Canada is renowned for its top-notch education system, with universities ranking among the best globally. These Canadian institutions are known for their cutting-edge research, academic excellence, and student support.
Students worldwide aspire for a Canadian scholarship as Canada is the most educated country, with more than half of its population having college degrees.
This blog will explore different scholarships for Pakistani students planning to study in Canada.
Canada’s Educational Landscape
Canada stands out as an acclaimed destination for a top-tier education system due to its institutions ranking among the best in the world. Some of these well-known Canadian institutions stand out because they are affordable, have cutting-edge research opportunities, excellent academic standards, and incredibly supportive students.
Moreover, Canada offers an outstanding educational landscape in every field, be it science, engineering, arts, or business and Technology. It offers a wide range of universities and is at the forefront of shaping students’ future.
Canada additionally promotes multiculturalism and a hospitable environment. It also offers various scholarships and grants to international students, along with abundant professional and personal growth opportunities.
Due to these reasons and others, Canada is a desired destination to study for many Pakistani students.
Steps to Obtain a Canada Student Visa for Pakistani Students
Applying for a student visa is necessary to travel and study in Canada on a scholarship. A step-by-step guide to a Canada student visa for Pakistani students is as follows:
- Choosing a designated DLI: Make sure that the institution you chose for studying is a designated learning institution, also approved by the government of Canada. Obtain an acceptance letter offered by a DLI.
- Create an online account on the official Canadian government website through the IRCC website: Visit the government’s official website and create an online account through the IRCC portal.
- Fill out the online form and complete the application: Fill out the form online. Collect and submit the necessary required documents to start your application process.
- Pay the required application fees and submit your application: The fees vary according to the country you are applying from; pay the fees through the IRCC portal. Submit your application and attend a biometric appointment if required.
- Wait through the processing stage and for the final decision on the application. Once your application is accepted, pack your bags and travel to Canada.
Eligibility Criteria For Scholarships For Pakistani Students
To be eligible to apply for a Canadian scholarship as a Pakistani student, you must fulfil the following requirements.
Having the right qualifications and grades is crucial for applying for a scholarship. Different universities have different educational eligibility criteria.
An outstanding statement of purpose or a study plan. The study plan explains your future goals and aims and gives the visa officer an idea of how dedicated you are as a student.
Be within the age limit the university has mentioned. For different programs, different ages are marked as a minimum and maximum age.
A letter of recommendation is a necessary document that can make or break your application. Every scholarship requires at least 2 letters from your previous school or job.
To get selected for a scholarship, you must show your financial status to ensure you need the scholarship among other students.
Lastly, it would help if you had a study permit to study in Canada on a scholarship. A student permit enables you to attend schooling under Canada’s designated learning institution (DLI). The study permit will permit you to be present in Canada for a limited period, namely the study duration.
Canadian Scholarships for Pakistani Students
Here, we have gathered a list of Canadian universities offering partial and fully funded scholarships to deserving students. These are the top universities that are giving scholarships to Pakistani students.
- The University of Alberta
- Dalhousie University
- The University of Saskatchewan
- The York University
- The University of British Columbia
- Thompson Rivers University
- The University of Toronto
- Simon Fraser University
- The University of Guelph
- The University of Waterloo.
Scholarships for Master’s Degree:
The Ontario Trillium Scholarship: Offers around 40,000 USD to doctoral students, renewable for Pakistani students for four years.
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship: This is ranked the best for Pakistani students as it offers around 10-15,000 USD for two and three terms.
The University of Calgary Graduate Awards: This scholarship is distributed to Pakistani students in the summer and fall semesters.
The UBC Graduate Global Fellowship: This scholarship covers the tuition fees for four years and offers 18,000 USD.
The Trudeau Foundation scholarships aim at Pakistani students and cover tuition and living expenses.
Fully Funded Scholarships for Pakistani Students
Besides the scholarships mentioned above, Canada offers fully funded scholarships that cover all the expenses, from tuition fees to living expenses and other expenses. Pakistani students can get these scholarships if they fulfil the eligibility criteria.
The International Peace scholarship offers up to 12,000 USD for 12 months.
The Merit scholarship from the Quebec government is another scholarship for Pakistani students that offers up to 25,000 USD during the entire course.
Other fully funded scholarships include the University of Canada, Simon Fraser and the Vanier Canada Scholarships that cover all the expenses during your course duration in Canada.
How to Maximize Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship
Understanding the significance of a study plan and SOP is crucial before applying for a scholarship at a Canadian University.
The study plan holds an important position in the process because it addresses the significant questions about you and your goals, links your experience as a student to your future aims and provides you with an opportunity to be genuine and ambitious.
To have your scholarship application approved and make a good impression in front of university officials, follow these strategies and add them to your study plan.
Firstly, clarify your intention behind studying in Canada and your chosen program. Also, explain why that particular scholarship and institute is chosen in Canada. Was it the quality of education that attracted you or the research opportunities provided by that institute? Explain all. Think deeply and answer the question by being completely transparent.
Although a lot of the information regarding your educational history is provided before, it is significant to add these details in your study plan along with the dates of graduation and the name of the course you took.
Finally, provide your work experience history and your extracurricular activities. Summarize your plan by redefining your future goals, and end your plan by paying your warmest regards to the reader.
Conclusion
Overall, Canada is an ideal destination for Pakistani students due to its wide range of educational opportunities and high quality of education, which not only cater to students but also provide a pathway for their future trajectory due to the strong reputation of the Canadian institutes.
The Canada study visa for students allows you to embark on your educational journey in Canada by getting admitted into a Designated Learning Institute.
Applying and receiving a scholarship to study in Canada as a Pakistani student can be a great opportunity, as studying in Canada provides both quality education and a rewarding student life.