Application Procedure for Undergraduate Courses
Bachelor Degree Programs
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This
section explains the process of applying to Canadian universities for Under Graduate
(Bachelor Degree or equivalent) courses.
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Application
Requirements |
- Secondary
School Reports and Transcripts
- Standardized
Tests
- Letters
of Recommendation
- Statement
of Purpose (SOP)
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If
you have any doubts or require any further information,
please use our Helpline service. |
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In most Canadian universities and colleges, the academic
year is divided into two semesters, the fall semester (Sept-Dec), and the winter semester
(Jan-May), with a short vacation at Christmas. Many colleges also offer a summer semester
beginning in May.
University deadlines for the September session vary from institution to institution,
though are generally from mid December to the end of March.
Colleges may have a rolling admission policy and will accept applications while processing
time still permits.
If applying to a universities and some colleges in the province of Ontario, you must
submit your applications through central application centres. The Ontario Universities
Application Centre (OUAC) deadline is March 1, those applications received after the
deadline will be processed on a first come, first served basis. The Ontario College
Application Services (OCAS) deadline is March 1 for admission the following September,
applications received after that date will be handled on a first come, first served basis.
Some Ontario colleges have applications that can be submitted directly to the institute
itself.
Some institutes have January admission, deadlines will be the preceding September to
November.
Dates can vary from institution to institution, and should be confirmed by checking the
relevant calendars.
There are some differences in the application process if you are applying to
colleges and universities in the province of Ontario and in the province of Quebec
compared to colleges and universities in the rest of Canada. Check out the table below.
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Ontario Colleges and
Universities
Universities : Complete the Ontario Universities Application Centre
(OUAC) application form for upto 3 university/programme choices. Send the form along with
the fee (C$95), by the 1st March deadline to OUAC
Colleges: Complete the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS)
application form for upto 5 college/programme choices. Send the form with the fee (C$65),
by the 1st March deadline to OCAS.
The OUAC/OCAS will acknowledge receipt of the application and forward to the appropriate
institutions.
Meanwhile, you have to send your academic Documents/supplementary fees to the chosen
institute(s) by their respective deadlines
If there is any additional information that the institute requires from you, it will be
communicated to you. After this the institute will make you an admission offer.
After you accept, the institute will send you an official letter of acceptance.
You apply to the Canadian High Commission for a student authorisation (Visa). |
Quebec Colleges and
Universities
Complete and send the application form, official transcripts/ academic records, plus
application fee to the Registrar's Office of the institute(s) you wish to attend.
If there is any additional information that the institute requires from you, it will be
communicated to you. After this the institute will make you an admission offer.
After you accept, the institute will send you an official letter of acceptance.
You apply to the Canadian High Commission for a student authorisation (Visa). In addition
to the student authorisation, you must apply for a Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) from
the Quebec Government.
The forms will be sent to you by the institute or they can be collected from the CEC. |
Colleges and universities in
the rest of Canada
Complete and send the application form, official transcripts/ academic records, plus
application fee to the Registrar's Office of the institute(s) you wish to attend.
If there is any additional information that the institute requires from you, it will be
communicated to you. After this the institute will make you an admission offer.
After you accept, the institute will send you an official letter of acceptance.
You apply to the Canadian High Commission for a student authorisation (Visa). |
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Send
enquiries at least 15 to 18 months before the proposed date of admission. There are two
ways to get application forms. |
Requesting Application
Forms via email : You can request application forms from the universities
website. Most universities have a form on their website which can be completed online to
request application material.
Downloading from the
university website : Many universities have a downloadable and ready to print
versions of their application forms on the net. These can be used for applying just
as regular forms.
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There are significant
differences between the education systems of the different provinces of Canada. Secondary
schooling in Canada could go up to Grade 11, 12 or 13, depending on the province.
Consequently, the eligibility criteria for colleges are also different in different
provinces of Canada.
Most universities in states other than Ontario and Quebec require a minimum of 12 years of
formal education for admission to Bachelor degree courses.
Universities of Ontario and Quebec require a minimum of 13 years of secondary school
education. This implies 12 years of schooling and one year of college education in India,
or 12 years of schooling in India and one year of high school in Canada. If your academic
credentials are very impressive, some universities may admit you in their Bachelor degree
programs with 12 years of education. |
Important:
We had written and spoken to the admission officers of most Canadian Universities
regarding eligibility criteria for Indian students applying for undergraduate courses.
Most, if not all mentioned that a lot would depend on the individual case. There was no
broad standardized policy. If you feel you have a good academic record and also something
significant to show to the admission committee, we would encourage you to apply even if
you do not match the eligibility criteria. |
There are no centralized Canada wide entrance tests, each
institute sets its own admission standards and assesses the qualifications of each
applicant individually. The general criteria is mentioned below: |
Programs/
Level of study |
Undergraduate/Bachelors
level |
Business |
- 70% in 12th grade
- TOEFL : 580-600
- 12th grade level Maths
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Computer Science |
- 70% in 12th grade
- TOEFL : 580-600
- 12th grade level Maths
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Engineering |
- 70% in 12th grade
- 12th grade level Math (algebra, calculus, geometry),
Physics, Chemistry, & English
- TOEFL : 580-600
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Fine Arts |
- Min. 70% in 12th grade
- TOEFL : 580-600
- Portfolio/audition or documentary evidence of
creative skills
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Media/
Communications |
- 70% in 12th grade
- TOEFL : 600 min.
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Programs/
Level of study |
Diploma |
Business |
- Flexible admission
- TOEFL : 550 min.
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Computer Science |
- Flexible admission
- TOEFL : 550 min.
- 12th grade level
- Maths
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Engineering |
- Flexible admission
- TOEFL : 550
- 12th grade Maths
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Fine Arts |
- Flexible admission
- TOEFL : 550 min.
- Portfolio
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Media/
Communications |
- Flexible admission
- TOEFL : 550 min.
- Proficiency in keyboarding and/or Computer Studies
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Application
Requirements |
Students who are applying for
a Bachelor program or another undergraduate course would be required to submit a secondary
school report and transcripts (report cards) of the final exams. The report form should be
filled out by a school official like the principal, counsellor or headmaster. This form
should introduce you in the context of your whole school experience in relation to the
other students in your class. Admission committees will be interested in learning how you
have performed in your own educational system. The school report should talk about your
accomplishments and provide a prediction of your chances for success in university-level
studies.
Since there is a variation between the styles of scoring used abroad and the ones used in
India, ask your school to include a guide to the grading standards used in your
educational system and your school. If your school ranks students by their level of
academic achievement, make certain that the ranking is included with the other details.
Also send the school / junior college leaving certificate as and when it is available.
If the transcripts are in a language other than English, then it must be translated into
English only by the issuing authority or university otherwise it may not be acceptable. |
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Standardized Tests |
Top |
International students are also required to take English
Proficiency tests like TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS
(International English Language Testing). Every university has its own minimum
requirements and scores with respect to standardized tests.
English Proficiency
TOEFL: This test is mandatory for
International students applying to a Graduate course or University in Canada. The minimum
score required by most universities for admission is 570 (Paper-based test) and 230
(Computer-based test). |
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Note:
Many universities in Canda have their own English proficiency tests. These tests are
conducted in India by CEC. For more information, check out the websites of the
universities that you are interested in. |
Some Courses and Universities in Canada may require you to take
SAT I (Scholastic Assessment
Test). |
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Letter of Recommendation |
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Letters of
reference or recommendation letters play a very important part
in your admission especially in courses that earn you a
master�s or doctoral degree. A recommendation letter is a
signed statement from a person who knows you well or has
taught you in a subject at school or college. It should list
your positive and negative qualities, strengths and other such
information.
The author or teacher must indicate his position, how long
he/she has known the applicant and in what capacity. He/she
should briefly discuss the need, importance and usefulness of
the study the applicant proposes to undertake. Authors are
usually asked to rank applicants in their letters of
recommendation, which helps admission officers to interpret
the academic credentials of foreign students. Students
should obtain letters of recommendation (often on the
prescribed forms sent by the institutions) from teachers who
know them as a person as well as a student. You may like to
request your author to give concrete examples that may show
your qualities and help your case.
Many universities have their own format and questions that
have to be answered by the person who is giving the letter of
recommendation on your behalf. Letters, which do not give
enough information, can jeopardize a candidate�s chances of
selection. |
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Note
: Even if not mentioned, it is advisable to include at least two letters of
recommendation in your applications as they increase your chances of getting admissions. |
For more details on
letters of recommendation, formats and tips, check out Letters of Recommendation |
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Statement of Purpose |
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The personal essays, and/or statement of purpose, play a very important
role in the process of evaluating your application for both admission as well as financial
aid because it gives the faculty assessing your application their most significant
impression of you as an individual. This section is the key to distinguish your
application from other suitable candidates and a chance to market yourself.
A personal statement should include your reasons for choosing a particular course, the
suitability of your education and experience for the chosen course, your personal
interests and career goals.
Some courses like Business school courses will have their own essay questions and format.
Others may ask for a r�sum� or reasons for applying to that particular course. |
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For more details on
various essay topics, tips, sample essays, check out our Essays/Statement of Purpose
section. |
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