How to Study in Canada as an International Student

The journey at a glance

Studying in Canada as an international student follows a clear sequence: choose a program and a school, meet its admission requirements, receive a letter of acceptance, apply for a study permit, and then arrive and enrol. Each step is run by a different body — the university handles admission, while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) handles the study permit.

This guide is general information to help you plan, not immigration advice. Rules, fees, and deadlines change, so confirm every detail on the official Government of Canada source and the school's own website before you act.

• Pick a program + a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Meet admission requirements and get a letter of acceptance
• Apply for a study permit through IRCC
• Arrive, complete enrolment, and begin studies

Step 1 — Choose a program and a DLI

Start by deciding what and where you want to study. To study in Canada you must enrol at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) — a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. IRCC publishes the official list of DLIs, and a school's DLI number is needed for your study permit application.

Look at the program itself (courses, length, co-op options), the campus location and climate, and the total cost of living and tuition. A separate guide in this series, "How to Choose a Canadian University," walks through these fit factors in detail.

Step 2 — Meet admission requirements and apply

Each university sets its own admission requirements, which typically include your previous academic records, proof of English or French proficiency, and sometimes a statement of purpose or letters of recommendation. Requirements and deadlines differ by school and program, so always read the official program page.

Most international applicants must show language proficiency through a recognised test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic; some programs also accept the Duolingo English Test. The exact accepted tests and minimum scores are decided by each university — verify them on the official admissions page before testing.

Step 3 — Apply for a study permit

Once you have a letter of acceptance, you generally apply to IRCC for a study permit, the document that lets you study in Canada. Recent requirements have included a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for many applicants and proof of financial support, which some applicants meet through a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).

These requirements, the processing times, and the fees are set by the Government of Canada and can change. This is general information, not immigration advice — confirm the current rules, documents, and costs on the official IRCC study permit page, and see the "Canada Study Permit Guide" in this series.

Step 4 — Arrive, enrol, and settle in

After your permit is approved, you arrange travel, arrive in Canada, and complete your university's enrolment and orientation. Keep your study permit conditions in mind — for example, remaining enrolled at a DLI and making progress in your program.

Many graduates later explore staying to work, for instance through a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP); eligibility is set by IRCC and is not guaranteed by simply studying in Canada. Treat any work or stay pathway as official IRCC information to verify, not a promise.