Study in Canada: Key Application Terms 

Here are some important key terms you should know if you are planning to study in Canada.

Provinces & Territories: 

• Canada is made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Going from West to East, the provinces are British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador. 
• The three territories in Canada are Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut.

Associate Degree:

• An associate degree is granted after a program of study generally lasting two years. It is considered more advanced than a high school diploma or a certificate, but less advanced than a Bachelor degree. 
• In Canada, universities and colleges may offer associate degree programs, which are often considered as foundational degrees which can be transferred to another university for further study.

Apply Alberta: 

• ApplyAlberta is an online application and transcript transfer system that anyone can use to apply to undergraduate programs at one or more of Alberta’s post-secondary institutions.  

EducationPlanner BC:

• An EducationPlannerBC account allows you to apply for admission to BC universities, colleges, and institutes. 
• You can save your personal and contact information, along with your academic history to make it easier to apply to multiple institutions. In-progress applications can also be saved to complete at a later date.

OUAC (Ontario Universities’ Application Centre):

• OUAC stands for the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre. It is a centralized application service for applicants to Ontario universities. 
• The OUAC receives and processes applications and then transfers them to the universities the applicants select.

OCAS (Ontario College Application Service):

• The ontariocolleges.ca website is the go-to information source for anyone looking to change their life with an Ontario college education.
• It’s built to help you explore colleges and programs by name or location and learn about student life, housing, services, and more.

Designated Learning Institution (DLI):

• A DLI is an educational institution that has been recognised by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• To apply for a study permit, you need an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI). 

Student Visa (Study Permit):

• A document permitting temporary residence in Canada for the purpose of pursuing a study program at a Canadian university. In most cases, an international student pursuing a study program in Canada that is longer than six months in length requires a Canadian study permit. 
• It is the responsibility of the study permit holder to ensure that he or she meets the requirements of the permit and maintains his or her status in Canada. 

Co-op Program:

• Some study programs include work experience as part of their curriculum. You can apply for co-op if you have a valid study permit, are required to work in order to complete your study program in Canada, have a letter from your school that confirms you need to complete work placements to get your degree, and your co-op placement or internship totals 50% or less of your study program.
• It is important to note that an individual applying for a co-op work permit must hold a valid study permit.

Proof of Funds:

• Individuals applying for a Canadian study permit are required to demonstrate that they can support themselves, and any accompanying family members, during their studies.
• For proof, you must get official letters from any banks or financial institutions where you have an account.

Quebec Acceptance Certificate:

• To follow a course of more than six months in Québec as a foreign student, you must obtain the following two documents: Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies, issued by the government of Québec and study permit, issued by the government of Canada. 

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):

• The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows students who have graduated from eligible schools to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
• The length of your PGWP depends on the level and duration of your study program, as well as the expiry date of your passport, whichever comes first.

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