Canada is divided into six regions, which has ten provinces and two territories. By the British North American Act of 1867, education became the responsibility of the provincial governments in Canada. Each province today has its own school system, which is administered and monitored by its Ministry of Education. This ministry is headed by a cabinet minister. Language of instruction is English in all colleges, except in Quebec, which is dominated by French speaking population and hence the medium of instruction is French.

The following charts show the structure of the school system in each province and Comparative education structures of India and Canada.

Comparative Educational Systems

Introduction

Canada has 51 universities and almost 180 community colleges. While universities conduct degree courses, community colleges are postsecondary institutions granting diplomas of 2 or 3 years duration. Students can transfer to universities from community colleges with an advanced standing in the second year

Higher Education Institutions

In Canada, universities, university colleges and community colleges constitute the tertiary or higher education sector.

Community Colleges

Community colleges, popularly known as Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAATS) in Ontario and 'college d'enseignment general et professional' (CEGEP) in Quebec are post- secondary non-degree granting institutions. This is the fastest growing educational system in Canada offering a wide variety of 2 to 3 years diploma programmes in the area of Technology Business, Applied Art and Science. There are 180 such community colleges in Canada. These colleges offer vocational and technical courses and university transfer programs equivalent to the first or second year university courses. Foreign students are granted admission to these courses.

University colleges

University colleges combine university and college traditions offering applied and academic programs. The university colleges offer both degrees and college diplomas and certificates. The former being academic oriented and the latter, practical. Combined degree /diploma programs as well as university preparatory and transfer programs are also offered.

Universities

There are 51 universities in Canada and most come under the administrative control of the provincial education ministry. There are however, a few private universities. Most universities are members of the association of Universities and Colleges of Canada as well as the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The language of instruction is Canadian or French or both. The university of Ottawa is the nation's largest bilingual institution.
Universities offer a broad range of courses and a full range of degrees from undergraduate to doctoral programs as well as certificates and professional agrees. There is no common entrance test and each university sets its own admission standards and makes an assessment of applicants individually.

Courses

Unlike the US system, the Bachelor's degree course is of 3 years. Honors course takes an additional year. Masters course area combination of course work and research.

Examination and Awards

Graduation diplomas and transcripts may be issued by a provincial department of education or by the schools. Examination papers for a subject are set by the school or by the province or a combination of both depending upon the decision of the provincial education ministry.

Application Procedure

The application to universities in all provinces except Ontario, should be mailed to the universities, addressed to the Registrar or Dean of admission of the university. Preliminary application forms may be used to provide the information required and to request the application form from the university. All universities will send their prospectus and curriculum with information, on the academic and social environment, along with the application forms if the applicant is eligible. The application form, documents required explaining plan of study, purpose of study in that university, along with application fee, should be mailed to the university. Students need to apply in advance, to permit time for obtaining all pertinent documents and authorization. International applicants must submit their application forms as early as possible because of the time required to collect, evaluate and make admission decisions and allow for time required to obtain a visa from the Canadian embassy or consulate. Admission decisions are made only after the receipt of all final documents.

A formal application for admission normally includes the following:

• The filled in application form
• Official transcripts including certified copies of school reports and certificates of public examinations
• English proficiency scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Proof of sufficient financial support
• Applications to Institutions in Ontario (if applicable, done through a centralized application service)
  

If the institution evaluates the application and approves of the applicant an offer of acceptance is issued which the applicant can accept or reject.

Cost, Financial Assistance and Visa Procedures

Cost of Study

Each University varies in terms of Tuition fees, accommodation, living, etc. However, to make a rough estimate, the average cost of studying in Canada may range from 15,000 to 20,000 Canadian Dollars. This would include tuition fees, room and board, travel within Canada, health and accident insurance. Medical insurance covers expenses for the use of hospital and medical services. After arrival in Canada, students are expected to join a medical insurance plan as son as possible. Such plans can be bought through government or private agencies.

Financial Aid

Some Canadian universities offer bursary/scholarships to international students. Information on financial assistance can requested from Student aid Division located in different provinces or from
Canadian Education Center, D-1/56,
Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110057.
Besides these, there is an International Scholarship Research Service (ISRS) which is an international research company that maintains a computerised data bank on over 200,000 private sector financial aid programmes(scholarships, fellowships, grants, loan) this is available to undergraduate and graduate students on request and payment of approximately $70(US)

Visa Application

Upon receipt of the letter of acceptance students can apply for a student visa from the Canadian Immigration Attaché in Delhi. The visa application along with the letter of acceptance, financial documents, etc have to be submitted. The applicant may then be called for an interview. A medical examination report is also required. The commission then informs the applicant to get the student authorization upon arrival at a Canada port of entry. The visa application is a time consuming process and hence the application must be made as early as possible.
Students' authorization to enter the country is issued only when a student is unconditionally accepted by an institution in Canada. Those who have been offered an assistantship or fellowship are exempted from giving evidence of financial resources.

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