Study in Ontario: A Student Hub

Home to a number of prestigious colleges and schools, Ontario offers international students with a big city experience while also making them feel at home.

The diverse province is noted for its inclusive approach and friendly attitude which attracts international students from all over the world. Universities in Ontario are well-known for welcoming international students, with policies that encourage student safety within the local communities.

Let's understand the reasons why Ontario is a popular choice for international students from around the world who choose to study in Canada.

Top Reasons to Study in Ontario

If you are choosing to study in Ontario this year, then here are some of the reasons why you should choose it as your destination:

• Cultural Hotspot
• Highly Reputable Institution in Ontario
• Student Gateway in Ontario
• The Economic Engine of Canada
• The Silicon Valley of the North

Let's dive deeper into these reasons here.

Cultural Hotspot

Ontario is known to be Canada's artistic hotspot, with its own thriving art scene. It is regarded as the third largest film production centre, and is a student province with a significant contribution to art. Every year, more than 50 film festivals, Broadway musicals, and art exhibits are held in the province.

Ontario is also well regarded across the globe for building the richness of the province by celebrating local culture, innovation, educational and business industries, and ethinic groups through virtual programming, special festivals, and artistic events. They try to connect people of different communities, craft new alliances, and encourage events outside of the province in the country. Furthermore, they organise workshops and seminars on youth employment and mentorship, which help international students develop the innovative potential of their community members.

Shortlisting universities, programmes, or even cities to study in Canada can be a daunting task. Connect with AECC experts to get personalised guidance on your journey to study abroad.

Highly Reputable Institutions in Ontario

Ontario has some of the best universities not only in the region, but in the entire world, offering a diverse range of courses to draw international students from all over the world. It is home to a range of educational institutions such as Nipissing University, Queen's University, Western University and many more.

The province has more than 20 publicly-funded education institutions such as Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAATs), where students can apply for a two-year diploma degree.

Ontario has 22 public universities where students can pursue a degree. University studies usually take three to four years for an undergraduate degree, two years for a postgraduate degree, and four years for a Doctoral degree. The duration of the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees can differ based on the discipline of study chosen by the students.

Student Gateway in Ontario

Studying in Ontario can be a springboard to working and living in Canada, as well as a possible gateway to immigration. The Ontario government has launched the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP), the province's economic immigration programme. The immigrant nominee programme works in collaborative effort with the Government of Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). International students pursuing their higher education and well-equipped with the requisite skills and experience are eligible to apply to the OINP for a nomination.

Ontario Immigration Programme (OINP)

The Ontario Immigration Nominee Programme acknowledges and nominates international students for permanent residence who have the expertise and experience that the Ontario economy requires. The Canadian government takes the final decision on whether an international student is eligible for permanent residence.

The OINP for international students works in three categories:

• International Student with a Job Offer Stream: This specific category was developed to assist employers in their efforts to recruit foreign students. It is available to all Ontario employers and students who have work opportunities in the province.
• International PhD Graduate Stream: This sub-category is for international students who have completed their doctoral degree at one of Ontario's publicly funded universities. A job offer is not necessary for this scheme.
• International Masters Graduate Stream: This sub-category, which is presently running as a temporary pilot scheme, is for international students who have earned a Master's degree from one of Ontario's publicly funded universities. A job offer is not necessary for this scheme either.

Ontario is well-known around the world for providing exceptional learning access to international students. Every year, education contributes approximately half of Ontario's GDP, and the government of Ontario is committed to continuing to support and invest in international students from diverse communities.

The Economic Engine of Canada

Ontario is recognised to contribute nearly 40% of Canada's overall GDP, which means international students are choosing to study in the financial and corporate epicentre of Canada. Ontario houses the second-largest financial centre in North America, i.e. Toronto, where media conglomerates, major banks, and multinational corporations have set up shop. Meanwhile, the capital of Canada, Ottawa, offers massive opportunities in the public sector, policy and NGOs.

Choosing to study at universities in cities where major corporations are headquartered, the opportunities to build a strong network, find internships, and post-graduation recruitment grow exponentially as well.

The Silicon Valley of the North

Being the epicentre of the major companies and businesses from around the world, Ontario retains its position as the perfect place for university graduates, especially in the STEM fields, for career prospects. Global companies have set up shop on the corridor between Toronto, Waterloo and Ottawa, especially tech companies.

Meanwhile, Ontario universities are renowned for their global dominance in offering co-op programmes. For example, the University of Waterloo offers the largest co-op programme in the world, allowing students to alternate academic terms with full-time, paid work with tech giants like Google, Apple and others.

The Ontario government is always willing to work with international students to overcome adversity and ensure that Ontario remains the best study destination in the world. They are committed to providing world-class education and fostering social bonds to ensure international students receive nothing but the best.

With so much to offer, from welcoming overseas students from different parts of the globe, making them feel at home, offering opportunities and jobs, to achieving their goals, Ontario can be referred to as one of the best student hubs in the world. For international students who are all about innovative thinking, open discussions, and a willingness to try new ideas, there's no better place than Ontario for higher education.

Do you wish to know more about studying in Ontario and what else it has to offer? Our expert counsellors will walk you through the process.