There are three main intakes for studying in Canada - fall (September), winter (January), and spring/summer (May). The fall intake is the largest, with the most programs accepting applications between December-March and starting in September. The winter intake has fewer program options and accepts applications between September-November for a January start. The spring intake has the fewest options and accepts applications between February-March for a May start. Each intake has a multi-step application process that should begin 6-12 months in advance, including taking language tests, applying to programs, obtaining acceptance letters, applying for visas, and making travel arrangements.
Everything you need to know about Intakes in Canada
1. Intakes in Canada
If you have just started planning to study in Canada, you will have many questions in your
mind. One of the aspects you should seriously consider is the types of intakes in Canada.
Some questions that will arise in your mind will be how many intakes are there in Canada?
What are the types of intakes in Canada? What is the primary intake of all the Canada
intakes? Fall intake means which month in Canada? Spring Intake means which
month? Or winter intake in Canada means which months? To answer all these questions,
here are the types for Canada masters intake:
Canada Intake 2019-2020Starts in
Fall Intake September
Winter Intake January
Spring Intake May
Fall Intake in canada:
Duration: September, October, November, December
Fall Intake is also known as September Intake.
This intake includes most number of institutes offering the largest number of seats
available in all the courses, compared to other two Intakes.
It is the primary intake for the students who want to study in Canada. Most Students prefer
fall intake to start their studies in Canada, as it will give them enough time to be
conditioned to the studies and the environment. This will put these students, 4 to 5
months ahead of the students joining in winter intake. Apart from that, the weather in fall
is more pleasant compared to the winter.
2. Deadlines for September intake in Canada: Deadlines for application for this intake
generally fall between December and March. However, it varies from institute to institute.
Winter Intake in Canada:
Duration: January, February, March, April
Winter intake in Canada is also known as January Intake.
This intake can be considered as the continuation of the fall intake. A fewer number of
institutes offer courses in winter intake compared to the fall intake.
When should I Apply for January Intake in Canada?
Mostly, the students who have missed the admission in fall intake would opt for winter
intake. They will have another chance to continue their studies without waiting for a whole
year. The atmosphere in winter gets very cold and it is not pleasant to start in such
conditions. Moreover, students will have to adapt to the environment at the institute
quickly, compared to the students from the fall intake.
Deadlines for January Intake Canada: Deadline to this intake generally fall between
September and November. However, it varies from institute to institute.
Spring Intake in canada:
Duration: May, June, July, August
Spring intake in Canada or summer intake in Canada is also known as May Intake.
This is the least preferred intake of all the intakes in Canada that are available. Not many
colleges offer a course during the spring session, and the ones that offer are very few.
3. Most of the students prefer going back to their homes or take a spring break off during
summer. It is not a compulsory semester. Students can still take the courses if they want
to, but as said earlier, there are not many options to choose from.
Deadline for May Intake Canada: The final dates to apply for May Intake are generally
fall in February. However, the dates may change from institute to institute.
Deadlines for Diploma Courses in Canada: Intakes for 2020
For Diploma Courses in the Colleges in Canada, there are three Intakes. Here is the list of
them and deadlines to apply for Intakes in Canada:
January Intake Deadlines: August - September
May Intake Deadlines: January - February
August / September Intake Deadlines: February / April
6 Steps to Study in January Intake in Canada 2020
If you want to study in Canada and planning to go for January 2020 intake in Canada,
here is the study in Canada timeline for January 2020. Information about courses in
Canada for January 2020 intake, When to apply for January 2020 intake in Canada, and all
about last dates to apply for January 2020 intake in Canada.
Step 1: Start Now!
Most colleges have a first come first basis admission policy for January intake in
Canada, and you would want to start your application process as early as possible.
Keep in mind the deadlines for January 2020 intake for Canada and start
accordingly.
Before that, shortlist the colleges and universities that you are interested in. Do a
thorough research on the list of colleges in Canada for January 2020 intake and
then, see what are the courses in Canada for January intake 2020, see the ones that
suit you the best to your academic and career goals. Each institute will their own
4. deadlines for the January intake for Canada in 2020, and that should be considered
before planning.
Step 2: Appear for the Exams: July 2019 to August 2019
Prepare for like GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, and IELTS, two months before the test.
Give appropriate exam as per your university requirements. required tests
You should be taking your IELTS/TOEFL exam, depending on the course and
university requirements, latest by August 2018, before applying for the institutes.
Keep in mind that it will take around two weeks for the results of test to be
declared, and a buffer month should be kept, too, in case you want to retake the
test because of any unforeseen or undesired result.
Step 3: Start Applying to Colleges: August 2019 to September 2019
Look for January intake colleges in Canada 2020, shortlist the colleges and
Universities before the due dates for the respective institutes. Prepare your final
application. The application must portray you as a unique applicant and it should
be highlighting your strengths.
Contact your Managers and professors for the reference letters. Start working on
your SOP (Statement of Purpose). All these documentation process should start at
least month before the due date of the application.
Most January intake colleges in Canada 2020 will have their deadline set in for
September. Some might go as late as mid-November, but you should always be
checking university website for updated January 2020 intake in Canada deadlines.
Apply before the due date.
Step 4: Acceptance Letters and Interviews: September 2019 to October 2019
Colleges will email you after you have applied for the courses. Do not delay
in replying to them. Appear for personal or video interviews if needed.
5. If you are accepted into a college/university, make a quick decision. Reply to them
as soon as you decide. Some of them follow first come first serve policy. Do not
wait for the deadlines to reply.
You will have to pay a non-refundable confirmation deposit, once you affirm your
admission with acollege/university.
Step 5: Apply for Visa / Education Loan: October 2019 to November 2019
As soon as you get the acceptance letter, apply for a student’s loan without any
delay. Some processes take time, and a candidate should always consider that
before planning for the timeline.
Document all the paperwork required for your student visa requirement. Apply
for the student visa for Canada in time. The processing for a visa will also take
some time.
If applicable, apply for an external scholarship as well, as soon as you get the
acceptance letter from the college/university.
Step 6: Tickets and Departure: November 2019 to December 2019
You are almost ready to fly! Book airline tickets. Most sessions for the courses will
start in early January, so it is advisable to reach Canada by December and look for
accommodations on or off the campus.
Before flying, gather all the necessary documents and their photocopies.
Organize an international Credit / Debit card before departure, and make sure you
have marked every checkbox in your pre-departure checklist.
6 Steps to Study in May intake in Canada 2020
If you want to study in Canada and planning to go for May intake in Canada 2020 , here
is the study in Canada timeline for May 2020. Information about courses in Canada for
May 2020 intake, When to apply for May 2020 intake in Canada, and all about last dates
to apply for May 2020 intake in Canada.
6. Step 1: May Intake 2020 - Start Now!
Most colleges have a first come first basis admission policy for the admission, and
you would want to start your application process as early as possible. Keep in mind
the deadlines for May 2020 intake for Canada and start accordingly.
Before that, shortlist the colleges and universities that you are interested in. Do a
thorough research on the list of colleges in Canada for May 2020 intake and then,
see what are the courses in Canada for May intake 2020, see the ones that suit you
the best to your academic and career goals. Each institute will their own deadlines
for the May Intake for Canada in 2020, and that should be considered before
planning.
Step 2: Appear for the Exams - August 2019 to September 2019
Prepare for required tests like GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL and IELTS, two months
before the test. Give appropriate exam as per your university requirements.
You should be taking your IELTS/TOEFL exam, depending on course and university
requirements, latest by October 2019, before applying for the institutes.
Keep in mind that it will take around two weeks for the results of test to be
declared, and a buffer month should be kept, too, in case you want to retake the
test because of any unforeseen or undesired result.
Step 3: Start Applying to Colleges: October 2019 to December 2019
Look for May Intake colleges in Canada 2020, shortlist the colleges and Universities
before the due dates for the respective institutes. Prepare your final application.
The application must portray you a unique applicant and it should be highlighting
your strengths.
Contact your Managers and professors for the reference letters. Start working on
your SOP (Statement of Purpose). All these documentation process should start at
least month before the due date of the application.
7. Most May Intake colleges in Canada 2020 will have their deadline set in for October
to February, but you should always be checking university website for updated
May 2020 Intake in Canada deadlines. Apply before the due date.
Step 4: Acceptance Letters and Interviews: December 2019 to January 2020
Colleges will email you after you have applied for the courses. Do not delay in
replying to them. Appear for personal or video interviews if needed.
If you are accepted into a college/university, make a quick decision. Reply to them
as soon as you decide. Some of them follow first come first serve policy. Do not
wait for the deadlines to reply.
You will have to pay a non-refundable confirmation deposit, once you affirm your
admission with a college/university.
Step 5: Apply for Visa/Education Loan - January 2020 to February 2020
As soon as you get the acceptance letter, apply for a student’s loan without any
delay. Some processes take time, and the candidate should always consider that
before planning for the timeline.
Document all the paperwork required for your student visa requirement. Apply for
student visa in time. The processing for visa will also take some time.
If applicable, apply for an external scholarship as well, as soon as you get the
acceptance letter from the college/university.
Step 6: Tickets and Departure - March 2020 to April 2020
You are almost ready to fly! Book airline tickets. Most sessions for the courses will
start in early May, so it is advisable to reach Canada by April, and look for
accommodations on or off the campus.
Before flying, gather all the necessary documents and their photocopies.
Organize an international Credit / Debit card before departure, and make sure
you have marked every checkbox in your pre-departure checklist.
8. 6 Steps to Study in September intake in Canada 2020
For either undergraduate or postgraduate studies, the first thing you require is an action
plan. Here is an application timeline to give you an idea study in Canada If you have plans
to go to about what to do and in which month to do!!!
Step 1: April 2019 to September 2019
Begin early and by August, shortlist 8-12 universities that you will apply to. Visit
university websites and note application requirements, due dates etc.
By September, be familiar with bank loan options and scholarships to support your
studies.
Start by downloading admissions brochures from the university websites. Most
brochures are out over a year sooner.
Do some initial research on different accommodation options
Step 2: Crack the exams: June 2019 to December 2019
Prepare for required standardized tests like GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL or IELTS –
relying upon the course and university.
By June-July or three months before the test date, enroll for GMAT/GRE.
Register for TOEFL/IELTS no less than a month prior to the test date.
Take the required tests around September and do plan for buffer time in case you
need to retake the test.
Step 3: Its application time: August 2019 to October 2019
Shortlist the universities and prepare for your application. Think hard about what
makes you unique as an applicant and sketch out your strengths and self-appraisal.
Contact your professors and direct managers for the required 2-3 reference
letters. At least a month before your application due date.
Start drafting your SOP and essays. Give a month’s time to structure these
documents appropriately.
9. Apply before the due date!
Step 4: What next: November 2019 to April 2020
Don’t delay replying to college emails. Also, there will be quite a few!
Appear for personal/video interviews. These are planned around January to March.
Once you get acceptance letters, make your decision as quickly as possible.
Depending on the deadline, inform the universities of your decision.
You will need to pay a non-refundable deposit to affirm your admission.
Step 5: Visa and money matters: May 2020 to July 2020
Search for and begin applying for external scholarships (if relevant).
Apply for student loan, after you get your acceptance letter.
Assemble paperwork for your student visa. Check visa prerequisites.
Apply for a student visa in time. Remember the time taken for visa processing!
Step 6: Get ready to fly: July 2020 to August 2020
Book airline tickets.
Organize an International Debit/Credit card.
Gather all the documents and their photocopies, to take along.
Check out the Pre-departure checklist!