Study in Canada from Jamaica – Full Guide

Canada is one of the biggest attractions for international students all over the world. It is a beautiful country that has welcoming citizens. Research shows that students study in Canada from Jamaica due to the country’s quality of education as well as its tolerant society.

More so, the educational system in the country is top-notch and is one of the best in the world. This is why it is not surprising many people wish to study in Canada from Jamaica.

The continuous increase in the number of Jamaican students seeking admission to study in Canada Universities and colleges should not be a thing of surprise to you because Canada is multicultural and bilingual.

This article will provide you with the needed comprehensive guidance to know all the processes involved to study in Canada from Jamaica, work while studying and other opportunities in Canada.

Why Study in Canada from Jamaica

Canada is the third-largest country spreading over an area of land and population. It is one of the most virtuous diverse and multicultural nations due to the large-scale immigration of international students.

As a result of different learning from top quality faculties and overall student cultural enhancement, their commitment to excellence remains successful.

Canada has a stimulating culture and healthy economy as it has a universal influence on international students over the world.

Top universities host international students including Jamaican students as Canadian degrees are recognized around the world for their academic excellence and enhanced learning experience.

Canada has the latest technologies and advancement that gives the student a chance to make their future in their respective fields of study.

Benefits of Studying in Canada from Jamaica

Financial supports for education

Canada provides various scholarships such as Canadian scholarships, Institutional scholarships, and Non-governmental scholarships for international students.

Quality Education

Quality education in Canada enables students to develop all of their attributes and skills to achieve their potential as human beings and members of society.

Job opportunities

Students who desire to study in Canada are also opportune to job openings during school hours. Many students from Jamaica start to look for Part-Time Jobs in Canada before they arrive.

You can also work while studying in Canada. You will be allowed to work for about 20 hours a week during the semester and full time during the summer holidays.

Standard of living

Canada ranks above average in housing, subjective well-being, personal security, health status, social connections, environmental quality, jobs etc.

Possibility of Immigration

International students with Canadian certificates and work experience may apply for lasting residency without leaving Canada.

Prospects in Canada after graduating

Pursuing degrees from top universities in Canada makes it easier for international students to gain employment.

Some of the highest-paid occupations are:

• Surgeon
• Registered Nurses
• Financial Analyst
• Lawyer
• Architect
• Pharmacist
• Business Analyst among others

Note that your income will often depend on your skills and knowledge.

Popular Canadian province for Jamaican students

There are over 90 post-secondary institutions in Canada, offering over 15,000 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The following are the most popular universities for Jamaican students in Canada.

• The University of Calgary is located in Alberta, Mount Royal University.
• Brandon University in Manitoba.
• Yorkville University is located in Toronto.
• The University of British Columbia is located in Vancouver.

Types of programs Jamaica students can study in Canada         

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate education is conducted after secondary education. It includes all post-secondary education up to the level of a Bachelor’s degree. University programs are typically 3 to 4 years.

Examples of these professional programs include Engineering, Business Administration, Law, among others. The degree is required to pursue any post-graduate degree.

Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate students are graduate students studying for a second qualification. Masters is mainly for those who want to study a particular subject in detail.

Of course, there are varieties of Master degree programs availed by Canadian institutions. These include MSc, MA, MTS, MLA, MFA, MMF, MTSD, etc.

PhD

PhD is the most common degree at the highest academic level awarded following a course of study in a post-secondary institution.

A student who has completed all their coursework and comprehensive examination is called a PhD candidate or Doctoral candidate.

Study in Canada from Botswana/

Cost of studying in Canada from Jamaica

The cost of studying post-secondary institutions in Canada vary due to some reasons which include the type of program you want to study, whether you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student.

Below is the average tuition fee for undergraduate and postgraduate students who want to study in Canada.

Undergraduate program: $15,000 to $22,000 per year.

Graduate program: $10,000 to $25,000 per year.

Minimum personal support amount in Canada

As an international student studying in Canada, you must have at least a minimum of $10,000 every year as allowances such as Feeding, Textbooks, housing, health insurance and more.

Study loan for Jamaica students to Canada

An international student loan in Canada is the way to fund your cost of study in Canada. Most provincial loans are limited to Canadian students only.

Additionally, if you are an international student looking to study in Canada and you need an education loan, you might have to look for private providers.

More so, education loans along with scholarships are the easiest ways to fund your studies while studying in Canada because they are mainly for students and the repayments are flexible.

Scholarship for Jamaica students in Canada

International students who cannot afford to study in Canada due to a lack of funds can apply for scholarships. You can study in Canada on a fully funded or partially funded scholarship.

Canadian scholarships fall into 3 categories which include; Government scholarships, Non-governmental organizations Scholarships, and Scholarships by Universities in Canada.

Of course, there are scholarships for all degrees in Canada as they help in reducing the cost of study for international students.

Minimum academic requirements to study in Canada from Jamaica

However, there is no Canadian post-secondary institution without admission requirements. Each program has specific courses and supplemental requirements.

With this in mind, you must have graduated from college if you want to apply for an undergraduate program in Canada.

Additionally, graduate studies applicants need to have previously completed an undergraduate program from an accredited institution.

Furthermore, your admission average will be calculated based on the curriculum, grading practices and grading scale interpretation.

You need to know that some courses are also competitive than others, so aim for the highest grades you can earn.

Steps to apply for admission from Jamaica

Admission requirements for admission depend on your home country and your current level of education.

• To begin with, you must check the institution’s website or program calendar for detailed requirements in order to confirm your course availability.
• Secondly, apply for admission into the college or university and submit all supporting documents as requested by the institution.

Refer to the admission requirements listed based on your choice of program.

• Thirdly, after you apply and submit all your documents the next step is to wait for the college or university to process your application.

The application will be processed when you have paid a non-refundable application fee payment and all required documents are received.

Additionally, you will receive an email as soon as the school makes a decision on your application. A Letter of Acceptance from the institution will be included in the mail sent to you.

• Lastly, you need to print and submit your study permit when applying for a visa. If your study permit application gets approval, you can leave your country to study in Canada.

If your offer is conditional, you need to forward your transcripts to show that you have met your admission conditions.

English/French language requirements

Although, English is the official language in Jamaica educational institutions will require you to provide proof of your language proficiency during the process of application.

Additionally, students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting the results of one of the following evaluation methods at the level relative to their applied program.

Canadian institutions accept these test results from Jamaican students.

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

However, the language requirement of each educational institution is different from the other.

Other requirements include

• Letter of Recommendation
• Statement of purpose

Applying for a Canada study visa from Jamaica

You are required to submit the following documents and credentials.

•  A valid passport or another lawful travelling document, as well as two passports with your full names and date of birth written at the back.
• Letter of Acceptance (LOA) received from an accredited institution for an academic program.
• Proof of funds through a Canadian bank account, recent bank statements, financial aids or student loan documents, among others.
• A police report shows that you have no criminal records.
• Letter of explanation with information on reasons why you chose Canada as your choice of institution.
• You may need to undergo a medical examination from a doctor approved by the Canadian government. Find a list of approved centres by visiting http://www.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx
•  You need to submit proof that you paid for the visa application.

Study permit Canada fees

Students who are planning to study in Canada from Jamaica must pay for their Canadian study permit application.

Therefore, you need to pay a sum of CAN $150 in other to apply and process your study permit.

Study permit processing time and expiry date

It takes about 15 days to process a study permit from the Visa Application Center in Jamaica.

However, the study permit expires 90 days after the completion of your program in Canada.

How to get a work permit in Canada from Jamaica

If you have a valid job offer from an authorized employer, you need to apply for a work permit. The job offer must be a minimum of 30 hours per week.

You need to submit a complete application online or at the nearest Visa Application Center. Ensure that you include all the necessary supporting documents in your application.

Additionally, you need to submit a medical and police report. In some cases, a visa officer may decide that an interview is necessary.

Specifically, you need to prove that you have the experience and qualifications to do the job in accordance with Canadian standards.

Afterwards, your application will be reviewed to see if the relevant documents are intact. Then the VAC will decide whether to grant you the permit.

If you submit an incomplete application, your application may be rejected.

Study visa application offices in Jamaica

Canada has established Visa Application Centers (VACs) in different countries of the world, including Jamaica.

Besides, there is only one VAC in Jamaica located in Kingston.

The High Commission of Canada to Jamaica

• Address: No 3, West Kings Rd, Kingston Jamaica.
• Phone number: +1 876-926-1500
• Website:[email protected]

Additionally, you can visit the centre for visa application and passport collection between 9 am to 5:00 pm on Mondays to Thursdays.