Organization
The Canadian education system includes both publicly-funded and private schools, from kindergarten to university. Under the Canadian constitution, education is a provincial responsibility. This means that there are significant differences between the education systems of each province. Standards across the country, however, are uniformly high.

In Canada , children attend school until they attain a high school diploma (up to grade 12, about 17 to 18 years of age). After high school students may attend a university, and enroll in a four year undergraduate program (e.g. a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, or Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering). After that, people can either work or continue studying to acquire a Master's degree (roughly 2 years), and then a Doctorate (PhD- 2 to 6 years, depending on the field of study). The American system is relatively similar.

The universities offer a broad range of courses and a full range of degrees from undergraduate to doctorate, as well as certificates and professional degrees. Canadian universities are internationally known for their high standard of teaching and research. Degrees from Canadian universities are considered to be equivalent to those from American and other Commonwealth universities.

Canada has a large selection of universities and colleges situated in urban and rural settings. Canadian universities are largely publicly funded and as a result they have a consistently high standard of learning, regardless of location or area of study. Although the size of the institutions can vary greatly they all maintain a high academic level.

Each Canadian university, university college, technical school or community college sets its own requirements, such as admission conditions, tuition fees, health insurance, scholarships, lodging and living expenses, and language requirements. To obtain the necessary information to apply for any academic institution contact the schools admissions staff.

For a complete list of all Canadian schools and universities with addresses and links look at: http://www.studyincanada.com/english/sinfo/
Association of universities and colleges AAUC http://www.aucc.ca

University calendar
The university year usually runs from September to May. Universities are either on a semester or a trimester system. All courses are also available during the summer; these are known as summer sessions.

Language of instruction
In the Francophone regions of Canada , instruction is usually in French (i.e. University of Montreal ), but it is possible to find programs in English (i.e. in Quebec ). In the Anglophone regions, however, instruction can almost only be found in English- Francophone schools are very difficult to find there.

Tuition and Fees
Studying in Canada is not free, but it is affordable. Every post-secondary student in Canada has to pay tuition fees. It is, however, more expensive for foreign students than it is for Canadian students. For example the average tuition fee for one academic year for a foreign student enrolled in an Arts & Science degree is from CDN $9,800 (US$6,322). The application fee is usually between CDN $30-50. University fees can differ from one another, depending on the province, institution, program of study, and the year of study. The admissions staff will help you determine the fees required.

Degrees/Diplomas
Canadian universities offer various degrees, depending on whether it is a university, community college, Language School or a Business School . You should pick your educational institution according to the field of study you wish to pursue. When choosing an institution you should keep in mind its location, size, facilities, price and financial aid possibilities.

Diplomas from Canadian universities are recognized and well appreciated around the world and are considered to be equivalent to those from American and other Commonwealth universities.

You may change institutions and/or the program of study as long as it is at the same level. Applications for changing schools can be obtained from the nearest Canadian Immigration Center . However, if the terms and conditions on your student authorization state that you are required to attend a specific school, then if you wish to change schools, you must apply for a new student authorization and provide the appropriate documentation. This can be done while you are in Canada

Community colleges and professional institutes
Apart from universities, there are many technical schools and specialized institutes (such as NAIT - Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, SAIT - Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, DeVry Institute of Technology), where people can study for diplomas (as opposed to degrees) in technological fields. Depending on the program, people generally complete these programs in about 3 years.
For MBA information in Canada visit:
www.studyincanada.com/english/schools/mba.asp

Teaching Methods
Some institutions are more research-oriented, while others focus more on comprehensive studies. You are encouraged to look for specifics that suit your needs, and not just the overall reputation of a particular program. It may well be that a school with a lower unofficial ranking may be the best choice for your particular interests.

Depending on the post-secondary institution, the specific department, and the actual course, the number of students per class can vary greatly. Some courses have about 600 to 800 registered students, while in others there may be about 40. Relations with professors are not that great - they are normally available to answer questions, but due to the amount of students, professors do not have the time to get to know each individual.

To complete a year and to ultimately attain a degree, one must successfully complete and receive the required number of course credits. Each course that is offered is given a certain number of credits. You will be awarded the courses' credits only after successfully completing the course. One is required to register with compulsorily courses first, but you are allowed to choose courses in other areas of study to complete the amount of required credits. Many universities offer internship programs, but this depends on the university and the department

Main Schools and Universities
Canada is an international leader in computer and information technologies and has a reputation of excellence in sectors such as telecommunications, transportation and engineering (especially in aerospace), urban transport, microelectronics, medical devices, advanced software, hydro-electrics and nuclear power etc.

There is no formal ranking of institutions in Canada because there is a nationally high standard of teaching, and each institution offers a range of options and strengths that can differ from one another. However, there is an annual un-official study of all Canadian universities published by McLean Magazine.

For a full list of all Canadian educational institutions visit:
http://www.aucc.ca

The Canadian Education Center (CEC) is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to promote Canada as a leading destination for international students, and as a source for international business and group training. The CEC Network also markets Canadian distance education (e-Learning) programs.

There are 19 Canadian Education Centers around the world. Information on Canadian educational institutions is disseminated through these CECs - which offer reputable and high-quality information resource centers, staffed with experienced individuals. CECs have extensive materials on Canadian schools and can also provide counseling to students on finding the appropriate institution and applying to study in Canada .

For the office nearest you visit
http://www.studyincanada.com/english/cec/index.asp

Programs
Canadian Academic Study Abroad (CASA) is for international students seeking to study for a summer, a term, or a full academic year in Canada . CASA is the CEC Network's newest initiative. Its purpose is to gather the necessary information and provide you with a number of helpful services for studying in Canada . Programs are available at the secondary or post-secondary level, and are taught in English or French. Students must be fluent in the language of instruction and require no language training.

On the CASA's website you can find specific and general program information, information on institutions, answers to your questions through e-mail, an application form for all institutions, payment processing, forwarding of completed applications to institutions, and visa information. In some programs, a certain number of places can be reserved for CASA students.

To provide you with these services, CASA includes a US$350 administrative processing fee which is part of each program's Total Package Price. Other activities that are included in the price are rock climbing, hiking, snowboarding, skiing, beach volleyball, swimming, boating, ice hockey and much more.

The site is periodically updated with information on new programs, so visit it frequently to discover fresh opportunities at world-class institutions of the highest academic quality:

http://www.studyincanada.com/english/casa/index.asp

Principle exchange programs:
The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is a membership organization consisting of nearly 220 higher education institutions from Canada , the United States and 35 other countries. ISEP is a program that is committed to international educational exchange as an integral component of higher education that is accessible to all students regardless of social and economic background. ISEP serves its member institutions and their students by facilitating affordable university level exchanges on a reciprocal basis.

Studying abroad for a semester or a year on an ISEP exchange costs a little more than studying and living at home. You pay the normal cost of tuition, room and board to your home institution, creating a place for an incoming student, and take up a place at an institution abroad created by an ISEP participant from that university. In addition to your normal tuition, room, and board costs, the actual program fee charged by your home institution will include a modest administrative fee and the cost of providing "vacation benefits" to incoming students. (While you are abroad, you will receive vacation benefits as well as housing and meals during vacation periods within the academic year). Their official website: http://www.isep.org

CUSAC
CUSAC's primary aim is to provide students from the commonwealth with opportunities to study abroad for short periods of time. These opportunities are intended to complement existing competitive scholarship schemes that offer only limited places on formal degree courses. CUSAC has sought to redress the existing imbalance in student flows by encouraging both north-south and south-south exchanges.

Based on the principle of self help, CUSAC works through bilateral linkages between institutions using mechanisms such as mutual fee waivers, to facilitate exchanges. Under this program the institutions benefit, not only from sending but also from receiving overseas students. By the end of 1997 over 400 staff and students have benefited from the CUSAC program.

Canadian institutions involved in the CUSAC program:
•  Brock University
•  McGill University
•  Carleton University
•  Dalhousie University
•  Queen's University
•  University of Alberta
•  University of British Columbia
•  University of Guelph
•  University of Ottawa
•  University of Saskatchewan
•  University of Trent
•  York University - York International

Here are some other useful addresses specializing in exchange programs:

•  University programs
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
600-350 Albert Street
Ottawa , Ontario K1R 1B1
Canada
Tel: (613) 563-1236 / Fax: (613) 563-9745
Web site: http://www.aucc.ca/

•  College programs
Association of Canadian Community Colleges
1223 Michael Street North, Suite 200
Gloucester , Ontario K1J 7T2
Canada
Tel: (613) 746-2222 / Fax: (613) 746-6721
Web site: http://www.accc.ca

•  Private Career College programs
National Association of Career Colleges
233 Colbourne Street, Suite #403
P.O. Box 340
Brantford , Ontario N3T 5N3
Canada
Tel.: (519) 753-8689
Fax: (519) 753-4712
Web site: http://www.nacc.ca

•  French and English second-language programs
Council of Second Language Programs in Canada
Suite 6 , 3555 Don Mills Road, Box 202
Willowdale , Ontario , CANADA M2H 3N3
Web site: http://www.cslp.com/english/home.html