
Can International Students Study Medicine in Canada?
Studying medicine in Canada is the dream of many international students. Canadian universities and colleges provide world-class education and accommodation facilities at a pretty affordable price. This, along with a readily available work permit and quick visa processing, makes Canada a student's paradise.
But there are still many other questions that must be answered before making the final decision. This includes the cost of studying and students' return on investment after graduating. This and much more will be covered in this blog, so keep reading.
Table of Contents
- Why Study Medicine in Canada?
- When to Apply for Medicine in Canada: Intakes 2022
- Popular Accounting Courses in Canada
- What are the Entrance Exams to Study Medicine in Canada?
- Top Universities in Canada for Medicine Program
- Eligibility Requirements for Studying Medicine in Canada
- Admission Process to Study Medicine in Canada
- Documents Required to Study Medicine in Canada
- How much Does it Cost to Study Medicine in Canada?
- How to Study Medicine in Canada Scholarships?
- Jobs & Salary After Medicine in Canada
Why Study Medicine in Canada?
The first and most essential question that arises before studying medicine in Canada is, "Why to study medicine in Canada?" We all know that Canada provides world-class education and accommodation.
Given below are some other important reasons:
- Education in Canada is pretty affordable and can be made more affordable with the help of scholarships.
- Canada is home to some of the top universities in the world.
- Canada has a readily available and versatile work permit.
- Canadian universities have the best quality and highly qualified faculty members.
- Canada is one of the best and safest places to live globally.
- Canada is highly diversified and multicultural and doesn't have any language constraints.
- Students can get excellent opportunities right after graduation in Canada
- Canadian universities provide numerous and distinctive courses.
When to Apply for Medicine in Canada: Intakes 2022
Universities in Canada encourage various students to apply by intaking students in three phases. These are Fall, winter, and summer intakes. The fall intake lasts from September to early January and attracts the highest number of applicants.
Given below is a table representing different intakes and their details:
Intakes |
Duration |
About the intake |
Fall intakes (Primary Intake) |
September–December/early January |
This is a popular intake among international students. The Fall semester begins in September and provides a large number of courses and degrees to foreign students. |
Winter Intakes (Secondary Intake) |
January–May |
The winter intake starts in January and is best for those students who did not enrol in September. It is important to remember that not all courses are available in this intake. |
Spring/Summer Intake |
May-August |
Summer admission is generally available for a restricted number of programs and colleges. This includes short-term diploma and certificate courses. It begins in April or May. |
Popular Medicine Courses in Canada for International Students
Canada offers a wide range of medical courses for domestic and international students. These are generally quite popular among students and are in high demand.
Given below is a list of some of the most popular courses in Canada for international students:
- BSc Nursing
- MBBS
- MD
- BDS
- BAMS
- BHMS
- BPT
- BASLP
- BUMS
- Bachelor of Dental Hygiene/Surgery
- Bachelor of Health Science
- BSc Food Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Food/Health/Nutrition
- Bachelor of Kinesiology
- Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy
- BSc Biology
- BSc Life Science
- BSc Psychology
- Pharma.
- Pharm D
What are the Entrance Exams to Study Medicine in Canada?
Students need to appear for an entrance exam and an English proficiency test to enrol in Canadian universities. These are necessary as students might need to provide their marks at admission.
- MCAT is the entrance exam that students must pass to be admitted to a medical school in Canada. It is also known as the medical college admission test (MCAT).
- All international students must give the MCAT and provide their marks to the university during the application process.
- Students must aim for an MCAT score of 509 or above to get accepted into a good university.
- Along with this, students also need to appear for IELTS/TOEFL (English proficiency tests).
- Their scores are also asked for during the application process. The acceptable IELTS and TOEFL scores are 6.5 or above and 79 or above, respectively.
Top Universities in Canada for Medicine Program
Canada is home to some of the top universities in the world. According to WUR Medicine Rank 2022, Canada has four universities in the top 50, with 2 of them in the top 20 rankings.
Given below is a list of some of the top Canadian universities, along with their rankings:
Canadian Medicine Rank 2022 |
WUR Medicine Rank 2022 |
University |
1 |
5 |
University of Toronto |
2 |
19 |
McMaster University |
3 |
29 |
McGill University |
4 |
40 |
University of British Columbia |
5 |
75 |
University of Alberta |
6 |
85 |
University of Montreal |
7 |
97 |
University of Ottawa |
8 |
101–125 |
University of Calgary |
8 |
101–125 |
Western University |
10 |
126–150 |
Queen’s University |
Eligibility Requirements for Studying Medicine in Canada
To study medicine in Canada, students must fulfil specific eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are different for every college and university. But some things are every day in all of them.
Given below is a list of some standard eligibility criteria that a student must fulfil to enrol in any Canadian university or college:
- Completed High School with Biology and acceptable marks (above 60%)
- IELTS and TOEFL scores for proving English language proficiency
- MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
- LORs (letters of recommendations)
- Essay
- Resume
Admission Process to Study Medicine in Canada
A specific procedure or plan that a student must follow when aspiring to study in Canada. The most important step is to check the eligibility criteria of preferred medical colleges and universities. They can also list all the colleges where they are eligible and can apply. The rest of the steps are given below:
- Clear the MCAT Exam and appear for an English proficiency test (IELTS/TOELF)
- Check the eligibility criteria of preferred colleges
- The candidate also needs to keep a check on all the necessary documents.
- Once the intakes have started, students can go to the respective universities' websites and applications.
Related articles to Study in Canada:
Intakes in Canada | Education System in Canada | SOP for Canada |
Scholarships in Canada | Study in Canada without IELTS | Canada Student Visa |
Cost of Studying | Cost of Living in Canada | Popular Courses in Canada |
Documents Required to Study Medicine in Canada
Students need to provide various documents during and after the application process when enrolling in a Canadian university. These documents are a must-have if a student wants to enrol in any Canadian college.
Given below is a list of all the necessary documents that students must have to register in a Canadian university:
- Class 10th, 12th, and Bachelor's degree mark sheets and certificates
- English language proficiency exam scorecard, For instance, IELTS or TOEFL.
- two recommendation letters
- Photographs in passport size
- Purpose Statement
- Resume
- Certificates of success and participation in extracurricular activities
How much Does it Cost to Study Medicine in Canada?
Studying medicine in Canada is pretty affordable compared to any other country. Due to this, many international students apply to Canada, leading to increased competition.
Given below is a list of all top universities with their tuition fees:
Medical School |
Tuition fees (CAD) |
University of Ottawa |
$28,500 |
Queen’s University |
$27,473 |
McMaster University |
$26,126 |
Western University |
$25,456 |
University of Toronto |
$24,835 |
Northern Ontario |
$24,173 |
Dalhousie University |
$23,000 |
University of British Columbia |
$21,006 |
University of Saskatchewan |
$18,945 |
University of Calgary |
$16,063 |
Memorial University |
$13,260 |
University of Alberta |
$12,887 |
University of Manitoba |
$10,000 |
McGill University |
$8,036 / $19,720 |
University of Sherbrooke |
$4,767 / $12,285 |
University de Laval |
$4,070 / $12,550 |
University of Montreal |
$3,601 / $11,193 |
How to Study Medicine in Canada Scholarships?
Even though medical studies are affordable in Canada, they can cause financial strain on students and their families. The Canadian government and various universities have started scholarship programs to avoid this. Students can apply to these if eligible and win a scholarship of up to 40,000 CAD. This helps facilitate their studies without causing financial strain.
Given below is a list of some of the scholarship programs along with the amounts they award:
Scholarships |
Award amount (CAD) |
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI) Scholarship |
$500 - 1000 |
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan |
$10,000 |
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program |
$5,000 |
Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship |
$25,000 for Doctoral programs and $35,000 for postdoctoral programs |
Trillium Scholarship from Ontario |
$40,000 |
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship |
Variable |
Brokerfish International Student Scholarship |
$1,300 |
Go Clean Scholarship |
$4,617 |
Education Future International Scholarship |
$3,600 – 17,000 |
Outdoor Sports Scholarship |
$2,700 |
Jobs & Salary After Medicine in Canada
The Average Salary of a medicine graduate in Canada is 69,615 CAD per year. The starting salary for a fresher is 34,125 CAD per year. This can go up to 217,500 CAD per year with time and experience.
Given below is a list of some of the high paying medical jobs in Canada that graduates can pursue:
Job type |
Average salary (CAD) |
Specialists |
Up to $465,000 |
Dentists |
$120,000- 240,000 |
General Practitioners |
$120,000- 240,000 |
Pharmacists |
$90,000-120,000 |
Veterinarians |
$80,000- 120,000 |
Registered Nurses |
$55,000- 65,000 |
Kickstart your medical journey now! Studying abroad could be a long and tedious process however at AECC Global with expert counsellors your dreams can be achieved at ease. The Counsellors will guide you through every step and help you attain your dreams at ease. They will assist with visas, courses, universities, and more.