Upcoming Intakes in Canada 2023

Nearly 650,000 international students choose Canada as their study destination and a majority of this number hails from India. As Canada is becoming increasingly popular as a study abroad destination other than the UK and the US, there is a substantial increase in the number of applications received by Canadian universities over the past few years. 

Deciding between winter, fall and spring intakes in Canada remains one of the core dilemmas faced by Indian students who intend to pursue their higher education in the country. It is particularly important to be aware of the intakes in Canada and submit your application in a timely manner because, as evident from the growing pool of hopefuls, the degree of competitiveness is continuously expanding.

Most Canadian universities offer courses in only two intakes - Spring and Fall while other universities may be open for admission to all three intakes. Adding to this, you need to check whether the course you are applying for is open for admission during that intake.

Therefore, you must be well aware of the major intakes in Canada and which Canadian universities offer admission during these intakes. Read till the end to make an informed decision about which intake is best for you — Fall, Spring, or Winter intake in Canada.

What are the Admission Intakes in Canada?

Intakes in Canada occur twice a year, in the spring and the fall. Nevertheless, a few of the top universities in Canada also offer admissions during all three intakes, i.e. the Winter intake in Canada. To make their admission a success, Indian students must be aware of these intakes to properly prepare their application strategies.

The main benefit of having several intakes in Canada is that applicants can submit another application if they do not get accepted the first time or have unfortunately missed the deadline for a particular intake. For instance, you can reapply for an academic programme in September 2023 if you apply for one in January 2023 but were unfortunately not accepted owing to no vacancy. The applications you submit will be given higher consideration if this occurs because no university wants to lose an international student who wants to study in Canada. The following infographic shows a variety of available intakes along with their starting month and a few details about the programmes offered at Canadian universities:

The due dates for applications for each intake in Canada may vary by institution, and some colleges might have several deadlines for specific programmes. It is, therefore, advised that you visit your preferred university's official website to obtain precise and present-day data about the deadlines and intake dates.

Check out the following links to get detailed information about all three Canada intakes along with their application process, document requirements, course availability, scholarships, and more.

Intakes in Canada: Winter vs Fall vs Spring

As discussed, the three semesters of spring or summer, winter, and fall intake in Canada are the ones for which Canadian colleges do accept applications. Winter and spring semesters begin in January, and September marks the start of the fall semester.

The fall semester is when international applicants are most likely to be accepted into Canadian universities. The winter intake in Canada is the next best choice for applicants who missed the fall intake. It should be noted that not all courses are available for spring intake in Canada. Before we get into further details about intakes in Canada, let us talk about how they differ:

Steps to Study in Upcoming Intakes in Canada 2023-24

If you want to attend your preferred Canadian institution, be sure to research the application deadline for your desired academic programme and get started at least a month in advance. For a seamless and fruitful application process, an easy-to-follow guide to applying to Canadian institutions is provided below:

Step #1: Research and Shortlist Your Preferred University

Once you have finished your university exams, avoid wasting time on untouched television shows or other diversions. You may obtain all the information, including the deadline and requirements, by searching the websites of your desired universities. Create an Excel spreadsheet outlining all the requirements for at least ten educational institutions on your list. Starting the procedure early can help ensure that you are on schedule for August.

If not, start working on it now so you are prepared for fall intake in Canada even though you should already be acquainted with all the scholarship choices and bank loan options available (if required). Download the university's brochures for a better understanding of the offerings. Taking advice from professionals, recent grads, and university alumni could be a huge assistance.

Step #2: Ace Standardised Tests

You must study for standardised tests such as GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, SAT, and IELTS. However, not all of them have to be taken or passed. The college and the programme of study will determine the type of test required. Obtain relevant test material, then start planning and preparation. Registering for the GMAT and GRE exams before July might be beneficial. Keep in mind that these exams require at least three months of preparation time.

Furthermore, register one month in advance for the TOEFL and IELTS exams to give yourself adequate time to study. The optimum time to take the exam might be in September because there will be sufficient time if you fall short on your first try.

Step #3: Submit the Application and Wait for your Acceptance Letter

Compile an exhaustive list of the institutions that best suit you after spending so much time and effort choosing the right ones. Now ask for references from your former managers and instructors. This needs to be completed one month before the deadline. In addition to this, obtain two or more letters of recommendation (LORs).

Further, you will need to draft a compelling statement of purpose (SOP). Spend some time with these documents since the way they are presented is of fundamental importance. When everything is ready, submit an application for admission, making sure you finish it earlier than the prescribed university deadline.

Step #4: Keep Your Student Visa and Other Documents Ready

Send your application to every university you have selected, then be patient and wait for a response. After reviewing your application, the colleges will get in touch with you to arrange an interview and group discussion if you get selected. From January through March, the video/personal interview will be scheduled. The college or institute will issue you a letter of acceptance if they believe you are qualified.

You must make a decision and notify the chosen university before the application deadline if you have received multiple letters of acceptance from other educational institutions to which you have applied. Additionally, you need to send a non-refundable surcharge as an application fee to seal the deal with the university that offered you admission.

Concluding Thoughts: Intakes in Canada

Canadian universities typically accept international student applications all year round! But depending on specific intakes in Canada, multiple programmes may be offered and other schools may accept applications. Starting your preparations a full year before your desired intake is advisable. It can take a long time to put together application documents for institutions and study visas. Additionally, first-come, first-served application evaluation is common for the majority of schools. As a result, get started early to ensure that you get into your desired academic programme and institution of your choice!

Still, confused about how many intakes in Canada are available? And which one is right for you? Drop us a line at abroad@collegedekho.com. to get your queries answered by our experts!