How to Select an University or College and Program for Higher Studies?

This document is originally written by Abdullah Al Maruf, PhD (University of Toronto).

Year of Publication: 2020

©PBSCU Any unauthorized use of this article, including copying or editing is prohibited. If you want to use the article, you need to take permission from us: pbscuadm@gmail.com or from the author and you must mention the author's name and the group's name in all cases.

Institution and program that you choose for pursuing higher studies are very important. A wrong choice can lead to the visa rejection or you may need to change the institution or the program after coming to Canada which is frustrating in addition to time consuming and wastage of money. Many institutions now do not refund tuition fees if you want to switch after getting the visa as many students leave their program after getting the visa.

You can do the following in that case:

(a) Change the institution and get enrolled in a new institution within 150 days.

How to change institution?

Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/change-schools.html

(B) Try to transfer credit to a new institution.

How to select a suitable university/college and program:

During choosing a University or College, several factors must be considered:

(1) Does it match my profile and career progression?

Google information about the program that you want to pursue (e.g., a PGD in IT) and make a list of universities or colleges that offer the program. Make an excel file and compare your qualification against their admission criteria.

"Profile Mismatch" is one of the major reasons of visa rejection. You should make sure your previous education background or job experience matches to the new program so that it looks like a rational career progression. If you choose a complete new program, make sure you write strong reasons of changing track. A well-written individualized study plan can help you convince a visa officer.

(2) What do students say about this institution and the program?

Check reviews of the program and the University or College. Search like this in Google, different higher study groups, and canadavisa forum:

"Institution Name" Student Reviews

"Program Name" in "Institution Name" Reviews

"Program Name" Visa Rejection

"Institution Name" Visa Rejection

You should also look for current students studying in that program/institution. Ask them about the quality of education, do they recommend the program, do they pursue the program or typically leave the program after moving to Canada, tuition fees or any other fees, quality of faculty members and student life in the city, post-degree job opportunities.

(3) What do you know about the program and the institution?

- World or Canada ranking of the university/college and the program?

- Tuition fees of the program and how it compares with other programs/institutions.

- Geographical location and possible cost of living

(4) Is the program PGWP-eligible and the length of PGWP?

From this websites, you can find out these information:

Eligibility: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/designated-learning-institutions-list.html

Length: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/post-graduation-work-permit-program/permit.html#validity

NOTE:

(1) Some universities and colleges have a DLI but NOT all of their programs are PGWP-eligible.

(2) PGWP length is very important if you want to work towards a PR application.

(5) What are the post-degree job opportunities?