1. Educating the Global Best & Brightest:
Post-Secondary Education in Canada
Dr. Basel Alashi, Vice-President for International Partnerships – CBIE
Presentation to Students of Colegio CEMEP
December 2012

2. About CBIE
 The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) is Canada’s national,
bilingual, not-for-profit, membership organization dedicated to making Canada
a global leader in international education.
 CBIE is the national voice promoting Canadian international
education on behalf of members by mobilizing
expertise, knowledge, opportunity and leadership.
 CBIE’s pan-Canadian membership comprises all levels of
education, including schools and school boards, cégeps,
colleges, polytechnics, language schools and universities,
which enroll over 1.2 million students from coast to coast to coast.

3. Overview
 About Canada and the Canadian Public Post-Secondary Education System
 Why Study in Canada?
 How to Study in Canada
 Questions and Answers

4. About Canada
• Second largest country in the world, with
almost 35 million people
• 10 provinces and 3 territories
• Officially bilingual (English / French), with
more than 200 languages spoken
• High employment and strong economy
• Excellent standard of living across the
country
• Picturesque, with four distinct seasons

6. Structure of Public Post-Secondary
Education in Canada
Graduation and Employment
Public Post-Secondary Education
Cégeps Colleges and Universities
Technical Institutes
Apprenticeship, • Diplôme •Doctorate (2-5 years)
Vocational and d’études •University Transfer 
collégials Programs (1-2 years) •Masters (1-2 years)
Technical
(2-3 years) • Applied and Bachelor’s 
Training
Degree (4 years) •Bachelor’s Degree
(3-4 years)
• Diplomas (2-3 years) (1-2 years)
• Certificates (1-2 years)
Secondary School

7. Canadian Public Post-Secondary Education
 There are both public and private post-secondary institutions in Canada
 There are over 250 publicly-funded universities, colleges and institutes from
coast to coast to coast
 This includes more than 75 universities, more than 125 colleges/technical institutes
and 51 Cégeps
 In 2011 almost 1.2 million students were studying at Canadian public
universities, and 1.5 million were enrolled in credit programs at public colleges
 Canadian public post-secondary institutions have very strong research
mandates, and is the second largest performer of research in the country
 240,000 international students study in Canada every year

8. International Students in Canada – Then & Now
4.3% avg. 11.5% avg.
increase per year increase per year
Projection

9. Why Study in Canada?
 Canadian qualifications are valued around the world
 High academic standards and rigorous quality assurance
 Range of institutions with many academic program choices
 World leader in language training
 Canadian credentials recognized as equivalent to those
obtained in the United States and Europe
 Affordable education
 Canada’s quality of education and living standards are among the highest in the world
 Canada offers the lowest tuition rates for international students compared to the U.K.,
Australia, New Zealand and the United States

10. Why Study in Canada?
 Healthy, safe and diverse communities
 The United Nations consistently ranks Canada as one of the top places in the
world to live
 Safe environs, both on and off campus
 Excellent health care system
 Range of settings to studying in and visit, from cosmopolitan
cities to picturesque towns
 Almost all of the world’s ethnic groups are represented in Canada

11. Why Study in Canada?
 Exciting campus life
 Latest technology and modern amenities
 Many options for extracurricular activities
 Opportunity to meet and gain valuable experience
from faculty and fellow students
 Support services
 Public post-secondary institutions offer a full range of services including exam
preparation, fitness facilities, stress management, wellness centres, academic support
and career counselling
 International student advisors (ISAs)
 ISAs support international students before and upon arrival, and through their academic
studies.

12. Why Study in Canada?
 Innovative opportunities
 Opportunities to be involved in research, even at the undergraduate level
 Canadian public post-secondary institutions are world leaders in co-op and internship
placements
CBIE’s 2009 survey of
international students founds
that 90% of students were
either satisfied / very satisfied
that they chose to study in
Canada.

13. How to Study in Canada: Find a Program
 Choosing the right program for you:
 Field of study / specialization, level of study
 Type of institution, including reputation, size and geographical location
 Application requirements, application deadlines (start early!)
 Useful Resources:
 Education Canada Step 1-2-3 (www.educationau-incanada.ca)
 The Searchable Database “University study programs in Canada”
(www.aucc.ca/canadian-universities/study-programs)
 Contact the International Student Advisors at the institutions that interest you, and the
Program Coordinators for the program you would like to apply to (listed on their
respective web sites)

14. How to Study in Canada: Determine Costs
 How much?
 Tuition costs depend on the program and level of study, and which institution
 Starts at around $10,000 per year and can reach $75,000+ (MBA, Medicine, Law)
 You also need to factor in the cost of living (accommodation, transportation, food)
 Ranges from $6,000 to $15,000+ depending on where and how you choose to live
 Useful resources:
 Education Canada Step 1-2-3 (www.educationau-incanada.ca)
 Most institutions’ web sites have budget calculators to help determine real costs
 You should contact the government of your country or the financial aid office of the
university or college you wish to attend to obtain information about scholarships and
other award opportunities.

15. How to Study in Canada: Visa Requirements
• Any students coming to Canada needs:
• to provide an acceptance to an
academic program;
•to demonstrate that they can financially
support themselves (and their family)
while in Canada;
• to be a good citizen, with no criminal
record and not be a security risk to
Canada;
• to have good health; and
• to be able to satisfy a Canadian
Immigration Officer that they will return
to their home country upon completion
of study.

16. Working During Studying
 Jobs for International Students While Studying
 On campus: International students who are registered full-time at a public post-
secondary institutions (and some private institutions) who have a valid study permit are
eligible to work on campus without a work permit while completing their studies
 Off-Campus: International students who are registered full-time at a public post-
secondary institutions or in an approved program at an eligible privately funded
institution, who have received a work permit and only work up to 20 hours a week during
academic sessions are able to work off-campus while completing their studies
 Internships and Co-op Programs
 Many institutions offer work placements (usually called internships and co-op programs)
as a way to enhance academic curriculum with real world experience
 A great way to better your CV, make contacts and earn money!

17. Working After Studying
 Working after Graduation
 There are a number of opportunities for international students to work upon completion
of their studies.
 There are also immigration possibilities. For example international students who upon
graduation gain at least one year of work experience in managerial, professional or
technical positions can apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience
Class.
 For more information on these programs visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada
web site (http://www.cic.gc.ca)

18. Questions?

19. Contact Information
Dr. Basel Alashi
Vice-President,
International Partnerships
balashi@cbie.ca
+1-613-237-4820
www.cbie-bcei.ca