Studying overseas is the dream of a lot of students when they prepare for college. A lot of Moroccan students share this vision and wish to study in Canada from Morocco.
Therefore, we have put this article together to help the said students understand what they need to know to study in Canada from Morocco.
The Canada study rush is not strange however, because Canada has some of the most friendly immigration terms. Compared to other countries of their standing, they have quite an easy visa/permit obtaining process.
Hence, the country hosts students from over 185 countries as they seek to gain tertiary education. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons international students; particularly students from Morocco, want to study in Canada.
In this article
- Why Study in Canada from Morocco?
- Types of Programs for Moroccan Students to Study in Canada
- #1. Undergraduate Studies (Bachelor Degree)
- #2. Diploma
- #3. Masters
- #4. MBA
- #5. PhD
- Cost of Studying in Canada from Morocco
- #1. Average Tuition for International Undergraduate Studies
- #2. Average Tuition for International Post-graduate Studies
- #3. Cost of Accommodation in Canada
- Scholarships for Moroccan Students in Canada
- As a Student of Morocco, do I Need a Sponsor to Study in Canada?
- How to Apply for Admission in Canada From Morocco
- #1. Define Your Program of Interest
- #2. Choose a School/Institution
- #3. Determine Your Eligibility
- #4. Follow Up on Deadlines
- Applying for Canada Visa from Morocco
- What is the Student Direct Stream?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Study in Canada from Morocco?
The most obvious reason international students want to study in Canada is their friendly immigration policies. This advantage is highlighted even more for Moroccans because they hail from a largely French-speaking nation.
Hence some of the language hurdles that affect people from certain other countries would certainly not limit them.
Besides having easy-going immigration policies, Canada also offers students a way to cater for themselves even while in school.
The study permit students obtain allow them to have a part-time job to help keep them financially afloat while in school.
Furthermore, Canada has a program that permanent residency to immigrants who have lived in the country a particular number of years.
Studying in Canada helps you rack up those numbers and become eligible to apply for permanent residency. This could in turn, create opportunities for you to live in Canada even after school.
Finally, Canada has one of the best educational systems in the world. Hence if, you as a Moroccan, schools in Canada, you can be rest assured that whatever certification you get there will be well recognized wherever you go; that is, provided the profession does not require local certification elsewhere.
The University of Toronto, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, McGill University, etc. are some of the best universities in the world, and are all in Canada.
Types of Programs for Moroccan Students to Study in Canada
Colleges and other institutions of higher learning in Canada offer a wide range of programs. From STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses; which includes all physical and applied sciences, colleges in Canada offer even business, politics, medicine, humanities, research and many other great courses.
These programs however, can be grouped into 5 major categories;
- Undergraduate
- Diploma
- Masters
- MBA
- PhD
#1. Undergraduate Studies (Bachelor Degree)
In Canada, studying a full time Undergraduate program takes an average of three to four years. This could vary depending on the course of study, the college, and so on.
It is also known as a Bachelor Degree because the honors gotten upon completion of the program are usually in the Bachelor format. Examples are Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Bachelor of Arts(B.A.), etc.
The undergraduate program in Canada offers the widest range of courses to pick from. It is definitely a great program to study in Canada from Morocco. The Bachelor Degree is what you want to go for first assuming you just finished secondary school in Morocco.
#2. Diploma
A diploma (whether Undergraduate of Post-graduate) is a document given to a student to certify that they have completed study in a field/course.
This sort of program typically takes a year or two to complete, depending on the course of study and the institution. After this, the participants get a certificate of completion.
A diploma typically prepares you to further studies. Undergraduate diplomas prepare you for undergraduate studies in related fields while Post-Graduate (PG) diplomas prepare you for post-graduate studies in related fields.
#3. Masters
Students in Morocco who have obtained a Bachelor Degree are eligible to apply for Masters Degree programs in Canada. Masters degree programs typically last for 2 years on average in Canada and can vary slightly depending on the kind of program one is studying.
At the end of the Masters degree program, participants get a Masters Degree such as Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Arts (M.A.), etc.
Next to undergraduate studies, Masters and PhD programs are the next biggest attractors for international students.
Colleges in Canada offer Masters Degree programs to international students including those who want to study in Canada from Morocco.
#4. MBA
MBA stands for Masters in Business Administration. It encompasses Masters Degree courses of study that fall within business management and all related studies. Full-time MBA studies in Canada can take up to 2 years to complete.
Canada has some of the best institutions offering MBA, as well as the best MBA programs. This fact is evident as 11 of their schools are contained in the top 200 schools to get your MBA degree globally.
#5. PhD
The Doctorate of Philosophy is one of the highest academic degrees there is. This degree is usually conferred as the final degree in a particular field of study. It is pursued by students after they have attained the required minimum in their Bachelor’s and Masters degrees.
PhD programs last about 3 years, after which the successful candidates are addressed as “Doctor”. This program, along with the Masters Degree, are the most common programs for international students studying in Canada.
Cost of Studying in Canada from Morocco
One of the scary factors when it comes to students who want to study in Canada from Morocco is the fear of cost.
However, this should not pose a problem to you. Here listed are the basic costs you need to be aware of if you wish to study in Canada;
#1. Average Tuition for International Undergraduate Studies
The average tuition fee for undergraduate students in Canada from Morocco is 7,000 CAD – 30,000 CAD. Courses like Engineering and Medicine are some of the most expensive of these courses.
#2. Average Tuition for International Post-graduate Studies
For post-graduate studies, the average tuition depends really on the kind of program here. Masters/PhD programs, are the basic ones here, hence, they only cost about 17,000 CAD to 25,000 CAD. MBA programs however, are more expensive and sometimes cost up to 57,000, CAD.
#3. Cost of Accommodation in Canada
If you’re going to be studying in Canada from Morocco; it’s most like you’ll have to move there. During the COVID lockdown, international students participated in online learning due to travel restrictions. However, things have returned to normal and international students will have to find accommodation to attend school. This could be on or off campus.
Here are average prices for on and off-campus accommodations in Canada;
- On-Campus Hostels: 3,000 CAD to 7,500 CAD.
- Off-Campus Hostels: 8,000 CAD to 10,000 CAD.
Due to the Canada cost of living, intending international students are required to have about 10,000 CAD to 12,000 CAD in the bank.
This amount could vary slightly depending on where the school you apply to is located. Note however, that this does not include your tuition. It is merely a proof of sufficient funds.
Scholarships for Moroccan Students in Canada
While it is relatively cheap, especially when compared to some other countries of similar standing, studying in Canada is still quite expensive.
Hence, it is advisable for students who wish to study in Canada from Morocco to find scholarships they may be eligible for.
Some of these scholarships are partly-funded. This means students will still have to pay some part of it. However, others are fully-funded full waivers. This means the student will not have to pay any tuition whatsoever during their stay in Canada.
Here below are some of the said scholarships for Moroccan students in Canada;
- The Smooth Movers Scholarship (Bachelors, Masters Degrees)
- UCW MBA Excellence Scholarship For Continuing Students (MBA)
- Women In Finance Scholarship (Masters, PhD)
- EIT International Excellence Scholarship (Bachelors, Masters Degrees), etc.
As a Student of Morocco, do I Need a Sponsor to Study in Canada?
No. If you wish to study in Morocco from Canada, you don’t necessarily need a sponsor to make it work. What you need is to apply for a study permit. To be eligible for that, you must have fulfilled the following;
- Be enrolled at a DLI (Designated Learning Institution).
- Have proof that you can take care of your bills and that of whoever will come with you (if applicable); this is usually a family member.
- Have proof that you can pay your tuition.
How to Apply for Admission in Canada From Morocco
Here below is a short guide on how to apply for admission to study in Canada from Morocco.
#1. Define Your Program of Interest
While most people do this second, it is actually wise to first determine the course/program of study first. This will help guide you to choosing what school in Canada is best for you.
Canada’s education system is top notch, however, some schools are better off in certain programs than others. It would be in your favor to determine your program of interest first, then move to the next step.
#2. Choose a School/Institution
Depending on the program you’ve chosen in step 1, you can now choose which schools best suits you. Some of the best schools for Moroccan students include University of Toronto, McGill University, Quebec, University of Montreal, University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia, etc.
It is usually best to check which of the universities has the best record, or whose course areas best covers your program of interest.
#3. Determine Your Eligibility
When you’ve decided on what school you’re going to apply to, ensure you look through the program requirements of the school. After that, look through the requirements for the particular program you want to study for. Ensure you have all the requirements as stated by the school’s website.
Some institutions/programs may require you to have a certain level of knowledge in a language, proven by an exam like IELTS (for English). Others may require you to have background in a particular field. However, the key is to ensure you’re eligible for the school/program you want to study.
#4. Follow Up on Deadlines
Application deadlines are obviously very important when it comes to any application whatsoever. In this case, you have to be on your toes and always check the university’s website for updates to follow up the application process.
Applying for Canada Visa from Morocco
As a Moroccan student who wishes to study in Canada, chances are, you’ll need to travel eventually. Hence, you will need to apply for a Canada Visa once you get your LOA (Letter of Acceptance). If however, your intended program is less than 6 months, you need no more than a study permit to study in Canada.
A Canada Study Permit, also known as a Canada Student Visa is a document that can allow you as a Moroccan to study in Canada. It enables you to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Some of the documents required for a Moroccan student to get a study permit include;
- Statement of Purpose.
- Immigration Medical Examination.
- Moroccan International Passport; one whose validity exceeds the period you wish to stay in Canada).
- Proof of Acceptance by a DLI
- Passport-sized photos
- Proof of Funds (back home in Morocco)
- Credit Card
- Proof of English Language/French Proficiency
What is the Student Direct Stream?
The Student Direct Stream is a program by the IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada) to help students from certain countries get their Canada Student Visa even faster. In 2019, Morocco was added to the list of countries eligible for the scheme.
What this means is, as a Moroccan student, you should be able to process your student visa/study permit in about 20 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Work In Canada With a Study Permit?
Yes. As a Moroccan student in Canada, you can work with a study permit. However, you are only allowed a part-time job when school is in session; a maximum of 20 hours per week. Such a job can be on campus or off campus.
As a Moroccan Student, do I Need IELTS to be granted Study Permit in Canada?
No. A Moroccan, does not necessarily need IELTS to be granted a Canada Study Permit. However, most institutions in Canada are English-speaking. You should confirm with your choice institution to know if IELTS is a part of their requirements.
For How Long is My Study Permit Valid?
The study permit is valid for 90 days after your expected date of graduation.
As a Moroccan Student Extend their Study Permit Validity?
Yes. As a Moroccan student, you can apply for an extension of your study permit validity if situation requires it.
