COLLEGES IN ALBERTA
The Western Province of Canada, Alberta, is a popular destination for higher education purposes by international students from across the globe. This is precisely because of the lifetime opportunity that it provides, in terms of studying together with people from varied cultures. Colleges in Alberta offer a wide range of courses to aspiring students, ranging from certificates and diplomas to applied degrees and bachelor’s degrees. In addition, Canadian universities excel in research facilities, high-quality education standards, world-recognized degrees, and numerous job opportunities for aspiring students. Thus, Canada has become the most sought-after destination for higher studies.
SOME QUICK FACTS!
As noted previously, Canada offers a wide range of benefits to international students that adds to their skill enhancement and academic excellence. Over the years, Canada has grown up to become the most sought-after country by students for educational purposes. As a result of this supreme preference, the country has acquired the title of ‘best educational hub’ for international students.
Stated below are certain factual details that add to Canadian education’s glory-
- Canada had over 70,000 international students migrating to the country, purely for study purposes, up until the month August 2019.
- Canada has been ranked number 1 for Quality of Life.
- The country has secured a position in the QS World Ranking of 2022 with regard to academic excellence and exemplary accomplishments.
- The country has 5 out of the top 150 student cities across the globe.
WHY CHOOSE COLLEGES IN ALBERTA?
If you are planning to immigrate to Canada for study purposes, there are ample reasons why you should choose Alberta as your final destination. Moving abroad follows the subsequent worry about finances, climatic conditions, and certainly, future prospects in terms of employment and skill enhancement.
Colleges in Alberta are extremely affordable, as a comparatively cheaper cost of living makes it a wise choice amongst others. Secondly, the natural beauty of the province turns it into a favourable destination for people. Most importantly, it offers multiple employment opportunities to aspiring students after the successful completion of their studies.
Summarised below are the benefits/advantages of choosing colleges in Alberta over others-
- Affordable tuition fees
- Picturesque landscape
- Several job opportunities after graduation
- Cheap and reliable public transport
- Province with the lowest median age
- High-quality education
BEST/TOP COLLEGES IN ALBERTA
The Western province of Alberta, in Canada, is home to some of the top-ranking universities in the country, offering exemplary educational and intensive research opportunities to international students. Ranging from the University of Alberta to the University of Calgary, colleges in Alberta provide an exciting gateway to exciting career prospects and top-class education that is amongst the best in the world.
Given below is a list of the best/top colleges in Alberta that you could consider when planning to immigrate to Canada for higher studies-
| University | IELTS/ TOEFL | Average Tuition Fee | Courses Offered |
| Bow Valley College | TOEFL score of 83 IELTS score of 6.5 PTE score of 59-64 | CA $ 5,000 – CA $13,000 | Business and Health AdministrationBasic Literacy ProgramsPharmacy TechnicianSocial ServicesWorkplace TrainingHealthcare AideNurseEducation and Early LearningCommunity Services |
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology | IELTS score of 6.5 TOEFL iBT score of 83 | CA $ 19,000 – CA $26,000 | Academic Upgrading and English as a Second LanguageClerical and Administrative SupportBusiness and Administration StudiesCommunications, Journalism, and Related StudiesComputer and Information TechnologyEngineering, Architecture, and Related Studies |
| Southern Alberta Institute of Technology | IELTS score of 6.0 TOEFL score of 80 | CA $ 18,000 – CA $22,917 | AccountingAcademic UpgradingAdvanced care paramedicAircraft MaintenanceBachelor of Applied Business AdministrationBachelor of Business AdministrationEngineering TechnologyData Analytics |
| Lakeland College | TOEFL score of 78 IELTS score of 6.0 PTE score of 53 | CA $ 17,000 – CA $32,000 | Agricultural scienceBusinessContinuing educationDual CreditEnergyEnvironment scienceFire and emergency servicesHealth and wellnessUniversity Transfer |
| Lethbridge College | TOEFL score of 80 IELTS score of 6.0 PTE score of 54 | CA $ 16,000 – CA $39,000 | Academic UpgradingAgricultureApprenticeships and TradesBusinessCulinaryEngineering TechnologiesInformation TechnologiesSpatial Design Technologies |
FEATURES OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF ALBERTA
Post-secondary system in Alberta refers to an integrated system that is inclusive of career colleges, community colleges, and universities. The description of each is given below-
- Universities are public entities that offer Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees, respectively. All of these courses are extremely research-intensive and are in high demand across the globe.
- Community colleges, on the other hand, refer to public institutions that offer certificate courses, undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate diplomas. The curriculum is designed to fit in with the industry trends.
- The privately owned and operated colleges are called career colleges that offer short-term certificate and diploma programs. Each of these programs is approved by the provincial education board so as to meet the existing demand for employment.
POPULAR COURSES OF COLLEGES IN ALBERTA
As mentioned previously, Alberta is home to several top-ranking colleges and universities offering an exciting range of courses to international students. Some of the popular courses offered by colleges in Alberta are mentioned below-
- Business
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Arts and Humanities
- Environmental Sciences
- Agriculture
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING TO COLLEGES IN ALBERTA
For applying to colleges in Alberta, you need to make sure that you meet certain eligibility criteria. Generally speaking, colleges in Alberta look for English language proficiency, successful completion of five academic subjects (if applying for admission from High School), and grades. After meeting all the requirements, the applicant is supposed to pay the requested application fee.
The eligibility criteria for applying to colleges in Alberta can be broadly classified into the following sub-heads-
- Successful completion of five academic subjects – candidates (applying for admission from High School) must show that they have completed five academic subjects before applying. This, however, depends on the program of choice.
- English Language Proficiency– candidates must confirm that they have an adequate level of English language proficiency before getting approved for admission to colleges. This can be done by providing test scores for IELTS, TOEFL, and others.
- Minimum admission average- The candidate must score the minimum admission average accepted by the desired colleges in Alberta. It must be noted that these averages change every year.
- Payment of application fees– Students must pay the requested application fee, which is non-refundable under any circumstance. Application fees vary for every university. However, the average application fee usually ranges from CA $17 to CA $150.
GETTING A STUDY VISA
Apart from having a valid passport, applicants must also have a valid Study Visa in order to apply for colleges in Alberta. Furthermore, having a study visa opens doors for Permanent Residency. While applying to colleges in Alberta, you must ensure that your Study Visa is ready.
The following are the essential documents for a Study Visa-
- A valid passport that retains its validity throughout the course of your study.
- Official Letter of Acceptance from the College or University
- Financial proof, proving you have enough funds to sustain yourself and take care of your expenses
- Medical clearance certificate from a doctor designated by the Citizenship and Immigration, Canada (CIC)
Note– The processing fee for a Study Visa is usually CA $150 per person.
WHY ALWAYS CONSIDER BASICS OF IMMIGRATION?
- Expert Visa counselors provide Step-by-step guidance through a secure, online process.
- Apt evaluation of credentials and faster visa processing.
- Identifying all potential hazards and roadblocks in securing a visa.
- Assistance with documentation, immigration rules, citizenship, and border control procedures.
- Multiple case assessment for better conflict resolution.
- Designated process managers to provide personalized guidance.
Just like the basics of anything act as “building blocks” forming a strong foundation for constructing complex structures. The Basics of Immigration serve as the foundational elements of moving abroad, for any aspiring immigrant.