13/5/24, 8:09 Prepare to study as an international student in Canada - Canada.

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Canada.ca  Immigration and citizenship  Study in Canada as an international student

 Study permit

Prepare to study as an international

student in Canada
Choosing a program and school, applying to a school, and the list of
learning institutions for international students.

On this page:
Choosing a program and school
Designated learning institutions
How to apply to a school, college or university

Choosing a program and school

In Canada, each province and territory is in charge of their own
education system.

Get more information about schools and the education system:

EduCanada – information for international students about education

in Canada, with study program search, costs, and more
Ministries and departments responsible for education – information
about the education system in each province and territory

Primary and secondary schools

Post-secondary schools

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Private career colleges

Language schools

Studying in French

Designated learning institutions

Provinces and territories approve (or “designate”) schools that can enrol
international students. These schools are known as designated learning
institutions (DLI).

If you need a study permit, your acceptance letter must be from a DLI. If
it isn’t, we will refuse your application.

All primary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs. You can search a
list of the post-secondary schools, such as colleges and universities, and
language schools that have been designated.

Find a designated learning institution.

How to apply to a school, college

or university
Once you choose a school, college or university, you must apply to go
there. Every school has different rules on how to apply.

Make sure you apply at least

six months in advance if you want to study at a primary or secondary

school, or
a year in advance for a post-secondary program

Contact the school where you want to study to learn how to apply. They
will give you the list of all the documents you need to send them. Your
school will be able to tell you about

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the cost to apply

tuition fees
health insurance
rent and how much it costs to live in Canada
language tests

Fill out the application forms for the school or schools of your choice.
Follow their instructions to submit them.

If the school admits you as a student, they will send you a letter of
acceptance. You need this letter to apply for a study permit.

Health insurance
The Government of Canada doesn’t pay for the medical costs of foreign
students.

Health coverage for foreign students is different depending on where

you live. Contact the school you are applying to for more information
about health insurance.

Date modified:
2024-02-06

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