Study in Canada from Sri Lanka – Full Guide

You can join more than 10,000 students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka. Even though Sri Lanka has many good universities like University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, and University of Kelaniya. Still, many Sri Lankan students still prefer Canada as their study destination.

So, if you reside in Galle, Colombo, Sigiriya, Kandy or Nuwara Eliya, you can join other students who apply to study in Canada from Sri Lanka.

However, before you can study in Canada as an international students, you must meet certain eligibility criteria like the required Canada language benchmark and other eligibility criteria.

In this article, you are going to get the full guide on how to apply to study in Canadian universities from Sri Lanka, the available scholarships in Sri Lanka and how to apply, how to get Canadian study permit from Canada as well as other things you have to know when you want study in Canada from Sri Lanka.

Why Study in Canada from Uzbekistan?

Sri Lankans who come to study in Canada do so for a number of reasons. Some come because of the welcoming environment in Canada.

Over the years, Canada has become a good place for international students especially Sri Lankans who want study in Canada. As a result, more than 70,000 Sri Lankans are studying currently in Canada.

Also, the education system of Canada attracts many students who want study in Canada from Sri Lanka.

Thus, they have access to one of the best education system in the world. Canada boasts of many best universities in the world.

Therefore, whether you want to study for your first degree or you are coming for a second degree, you will see a good university in Canada.

In addition to this, Canadian universities and colleges are cheap when compared to other universities in the world with quality education. This attracts a lot of international students including Sri Lankans to Canada.

However, before you can study in any Canadian university from Sri Lanka, you must reach the minimum requirement for the particular university.

When it comes to working in Canada, Canada has a lot of opportunities for Sri Lankans who study in Canada. As such, you can work while you study in Canada from Sri Lanka.

This has double benefits. One, you will get financial support while working, then, secondly, the work done while studying can be used when applying for Canadian permanent residence under Canada Experience Class. Thus, you have an easy pathway to Canada permanent residence after your studies.

Opportunities for International Students in Canada

Students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka have many opportunities after their studies. One of these is the opportunity to get Canadian permanent through the CEC program.

This visa exposes the residents to various opportunities available to Canadian permanent residents. In addition, Sri Lankans with permanent resident visa can bring their family members to Canada.

Students from Sr Lanka who have studied at least for two years at an accredited college or university on a full-time basis are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada under the CEC Visa program.

Another opportunity for Sri Lankans who studied in Canadian universities and colleges is that they have guaranteed employment from Canadian employers.

Canada as a country has a system of education that employers all over the world like to employ graduates from Canadian universities and colleges.

Thus, once you have graduated from any Canadian university or college, you will get employed either by a Canadian employer or Sri Lankan employer.

Therefore, students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka are competing in the labour market both in Canada or anywhere else in the world.

Popular Canadian Provinces for Sri Lankan Students

First of all, Canadian citizens and residents have a culture of receiving visitors and new residents very well. This can seen in the diversity of life in Canadian cities.

As such, students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka should know that they are welcome in the country.

Therefore, I am going to talk about the Canadian provinces where Sri Lankan students can live happily.

Although generally, Canada treats visitors with kind heart. However, there are provinces and cities where there are more international students than others.

Ontario

Ontario is the Canadian province with the highest number of universities and colleges. And because of that, it attracts a good number of international students Sri Lankans included.

Recently a lot of students from Sri Lanka come to live and study in Canada. Thus, new students from Sri Lanka can settle down quickly in the province.

British Columbia

Another good province for Sri Lankan students in Canada is British Columbia. With its diverse life and culture, British Columbia welcomes a lot of students from Sri Lanka.

British Columbia also have special programs for students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka.

Thus, you can enjoy special programs as a Sri Lankan student studying in British Columbia.

Quebec

Although a French speaking province, many students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka love to live and study on Quebec.

Quebec has universities and program that are offered in both English and French. Therefore, students can easily settle once they enter the province.

Apart from that, Quebec is also Canada’s cheapest province to live in. Hence, students can live there for a low price and still enjoy city life.

Types of Programs to study in Canada from Sri Lanka

International students in Canada have access to different types of programs. These programs range from diploma to bachelor’s degree. However, most Sri Lankans come to Canada for their bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s degree

Once you have Sri Lankan GCE A Levels certificate, you can undertake a bachelor’s degree from any Canadian university offering your desired course.

However, you must meet other admission requirements in that university. Usually, it takes about 2 to 3 years to complete a bachelor’s degree in Canada.

But once you are able to complete the course, you are sure to get employed either from a Canadian employer or another employer.

Master’s degree

If you have graduated from any Sri Lankan university like University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Nugegoda, University of Moratuwa and University of Kelaniya, you can apply for a master’s degree in any Canadian university provided you have your transcript from the university you graduated from.

Generally, it takes about 1or 2 years to complete a masters program in Canada.

Diploma

In addition to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, there are a lot of diploma programs available for students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka.

These programs prepare you for university education. So, students who want to study in Canada can decide to do a diploma program first and get prepared for university education in Canada.

Diploma programs are of two types: one year programs and two  years programs. However, the year depends on the program you choose.

Cost of Studying in Canada from Sri Lanka

There is no common tuition fee in Canada. Rather, universities and colleges set the tuition fees themselves. However, the fee depends on the province, the program and the duration of the program you choose.

Generally, international tuition fee is higher than that of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

However, it is cheap compared to other countries in the world. Therefore, if you plan to study in Canada from Sri Lanka, you will be paying an average fee of CA$9, 714 per year.

The fee gets higher for master’s degree and for a master’s degree program, the tuition fee is about CAD $17,744 per year.

However, all the tuition fee depends on your choice of university and program.

The following universities offer cheaper tuition fees for students from Sri Lanka:

• Simon Fraser University
• St. Stephen’s University (SSU)
• Canadian Mennonite University (CMU)
• Athabasca University
• University College of the North (UCN)
• Booth University College
• Kingswood University
• University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
• Atlantic School of Theology (AST)
• Brandon University
• University of Manitoba

Cost of Living in Canada

Although the cost of living is generally low in Canada, your choice of province or city also determines the cost of living in Canada. Some provinces are generally cheaper than others.

While provinces like Yukon, Quebec may offer cheaper cost of living, provinces like Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba may become more expensive. Therefore, when choosing your choice of province, you have to consider these things.

Apart from the tuition fee and visa application fee, there are other costs you have to pay for in Canada.

Therefore, before arriving in Canada, you have to provide a proof of fund showing that you can live in Canada for at least a year.

This money must cover expenses including transport, accommodation, books and other things you may need while you study in Canada from Sri Lanka. In short, you must you have at least CAD $10,000 before you can enter Canada.

Accommodation fees For international students in Canada

Accommodation fees in Canada depends on the type of house you want to live in. Mainly, there are three types of accommodations in Canada. They include:

1. homestay
2. university accommodation
3. private accommodation

Generally, on-campus accommodations are cheaper compared to off campus accommodations. Hence, many students from Sri Lanka choose to live inside campus while they study.

Also, certain campuse provide free meals to the students. In addition to that, you don’t have to pay for transport when you live inside the campus.

On campus students pay around CAD $3,000-7,500 for accommodation each year while private shared accommodation costs around CA$8,400 per year including bills.

Scholarship for Sri Lankan Students in Canada

If you come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka, there are lot of scholarships in Canada for you. So, you can check to know if you qualify for any of the available scholarships in Canada.

Types of Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Basically, there are three types of scholarships in Canada for international students. These scholarships include:

Canadian Government Scholarships

These are scholarships made available to international students in Canada by the federal government in Canada. International students from Sri Lanka can have access to these scholarships if they qualify.

Non-Government Scholarships.

These are scholarships from individuals and private institutions in Canada. Any student from Sri Lanka can qualify for them.

Institutional Scholarships

Some universities and colleges in Canada also have scholarships in Canada for international students.

You can check to know if your institution has a special scholarship for international students from Sri Lanka.

Eligibility for International Scholarships in Canada

In order to qualify for scholarships in Canada, you will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Academic excellence
• Language Proficiency
• Extracurricular Indulgence

How to apply for international scholarships for students from Sri Lanka

In order to apply for scholarships in Canada as a student from Sri Lanka, you have to:

1. Search for available scholarships for international students in Canada.
2. Check for available scholarship in the university or college you apply. 
3. Apply before the deadline.
4. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.

List of popular scholarships for students in Canada from Sri Lanka

The list below shows the available scholarships for students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka:

1. Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

This is a fully funded scholarship made available to international students from Sri Lanka. However, you must be enrolled in a master’s program before you have access to this scholarship.
The benefits include:

• airfare
• living allowance
• tuition expenses.

The price money is $10,000 for transportation, living expenses, and other expenditures in Canada for 5-6 months.

2. Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

This is specifically for Ontario residents. Therefore, students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka must decide to live and study in Ontario before they can have access to this scholarship.

However, you must accept an offer from an Ontario university and receive a valid study permit to become eligible.

The price money for this scholarship is $5,000 each session. What this means is that, you can receive $10,000 for two consecutive sessions or $15,000 three consecutive sessions.

3. National Research Council of Canada (NRCC)

It is a research associateship granted to students possessing master’s degree in  engineering and PhD holders in natural science or engineering disciplines.

4. Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship

This is a government-funded scholarship for students wishing to study in Quebec.

The price is $25,000 a year. It can even reach up to 3 years with an extension option. You can as well get postdoctoral scholarship of $35,000 for one year.

In addition, there is option for short-term research or professional development scholarship of $3,000 each month for 4 months.

5. Ontario Trillium Scholarship

This is a scholarship for PhD students in Ontario. The prize for the scholarship is $40,000 per year. However, it can be renewed for up to four years.

It is left for Ontario universities to choose candidates for based on academic excellence and programme criteria.

6. Partnership Grants by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

It is offered to PhD candidates to encourage new or existing research initiatives in social sciences and humanities. They grant up to CAD 20,000 for 4-7 years.

7. Shastri Research Student Fellowship

It provides fellowships at several levels, ranging from graduate to post-doctoral, as well as research and training fellowships. The price is CAD $500-$1,000.

8. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

This government scholarship is for international students who want to study for their doctoral degree at a Canadian institution. The price is CAD $50,000 annually for 3 years. It is a non renewable scholarship.

In addition to these scholarships, there are other scholarships available to students who come to study in Canada from Sri Lanka. Some of them include:

• Anne Vallee Ecological Fund
• The Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships

How to Apply for Admission in Canada from Sri Lanka

When applying for admission to study in Canada from Sri Lanka, there are certain things you must consider.

First of all you must know the minimum requirement for admission from Sri Lanka. Then, you have to meet the language requirements as well as other eligibility criteria.

Minimum academic requirements

The minimum requirement for admission into Canadian university from Sri Lanka is Sri Lankan GCE A Levels certificate.

Without this certificate undergraduate students from Sri Lankan cities like  Galle, Colombo, Sigiriya, Kandy or Nuwara Eliya may not be able to get admission to study any course in Canada.

In addition to that, graduate students who have completed at least a degree program from a recognized universities or colleges in Sri Lanka must get their transcript for master’s or doctorate programs. 

However, you need to attain a minimum admission average of 70%.

English/French Language Requirements

Students from Sri Lanka must show proficiency in Canadian languages in 

• speaking
• writing
• reading
• listening

Sri Lankan students can show any of these as language test when looking for admission into Canadian universities or colleges:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) assessment
• Michigan English Test
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)
• Duolingo English Test
• CanTest

Application Documents Checklist

For admission into Canadian universities, international students must present the following documents:

• Letter of intent
• Reference letters
• Proof of fund

Steps to Apply for Admission from Sri Lanka

The steps below shows how to get admission of you want to study in Canada from Sri Lanka:

1. look for the educational institution’s list of programs
2. check if you can afford the institution’s tuition and other fees.
3. check if you are eligible.
4. apply for admission into the college or university.
5. wait for the college or university to process your application.
6. use the Letter of Acceptance to apply for Canada study visa.

Self Application vs. Use of Consultants/Representatives

When applying a Canadian study visa, you can do that in two ways: self application and through the use of consultant.

Self application

It simply means applying for the visa by yourself. That is, you run the whe process yourself. This method reduces cost but it may take you longer time as you may not readily know what you need to do at a particular point in time.

Use of consultant

You can as well decide to use consultant or representatives for your study visa application. Using a consultant or representative has some benefits since they are mostly accredited by the institution’s itself.

However, if you use agencies, you must pay a third party fee in addition to your application fee.

How to apply for Canada study visa from Sri Lanka

Before you can study in Canada from Sri Lanka, you must have a valid study permit. Without this study permit, you will not be allowed to enter Canada. Therefore, all students must have a valid study permit to study in Canada.

Online Vs Paper Application

Whether you are already in Canada or you are still in Sri Lanka, you are advised to use online application for your study visa in Canada.

Applying online makes it easier and less expense for you. This is because you don’t have to spend money going to the visa office. Rather, you can just stay in your home and finish the whole process.

However, you can decide to do paper application by going to the visa office in your country or the IRCC office in Canada.

Requirements for Study Permit for Sri Lankan Students

You will need the following documents when applying for study permit from Sri Lanka

• Valid Passport.
• Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution in Canada.
• Proof of Funds
• Passport Size Photographs.
• An Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
• English Language Proficiency Exam Score
• Statement of Purpose for Travel

Canada Study Visa Application Offices in Sri Lanka

Below is the study visa office in Sri Lanka

Street address:

33A, 5th Lane,

Colpetty

Colombo 03, Sri Lanka

 Tel.: 00 94 11 522 62 32

Fax: 00 94 11 522 62 96

Hours of operation:

Monday to Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.