Family
Working while studying is part of many students’ realities. We get it: our most recent survey found only 2.5% of surveyed international students didn’t plan to work in some capacity while abroad. The good news is that Canada has flexible work-while-studying policies. Starting this fall, international students may work up to 24 hours per week off-campus in Canada. That allowance ties with Australia for the most generous work-while-studying timing among the Big Four destinations (Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
Plus, international students may work on- or off-campus while following the conditions of their Canadian student visa, and don’t have to wait a minimum amount of time before applying for work.
Canada also continues to welcome students’ families. International students at all levels can apply to bring dependents (partners and unmarried minor children) with them to Canada. And, the partners of students in post-graduate studies and select professional degrees (like a Bachelor’s of Education, Engineering, Law, or Nursing) are eligible for open Canadian work permits. This is more permissive than the UK or US. In the US, dependents’ ability to work is limited (dependent F-2 and M-2 visa holders may not work). In the UK, generally only postgraduate research students may bring dependents.
The path to becoming an international student in Canada is always changing. Check out our Canadian Policy FAQs for how recent policy changes might affect your journey.
Post-Study Opportunities are Unparalleled
Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is one of the most attainable after-graduation work opportunities for international students. Students who graduate from eligible programs that are as short as eight months long may qualify. Additionally, PGWP doesn’t have an age cap, so post-secondary graduates at any stage in life can benefit from gaining Canadian work experience.
One of PGWP’s strengths is its flexibility. Participants can work anywhere in Canada, and may change employers at any time. Not every job works out, and the PGWP program lets grads find a company that suits them better, or a role which is a better use of their skills.
Another advantage of PGWP is its duration: graduates from postgraduate programs and select undergraduate programs may be eligible for PGWPs of up to three years. This may be the case even if their study program was only two years long (or, with accelerated master’s programs, sometimes even shorter).
Starting in November 2024, PGWP entrance criteria (study program eligibility and language proficiency) are changing. Read our article to learn more.
From cutting-edge programs to excellent post-graduation work opportunities, there are lots of reasons to choose Canada as your study destination. It’s a welcoming country where international students like you can build your skills both in the classroom and in work-integrated learning. We wish you best of luck in your study abroad journey!
Ready to start? Find a Canadian study program that suits your goals on the free ApplyBoard platform.
