Canadians are lucky to have access to one of the best educational systems in the world. By combining world class education with Canada’s diverse multi-cultural landscape, students have every chance to broaden educational and cultural horizons! Here are some quick facts on Canada, and what makes it so special:

The Canadian Landscape
• Canada is as diverse in its’ cities as it is in landscape and climate
• Very multicultural – over 90 languages spoken in our larger cities
• Institutions are located in a wide range of settings – from rural to urban

Educational Diversity and Quality
• Over 150 public colleges and institutes
• Over 90 public and not-for-profit universities
• 20 of Canada’s research universities are ranked in the THES-QS Top Universities rankings (3 in top 50!)
• All types of programs available (certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, degrees, masters, doctorate, etc.)

Support for International Students
• Over 150,000 international students enter Canada to study for periods of six months or longer (DFAIT)
• 5% of foreign students worldwide enrolled in Canada (OECD)
• Primary source countries China, S. Korea, USA, Japan and France

What makes the Canadian system so good?
• Canada dedicates the highest level of funding to post-secondary of any of the G7 nations
• 2.6% of GDP spent on tertiary education
• CMEC – Council of Ministers of Education, Canada – ensures consistent national quality and transferability
• Innovation starts here! Blackberry, the TV, telephone, light bulb, insulin, Canadarm, the zipper, apple pie and basketball were all invented by Canadians
• Canada has developed a strong culture of innovation and our institutions assist students to become leaders in their field
• Not just textbooks and multiple-choice exams… Research projects, field work, extra-curricular activities/clubs, study abroad, co-op education

Work while Studying
• Work during study – after 6 months full time academic study in good standing
• Co-op education – semester-long, paid work placements
• Post-graduation work permit – 3 years after diploma or degree

Life is Good!
• Not only does Canada provide a safe, clean environment, but it has been consistently ranked as one of the world’s best places to live in terms of quality of life by the UN.
• One of these factors is access to education. Since the Canadian government subsidizes education, our tuition fees are relatively affordable when compared to our colleagues in the US, UK and Australia. Canada provides a solid investment in your education.

The Hard Facts: What students need
• Tuition is typically about 14,000/year, but can range from 9,000 – 18,000+. Students should expect to pay about 20-25K+ per year for all costs.
• Non-Canadian citizens are not eligible for Canadian student loans, however, there are scholarships available for international students.
• Study Permit – take LOA to local Canadian Embassy/High Commission as your first step.
• Apart from the high level of quality that Canadian institutions offer, we are proud of the level of services that we provide to our students. The services and support extended through our institutions are vital to the success and well-being of our students.
Learn more about the University of Victoria and the English Language Centre: visit www.uvcs.uvic.ca or email us at elc@uvcs.uvic.ca
For Chinese students, please visit our Weibo site: http://www.weibo.com/uvicpathway