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Foundation Courses in Canada for International Students: A Complete Overview

Foundation Courses in Canada

Most international students who decide to study abroad may not be aware of the foundation courses in Canada.  A foundation program in Canada provides fundamental knowledge and skills that students need to succeed in the respective field they’ve chosen.  But the lack of awareness regarding the foundation courses led to incomplete knowledge.

Hence, sit tight and read the primers of the foundation program with the necessary requisites, such as necessity, subjects offering foundation, top universities/colleges and the required documents, and wrap up with the answered questions that the student might want to ask.

What are Foundation Courses

  • Foundation courses are introductory programmes designed to help students build essential skills and knowledge before they start a higher-level education programme.
  • The duration of the courses essentially lasts up to one year or less, which is subjective according to the description of the programme.
  • The purpose of the foundation courses in Canada is to ensure that students are adequately prepared for higher education by covering any gaps in their knowledge or skills.
  • There is a difference between pathway course and a foundation course. Foundation courses are generally broader and aim to provide knowledge and skills, whereas pathway courses are more focused on preparing students for entry into specific degree programs.

Why Study Foundation Courses in Canada

  • Prepares for Higher Education: The foundation courses in Canada help fill the gaps in knowledge or skills and teach the essential academic skills such as research and critical thinking to pursue a study in Canada.
  • Quality Education: Canadian institutions are known for their high-quality standards in education, and the foundation courses seek no exception.
  • English Proficiency: The foundation course provides language training, which aids the students from non-native English-speaking countries and prepares them to study abroad in Canada.
  • Academic Requirements: The foundation courses act as a bridge for students to enroll in the courses in Canada by fulfilling the required academic requirements if they fail earlier.
  • Cultural Experience: Apart from Canada education, experiencing the Canadian culture and experience is a valuable asset, both personally and professionally.

List of Subjects offering Foundation Courses in Canada

List of Subjects offering Foundation Courses in Canada

International students who wish to enroll in top universities in Canada are asked to enroll themselves in a foundation course for better conceptual clarity.  Canada International students benefit from specialized foundation courses designed to help them succeed academically.  So, the following list shows the subjects that offer Foundation courses in Canada:

1. Business Fundamentals

2. Engineering

3. Mathematics

4. Psychology

5. Healthcare

6. Hospitality

7. English Literature

8. Media Foundation

9. World History

10. Police Foundation

Top Universities/Colleges for Foundation Courses in Canada

Canada education has been proved to be a beacon of light to international students for starting their higher education career.  Likewise, the foundation courses in Canada provides the best knowledge and skill to the international students.  Here are the following top universities/colleges who provide the foundation courses:

1. University of Toronto

2. University of British Columbia

3. Seneca College

4. Fanshawe College

5. Humbler College

University of Toronto

The University of Toronto, one of the notable public universities in Canada, offers various courses to international as well as domestic students.  The university is known for its courses in arts and sciences, history, and healthcare courses as well, often through preparatory or pre-university programmes.  These programmes serve as the foundation for students’ higher educational careers.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia, like the University of Toronto, is a renowned public university that offers the English foundation course in Canada.  Apart from English, the university provides various preparatory and foundation courses to support international students.

Seneca College (Seneca Polytechnic)

Seneca College of Applied Arts and Science is a public college in Canada.  The college is known for its specialty in police foundation course in Canada.  Not only do they excel in the police course, but also, they offer a range of foundation programs, including business, engineering, and health sciences.

Fanshawe College

Fanshawe College, a public college in Canada, is known for being a leader in cooperative education.  The college offers a business foundation course in Canada, which in turn bears fruit for the students with a goal for business management.  Also, the college offers other foundation courses in sectors like media and engineering.

Humber College

Humber College is a public college located in Toronto, Canada.  The college provides diverse foundation courses, including arts, business, and health sciences.  These foundational courses act as a steppingstone for students who pursue bachelors and masters in Canada.

Besides the above-mentioned institutions, students are advised to prepare the Canada University List, which offers a wide range of foundation courses in Canada to choose from.

Foundation Courses in Canada Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

After going through the necessary details regarding the foundation courses in Canada, it is imperative to know the requirements to enroll in a program.  The eligibility criteria for the enrollment typically include:

  • Education: Completion of Secondary Education or Bachelors or Equivalent.
  • English Language Proficiency: The minimum marks for the enrollment in foundation courses are as follows:
    • IELTS:  0 – 7.0
    • TOEFL:  > 69
    • PTE:  > 46
  • Visa: A Student must have a valid Canada visa.

Documents Required

After meeting the eligibility norms, the next essential step would be document collection.  International students, generally, have to submit the following documents:

  • Marksheets of Secondary Education (or) Bachelors
  • English Language Proficiency Test scores
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume (or) CV
  • Financial Documents
  • Application Form & the Application Fee Receipt
  • Letter of Recommendation (if required)

To ensure that the required ones are met, the students are advised to refer to the prepared Canada universities list for specific documents needed by each institution.

Foundation Courses in Canada Fees

The tuition fee for foundation courses is subjective, according to the type of university and the course the student wants to pursue.  But to give a broader picture, the following table shows the tuition fee and the cost of living in Canada:

Tuition Fee (CAD) Other Expenses (CAD)
Academic Fee 10,000 – 20,000
(per year)
Other Expenses: 2,800 – 3,500

(Includes Rent, Food, Travel, Entertainment, Clothing, Grocery, Utility Expenses, Tenant Insurance)

Application Fee 150
Ancillary Fee 850
Medical Insurance 521
Books 1,500

Scholarships for International Students in Canada

Since the tuition fee for foundation courses in Canada seems quite high, the institutions offer scholarships in Canada to ease their financial burden.  The following list shows the Canada scholarships for international students:

  • University British Columbia (UBC) International Major Entrance Scholarship
  • Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
  • Seneca college Entrance Scholarship
  • International Scholarships
  • Humber College International Entrance Scholarship

How to Apply for Foundation Courses in Canada

It is vital for students to understand the intakes in Canada since it helps to plan the application process more effectively.  To apply for a foundation course, one has to follow the upcoming steps:

Step-1: Identify the area of study and research the top university (or) college that offers the foundation course of the desired program.

Step-2: Go to the official website of the chosen university (or) college and check for the requirements.

Step-3: Before filling out the application form, make sure that the required documents have been scanned as soft copy for attachment.

Step-4: Fill in the application form on the website and attach the necessary documents mentioned and pay the application fee before submitting the application.

Step-5: Once the application has been accepted, the student shall receive the letter of acceptance. This letter of acceptance is the key document for the visa process.

Step-6: Once the student received the letter, it is time to start the process of obtaining a Canada study permit, either via the online or Canadian visa office. For visa process and guidance, consider CanApprove.

Job Scope after Pursuing Foundation Courses in Canada

The primary purpose of getting a foundation course is to better understand the selected area of study the student wishes to pursue.  The nature of employment after foundation ranges from entry-level to mid-level since foundation courses have the flexibility to study even after bachelors.  Some of them are as follows:

1. Sales Associate

2. Customer Service Representative

3. Laboratory Technician

4. Healthcare Assistant

5. Content Writer

6. Junior Software Developer

7. Bookkeeper

8. Quality Control Technician

9. Freelance Writer

10. Public Relations Assistant

Concluding Remarks

Wrapping up, pursuing foundation courses in Canada helps the students study beyond the regulars and obtain in-depth knowledge of the desired sector.  Considering the need in mind, this blog covered the basic fundamentals for the knowledge of students abroad.  For further information and visa processing and guidance, consider contacting CanApprove.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are foundation courses in Canada?
In Canada, foundation courses are the preparatory programs which helps students to gain knowledge and skill in a desired program.
How many years will it take to pursue a foundation course?
To pursue a foundation course in Canada, the duration would be around 6 months-2 years depending on the course selected by the individual.
Who is eligible for a foundation course?
Students with completion of secondary education (or) equivalent (or) a bachelor’s degree are eligible for a foundation course.
Can an international student do a foundation year?
Yes, international students too study the foundation course for a better clarity of a subject.
How much would it cost for a Foundation course in Canada?
For a foundation course, the cost would be around 10,000-20,000 CAD per year.
Can we work after the Foundation course in Canada?
Yes, you can work after pursuing the foundation course in Canada at entry-level or mid-level jobs, depending on the course completion.
Is IELTS required to study foundation courses in Canada?
Yes.  IELTS are required to study foundation courses in Canada.  Apart from IELTS, students can show other proficiency tests like TOEFL & PTE.

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