If you’re thinking about studying abroad, one of the biggest decisions you need to make is where you want to study. There are many factors that may guide which destinations you consider: affordability, program quality, post-graduation work opportunities, career alignment, and more.
Canada is high on many students’ list of top study abroad destinations. Why? Well, there are many great reasons to choose Canada for your international education!
Canada is home to several of the world’s top-ranked colleges and universities. These innovative institutions blend classes taught by dedicated professors with co-op terms where you can build practical career skills. Plus, Canada offers flexible work-while-studying policies, strong post-graduation work opportunities, and the ability to bring your family with you.
Let’s take a closer look at why you should study in Canada in 2025 and beyond.
ApplyBoard can help you find the right Canadian study program, organize your documents, and prepare you to arrive in Canada, all on one platform.
Canadian Universities and Colleges Are World Class
Canada is home to some of the world’s top post-secondary institutions. In fact, in Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2025, eight Canadian universities were ranked in the world’s top 200! It’s no wonder there were nearly one million international students in Canada in 2024.
Whether you’re enrolling at a polytechnic where you can build hands-on skills for success in the skilled trades, are upskilling to pursue in-demand STEM jobs, or are applying for a master’s program, Canada’s diverse education sector offers options to suit every student. While different kinds of Canadian institutions offer varied learning experiences, they have a shared goal of providing high-quality education to domestic and international students.
If you’re planning to study in Canada, check out our guide on everything you need to know about applying for a Canadian study permit.
Education in Canada Offers Unique, Hands-On Learning
Studying at a college or university in Canada will look different for every student. However, a common thread across many programs is the opportunity to build your career-related skills in a work-integrated learning opportunity. Whether it’s a co-op term, practicum, or internship, these (usually) paid positions let you mix classroom studies with hands-on experience at local workplaces. It can be a fantastic way to learn where you’d like to be after graduation—or learn which work environments don’t suit your goals or personality.
Canadian universities are pioneers and innovators in the co-op term system. And while the co-op system started in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), you’ll find programs with co-ops across Canada in fields from arts to health care.
Canadian Institutions Drive Innovation
Canada is known for its strong history of research and development, rooted in ground-breaking studies conducted at Canadian institutions. In fact, in 2024, Canada ranked in the top fifteen countries worldwide on the Global Innovation Index! Students who study in Canada benefit from access to cutting-edge facilities, world-renowned faculty, and research funding opportunities that can turn ideas into inventions.
Many of Canada’s top universities are part of the U15 Group of research-intensive universities, which hold over 80% of all Canadian university patents. Thanks to professors and students at these and other Canadian universities, Canada is recognized as a hub of technological, scientific, social, and medical advancements. In recent years, Canada has led the way on the development of artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, rapid-response vaccines, advanced carbon capture, ocean and climate monitoring, and much more.
If you’re looking for a Canadian program that can lead to an in-demand career, be sure to use the “High Job Demand” program tag filter on the ApplyBoard platform!
Canada Provides a Balance of Study, Work, and Family
Working while studying is part of many students’ realities. We get it: over half of our most recent survey respondents said that they’ll need to work while studying abroad. The good news is that Canada has flexible work-while-studying policies.
Since November 2024, international students have been able to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week in Canada. That allowance ties with Australia for the most generous work-while-studying timing among the ‘Big Four’ English-language destinations (Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Plus, international students don’t have to wait a minimum amount of time before applying for work, and they may work on- or off-campus while following the conditions of their Canadian student visa.
Scholarships can also help provide financial support for your Canadian study abroad journey. Learn more about how ApplyBoard can help you find eligible scholarships.
Canada also continues to welcome students’ families. International students at all levels can apply to bring dependents (partners and unmarried minor children) with them to Canada. And, the partners of students in post-graduate studies and select professional degrees (like a Bachelor’s of Education, Engineering, Law, or Nursing) are eligible for open Canadian work permits. This is more permissive than the UK or US. In the US, dependents’ ability to work is limited (dependent F-2 and M-2 visa holders may not work). In the UK, generally only postgraduate research students may bring dependents.
Canadian Post-Study Opportunities are Unparalleled
Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is one of the most attainable after-graduation work opportunities for international students. Students who graduate from eligible programs that are as short as eight months long may qualify. Additionally, PGWP doesn’t have an age cap, so post-secondary graduates at any stage in life can benefit from gaining Canadian work experience.
One of PGWP’s strengths is its flexibility. Participants can work anywhere in Canada, and may change employers at any time. Not every job works out, and the PGWP program lets grads find a company that suits them better, or a role which is a better use of their skills.
Another advantage of PGWP is its duration: graduates from postgraduate programs and select undergraduate programs may be eligible for PGWPs of up to three years. This may be the case even if their study program was only two years long (or, with accelerated master’s programs, sometimes even shorter).
Before starting your journey to Canada, ensure you’re up-to-date on Canada’s PGWP requirements. Since November 2024, PGWP entrance criteria (study program eligibility and language proficiency) have changed. For example, non-degree college graduates need to have studied in a field that aligns with Canada’s labour market needs to be PGWP-eligible.
Great news for international students thinking of studying in Canada: the Canadian government recently added nearly 120 new fields of study that are eligible for PGWP, starting July 4, 2025.
From cutting-edge programs to excellent post-graduation work opportunities, there are lots of reasons to choose Canada as your study destination. It’s a welcoming country where international students like you can build your skills both in the classroom and in work-integrated learning. We wish you best of luck in your study abroad journey!
Ready to start? Find a Canadian study program that suits your goals on the free ApplyBoard platform.
