Top 7 Reasons Students in Singapore Should Consider Studying in Canada

31/10/2024•17 minute read

With so many options available for studying abroad as an international student, it can be hard to choose between the diverse offerings of each place. For instance, Canada has recently emerged as a sought-after destination for international students, making it a worthy alternative to established study destinations, such as the US and UK.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the benefits of studying in Canada, especially as a student from Singapore! We’ll be going over factors such as the quality of its education system, relatively affordable tuition costs, and the high quality of life it boasts for its students and residents.

But before we dive in, let’s take a look at where Canada stands in relation to the options for higher education offered by the US and UK!

Studying in the US vs. Canada vs. the UK: A Brief Overview

Factor	US	Canada	UK
Tuition Fees (for international students)	Costs per year tend to run between US$90,000 to US$100,000.	On average, $31,600 CAD per year.	International undergraduate tuition fees vary from £11,400 - £38,000 per year, depending on your course and institution.
Education Ranking: QS	The US has 16 universities which land in the top 50 globally.	Canada has 3 universities within the top 50 globally - namely, they are the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia.	The UK has 8 universities that land within the top 50 globally.
Application Process	Some universities make use of the Common Application, while others will require you to apply individually. So it’s important you make sure to check the deadlines and requirements! You’ll want to have these documents ready.	There is no centralised portal, so you’ll have to apply to each institution individually, via provincial portals like EducationPlannerBC, or the Ontario Universities Application Centre.. You’ll want to make sure you check the deadlines, and have these documents ready.	Universities in the UK use a centralised portal, UCAS, to manage their university applications each year. Ideally, a student will submit their top 5 choices for university, and will be informed of their outcomes subsequently.
Average Class Size	Top universities in the US, like Harvard and Columbia, typically have a class size of around 12-20 students.	Though freshman classes start out large, typical class sizes are around 25 students.	Average class sizes in the UK are typically between 20 to 30 students.
Post-Graduate Work Opportunities	As an international student, there are a range of extensions you can apply for with your existing F-1 visa, depending on your line of work.	After you’ve completed your course of study, you can apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit, which will allow you to work in Canada for up to 3 years.	Following the completion of your course, you’ll be able to apply for a graduate visa which lets you remain and work in the UK for 2 years.

World-Class Education System

It’s now no secret that Canada has a world-class education system, with its priorities focused on academic excellence and innovation. Some of its universities feature prominently in the top 50 of the latest QS world rankings, standing in the company of prestigious universities like Harvard or Yale! For instance, the University of Toronto stands at 25th place, followed by McGill at 29th, and the University of British Columbia in 38th place.

Much like other institutions, each of these universities has its own area of expertise. If you’re interested in pursuing the STEM route, you might consider the University of Toronto for its reputable research contributions to the field. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in pursuing fields like business or the humanities, the universities of McGill and British Columbia have strong faculty representing each field respectively.

Affordable Tuition and Cost of Living

One of the main benefits of studying in Canada is that your education will be quite cost-effective. In fact, Canadian university fees are often more affordable compared to those in the US and UK, even for international students. This range lands somewhere between $31,000 to $65,000 CAD, depending on the school and course you choose. Additionally, if you’re studying somewhere outside of the major metropolitan centres like Toronto and Vancouver, this can help with bringing your cost of living down on the whole.

However, if you find that you might need financial support to pursue this route, Canada also has a range of scholarships, grants, and bursaries for international students! For instance, you might consider applying for some of the Canada International Scholarships, or the Canada Student Loan Program. However, there are eligibility laws in place for the latter which differ from province to province, so do make sure to check your eligibility according to your preference of institution!

Flexible Study Options and Co-Op Programs

A distinguishing feature of the Canadian university curriculum is its work-integrated learning structure. What this means is that the academic curriculum will be intertwined with real-world work experience. Effectively, you’ll be experiencing the practical applications of your course of study. This hands-on approach also means that you’ll be fully immersed in the industry of your choice, which is a ripe opportunity for you to build up a repertoire of soft or transferable skills for your line of work.

Additionally, programs like these are a great opportunity for you to network. By building earnest and fulfilling relationships with mentors and individuals in your industry, you’ll have a much better chance of securing work post-graduation seeing as you’ve already built a strong foundation! You’ll also be able to explore this further at the Careers office within your institution if you’d like to learn more about these opportunities.

Post-Graduation Work Opportunities

Canada offers Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs), which are open work permits for international students who graduate from a recognised Canadian program of study. The validity of this pass varies from 8 months to 3 years, depending on the length and intensity of your course. Here, it’s also important to note that not all courses at every university in Canada are eligible for this program, so do remember to check in on that when you’re choosing a course!

Ultimately, this permit is designed to help international students gain valuable work experience in the Canadian market, which will eventually be useful if you decide you want to pursue permanent residency through the Express Entry program in Canada.

Multicultural and Inclusive Society

One of Canada’s main cultural draws – especially if you’re an immigrant – is its multicultural and inclusive society! Besides the fact that Canada is a well-known bilingual country (with most people speaking English and French), it hosts a diverse community of migrants. It might not be uncommon for you to hear Punjabi or Mandarin on the streets as you go about your day, making it a true melting pot of experiences and backgrounds.

Furthermore, Canada is no stranger to welcoming international students. In 2023, the country welcomed over one million international students, many of whom discovered a strong sense of connection with the vibrant community it offers. This strong population of international students also means that there are many people who are likely to be in the same situation as you, especially when it comes to homesickness or culture shock. To remedy this, most universities tend to have international student networks – including communities from Singapore – which can function as a support system to help make your transition into this new chapter of your life a little smoother.

Safety and Quality of Life

Given that Singapore is known to be a very safe and secure place, the thought of moving elsewhere may seem a little daunting. However, moving out of Singapore doesn’t need to be scary! In fact, Canada consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world, securing the #3 spot for 2025. For instance, its low population density has led to a low rate of crime, even in city centres like Toronto and Montreal. Additionally, some provinces in Canada even offer healthcare coverage for international students, meaning that you’ll have access to free or relatively low-cost healthcare!

Additionally, you’ll also be immersed in Canada’s beautiful natural landscapes which are nurtured by its commitment to environmental cleanliness! If you’re someone who loves the great outdoors but finds that Singapore’s small size makes it hard to satisfy your thirst for adventure, Canada might be a particularly good fit for you. With its range of well-kept national parks and natural wonders like the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve or the Great Bear Rainforest, a day outdoors in Canada might provide an ideal opportunity for a breather, especially during the inevitable high-stress periods of university.

Pathways to Permanent Residency

Having gone through some of the benefits of studying and living in Canada, you might now be considering putting down roots. Luckily, Canada has laid out clear and accessible pathways to permanent residency, which makes it all the more attractive to students looking to settle down there!

For instance, you might consider applying through the Express Entry program, which is aimed at people who have eligible Canadian work experience. Seeing as you’ll need to have gained this work experience in the 3 years before you apply, either your time as an undergraduate or the period granted to you by your post-graduate work permit will be an ideal time to gain some skills to make you a competitive applicant! If your initial application is successful – consisting of making a profile and completing a questionnaire on the Express Entry portal – you’ll be sent an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.

Overall, these step-by-step pathways make it easy for you to plan your trajectory for life in Canada, especially when it comes to your long-term career aspirations!

Have questions or need help? Connect with Crimson Education for expert advice and tailored support.

We hope this blog post has provided valuable insight into the benefits of studying in Canada. If you think Canada could be the right fit for your academic journey and would like personalised advice or assistance with the application process, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with us!