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For students wishing to study abroad, it doesn’t get much better than Canada. It is an incredible country with endless opportunities. Study in Canada and you’ll find a rich culture, world-famous universities, and generous Canadian scholarships to help you with costs and tuition.
It’s no wonder that the North American nation is a magnet for intelligent, international students. In fact, a Statistics Canada study of the 2018-2019 school year found that Canada hosts students from 225 countries. The study also found that Chinese and Indian students represent more than 50% of that population.
What’s more, Canada has been attracting more and more international talent in the past decade. The number of students from abroad has tripled in the past 10 years. International students account for 57.2% of the growth in all program enrollments.
Canada is a global leader in terms of university education. But, with more than 100 universities and 15,000 programs of study, it can be difficult to know which are the best and most reputable.
Read our guide about how to study in Canada. We’ll break down more about the best universities in Canada and their top programs. Most importantly, we’ll also explore ways to find a Canadian scholarship to fund your studies.
Of course, it’s important to have a plan to finance studies and the cost of living in Canada. That’s where Canadian scholarships come in. Whether you’re looking to fund your undergraduate program or you’re seeking a master's degree scholarship in Canada (or beyond), there are plenty of options.
The Canadian government, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations all offer a number of scholarships and grants. The most common place to score scholarships in Canada though is likely from the university itself.
Firstly, when looking for Canadian scholarships, international students need to know about the entrance scholarships. Most universities offer these scholarships, which are based on academic history. You’ll be pleased to read that entrance scholarships operate on an automatic consideration basis as part of the admissions process. This means you don’t have to apply for them.
To understand what those scholarships look like, consider what’s offered by top universities in Canada:
The University of Waterloo in Ontario offers 20 entrance scholarships. These are worth $10,000 and are for international students who have at least a 90% average. In addition, you must demonstrate academic excellence and be starting year one of an undergraduate program.
McGill University in Montreal, Quebec is another of Canada’s best universities. It gives entrance scholarships worth $3,000 to first-time university students starting their undergraduate program. The major entrance scholarship is worth more with some students being awarded as much as $12,000. These scholarships are renewable for three or four years for students who continue to meet scholarship criteria. International students can get this scholarship but short-term exchange students cannot.
McGill’s in-course awards are awarded automatically by each faculty. Students with excellent academic merit may earn one of these after the academic year is completed.
The University of British Columbia is another reputable school. It gives $30 million annually in grants to international undergraduate students. Study there and you could be up for its International Major Entrance Scholarship, which is renewable for three years.
Or you might even win its Outstanding International Student Award. This is a one-time award for a student with a strong academic background and involvement in activities beyond the classroom.
The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development program gives support to students from Southeast Asian nations. To be eligible you need to be studying short-term at the college, undergraduate, and graduate levels.
They are awarded based on applications submitted by Canadian universities on a candidate’s behalf. These scholarships are part of Canada’s effort to reduce poverty and support sustainable development in the region.
The Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program is for academically talented students from Commonwealth countries studying at the masters or PhD level. The scholarship is worth $10,000. This helps students pay for transportation, cost of living fees, and any expenses related to their studies in Canada.
For students studying in Ontario, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program is for those at the masters or doctoral level. To qualify, you must be attending a participating Ontario university, be enrolled for at least two consecutive terms and be studying full-time. Students can get $10,000 for two consecutive terms or $15,000 if they are enrolled in three consecutive terms. This scholarship is funded by the province of Ontario and the participating universities.
One of the best sources that ranks Canada’s best universities is Maclean’s magazine. Each year, the Canadian publication surveys faculty members, senior administration, and successful business people across the country.
The aim of the report is to find out their opinions in regards to quality and innovation at Canada’s academic institutions. The result is a published list of rankings of the best overall universities in Canada. In addition, it shares the best programs and best schools based on students’ experiences.
In 2021, Maclean’s found the top five Canadian universities to be:
Of the international students in Canada, 47% study in the province of Ontario. Their most popular areas of study are business and management, followed by engineering. Considering this, it’s worth looking at the top-ranked schools in those categories as well.
After the in-depth surveying of 1,000 professors, deans, and chairs at 80 Canadian institutions, Maclean’s found The University of British Columbia to be the best school for business. The University of Toronto followed in second place. As for engineering, University of Waterloo and The University of Toronto tied for first place.
Canada’s student visa requirements for international students include proof that you have:
a university placement;
the financial ability to live in Canada;
your high school transcript and a high level of English.
On that last point, you will need to have taken an English language test to prove your abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in order to get your visa.
PTE Academic is a trusted English language test accepted by top institutions in Canada including The University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo, McGill University, and McMaster University. PTE Academic can help students study abroad in Canada because Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognizes its tests as being one of the mandatory English tests for a study permit application.
If you are planning to take a PTE Academic test to complete your Canada student Visa application, an exam center will not be far away. In Canada, centers currently exist in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, and Burnaby.
Find your nearest exam center now!
There’s no doubt about it: Canada is a world-class country for getting a university education. It’s also a very multi-culturally diverse place. This means, for international students, it’s a country that offers rich experiences beyond just the classroom.
With the recent increase in students coming from countries like India, China, and beyond, many international students find that Canada is an easy place to adjust to. It feels like a home away from home.
Canadian universities offer not just top-quality academic institutions and programs, but also scholarships offering students a means to finance their education. That makes Canada an easy choice for furthering your education goals overseas.
The Summarize Group Discussion task is one of the most comprehensive speaking challenges in PTE Academic. It tests your ability to listen actively, take effective notes, and deliver a coherent summary that captures multiple perspectives.
Understanding how to approach this task strategically can significantly boost your speaking score.
The "Respond to a Situation" task in the Speaking section of PTE Academic tests your ability to handle real-world university scenarios using appropriate language. This task simulates everyday campus interactions, requiring you to respond naturally and effectively to common situations you might encounter as a student.
Knowing your English level helps you pick the right course, get visas, and make strong applications for work or school. In short: proficiency levels are standard descriptions of what you can do in reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
You can check your level with trusted online tests or official exams like PTE Academic or PTE Core, which give scores based on global standards. Below, we explain how levels are defined, how they’re tested, how to estimate your current ability, and what different goals usually need, so you can plan your next step with confidence.
Language proficiency levels show how well you can read, listen, speak, and write. These levels follow shared standards so schools, employers, and governments around the world can easily understand your skills.
The most common system is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which rates language ability from beginner (A1) to highly advanced (C2). A recent overview explains CEFR’s role as a standard for designing tests and interpreting scores across countries and programs and notes ongoing efforts to keep it up to date for modern assessments.
Pearson’s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides a more granular 10–90 scale that also aligns to CEFR tiers. This makes it easier to see fine-grained progress and map scores to CEFR bands.
Typical CEFR levels at a glance:
A1: Understand and use everyday expressions; introduce yourself; ask and answer simple questions
A2: Handle routine tasks; describe immediate needs and simple aspects of daily life
B1: Understand main points of clear standard input; produce simple connected text; manage travel or work situations
B2: Interact with fluency on familiar topics; write clear, detailed text; follow lectures with some support
C1: Use English flexibly and effectively in academic and professional contexts; understand demanding texts
C2: Understand virtually everything heard or read; summarize information coherently; express nuanced ideas precisely
Common uses:
A1-A2: Mainly used for basic immigration visas, family reunification, entry-level work or training programs, and integration courses where simple everyday communication is sufficient.
B1–B2: Many vocational programs, initial professional roles, and some visa pathways
B2–C1: Most undergraduate admissions and professional certifications
C1–C2: Postgraduate study, specialized professions, and roles requiring complex communication
Proficiency is measured across four core skills:
Reading:Understanding texts, identifying main ideas and details, and interpreting vocabulary in context
Listening : Following speech at natural speed, recognizing key information, and inferring meaning
Speaking: Producing clear, organized speech; using accurate grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation
Writing: Composing well-structured texts suited to purpose and audience; demonstrating control of grammar and cohesion
The scoring for most English language tests is measured against the CEFR. For The scores for PTE Academic (for studying and work) and PTE Core (for general use and migration), align to CEFR with scoring between 10 and 90. Learn more about PTE scoring alignment.
Build a reliable picture by mixing official tests with quick checks and reflective habits:
Take a recognized practice test: Use an official Pearson PTE Scored Practice materials Test
or other reputable online assessments to estimate your CEFR level and identify strengths and gaps
Practice with PTE-style items: Work through sample reading tasks (e.g., fill-in-the-blanks), listening summaries, and short spoken responses to simulate real test conditions.
Use self-analysis prompts that match the CEFR level you are aiming for: For example, ask, “Can I follow a university lecture?”, “Can I write a formal email with clear structure?”, “Can I explain a process or opinion for 60–90 seconds?”
Requirements vary, but many universities, colleges, professional bodies, and visa authorities set minimum thresholds around B1–C1, or the equivalent GSE score range of 43-84 for PTE Academic and PTE Core. . Some UK family and settlement visas require A1 or A2 level. Always confirm details with the program or government authority.
Typical requirement ranges (illustrative):
University / College admission:
Undergraduate: Often B2; competitive programs may prefer C1
Postgraduate: Commonly C1
Professional certification:
General professional registration: Frequently B2–C1
Visa/migration pathways:
Skilled migration: Typically B1–B2+ equivalents; some routes require higher levels depending on occupation
Family visas: Often A1-A2.
For Canadian migration scenarios, explore PTE Core requirements and pathways here.
For UK migration, consider PTE UK visa SELT tests.
For many learners, English isn't just the goal; it’s the way to get degrees, licenses, and international jobs. Universities and employers look at test scores to decide who to admit or hire. Once students are in university or at work, success depends on great communication (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) skills, whether it's doing research or talking to clients.
Research indicates that higher English proficiency supports academic performance and integration for international students, improving classroom participation and social engagement. In the workplace, clear communication underpins teamwork, safety, and advancement, making ongoing skill development a career investment, not just a test goal.
Target all four skills with short, consistent practice:
Daily core routine (20–40 minutes):
Listening: Listen to 2–3 minutes of a podcast or lecture; note new phrases
Speaking: Answer one daily Q&A aloud (60–90 seconds) on familiar topics
Reading: Skim a news article; summarize the main idea in two sentences
Writing: Draft a short email or 120–150 word paragraph; focus on structure and linking words
Quick wins:
Grammar and vocabulary: Do 10 fill-in-the-blank or sentence completion items; build a personal word bank with examples
Reading for context: Underline signal words (however, therefore) and infer meaning of three unknown words from context
Listening focus: Practice identifying the overarching meaning first, then the key details and numbers
Feedback loop: Swap writing with a friend or use self-scoring checklists; act on one improvement point per day
To prepare for your English exam, practice with practice tests that are similar to your actual test and check the scoring guidelines to make sure your answers meet the expectations. If you aren't sure where to start take our 'Which test is right for me?' tool. You can also read our article 'How to pick an English test that works for you'.
Practice short answers to everyday prompts like “What did you do today?” and “What do you like to eat?” to build fluency and reduce hesitation.
Use clarifiers such as “Could you repeat that more slowly?” or “Do you mean…?” to confirm meaning and keep the conversation clear.
Do fill-in-the-blanks, sentence completion, and synonym/antonym matching to reinforce patterns and expand word choice.
Study common task types (reading comprehension, short writing, gap-fill, brief speaking responses) and practice them under timed conditions to build accuracy and pacing. You can also try practice tests to get used to the format of a specific test, like PTE.
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