The Best Programs to Study for Mature Students who want to Immigrate to Canada

THE BEST PROGRAMS TO STUDY FOR MATURE STUDENTS WHO WANT TO IMMIGRATE TO CANADA

By this time, you’ll know that there is a lot of information available online when it comes to studying in and immigrating to Canada. Now, this has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is obviously that you’re able to get vital information relating to the immigration process and the requirements of the various programs.

The disadvantage is that there’s simply so much information available that it could be challenging to know where to begin looking. Even worse, you hardly ever know if the information you find is right. Yet, it's vital to find the right information, especially for mature international students who can’t afford any unnecessary delays in the process.

Fortunately, we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll look at the best programs to study in Canada for international students when considering immigration. Simply put, when you find the right program, it opens the door to permanent residency programs and will make it easier to find a job.   

BRITISH COLUMBIA: INTERNATIONAL POST-GRADUATE STREAM

One of the main reasons for considering a post-graduate or master's degree program in British Columbia is that they offer a great path towards permanent residency. Another benefit is that these programs aren’t that expensive compared to other programs. So, let’s take a look.

Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity

The first program we’ll suggest is a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity. This two-year program offers you several benefits. For one, once you complete the program, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency. So, you’ll basically fast-track your immigration to Canada.

Another benefit of the program is that it will make finding a job easier. In fact, according to a recent study, Canadian companies are expected to employ about 8,000 cybersecurity analysts before the end of 2022. 

When it comes to costs, this program only costs about $20,000 CAD a year. Now, you might notice that it’s more expensive than going to a college in British Columbia. It might be, but you’ll get the benefits mentioned above. In simple terms, you’ll have an exceptional return on your investment. 

Master’s Degree in Energy Management

The next program we’ll suggest is a Master’s Degree in Energy Management. Like the Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity, this program also costs about $20,000 CAD per year and, like the cybersecurity program, also has the same benefits.

For one, completing this program will make finding a job easier. It will also allow you to apply for permanent residency. Here, it’s important to remember that you’ll apply for permanent residency through the BC provincial nominee program.

This means that you can get nominated for permanent residency based on your skills and qualifications and would, therefore, not need a job or experience. So, while you’ll spend a little more on this program compared to a typical college program, you’ll guarantee your permanent residency as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

ONTARIO: OINP MASTER'S GRADUATE STREAM

In Ontario, we’ll once again suggest a Master’s Degree. This is simply because the OINP Masters Graduate Stream allows you to apply for nomination for permanent residence if you have a master’s degree from an Ontario University.

Master’s Degree in Management

The program we’ll suggest is the Master’s Degree in Management from Windsor University. In this 16-month program you can, for instance, apply for different streams including, business data analytics, logistics and supply chain management, and human resources management.

Tuition for this program comes to about $19,000 CAD, so it’s a bit more affordable than the programs mentioned above. And, like those programs, it could make it easier to find a job, although a job or experience is not necessary to qualify for permanent residency on the Master’s Graduate stream. In fact, in this stream, you’ll only need to meet the requirements to get a master’s degree.

SASKATCHEWAN: MASTER'S DEGREE WITH CO-OP TUITION

One of the reasons many people avoid Saskatchewan is the weather. Also, it has a lot of smaller cities with an increased focus on agriculture, so the Saskatchewan lifestyle is not for everyone. Yet, despite this, it’s a great option for studying and for obtaining permanent residence.

Master’s Degree

As is the case in many other provinces, a master’s degree offers a few benefits. For one, immigration programs here typically require that you have a job or experience. Having a master’s degree will give you better access to these jobs. Also, your work experience as a student will count towards the provincial nominee program. Combined, this makes it easier to get permanent residency. 

Another benefit of master’s degree programs in Saskatchewan is that they’re far more affordable compared to other, similar programs. For example, tuition fees for the Master’s Degree in Engineering programs at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan are about $12,000 CAD per year which is a lot less than the programs we mentioned above.

As a bonus, these programs also feature co-op tuition which means they have an internship that allows you to connect with employers. In turn, this makes it easier to find a job later.

MANITOBA: SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Like Saskatchewan, Manitoba offers very good options for students and obtaining permanent residency. In addition, Manitoba offers many job opportunities and more activity across different industries. Unlike Saskatchewan, though, Manitoba is a bit more expensive.

For example, let’s look at one of the programs we recommend, an undergraduate program in software development. This qualification can help make finding a job easier simply because IT and software development specialists are so in demand. This, ultimately, means more opportunities and an easier path to permanent residency. 

Here, the tuition amounts to about $17,000 CAD per year. This is more than the Master’s programs in Saskatchewan mentioned above but still less than the programs in British Columbia and Ontario.

The benefit here is that the provincial nominee program in Manitoba is better for students studying at an undergraduate level like diplomas and certificates.

NOVA SCOTIA 

Nova Scotia is one of the best provinces in Canada to immigrate to. This is not only because it offers many immigration programs but also due to increased interest in the area. The result is that there are a lot of job opportunities, especially for in-demand occupations.

Business Analytics

Considering the technology landscape and trends around the world, it’s easy to understand why business analytics and everything IT-related is so in demand. In Nova Scotia, the situation is no different. This means that, when you complete a program in business analytics, you’ll more than likely be able to find a job.

Here, one option would be a Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics. This program allows you to work in basically any industry. Its tuition is about $ 15,000 CAD per year which makes it more affordable than the undergraduate program in Manitoba we mentioned earlier and it compares favourably to programs in Ontario and British Columbia. 

Another benefit of this program is that it's spread over two years, compared to Ontario where these are typically one-year programs. This makes it ideal for students with less experience in the field. 

Nursing

Another option in Nova Scotia is nursing. Like most other provinces, the demand for healthcare professionals is soaring, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here, the nursing program is a two-year bachelor’s program that allows you to become a registered nurse. This, in turn, allows you to earn more compared to a nurse who only completed a diploma. It’s important to remember, though, that to enroll in this program, you’ll need previous experience in nursing.

NEW BRUNSWICK

Nowadays, New Brunswick is one of the most popular provinces in Canada. One of the reasons for this is its growth in recent years which brings with it more opportunities to get a job. In respect of studying and programs, you have a few options.

Master’s Programs

As stated earlier, a Master’s Degree is an excellent path to follow to obtain permanent residency in Canada. For one, a master's degree will make you more employable which means you’ll be able to get a job quicker and easier. With that in mind, let’s look at the Master’s Degree in Management.
In New Brunswick, you can complete this two-year program for about $16,000 CAD which is a little bit less than you’ll need to complete a Master’s Degree in Management in Ontario. Unlike Ontario, though, the New Brunswick immigration system is a points-based system, so a master's degree will serve you well on your way to permanent residency. 

College Programs

In addition to masters programs, you can also choose to complete an undergraduate program at a college. One program we would suggest is the Diploma in Accounting. Like IT, accounting and financial services are in great demand, so this program will make finding a job easier.

In New Brunswick, you can complete this program for about $ 10,000 CAD, which makes it one of the most affordable programs across Canada. Also, this program will give you various options to apply for and get permanent residency.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: CULINARY ARTS

Despite being the smallest province in Canada, Prince Edward Island has also shown strong growth in recent years. As a result, it also has many job opportunities and, here, jobs in the food and beverage industry are especially prevalent. So, being a restaurant manager, chef, or cook is a great option.

One program we would, therefore, recommend is studying culinary arts. Here, tuition fees at colleges in Prince Edward Island range between $ 8,500 CAD and $ 11,000 CAD, depending on the college and the program. Completing one of these programs will then enable you to find a job in the food and beverage industry and allow you to apply for permanent residency. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

As you can see from the above, there are many paths to permanent residency, some of which require finding a job while others don’t. No matter which path you follow, remember, once you have permanent residency you can move to any province in Canada you’d like.

Hopefully, this post helped illustrate the best study programs for mature international students to obtain a qualification and, ultimately, get permanent residency in Canada. If you have any more questions or would like to know more about INGWE and the services we offer, visit our website or contact us today for more details. We’re here to assist you to make your dream of living in Canada a reality.