A Guide to Intakes in Canada for Students

Table of Contents

Canada is ranked the third country in the best quality of life ( as per U.S News & World Report, 2022) Students are attracted to Canada for its diversity, equality, peaceful and hospitable nature. Canada is an ideal location for international students. It has 22 of the world’s top 100 universities.

So if you decide to study in this country, you must know and choose a program between three intakes:

Fall Intake, Winter Intake, and Summer Intake

The process of applying to study at any university in Canada will involve detailed research and procedure.

Thus, it’s best to try and understand each intake and see when you can apply for the course and university.

To understand each intake better, let’s get into details:

Fall Intake

It is the primary intake for all the universities in Canada. Most programs are available during this intake with the largest number of seats. There are many financial aid and scholarships provided for students who’s seeking to study in Canada.

The application process for all the universities begins in December and ends in March.

Each university has deadlines and varies in date, month, time, etc. Please check with the university for detailed information on their websites.

Winter Intake

It is the secondary intake and second preferred intake by international students as there are fewer students. It gives them a chance to interact more with the faculty.

There are selected programs, and scholarships available in this intake.

The application process for all the universities begins in September and ends in November.

The number of applications is less and usually preferred by students who have missed their admission in the fall intake. Deadlines are different for all universities. Please check with the university for detailed information on your submission.

Summer Intake

This is the last intake offered by limited universities in Canada.

The application process for all the universities begins in October and ends in February.

There are selected programs. It is for those who want to study summer courses. It also offers students to do a diploma course and summer vocational programs. The summer courses are short and complete quickly.

The deadlines will vary based on the courses for universities. Please check with the university for detailed information on your submission.

Admission Journey To Canadian University

Do research – First list the universities providing the course of your interest. Before you start deciding on a university, there are certain factors to consider:

University academic reputation
Tuition Cost
Location
Accommodation
Scholarship
University culture and opportunities

Admission requirements – Some universities may need you to take standardized tests such as:

IELTS
GRE
TOEFL
GMAT

Application – Once you’ve chosen a university, you can follow these tips on how to start the process:

Take out detailed information on its entry requirements from the university’s site
Prepare the necessary required documents
Start your application soon
Apply online through the university’s website
Check for deadlines, stay up to date and submit them on time

Fee: There’s an application fee required to pay at the time of application. The cost of your university fee will depend upon the type of course and university you select.

Final Offer: The university’s decisions vary based on the process. There are universities that will give you the final decision in a few weeks or months. Some universities may need more documents or an interview before the offers.

Apply for a student visa

When you’ve received your letter of acceptance from the university, you can start applying for a student visa.

Find accommodation: Now that all is done, take some time out to look for a place to stay. The earlier you search for student accommodation in Canada, you will get better options in pricing, location, and a safe and secure home.

Note: Applying for universities is not an easy task. It dictates your future goals.

The process can be laborious, but if you work with caution and patience on details, you can crack through. Try to follow the steps mentioned above. Remember, even data can disrupt the process. The first intake receives the highest application. So, if you want to get into the top universities, start looking! Search for universities that fit your criteria and start the application process. We hope this has been a helpful guide. Good luck with your admission journey in Canada.