Top Courses in Canada for International Students
Explore the best courses in Canada to pursue this year and enhance your career prospects with AECC's expert guidance!
Did you know that Canada leads in offering Co-op courses? Offering students the opportunity to earn money and valuable work experience as part of the curriculum is one of the many reasons why thousands of international students choose to study in Canada every year. Apart from offering Co-op courses in Canada, there are numerous academic programmes that are globally renowned among students, universities and employers alike.
From Computer Science, IT and Engineering to Business Management and Data Analytics, international students can choose from a sea of course options at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Canadian universities and colleges are also known for their short-term certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses that allow international students to gain valuable qualifications that significantly enhance their career prospects.
In this article, we will discuss the most popular courses in Canada for international students that you should consider.
Top 5 Courses in Canada for International Students
Canadian universities offer numerous degree programmes across different academic disciplines and degree levels. If you wish to learn about the top courses in Canada, then take a look at the following list:
- Computer Science and IT
- Engineering
- Business and Management
- Health Sciences and Nursing
- Data Science and Analytics
Let’s dive deeper into these academic disciplines and what lies ahead for your aspirations regarding studying in Canada.
Computer Science and IT
As the world continues to incorporate technology and AI into our daily lives, the need for skilled and qualified computer science professionals grows. With tech hubs like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, Computer Science and IT graduates stand to witness great employability opportunities. Moreover, with Canada’s policies regarding international students and work, the opportunities that await international students, especially in terms of gaining valuable work experience in their respective fields, are immense. Let’s check out some details about the top courses to study in Canada in the field of Computer Science and IT:
| Popular Specialisations | Cybersecurity Software Engineering AI and Machine Learning |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | McGill University University of British Columbia University of Toronto |
| Top Job Roles | Software Developer Cybersecurity Analyst Data Scientist |
| Average Annual Salaries (in CAD) | CA $60,000 - $105,000 |
Engineering
With a high standard of education maintained across the country and the strong career prospects awaiting students in Canada, choosing to study Engineering can be a game-changer for many. With Canada’s focus on clean and renewable energy, infrastructure development and the ever-growing manufacturing sector, the need for skilled engineers is ever-increasing. Some of the most popular engineering courses in Canada include:
| Popular Specialisations | Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering Environmental Engineering |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | University of Alberta University of Toronto University of Waterloo |
| Top Job Roles | Civil Engineer Electrical Engineer Construction Project Manager |
| Average Annual Salaries (in CAD) | CA $50,000 - $95,000 |
Business and Management
With the demand for skilled and qualified professionals growing across sectors and industries, the business and management courses in Canada are among the evergreen programmes to pursue. Students from around the world pursue different business and management courses at different levels, especially for MBA in Canada, as a result of the high academic standards maintained by the universities. Let’s check out some important details about the top courses in Canada for Business and Management.
| Popular Specialisations | Finance and Accounting Project Management Supply Chain Management |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | Western University University of British Columbia York University |
| Top Job Roles | Financial Analyst/Manager Management Consultant Purchasing Manager |
| Average Annual Salaries (in CAD) | CA $55,000 - $80,000 |
Health Sciences and Nursing
Among the many fields and sectors that require skilled and qualified professionals is the health sector. Commonly, international students pursue programmes such as health informatics, nursing, healthcare management, and many more in Canada and enter the healthcare industry. With its high-quality education and numerous career and research opportunities, pursuing healthcare courses in Canada cannot only enhance students' academic prospects but also facilitate their settlement in the country.
| Popular Specialisations | Nursing Public Health Healthcare Management |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | University of Toronto University of British Columbia University of Alberta |
| Top Job Roles | Registered Nurse Public Health Analyst Health Administrator |
| Average Annual Salaries (in CAD) | CA $60,000 - $95,000 |
Data Science and Analytics
In a heavily technology-dependent world, data is gold to anyone who understands it. In other words, data allows businesses, government and institutions to understand the needs and demands of society and meet them as effectively and efficiently as possible. However, there is a great need for skilled and qualified data scientists and analysts who can compile and analyse data for those purposes. Being one of the top study destinations in the world, with great postgraduate work opportunities, studying data science and analytics courses in Canada could be the route you can take. Here’s what you should know about studying Data Science and Analytics in the country.
| Popular Specialisations | Predictive Modelling Business Analytics Big Data Frameworks |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | McGill University University of Waterloo University of Toronto |
| Top Job Roles | Data Scientist Business Analyst Machine Learning Engineer |
| Average Annual Salaries (in CAD) | CA $55,000 - $110,000 |
Salary Sources: Glassdoor, Payscale, Ziprecruiter
Note: The information provided above, particularly the salary, should only be used for reference purposes only. If you wish to learn more about studying any one of these popular courses in Canada, then connect with AECC's Experts and get personalised guidance as per your requirements and goals.
Difference Between Part-Time Work and Co-op Courses in Canada
One of the major attractions of the country as a study destination is the Co-op courses in Canada and the part-time work opportunities available to international students. Listed in the table below are some of the major differences between part-time work and co-op programmes in the country.
| Item | Co-Op Programme | Part-Time Work |
|---|---|---|
| Work Permit | Students must apply for a Co-op Work Permit, which is a mandatory requirement | All international students are permitted to work on their Student Permit |
| Purpose | Working while studying is a mandatory requirement as part of the curriculum. | Working while studying is an option requirement and is often taken up to gain financial assistance and work experience |
| Working Hours | There is no limit on the working hours, as working while studying is a mandatory requirement. Candidates can work full-time while completing their programmes. | International students can only work part-time up to 24 hours a week on their study permit. |
| Field of Study | The employment should be in an organisation/role related to the field of study that the international students are aiming to complete. | There is no requirement for the employment to be related to the field of study that the international student is enrolled in. |
How to Select the Right Courses in Canada?
Now that we know what the popular courses in Canada are, the next step is to select the right course to study in Canada. From defining your academic and career goals to understanding your strengths and weaknesses, certain steps must be completed before finalising the course you will study in the country this year. Here are some steps you should take to choose from the popular courses in Canada:
- Define your Academic and Career Goals: Whether you wish to pursue a career after graduation or further studies, your current choices will determine the path you will be able to take.
- If you plan on working after graduation, it is advisable to pursue a degree programme in the field with the most dynamic career pathways.
- If you plan on pursuing further studies after graduation, it is advisable to pursue a degree programme that provides a solid foundation for the next academic programme you wish to pursue.
- Align your Strengths to the Course: Every individual is born with certain academic strengths and weaknesses, which you should figure out before finalising on any degree programme. Based on these strengths, find out which academic discipline fits you the best, allowing you to pursue the career paths with the best growth potential.
- Align your Aspirations: All of us have dreamt and planned on living and pursuing a career that we love. Therefore, while choosing the logical route is a safe option, sometimes choosing the route that you have always dreamt of pursuing can be a life-changing decision you need.
- Define your Budget for the Course: One of the biggest hurdles any student has to overcome when studying abroad is the financial challenges. Before even applying to a course abroad, it is important to understand and set your financial capabilities to cover all the costs associated with studying abroad. Depending on these financial capabilities, ensure all the costs, i.e. tuition fees, student visa fees, accommodation fees, living expenses, and travel expenses, can be covered.
While there are several programmes and courses in Canada to choose from, it is important to complete the steps described above to make the most of your opportunities. Clear and defined goals and milestones are the best way to ensure you make the right choices and the right moves when it comes to your academic and professional prospects. Canada is known for a number of reasons, but primarily because of the extensive immigration possibilities set aside specifically for international students. These opportunities, when planned and organised, can help you lead a successful and lucrative life. Connect with AECC Counsellors today and get expert guidance on choosing the right course to study in Canada.