What do you need to study abroad in Canada | IDP Vietnam

The Canadian government sets separate requirements for international students regarding age (middle school, high school, university, graduate) and academic qualifications. Here's a breakdown of the requirements by education level:

• For students applying for pre-university programs, the first requirement is to have completed the 11th-grade program with a GPA above 6.5 and IELTS above 5.0.

• Students applying for college or university programs need to:

• Case 1: Graduate from high school, have a GPA of 6.5 or higher, and have an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher.

• Case 2: Complete a pre-university program in Canada and accumulate enough credits before entering a college or university. Typically, the number of credits requires you to pass at least 70 to 80% of the subjects.

• Students must be at least 12 years old to be eligible to apply for high school or junior high school programs in Canada. The minimum GPA is 6.5 and the English proficiency level is equivalent to IELTS 5.0.

Students applying for a master's degree must have completed and graduated from a university in their host country with a comparable field of study. Some schools that offer programs in special

When it comes to what you need to study abroad in Canada, English is indispensable. A foundation in English is one of the necessary conditions when studying abroad, no matter which country you are in. In Canada, English and French are most used. Therefore, the learning programs and lesson plans are presented in English.

English proficiency is essential for studying in Canada, regardless of country of origin. In Canada, English and French are the most widely spoken languages. Therefore, all educational programs and teaching materials are presented in English.

What band in IELTS is needed to be eligible to study in Canada? You need to ensure you achieve an IELTS certificate according to the standards of the school you registered. In addition, you need to fully meet the English requirements depending on the level you study.

Proof of financial support to study in Canada is an important part of the Study Permit application. You need to prove that you can afford tuition and living expenses

3.1. Reference tuition fees

Tuition fees to study in Canada vary significantly depending on the school, industry, and province. Reference level:

• High school: 13,000 – 30,000 CAD/year

• College: 10,000 – 20,000 CAD/year

• Undergraduate: 20,000 – 35,000 CAD/year (some specific industries can be up to 50,000 CAD/year)

• Postgraduate: 15,000 – 30,000 CAD/year

This is a reference level for financial planning, not a tuition fee applicable to all schools.

3.2. Compulsory living expenses

From September 1, 2025, the minimum financial allowance for living expenses for an international student outside Quebec is 22,895 CAD/year, excluding tuition and travel expenses. The Canadian government says this level will be adjusted annually according to the cost of living.

If you are accompanied by a relative, the amount of money you need to prove will increase according to the number of family members.

3.3. Valid forms of financial proof

Types of financial proof may include:

• Receipt of payment of tuition fees and housing fees (at least 1 academic year; for multi-year programs, only proof of payment in the first year) is required.

• Bank account in Canada in the name of the international student (if the money has been transferred).

• A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution is accepted.

• Student/education loan certificate from the bank.

• Bank account statement for the last 4 months (account in Canada or overseas).

• Bank drafts are convertible to CAD.

• Letter confirming funding from an individual or organization (accompanied by additional documents proving the source of funds). Here are some examples of common proofs of financial ability. This is not an exhaustive list.

Contact IDP for detailed advice.

3.4. Important Notes

• Student Direct Stream (SDS) has ended on 08/11/2024. Currently, Study Permit applications are no longer submitted under the SDS program and are processed according to the current Study Permit processes.

• Financial records need to be presented transparently, logically, and fully to increase the likelihood of being granted a visa.

In addition to financial, language, and academic requirements, health is another essential factor for studying in Canada. Your health status will determine whether you can study in Canada for an extended period. All students must undergo a regular medical examination at a center designated by the Canadian Consulate (usually at IOM or Care 1 Canada) as part of their study permit application.

Medical Examination Process Before Studying in Canada:

1. Schedule an appointment at a medical facility designated by the Canadian Consulate.

2. Fill in all required personal information as requested.

3. Bring the following documents:

   • Passport

   • Completed medical examination form (IMM 1017 E) with a photo attached in the top right corner

   • Photos and the medical examination fee

4. Undergo the medical examination at the designated healthcare facility.

To obtain a Study Permit in Canada, you must meet several important conditions. You need to prepare all necessary documents, commit to complying with Canadian regulations, and understand the proper procedures for receiving your Study Permit upon arrival at Canadian customs. For students from Vietnam, once your Study Permit application is accepted, you will also receive a Canadian student visa.

Requirements for a Study Permit:

• Academic Requirement: An acceptance letter from a school on the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) list and, in some cases, a letter from the province.

• Financial Proof: Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any family members accompanying you, as well as travel costs.

• Legal Requirement: No criminal record, compliance with Canadian laws, and provision of a police clearance certificate (if required).

• Health: Good health condition, with a medical examination if required.

• Commitment to Leave Canada : A commitment to leave Canada when the Study Permit expires.

Personal Documents Required to Receive a Study Permit at Canadian Customs:

• Passport (with visa)

• Proof of tuition payment

• Letter of Acceptance

  from the enrolled school

• Letter of Introduction

  from the Canadian Embassy

How to Obtain the Study Permit:

• From Vietnam: If you apply for the Study Permit from Vietnam, you will receive an introductory letter to present at customs upon arriving in Canada.

• Within Canada: You will receive the Study Permit by mail if you are already in Canada.

For Vietnamese students, after the Study Permit is approved, you need to provide your passport to the Canadian government for visa stamping. Upon arrival at Canadian customs, request a check of your study documents to receive the Study Permit.

What does it take to study in Canada to apply for a scholarship, what is its procedure? This year, Canada has expanded its scholarship programs for international students, including colleges and universities. The value and eligibility of scholarships to study in Canada vary depending on the school, program, and level of study. Common criteria may include academic achievement, GPA, English proficiency, extracurricular activities, essays, and personal achievements.

This creates many attractive opportunities for international students, helping to ease the financial burden and encouraging them to pursue their studies in the country. Some of the necessary procedures and documents that you need to complete to be able to receive a scholarship to study in Canada include the following:

• The average GPA is good and excellent.

• IELTS minimum 6.0.

• Having a certificate or certificate of merit recognizing achievements in excellent student exams

• Participation and certification for scientific research papers.

• Participation in and certification of achievement in extracurricular activities at school.

• There is an essay as required by the scholarship.

• Participate in and pass an interview with the school board or scholarship committee

Some entrance scholarships to study in Canada are worth at least 1000 to more than 2000 CAD. Students only need to complete the respective course in their home country and meet the basic requirements for course registration and complete the application early to be attainable.

Therefore, if you want to increase your chances of receiving a scholarship to study in Canada, you should prepare your application early and carefully check the conditions, value and deadline of each program.

Read more: scholarships to study in Canada

Fully meeting the conditions to study in Canada is an important step, but choosing a school, major, and preparing the right documents also has a great impact on the study abroad journey. Accompanying a reputable Canadian study abroad consultant like IDP helps you have more information you need to make the right choice.

IDP Vietnam is an international education organization with more than 30 years of experience in Vietnam in the field of admissions and study abroad consulting. IDP accompanies students in the process of choosing schools, majors and preparing applications in many countries such as Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland.

When you choose an IDP to Study Abroad, you can get:

• 1-1 consultation on schools, majors and study abroad routes.

• Free consultation and guidance on preparing documents.

• Assistance in finding out tuition fees, scholarships to study in Canada, and entry requirements.

• Assistance with essential services such as insurance and lodging.

• Refer to the experiences of the international student community and the IDP network.

Hopefully, the above information has helped you better understand what you need to study in Canada and have the right preparation for the upcoming journey. Contact IDP for 1-1 advice and the latest information on studying in Canada.

See also:

Top 9+ Reasons Why Study in Canada

TOP 9 BEST majors to study in Canada