Intakes for International Students at Canadian Universities

You’ve decided you want to study at a Canadian university. You know which program you want to study, and which schools you’ll be applying to. But when do you start applying? Canadian universities have flexible intake options all year round. To figure out the right time to start applying, you need to know about the intakes for international students at Canadian universities.

How Many Intakes for International Students are There at Canadian Universities?

There are three intakes for most Canadian universities:

• Fall (September intake)
• Winter (January intake)
• Spring/Summer (May intake)

Fall Intake

The Fall Intake is the most popular of the Canada university intakes. This intake offers the largest selection of courses and programs from the most universities. Along with the pleasant climate to help international students adjust easier, the large selection of courses is a huge plus. You’re the most likely to find the course you’re looking for at the university you’re looking for during this intake.

Since most students apply for the Fall Intake, seats are also likely to fill up faster. Most universities in Canada accept students on a first-come first-serve basis. So, this means that if you want to make sure you enrol at your top university for your top program, you want to apply as early as possible.

When Should I Apply for the Fall Intake?

If you’re aiming to start your studies in September, we recommend starting your research as early as April the year before. This gives you enough time to take necessary steps, like finding the right scholarships, sitting for English language proficiency tests, and arranging reference letters. You should aim to begin submitting your applications between August and October the year before your program begins. This gives your application a better chance for consideration. The earlier you apply the more likely you are to snag one of the limited seats for your program of choice. Deadlines can fall between December to as late as March.

Remember, the application windows and deadlines vary from university to university. Make sure you’re aware of important dates for the universities you’re applying for!

If you’re planning to apply for the Canada Fall Intake 2023, begin applying between August and October 2022.

Winter Intake

Missed the Fall Intake? The Winter Intake might be your next best option, so you don’t have to wait a whole year to enrol. Many universities do offer a wide range of courses for the Winter Intake. But these are still more limited compared to the range of courses and universities you can apply for during the Fall.

This intake lasts from January to April. And as you can tell from the name, it takes place during the colder months in Canada. If you’re used to cold weather, you might not have trouble adjusting to the move. But if you aren’t used to freezing temperatures and snow, this might be a bit tough to adapt to right away. Keep this in mind when figuring out which intake works for you.

If you’re planning to apply for the Winter Intake, begin your research around April the year before. It’s best to start submitting your application in Canadian Universities between September and November. Again, this varies from school to school, so make sure you’re caught up on important dates.

To apply for the Canada Winter Intake 2023, begin applying between September and November 2022.

Spring/Summer Intake

This intake offers the least number of programs from the least number of schools. You’ll only get a fraction of the complete university experience if this is your intake. This is especially the case because most schools will be on spring/summer break around this time. If you are expecting bustling campuses and exciting student experiences, this may not be the intake you’re looking for. Nonetheless, if your program is on offer during this time, you might find it easier to get admission! This is one of the least competitive intakes in Canada and might work perfectly for your needs.

Application deadlines depend on individual schools. But it’s best to have your application ready for submission between October and December the year before the intake.

If you’re aiming for a Spring/Summer Canada intake in 2023, have your application ready before December 2022!

Concluding Thoughts: Intakes for International Students at Canadian Universities

Intakes for international students at Canadian universities are generally open all year round! But the availability of courses and which school you can apply to vary across the intakes. It’s wise to start preparing a full year before your intended intake. Putting together application packages for universities and study permits can take a lot of time. And many universities offer limited seats for different programs. Most universities also evaluate applications on a first-come first-serve basis.  So, to make sure you get into your dream school for your dream program, start early!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many intakes are these in Canada?

There are three intakes for Canadian universities:

• Fall/September
• Winter/January
• Summer/May
  

Which intake is best for Canada?

This depends on you and which program and/or school you’re aiming to apply to. In general, the Fall Intake is the most popular. This intake sees the most courses offered by the most universities. The Winter Intake is better for those who miss the Fall Intake and don’t wish to wait another year to enrol. Despite not featuring as many courses from as many universities, you still have a significant range of options. Lastly, the Spring/Summer intake offers the least number of courses from the least number of universities.

When is the next intake to study in Canada?

If you’re aiming for the Winter Intake of 2023, there’s just enough time to apply between September and November 2022. In some cases, your deadline may run into December or even January 2023. Nonetheless, we advise starting and submitting your application as early as possible. But remember, don’t submit rushed or incomplete applications. If you find you don’t have enough time to put together a strong application, it’s better to wait for the next intake.

To apply for the Fall 2023 Intake, you can begin applying between August and October 2022. And to apply for the Spring 2023 Intake, application deadlines may be between October and December 2022.

Remember that the application windows and deadlines will be different depending on the university. Do check the dates of your preferred intake deadlines. And make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare and apply! Sometimes, it’s better to wait and submit a stronger application earlier in the next intake, than submit a rushed application close to the deadline.