How I Applied to Study in Canada

Mount Royal - Montreal, Canada (April 13, 2024)

Introduction

Hello, Sam here! I’m a final-year Computer Science (AI) student at the University of Hertfordshire. I recently completed a one-year exchange programme at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

Welcome to my series on studying abroad in Canada. In this series, I’ll share my experience of moving from the UK to Canada. I’ll cover:

• What a study abroad programme is
• How to get a Canadian visa
• What to do before going to Canada
• How life is in Canada

In this article, I’ll talk about how I found out about the programme at my university, how I applied, and the documents I submitted.

Discovering the Programme

During my final year of school, I learned that some universities offer the chance to study in multiple countries during your degree. Since I wanted to travel and study abroad, I explored universities with such programmes. I focused on English-speaking countries and chose the UK.

I discovered the University of Hertfordshire through Edu-Action, which helps students with international applications. My brother attended a seminar where they discussed the university and its study abroad programme. Excited by this opportunity, I researched the university online and then applied. If you’re interested in applying to the University of Hertfordshire, you can read more in my UK university application series.

Once at the University of Hertfordshire, I saw posters about studying abroad. Interested in Canada, I emailed the university in October 2021 for more information. I received the Study Abroad Handbook and met with the coordinator to discuss my options. Since I was initially studying at a college branch, I couldn’t apply until my second year. In October 2022, I attended an event with study abroad ambassadors, which helped me start my journey to studying in Canada.

The best part about this programme is that you don’t pay any tuition fees for either UH or the host university.

Outbound Study Abroad

Applying for the Pogramme

I’ll outline the application process from researching universities to admission, including a timeline to give you an idea of how long the process may take. To provide context, here is a summary of my university years:

• 2021–2022: First year at Hertfordshire International College (HIC)
• 2022–2023: Second year at the University of Hertfordshire (UH)
• 2023–2024: Study abroad in Canada (third year of studies)
• 2024–2025: Final year at UH

Application Timeline

Before you start your application, choose the country you want to study in. Then, select 3 universities from the partner list. Remember, your application is ranked by your GPA and your preferences, so aim for universities that match your academic results.

Let’s now see the approximate times of each step:

1. February 10, 2023: Submitted my research form, personal statement, and application form. Remember to get your application form signed by your Module Leader early.
2. February 14, 2023: Received confirmation from Hertfordshire that they received my application and would provide updates in March.
3. March 15, 2023: Nominated for Concordia University.
4. March 22, 2023: Received application instructions from Concordia.
5. March 23–28, 2023: Submitted the online application form to Concordia.
   → Completed my learning agreement and proposed modules.
   → Faced issues with proof of English proficiency and academic transcript.
   • Solution 1: Confirmed that no additional English test was needed since my degree is in English.
   • Solution 2: Coordinator sent the transcript directly and advised me to attach a Word document explaining this.
6. April 1, 2023: Concordia confirmed receipt of my application and stated they would decide within 4–6 weeks.
7. April 6, 2023: Received an invitation to Hertfordshire’s pre-departure meeting.
8. April 19, 2023: Attended the pre-departure meeting, which provided useful information and a chance to meet others who had already studied in Montreal.
9. April 28, 2023: Received instructions from Concordia to apply for my Permanent Code and Study Permit.
10. May 1, 2023: Received my admission letter from Concordia.

My 2023–2024 Academic Year Research Form for Study Abroad Application

Key Takeaways

• Discover Opportunities: Some universities offer programmes that allow you to study in multiple countries during your degree.
• Plan Ahead: Begin the application process early, as Study Abroad Programme introductions start in October-November, one year before your study abroad year.
• Deadline: Submit your application by February 10th.
• Timeline: To give you an idea of how long each process may take:
  • September-February: Application to UH
  • February-March: Nomination waiting
  • March-April: Exchange application
  • April-May: Admission waiting
• Steps: Decide where to go (e.g. Canada), research your options (3 universities by preferred order), apply.
• Documents to Apply: Research Form, Personal Statement, Application Form, Learning Agreement (after nomination).
• Use University Resources: Communicate with coordinators and the Study Abroad Team for guidance and help with any questions.
• Stay Informed: Attend university events and meetings to gather valuable information and connect with others (mandatory Pre-Departure Meeting is held around April 20th)

Conclusion

The application process can be complex, but with careful planning and using available resources, you can successfully navigate it. In the next articles, we will dive deeper into the next steps.

If you found this article helpful, consider sharing it with your friends.

Thanks for reading :)

I look forward to sharing my journey in the next posts, where I will let you guys know where I am going next, so stay tuned! Feel free to explore my Linktree to easily find everything I create across my social media profiles.