Upcoming Intakes in Canada 2026

Students wishing to gain admission and study in Canada have the opportunity to choose from numerous intakes available annually, giving them the liberty of deciding when their academic journey begins. These admission intakes have a well-defined timeline with fixed deadlines within which an application should be made. The three major intakes in Canada are known as the fall, winter and summer intakes.

The fall intake, starting in September, is the most coveted as all programmes and courses of universities and colleges are offered. The winter intake, the classes of which start in January, offers another entry point for students looking for mid-year starts to their higher studies. Finally, the summer intake that primarily runs through May and June caters to students looking for shorter terms or specific programmes.

Let’s learn a little more about the different intakes in Canada and how international students can benefit from each for their academic journey abroad.

Choosing the Best Intakes in Canada

Different intakes in Canada offer different opportunities and benefits to international students. Therefore, when planning for your higher studies in the country, it is important to plan according to the admission intake season you wish to enrol in. Let’s take a look at each intake in the country and what it offers students.

Admission Deadlines for Different Intakes in Canada

While planning for higher studies in Canada, adhering to the admission deadlines of different intakes in Canada is the only way to ensure successful enrolment. Each university will determine the specific deadlines for each intake; however, the general deadlines are usually around the same time throughout the country. Outlined below are the admission deadlines that you should abide by when applying to top universities in Canada.

Note: When researching different courses and universities, it is important to make a note of the application deadline window for each programme to ensure you submit your application on time. Subsequently, you can connect with AECC Counsellors and get expert guidance to understand the intricacies of the Canadian admission processes with ease.

Fall Intake in Canada

Among the three intakes in Canada, the fall intake is the most popular intake with the largest number and variety of courses and scholarships on offer. Therefore, if you are planning to study in Canada this year, then this intake may be the one for you. Here’s a brief overview of the fall intake and how you can benefit from choosing it for your higher studies in the country.

Benefits

• The largest number and variety of undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, as well as diploma programmes are available for students applying to Canadian colleges and universities. The larger variety of courses provides greater opportunities for enrolment in an academic year.
• Similarly, the fall intakes also bring in the most scholarship opportunities in Canada for international students. The greater number of scholarship opportunities means a greater chance at reducing the financial commitment of studying abroad.
• The fall intake is the commencement intake for any academic year at Canadian universities and colleges, which means admissions to campus activities, clubs, societies, and sports teams are also at an all-time high for the year.

Application Procedure

• Application Deadlines: Unique to each Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada, the application deadlines for the fall intake will vary between universities. However, the application window for the fall intake in Canada usually runs between December of the year before and March of the year of enrolment.
• Documents Required: Basic documents like previous academic transcripts, i.e. Class 12 transcripts for bachelor’s and Bachelor’s for Master’s programmes, English Language Proficiency (ELP) scores like IELTS or TOEFL, standardised test scores like SAT/ACT or GRE and GMAT, Letters of Recommendation, Statements of Purpose, Portfolio (if required) and any other documents specified by individual universities.
• Visa Process: Being one of the most popular intakes in Canada, visa applications should be done while abiding by strict timelines, since the Canadian embassy will see higher visa applications, which will lead to delayed visa processing times. Therefore, to travel and enter Canada before the commencement of your classes, it is important to apply as soon as possible.

Universities Accepting Fall Intake

Being the most popular intake, all universities and colleges accept international student applications for the fall intake in Canada. Among the top universities accepting admissions during the fall intake are:

• McGill University
• University of Toronto
• University of British Columbia
• University of Alberta

Winter Intake in Canada

Of the three intakes in Canada, the winter intake in Canada is the second most popular intake and often offers unique benefits and opportunities to candidates who missed out on applying for the fall intake. Let’s check out some of those benefits and opportunities:

Benefits

• This is an opportunity for students who missed the cutoff earlier or would like to start their programme later than the traditional fall intake.
• While a smaller list of degree programmes is on offer during the winter intake, many students still opt to begin their higher studies during this intake for different reasons.
• Fewer applications result in less competition during the admission process, as fewer applicants are fighting for the same seat at any university in Canada. Compared to the fall intake, there is a greater enrolment success rate.
• The later admission also provides students a longer period for preparation, allowing for an even higher success rate during both the admission and visa application process.

Application Procedure

• Application Deadlines: The Winter intake is specific to a limited number of universities accepting international student applications. For this intake, the application window usually runs between September and November, before classes commence in January.
• Documents Required: Basic documents proving the identity and financial capability of the student, along with the appropriate academic transcripts and records, including but not limited to standardised test scores like SAT/ACT or GRE/GMAT scores, ELP test scores like IELTS or TOEFL, Letters of Recommendation and Statements of Purpose.
• Visa Processing: As mentioned above, the later admission cycle may allow for a shorter processing time; however, aspirants are advised to apply as soon as possible to avoid last-minute hassles.

Universities Accepting Winter Intake

Unlike the fall intake, there is a limited number of universities that accept international student applications during the winter intake. Some of the more popular universities for admissions during this intake are:

• McGill University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Alberta
• Dalhousie University

Summer Intake in Canada

Among the three intakes in Canada, the summer intake is the least common, offering the fewest number and variety of degree programmes to international students. This intake acts as a pathway for students who were not able to qualify for other intakes and allows them to pursue pathway courses that qualify them for college or university courses. The course offerings are usually short-term courses, language courses, pathway courses or postgraduate courses. Here are some things to consider if you are planning to enrol during the summer intake in Canada:

Benefits

• Designed to offer fast-tracked or condensed programmes, the summer intake allows international students to choose short-term or pathway courses to study and live in Canada.
• This intake also helps students choose courses that can strengthen their academic portfolio and records, especially if they were not able to qualify for admission in the previous intakes in Canada.
• With mostly short-term courses on offer, international students can take this opportunity to enrol in courses that instil new skills and qualifications as well.
• Summer sessions usually have specialised courses or electives that are not really available during the regular school year, which is an experience that affords a student a greater specificity in university coursework.
• As a result of the limited student admissions for the summer session, classes are generally smaller and students can get greater personalised attention from professors and foster better relationships with them.

Application Procedure

• Application Deadlines: The application window usually runs between October and March before the commencement of the classes. However, this window will be specific to university and college requirements; therefore, visit individual websites to note the dates.
• Documents Required: Basic academic transcripts as per requirements for short-term courses, sufficient funds to cover the cost of study, ELP test scores and other academic documents that the institution may require.
• Visa Requirements: Depending on the length of the programme you enrol into, you may be required to apply for the Visitor Visa instead of the student permit. Since many short-term courses may be shorter than 6 months long. For courses that require more than 6 months to complete, international students must acquire a Canadian student permit.

Documents Required to Apply for Canadian Institutions

If you plan to start your higher studies during one of the intakes in Canada, it is essential to have the following documents in hand before the application process begins.

Documents Required for Canadian University Application

Here are the documents required to apply for various programmes at Canadian universities.

• Valid passport
• Academic Transcripts, i.e. for 12th subject scores for Bachelor’s and for Master’s programmes, the relevant Bachelor’s degree.
• English Language Proficiency (ELP) Test Scores: Relevant scores in popular tests like IELTS Academic, Cambridge English, PTE Academic, Duolingo, TOEFL iBT, or any other accepted tests.
• Standardised Test Scores: Some Canadian universities consider SAT/ACT scores for undergraduate courses; however are not mandatory for admissions. Some graduate programmes may require international students to submit valid GRE or GMAT scores.
• 2-3 Letters of Recommendation, as the admission requirements specify.
• Statement of Letters or answer questions asked by the university to determine the motivation and reason behind the student's application.
• Academic portfolio, for courses that require it.

Documents Required for Canadian Student Permit

After Enrolment, students must complete the visa application, which requires the following documents:

• Letter of Acceptance or Enrolment from the respective university
• Proof of payment of first-year tuition fees
• PAL/TAL from the university after accepting the university enrolment and completing the payment of the tuition and university fees
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the costs of studying and living in Canada
• A medical exam before application, if required
• Police Certificate before application, if required
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN $10,000
• Acceptance Certificate for Quebec (CAQ) for Quebec studies
• Valid eTA or Visitor Visa, if required

Application Timeline for Intakes in Canada

If you have finalised to pursue your university education in this country, then you must make a checklist and a schedule to complete every task required to ensure you enrol during any one of the intakes in Canada. Here is a timeline that you can follow when applying to Canadian colleges and universities:

• Research Universities/Courses: Shortlist and finalise a couple of universities/colleges where you found the appropriate course/degree programme for you to pursue. In fact, also shortlist different courses that align with your academic and professional goals to increase your chances of enrolment.
• Read the Admission Requirements: After shortlisting the courses and universities, thoroughly read the admission requirements and make a note of all the important eligibility requirements that you need to qualify to enrol in your desired programme.
• Prepare and Attempt Standardised Tests: Make a note of the test scores you need to submit as part of the university application form, i.e. standardised tests such as SAT/ACT and GRE/GMAT and English Language Proficiency (ELP) tests like IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT and others. Plan, prepare for and schedule the appropriate tests to submit with your student application form.
• Finalise the Recommendation Letters and Statement of Purpose: Where required, connect with teachers/professors who can help write your LORs and get professional help to structure your SOPs in the best possible manner.
• Compile all Documents: Once all the tests, letters, certificates and other documents have been received, compile them in an organised manner and keep them ready for the admission processes.
• Ensure Financial Capability: A crucial step to complete is ensuring that you possess the financial capability to pay the tuition/university fees, as well as the standard costs of living in Canada. As per visa requirements, students must provide a minimum of CA $22,895 to cover the living costs of one year, over and above the tuition fees. This can be done by finding a sponsor or applying for an education loan, or even scholarships/fellowships that cover the entire cost of studying abroad.
• Note Deadlines: Visit the official university website where you wish to enrol and note down all the application deadlines mentioned. You must adhere to the mentioned deadlines to avoid cancellation of your application and months of hard work.
• Submit the Application: Usually, the application form is submitted via the university portal; however, some universities accept admissions through a common portal for university applications, while there may be degree-wise application portals as well. It is important to check the application process of each university before beginning your application process.
• Await Responses: After submitting the application form, candidates can only wait to receive a response from the universities. Students can utilise this time to practice being interviewed, either by asking those who have cleared the same processes in Canada or by connecting with study abroad counsellors who can provide professional help.
• Complete the Next Steps: If you receive a positive response, the university will outline the next steps for you to complete, which may include appearing for interviews and/or group discussions. If you receive a negative response, you can request the university to highlight the reasons why your application was unsuccessful so that you can improve on those facts and apply in the next round of admissions.
• Receive the Letter of Enrolment: After being accepted as a student of the university, the university will send you a letter of acceptance, which will highlight the tuition or university fees that you need to pay to enrol for the academic year. Students will be given some time to consider their options and accept the offer.
• Receive the PAL/TAL: After accepting the university admission offer and paying the fees, students will receive the Provincial Acceptance Letter or Territorial Acceptance Letter (PAL/TAL), which they must submit during the student visa application process.
• Apply for Student Visa: After receiving the PAL/TAL, students can apply for the Canadian Student Visa, i.e. the Student Permit. Students must complete the entire visa process, including appearing for interviews (if required) and submitting the appropriate documents.
• Book your Tickets and Pack your Things: The final steps will require you to plan your travel to Canada. After successfully clearing your student visa application, you can book the tickets to Canada as early as possible to avoid last-minute hikes in fares. After landing in Canada, you will receive your student visa, which will allow you to stay in Canada as an international student for the duration of your programme, with an additional 90 days to plan and prepare for your next steps.

Admissions across the different universities and colleges are done through various intakes in Canada. These intakes serve as the entry to quality education and academics that allow individuals to grow their academic profile and lay an impeccable foundation for their careers. Therefore, planning your application process and higher studies according to these intakes in the country will allow for a seamless transition to higher studies. Now that you are aware of the summer, winter and fall intakes in Canada, you will be able to better prepare for the admission process in the next academic year. Or, connect with AECC counsellors today and get expert guidance and counselling to study in Canada.