Study in Canada from Cambodia – Full Guide

Many students move to study in Canada from Cambodia every year. This is because Canada as a country offers Cambodian students a safe and quiet environment for their studies.

Thus, every year you see about 8,000 students coming to Canada from major cities in Cambodia like Battambang, Siem Reap, Poipet, Kampong Chhnang, Phnom Penh, Siemreap, Sihanoukville.

Apart from the fact that Canada is a quiet environment for students from Cambodia, there are also many universities in Canada that offer cheap courses to Cambodian students in Canada.

These cheap courses allow Cambodians to have access to quality education at a cheaper rate. This is because, when you compare the tuition fee of Canadian universities with other countries.

It is very clear that Canada has cheaper universities and courses available to international students especially students from Cambodia. 

Therefore, we are going to discuss why Cambodian students prefer Canada for their studies, the prospects in Canada for Cambodian students, the available scholarships in Canada and how to apply, eligibility criteria for Cambodian students in Canada as well as how to apply for Canadian study visa when you want to study in Canada from Cambodia. 

Why Study in Canada from Cambodia?

Obviously, Cambodian students who come to study in Canada have various reasons for doing so.

While many do that because of the quiet and conducive environment, some prefer Canada because of the beautiful cities in the country. Many others choose Canada because of the affordable courses available in the country.

Others still choose Canada because of the opportunity to work while you study in Canada from Cambodia.

So, whatever your reason may be Canada is a good choice for students from Cambodia.  

Opportunities For Cambodian Students in Canada

There are many opportunities for students in Canada especially for graduates who have studied in a designated learning institute in Canada.

Post graduate work permit for international students

International students in Canada will need work permits to work in Canada after graduation.

However, with the special program for international students especially students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia. Students no longer have to wait for work permit, rather, they can now enroll in the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program. 

This program allows Cambodian students who have studied in Canada for three years to work in any field. In addition, students can also switch employers at anytime. 

In order to be eligible for PWPP, you must have graduated from a designated learning institute in Canada.

However, not all designated institutes are qualified for this program. Therefore, you must check to make sure that your institution is among the eligible institutions. If your institution is listed, then, you must apply for PWPP within 90 days if graduation.

Opportunity to work while you study in Canada from Cambodia

One good thing about Canada is that they offer opportunities to international students from Cambodia to work while they study in Canada.

Cambodian students in Canada can do part time work of up to 20 hours per week during the semester and more than 40 hours per week during holidays.

In this way, students can support themselves during the period of their studies. With this, students will get the needed experience to work in Canada after graduation using the PGWP for at least three years. 

Popular Canadian students who study in Canada from Cambodia

Canada has a lot of friendly and beautiful cities for students from all over the world. As an international student, Canadian students are ready to welcome you.

This is because the country has a culture that is full of dynamism and the residents are open to cultural diversity. 

Although generally speaking, Canada is a safe and secure environment for students from Cambodia, however, there are certain provinces and cities that Cambodians can feel free and welcome in more than others.

For instance, provinces and cities like Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto has more international students than other provinces and cities in Canada. 

Ontario

Ontario being the biggest province in Canada also has the highest number of universities and colleges in Canada.

So, it is not a surprise that it has the highest number of international students in Canada including students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia.

This is not the only reason because the province also has some of the best universities in Canada and still has some special courses for international students at a cheap rate.

Therefore, many international students prefer to join others who are already there to enjoy both the education and city life in the province.

British Columbia

British Columbia is another great province to study in Canada from Cambodia. In British Columbia, international students do not only have access to cheap programs.

They also have a chance of enjoying the city life in the province at a cheaper rate. Thus, more than 50,000 international students from all over the world including Cambodia live in the province.  

Quebec

When it comes Quebec, students can enjoy their programs in two languages: English and French. Apart from that, Quebec is Canada’s cheapest province to live in.

Therefore, students from Cambodia can choose to live in Quebec and enjoy the diversity of life in the province.

Ottawa

When it comes to the best cities in Canada, Ottawa is the best city to live in Canada. Although, it is the capital city of Canada, it offers a lot of opportunities to students from Cambodia like working in the numerous companis in the city. Also, students who live in the city will enjoy the peaceful environment in the city.

Toronto

Another great city in Canada is Toronto. Toronto has a lot of special features. It is a city that has a lot of diversity and energy. There are a lot of young people in the city, so students come to enjoy the many historical sites in the city.

Types of Programs to Study in Canada from Cambodia

Students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia have access to many programs in Canada. As a Cambodian in Canada, you can do courses for bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate degree, MBA and diploma programs. The programs you decide to study depends on your level of education. 

Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s degree programs in Canada take about three years to complete. Students who have completed their high school in Cambodia can undertake a bachelor’s degree in any course of their choice provided they have a Certificate of Completion/Baccalaureate. 

Master’s Degree

Apart from bachelor’s degree, students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia who have graduated from Cambodian universities like Royal University of Phnom Penh, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Paññasastra University of Cambodia, École Royale d’Administration, The University of Cambodia etc. come for their master’s degree programs.

For your master’s degrees programs in Canada, you will require about 1 or 2 years.

Diploma programs

Diploma programs in Canada prepare students for university education. You can choose to study a diploma program when you come to Canada from Cambodia as a preparation for your higher education. Doing a diploma program gives you a direct experience in your chosen field.

Therefore, while making your choice of diploma program, you must consider the course you will like to do in a Canadian university. Diploma programs takes either one year or two years to complete depending on your choice.

MBA programs

For an MBA program in Canada, you will use about 2 years for a complete course. MBAs in Canada costs more than other programs in Canada. However, there are cheap MBA programs in Canada for students from Cambodia.

Cost of Studying in Canada from Cambodia

The universities in Canada set their tuition fees themselves. Therefore, the amount you pay depends on the university and course of your choice. 

It is always the case that the tuition fee for Canadian citizens is lower than the tuition fee for foreign students.

As such, for Canadian citizens, the tuition fee is an average of CAD $6,463 per year for undergraduate degree programs. Whereas for, master’s degree programs, it goes up to aroundCAD $7,056 per year. 

Therefore, as an international student from Cambodia, you are expected to pay around CAD $9,000 per year for your bachelor’s degree programs.   

When it comes to a master’s degree program, the fee will be around CAD $17,744 per year.

Cheap universities to study in Canada from Cambodia

Students who are studying in Canada from Cambodia can enroll in the following universities for a cheaper tuition fee:

• 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
• University of Winnipeg
• Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts)
• Tyndale University
• St. Thomas University (STU)

Cheap courses to study in Canada from Cambodia

The following courses are cheap courses that  students can study in Canada.

• Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Computing Science
• MSc in Computer Science
• Diploma in Technology
• M.Sc in Computer Science
• Business and Management
• Master of Arts in Economics
• Master of Employment Relations
• Bachelor of Business Administration
• M.Sc. In Business Administration
• MA in Development Economics
• Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering

Cost of Living in Canada

Your choice of province in Canada determines the amount of money you pay for your accommodation.

For instance, students who live in big cities pay more for accommodation than other students. In addition to accommodation, international students also need money for other living expenses in Canada including transport, food, books and other things. 

Hence, international students in Canada from Cambodia will need proof of fund to show that that can take care of themselves while studying in Canada.

Therefore, in order to show that you have enough to live in Canada, you must have at least CAD $10,000. This money will be enough to cover your living expenses in Canada for at least a year. 

Accommodation fees for Cambodian students in Canada

Usually, students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia have three types of accommodation: homestay, university accommodation and private accommodation.

Therefore, the type of accommodation determines the amount you pay for house rent. If you want to pay less for accommodation, you have to live inside the campus.

For instance, on campus students pay a fee of around CAD $3,000-7,500 for accommodation with some accommodations giving students an option of one meal per day.

While students who live outside the campus pay more than that. Some students pay around CAD $9,000 for accommodation including other bills. Thus, it is generally cheaper to live inside the campus. 

Scholarship for Cambodian Students in Canada

Many scholarships are available to students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia. Majority of these scholarships are open to Cambodian students which means that students from Cambodia can apply for any of these scholarships.

However, for you to be eligible for scholarships in Canada from Cambodia, you must meet the requirements for the scholarship.  

Types of scholarships in Canada for  Cambodian students

In Canada, there are three types of scholarships for students from Cambodia. They are:

Canadian Government Scholarships

These are scholarships that the Canadian government gives to international students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia. Any Cambodian student can qualify for them.

Non-Government Scholarships.

Many non government organizations in Canada offer scholarships to students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia. These are known as non government scholarships. Therefore, as a Cambodian student in Canada, you can as well check to know if you qualify.

Institutional Scholarships

These are scholarships made available to international students especially Cambodian students from the university or college. Therefore, once you get admission into a Canadian university, you should check if there are available scholarships for you. You can do this using the university website.

Eligibility for international scholarships in Canada

In order to to qualify for scholarships in Canada, you must have the following eligibility requirements:

• Academic excellence
• Language Proficiency
• Extracurricular Indulgence

How to apply for international scholarships for students from Cambodia

Students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia, you have to follow the steps below:

1. Find out the available scholarships online
2. Check to know if the university has scholarships for international students from Cambodia 
3. Make a formal application before the deadline.

List of popular scholarships for students in Canada from Cambodia

Some of the available scholarships in Canada for students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia include:

• Donald A. Wehrung International Student 
• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 
• Karen McKellin International Leader of 
• University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
• FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship
• Winnipeg President’s Scholarships for World Leaders

How to apply for admission in Canada from Cambodia

Generally, applying for admission into Canadian universities is easy if you follow the normal process. When applying for admission, you have to consider certain factors including the minimum requirements, language requirements and the method of applying.

Minimum academic requirements

The minimum requirement for students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia is Certificate of Completion/Baccalaureate for a bachelor’s degree program.

Students who come to Canada for their graduate studies who have graduated from Cambodian universities like Royal University of Phnom Penh, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Paññasastra University of Cambodia, École Royale d’Administration, The University of Cambodia etc can study in Canadian universities for their post graduate studies. However, they must score high GPCA in their certificate. 

This means that candidates from these universities can study in Canada once they provide their transcripts from the university.  

In addition to that, the student must score at least a score of 70% in the admission exam. L

English/French language requirements

Students from Cambodia must reach a minimum test score in English and French language in areas of

• speaking
• writing
• reading
• listening

In order to show your proficiency in English, you must submit a test result from any of the following institutions:

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

Canada study visa application documents checklist

Students from Cambodia looking for admission into Canadian universities must have the following documents ready:

• Letter of intent 
• Reference letters
• Proof of fund

Steps to apply for admission from Cambodia

1. Search 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 for a study visa from Cambodia, you can apply for it in two ways: either self application or through a consultant or representative. What this means is that you can do the she application process by yourself.  

However, it is advised that you use representatives for your visa application. This is because, it helps you to follow the process very well.

Also, because, representatives already know all the application process, they always know the best time to apply for a admission in a Canadian university.

How to Apply for Canada Study visa from Cambodia

Before you can study in Canada from , 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 V Paper Application

The best way to apply for a Canadian study visa is through online application. This is because it is both easy and less expensive. 

However, if you can’t apply online because of a disability or because there’s a problem with the online application, you can apply on paper.

Requirements For Study Permit for  Cambodian students

Students who come to study in Canada from Cambodia need the following documents:

1. Valid Passport.
2. Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution in Canada.
3. Proof of Funds
4. Passport Size Photographs.
5. An Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
6. English Language Proficiency Exam Score
7. Statement of Purpose for Travel
8. Credit Card

Canada Study visa application offices in Cambodia

Students from Cambodia looking for Canadian study visa can visit any of the following visa offices:

Consular assistance in Cambodia

Street Address

27-29 Street 75, Sangkat Srah Chak, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Telephone: +855 (0) 99 430 811

Bangkok – Embassy of Canada

Street Address

15th Floor, Abdulrahim Place, 990 Rama IV, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand

Telephone+66 (0) 2646 4300

Fax: +66 (0) 2646 4345

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @CanadaThailand