Pathway Program for International Students in Canada
Study in Canada as an international student
Canada is recognized as one of the top nations for international students in the world. With an aim to provide quality education at the affordable cost of living, Canada is ranked the most favored nation, plus the first choice for international students. Apart from career development opportunities, Canada also offers the best immigration option regarding international students to encourage them to transit into a permanent residence after completion of the study. For your reference here is the general path to follow, if you are also want to study in Canada’s top universities.
General Process of Canada Study Permit
- Understanding colleges’ and courses requirements
- Selection of Course and Institution
- Language Proficiency Test (IELTS, TOEFL)
- Application to Canada Universities
- Application for Study Permit
- Interview Process by Immigration officer
- Immigration formalities, and then Approval
On receiving a Letter of Acceptance from Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI), potential international students can further proceed for the Canada study permit. In some cases, permission is conditional on students’ language ability, where international students need to attain a language course as a pathway program. After completion of the language course, the students will be shifted to the main study program.
What is a Pathway Program?
International students who have desires to study in Canada, but worried about their English proficiency then the Pathway program is the best solution for the same. Pathway programs are the ways for international students to get comfortable with the Canadian education system and prepare themselves for the primary study program.
International students can take a pathway program as a form of language course as well. In which, they need to attain language proficiency for the main study courses with completion of a language course at first. Such a language course is referred to as a pathway program, whereas another course or degree course is referred to as the main study program, which makes the two stages of the pathway programs.
How pathway programs help international students in Canada?
There are enormous reasons to give for why international students need to choose the pathway program in Canada. So, here we are sharing some of the best reasons for your reference to look for the pathway program first.
Language Skills improvement
International students who have a desire to study in Canada, need to prove a certain level of English language proficiency. To figure out the student’s English score levels there are standardized tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. In order to get admission for the desired course at university or college, students need to score the test with certain points. And here comes the role of the pathway programs, that teach as well train international students to acquire the valid language score to attain the main course.
Giving enough time to Choose the major program/course
If you have a desire to study in Canada, but you aren’t sure about which subject to choose and the program to opt for. Then, attaining the pathway programs gives you some time to think and adjust to the Canadian education system. Also, enough time for ideas to try and test during the pathway program. So you have around one year to find the best study course you want to take afterward.
Better for admission in undergraduate programs
Many Canadian universities offer pathway programs for international students supporting them to acquire admission into course after the program completion. Means, students who completed a pathway program with required test scores(GPA) become eligible for the main college or university.
Time to adjust with new cultures, environments, and peoples
Apart from making international students comfortable with the English language, the pathway program for international students also supports them to get used to with Canadian cultures and education systems. They can socialize with others in the same course, make a connection and get comfortable with the situation that supports their learning ability as well.
Suggested Pathway Program for International Students
The purpose of the pathway program is to prepare international students to get entry into the Canada university. The programs train the international student in Canada, for the nature of subjects and courses they applied. Also, with developing their language fluency in speaking, writing, listening, and reading to the optimum level of course need.
Especially for those students who can’t make it from English language test scores, pathway programs are the option they better to go with. There are multiple canada pathway programs offered by Canadian universities that international students can opt for.
Multiple pathway programs offered by Canadian universities and colleges are due to the collaboration with the language schools to make it easy for international students to move from pathway programs to the main course of study.
If you are planning to study in Canada and looking for some right options, then further we are sharing the pathway programs for your help. This is our suggested pathway program offered by York University School of Continuing Studies.
York University School of Continuing Studies
With an aim to provide high-quality English training programs for students and specialists, for their academic to professional purposes, York University is the best fit for international students in Canada. Whether you are an absolute beginner or doctorate, York University offers a wide range of custom-designed programs to all students.
Here are the best pathway programs that help you reach there.
- Pre-destination York
- Destination York
- YU Bridge
1. Predestination York
Focusing on the students who have not achieved the required language score to enter in DY (Destination York) program, Predestination York is for them with an eight-week duration program of the English language.
The program gives a student an opportunity to improve their language proficiency and academic skills required for the destination York course. Enrolled students in the Predestination York program, successfully qualify themselves to the Destination York program with scoring IELTS 6.0.
Some of the course details:
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Class size: 17 students (Approx.)
- Class time: 20 hours/week
- Support services
- Goal: Scoring IELTS 6.0 and more
2. Destination York
Destination York is an eight-week pathway program for international students to enroll in after applying to a degree program at York University. The program is designed especially for high school graduates, fulfilling their need for further education.
The program is developed with two separate parts, one is an eight-week academic English language program and another with an undergraduate degree program of four years at york university.
The best thing about this program is, on completion of destination York students become eligible to meet the York U language entry needs. Students of this program get the customized feedback from qualified instructors constantly, and key areas to focus on for excel at language proficiency.
Timely counseling services of Destination York, supporting students to ensure that pathway into York university is quite smooth. Comprehensive guidance and support from workshops to keep students informed and updated.
Some of the course details:
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Class size: 16 students (Approx.)
- Class time: 30 hours/week
- Support services
- Language entry requirement
- Education need: High School graduate
3. YU Bridge
YU Bridge program is designed for high achiever international high school graduates, that combines English language and academic credit courses. On completion of this eight-month program, students are able to achieve the required level of English that is needed to enter York university’s degree programs.
Students enrolled in the Bridge program get a conditional offer of acceptance for York University. The duration of the program is eight months of 25 hours per week study that involves academic English, tutorial, lectures along with credit courses like arts, science, health, engineering, media, arts, and design.
The course intends with focusing on future studies requirements of the students, hence tutorial leaders are assigned as per their expertise with academic subjects and records with the international students.
Also, students can expect the training and guidance from this program, to assist them to score IELTS 6.5 level, which is also the requirement to enroll in York University.
Some of the course details:
- Duration: 8 months
- Class size: 17 students (Max.)
- Class time: 20 hours/week (Synchronous: 15 hours, Asynchronous: 5 hours)
- Support services
- Access to the academic and non-academic services
Pathway program and Canada study permits
Things you need to do before applying for the pathway program are, If the duration of the pathway program is more than 6 months then, prospective international students need to apply for a Canada study permit. And a study permit is not mandatory when course length is less than 6 months.
But still, Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), are the conditions to follow. On completion of the pathway program, potential students need to apply for a main program study permit. That applies to all international students attaining pathway programs.
How to get started with the Pathway Program?
If you are not sure about which pathway program to enroll in, then it’s perfectly fine. Most students want to study in Canada, have no idea about which course they want to study at college or university. Most colleges also do not require students to come with a major course choice all the time when enrolling for the first time. In that case, you need to take certain courses, a pathway program to enroll in before the core subject course.
First things you require to opt for your desired subject and course of study at Canada’s universities and colleges. Look for specific course details that you want to take, also compare every option’s eligibility criteria.
Find that procedure to follow for enrolling in relevant colleges and universities. Also check, if you need to submit an application or pathway programs there or not. Prefer the option in which you find your right course that fulfilling your subject needs and you reach that course eligibility.
Every international college and university has its pathway programs for international students focusing on diverse needs, that consider the educational level and subject requirements.
As aspirant international students in Canada, you need to do some search for the relevant pathway programs and universities of your purpose.
Are you facing any issues regarding study in Canada or need help in finding the right pathway program? Surely, you need an immigration expert here. We are here to help you in choosing the right option, with proper guidance so that you can take the first step towards study in Canada, confidently.
For more information, get in touch with our team.
Cheers !