Canadian universities offer plenty of  higher education opportunities for International students, but it can be difficult to distinguish facts from misinformation when actually exploring your options.

The following are the top five things you should know about Canadian universities:

1. Understand the terms in universities and colleges in Canada:

When exploring higher education options in Canada, it is important to understand how colleges and universities differ. Unlike in the United States, where the terms “college” and “university” are used to mean the same thing, in Canada they are very different. Colleges in Canada are comparable to American-style “community colleges” and are more focused on applied learning and practical training towards a particular job. In Canada, universities offer academic and professional degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level across a range of disciplines which support a variety of careers. Among these universities in Canada are three that rank in the top 100 globally.

Another important distinction is that universities also often offer more housing support than colleges in Canada. For instance, at the University of Toronto, HAS  accommodations for more than 10,000 students.

2. Most Canadian universities are not significantly impacted by recent changes to study permit allocations in Canada:

Earlier this year, the Canadian government introduced a two-year cap on international student admissions. While this cap may affect students applying to colleges across the country, the government did not reduce the number of international students coming to universities to the same degree. We are seeing much greater limitations for colleges than for universities.

In fact, international student interest in Canadian universities, remains very strong. This fall, international students once again made up approximately one-third of our incoming students. We are confident that we will continue to welcome international students from around the world, including from India, in 2025 and beyond.  

We understand, however, how this news about study permit caps could leave students and their families feeling confused or concerned, so we have made International Student Immigration Advisors available to support students throughout the application and enrolment process.

3. Canada remains an excellent option for a university education:

Canadian universities offer a safe and welcome space for all students. Toronto, especially, is consistently ranked one of the safest major cities in the world. It’s diverse and welcoming for newcomers from across the globe, which is reflected in our community at University of Toronto, with students from 180 countries.

4. International students are supported throughout their experience at Canadian universities:

At most universities, international students have access to the full range of support and resources offered to domestic students.

5. While the cost of living in Canada is high, it’s on-par with other top education destinations such as the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom:

Many countries across the world are dealing with affordability and the impact of inflation. It is important to remember the value of a Canadian education, and especially the global education opportunities available to those studying in Canada.international rankings.

The author is Vice-President, International at the University of Toronto, Canada.