Study in Canada from Singapore – Expert Guide

Of course, students frequently come to study in Canada from Singapore, which is one of the reasons why we have Singaporean Canadians.

Moreover, 2016’s population census estimated that there were up to 2,850 Singaporean Canadians in Canada.

These consist of foreign skilled workers, immigrants and Singaporean students who deliberately left Singapore for greater opportunities and greener pastures.

Besides, Singaporean Canadians have a number of small communities in Canada, which are located in Toronto, Vancouver, as well as in Edmonton. These communities hold the largest population of Singaporeans in Canada.

Above all, this article avails a large collection of information that is facilitative while applying to study in Canada from Singapore.

These include on admission application steps, Canada’s study permit, as well as all other resources that we feel can be helpful to you.

Why study in Canada from Singapore?

• Generally speaking, Canada accommodates Singaporean students, workers and other natives of Singapore who want to come to Canada for one reason or another.
• Secondly, among the benefits of studying in Canada is that numerous Canadian establishments employ Singaporeans citizens and students.

Thus, you will certainly find multiple companies and organizations in Canada that are willing to hire your services.

• Undoubtedly, you can get scholarships in Canada inasmuch as you are able to meet the conditions or requirements on time.

Popular Canadian provinces for Singaporean students

• Ontario province – Toronto
• Alberta province – Edmonton
• British Columbia province – Vancouver

Examples of colleges and universities in these areas include;

1. Alexander College, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2. Arbutus College, Vancouver, BC, Canada
3. Capilano University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
4. George Brown College, Toronto, ON, Canada
5. Humber College, Toronto, ON, Canada
6. Reeves College, Edmonton, AB, Canada
7. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
8. Vanguard College, Edmonton, AB, Canada
9. Wycliffe College, Toronto, ON, Canada, among others

Types of programs Singaporean students can study in Canada

Obviously, the colleges and universities in Canada accept Singaporean students into various types of programs throughout diverse fields.

Hence, the table below demonstrates various things you need to know about the programs you can apply to study in Canada from Singapore.

Cost of studying in Canada from Singapore

As the fee paid for instruction, it is of the greatest importance to pay tuition in order to be enrolled in a program of study in Canada from Singapore.

Therefore, the following are the average tuition fee for int’l students who are applying for study from Singapore.

1. Undergraduate programs (Bachelor and Associate degrees): CAD $7,000 to CAD $18,000

Graduate programs:

2. Masters: CAD $8,500 to CAD $19,000
3. MBA: $22,000 to CAD $34,000
4. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): CAD $10,000 to CAD $17,000

Minimum personal support amount in Canada

Another important thing to consider when applying is to include a sum of CAD $10,000 (10,885 SGD) in your budget for upkeeps.

Who can sponsor Singaporean students to Canada

• Parents (either or both)
• Guardian
• Family member or relative
• Spouse
• Common-law or conjugal partner
• Employer

Study loan for Singaporean students in Canada

Indeed, Singaporean students qualify to apply for some international student loans in Canada. These loans are favorable to Singaporean students in various aspects.

However, you may need to meet certain conditions and requirements in order to obtain the study loan.

Below are study loans available to Singaporean students who are registered in a program of study in Canada.

1. MPOWER Financing student loan
2. RBC Student Line for Credit

Other costs to think about to study in Canada from Singapore

The following fees needs to taken into consideration before coming to study in Canada from Singapore.

• Flight fee (Singapore Airlines): Starting from 882 SGD.
• Health insurance coverage: CAD $300 (326.5 SGD).
• Institutional student fees: CAD $650 (707.5 SGD).
• Student housing on campus (2 per room): CAD $1,300 (1,415 SGD).
• Meal plan: CAD $1,500 (1,635 SGD).
• Textbooks, etc: CAD $500 (545 SGD).

Scholarship for Singaporean students in Canada

Generally speaking, there are several scholarships open to Singaporean students who are undergoing studies in undergraduate and graduate programs of study.

General eligibility for scholarships

Before you can apply for a scholarship in Canada, you need to fulfill all requirements and conditions on time.

However, most of these scholarships require Singaporean students to;

• attain a minimum entrance average of 70%
• have persistent participation in activities outside regular academic curriculum. These include student union, community development services, etc.
• show that they can’t continue their education without the scholarship

Organizations that offer scholarships to Singaporean students in Canada

• MasterCard
• OPEC
• Commonwealth

How to apply for scholarship to study in Canada from Singapore

Indeed, the following steps can help you apply for a scholarship successfully to study in Canada.

• Via an internet-enabled computer, log on to the college, university or scholarship’s committee website in order to seek information on international students scholarships, eligibility criteria and guides to apply.
• Complete application and other requirements before deadline
• Lastly, wait to be informed if you were awarded the scholarship or not

Full vs. partially funded scholarships

Undoubtedly, partially funded and fully funded scholarships are the types of merit-based financial aids offered to students in Canada, including Singaporeans.

Besides, partially funded scholarships do not provide all the funds needed to begin the academic program in Canada. It only covers to certain extent.

Moreover, fully funded scholarships avails all the funds needed to start study in Canada.

How to apply for admission in Canada from Singapore

It is certainly easy to apply for admission to study in Canada from Singapore. You can apply online by yourself or by hiring an authorized representative.

Academic requirements to qualify to study in Canada

Concerning academic requirements, you need to focus on fulfilling the conditions below in order to be eligible for admission into your choice program.

• If you are applying for an undergraduate program, you must provide your High School grade 12 certificates with no course grade lower than C.
• In addition, you are required to achieve an entrance average not less than 70%.
• Ultimately, you need to have completed a degree program in order to qualify for graduate program admissions in Canada.

English/French language requirements

Of course, academic, language skills, and other requirements needs to be satisfied before sending an application to Canada for study.

Thus, you are expected to take one of these language proficiency tests and send its results to the Canadian institution.

Accepted English language tests for admissions

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Duolingo English Test
• Cambridge Assessment English test
• Pearson Test of English
• Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) exam

Accepted French proficiency language proficiency tests

• Test d’Evaluation de Français Canada (TEF)
• Test de Connaissance du Français Canada (TCF)

Note: Keep in mind that language proficiency tests have a validity period of two (2) years, and are unusable thereafter.

Other requirements

• Letter of Intent (LOI): Being among the requirements to apply to study in Canada from Singapore, LOI briefly gives details on your intentions for choosing the program.
• Curriculum vitae or resume: During the admission application process, you need either a CV or resume, focusing on your academic achievements.
• Academic letter of recommendation: You will need to get recommendation letter (s) from specific person(s) such as sport coaches, teachers, etc.

Steps to apply for admission from Singapore

Indeed, the steps below can serve as your guideline when you want to apply for admission into a Canadian institution.

• First step: Make up your mind on the program you intend to complete at a Canadian institution.
• Second step: Collate all your documents and certificates. In addition, you need to procure other documents that are not at hand.
• Third step: Apply promptly for program after viewing requirements. At the same time, pay application fee and submit documents.
• Fourth step: Wait for some time to know whether you have been accepted for study or not.
• Fifth step: Apply for Canada’s study permit after getting an acceptance letter
• Last step: Buy flight ticket and travel to Canada.

Self application vs. use of consultants/representatives

If you would not mind the extra cost, you can hire an educational consultant to assist you all through until you eventually travel to study in Canada from Singapore.

This is quite better and stress-less compared to self application since a professional is undertaking most of the procedures on your behalf.

However, representatives are hirable through use of a representation form from IRCC.

Educational consultants in Singapore:

• TheRightU Overseas Education Consultancy (Singapore)

Address: 144 Robinson Rd, #11-02 Robinson Square, Singapore 068908

Phone number: +65 6333 1300

Website: www.therightu.com

• Educational Link Consultants (S) Pte Ltd

Address: 545 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238882

Phone number: +65 6235 1080

Website: www.edulink.com.sg

• JACK StudyAbroad – University Representative / Education Consultant

Address: #08-02 Orchard Gateway @Emerald, 218 Orchard Road, Singapore 238851, Singapore 238851

Phone number: +65 6737 6734

Website: www.studyabroad.sg

• Singapore Foreign Student Services Centre

Address: 54 E Coast Terrace, Singapore 458949

Phone number: +65 9755 1836

Website: www.studyabroadsg.com

• IDP Singapore Study Abroad/Overseas

Address: 2 Handy Rd, #02-08 The Cathay, Singapore 229233

Phone number: +65 6819 0560

Website: www.idp.com

• AUG Student Services | Study Abroad/Overseas Specialist

Address: 7 Maxwell Road #02-100 Annex B, Mnd Building, Singapore 069111

Phone number: +65 6227 0380

Website: www.augstudy.com

• CMS (Pte) Ltd

Address: 15 Enggor St, Realty Centre, Singapore 079716

Phone number: +65 6221 1666

Website: www.cmsedu.com.sg

Applying for Canada study visa from Singapore

Without a Canadian study permit, you are not endorsed to go to Canada for any form of academic matters.

If you are still processing your admission to study in Canada from Singapore, take note that study permit processing time requires waiting for about fourteen (14) weeks.

Requirements for Canada’s study permit

Below are the requirements of Canada’s study permit for Singaporean students.

• Firstly, your age range must be between 18 to 35 years to qualify for a visa to study in Canada from Singapore.
• Secondly, you must have a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a DLI.
• Thirdly, you are required to show proof of funds/finance.
• Fourthly, you need to undergo Immigration Medical Examination (IME).
• Fifthly, you must not have been convicted for any kind of crime.
• Lastly, Canada’s visa officer requires you to avail a round-trip flight ticket in order to ascertain your readiness to leave the country after study permit expiry.

Study permit Canada fees

Of course, Canada’s study permit application requires a one-time payment of $150 Canadian Dollars, which is same as 163.25 SGD.

Study permit Canada document checklist

• Valid Singaporean passport
• Acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution
• Academic letter of recommendation
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Language proficiency test result (test must be taken not more than the previous two years)
• Recent Immigration Medical Examination (IME) report
• Copy of proof of funds documents like bank statements of account, bank draft, and more
• Letter of Intent (LOI)
• Résumé or CV
• Recent police clearance certificate
• Copy of round-trip flight ticket
• Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ) – Required to get study permit for education in Quebec).

Paper vs. online application for Canada’s study permit

Regardless of the fact that you can apply for Canada’s study permit via paper or online method, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) urges applicants to use online application.

Hence, you can only attempt paper application if the online paper is not working for you. This requires you to visit any of Canada’s visa application office in Singapore.

Study visa application offices in Singapore

• VFS Global

Address: #08, 135 Cecil St, 01 MYP Plaza, Singapore 069536

Phone number: +65 6224 1732

• VFS Global Joint Visa Application Center

Address: 79 Anson Rd, # 15-02, Singapore 079906

Website: www.vfsglobal.com

FAQs about study in Canada from Singapore

Is Canada the best country for Singaporean students?

Undeniably, all Canadian provinces and territories are best for natives of Singapore who want to integrate with Canada’s communities.

What is best time to apply for study in Canada from Singapore?

In September, January, April or May each year.