A Comprehensive Guide On Nursing Courses In Canada For International Students

If you want to acquire strong theoretical knowledge and practical experience in nursing, nothing beats Canadian universities and colleges. Canadian universities are also an excellent choice as it opens doors to numerous career opportunities, providing students with the ideal environment to kick-start their careers.

Are you looking to pursue nursing courses in Canada? This guide provides a detailed explanation of everything you need to know about nursing courses in Canada from different courses, and top colleges, to the admission requirements for international students.

Why Study Nursing In Canada?

  • Canada is considered one of the epicenters for offering high-quality healthcare services in the world attracting students across the world to pursue careers in various fields of healthcare, including nursing.
  • Canada’s nursing education programs are of high standards and recognized internationally.
  • There is a high demand for nurses in Canada according to a recent study by The Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS)
  • Higher demand leads to competitive salaries. The average annual salary of nurses in Canada is around CAD 80,000

Top Canada Nursing Universities For International Students

Here is a list of top Canadian nursing schools for international students:

  • Picture
    University Name
    Courses
    University Details
     
  • McGill University
    McGill University
    Bachelor of Science Nursing
    Bachelor of Science Nursing (Integrated)
    Master of Science in Nursing
    PhD in Nursing
    Public
    Tuition fees: CAD 2,500- 5,000 per year
    Duration: 2-5 years
    Intakes: Jan, Aug, Oct
    Job Placement Rate: 96%
    Acceptance Rate: 47%
  • University of Toronto
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Master of Nursing Post Master’s Nurse Practitioner Diploma Doctor of Nursing
    Public
    Tuition fees: CAD 12,000- 50,000
    Duration: 2- 5 years
    Intakes: Sep, Jan, May
    Job Placement Rate: 82%
    Acceptance rate: 40%
  • University of Alberta
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing- Collaborative/ Bilingual/ Honors/ After Degree
    Master of Nursing PhD Nursing
    Public
    Tuition fees: CAD 50,000- 124,358
    Duration: 2- 4 years
    Intakes: Jul, Nov, Mar, May
    Job Placement Rate: 70%
    Acceptance Rate: 55%
  • University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Public
    Tuition fees: CAD 6,000
    Duration: 20 months- 2 years
    Intakes: Jan, Sep, May
    Job Placement Rate: 85%
    Acceptance Rate: 50%
  • McMaster University
    McMaster University
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Master of Science in Nursing
    Graduate NP Diploma
    Public
    Tuition fees: CAD 5,000- 40,000
    CAD Duration: 1- 6 years
    Intakes: Aug, Jan, May
    Job Placement Rate: 89%
    Acceptance Rate: 59%

Top Canadian Nursing Courses For Foreign Students

Canadian nursing courses are regarded for their high academic standards, rigorous curriculum, and focus on clinical experiences. Some of the top courses in nursing that are among the best in Canada are:

  • Bachelor Of Science In Nursing: The BSN program is a 3 to 4-year course involving theoretical knowledge and practical experiences. The theoretical education includes core nursing topics, health sciences, and humanities and social sciences. The clinical experience allows students to work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, community clinics, and long-term facilities.
  • Masters Of Science In Nursing: For a registered nurse who is looking to advance his/her career in nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing is the ideal program for career advancement. An MSN program is a 2-year course that delves deep into nursing. It allows students to specialize in specific areas of nursing such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and other advanced roles.
  • Diploma Of Nursing: The Diploma of Nursing is a 1.5 to 2-year course offered in colleges rather than universities to prepare students to become licensed practical nurses or registered nurses. The curriculum includes basic nursing skills, health sciences and humanities, and clinical experience.
  • Ph.D. in Nursing: A Ph.D course in nursing is for registered nurses who want to pursue advanced careers in academics, research institutions, and policy-making bodies. It is a 5-year program focusing on research areas in nursing theory and philosophy, nursing education, healthcare policy and systems, and more.

Nursing Courses In Canada After 12th

If you have completed your 12th, these are the common nursing courses pursued after the 12th:

  • Bachelor Of Science In Nursing: A four-year program focusing on nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, nursing ethics, and more.
  • Practical Nursing Diploma: A 1.5 to 2-year program focusing on patient care, medication administration, and health promotion.
  • Bachelor Of Nursing (Post Diploma): A 2 to 3-year program focusing on advanced courses in nursing theory, leadership, and research.

How To Apply For Nursing Schools In Canada?

Applying for a nursing school in Canada is a multi-step process. Here are the key steps you must take:

  • Research the universities and colleges offering nursing courses that are tailored to your requirements.
  • Visit the official website of the college and check if your educational qualifications meet the institution’s requirements.
  • Complete the online application form and submit all the documents
  • Once done, the concerned authorities will review your application. If selected, you’ll get an official acceptance letter from the university.
  • Confirm your acceptance before the deadline mentioned in the letter. Pay the required deposit fee.
  • Next, apply for a study permit from Canada’s immigration website.

Eligibility Criteria

The basic eligibility criteria for admissions to nursing courses in Canada include:

  • High school/ Senior secondary completion certificate in science or equivalent
  • Bachelor’s/ Undergraduate degree in relevant field (for master’s)
  • Master’s or equivalent (for PhD)
  • Language proficiency requirements:
    • IELTS- 6.5 or above
    • TOEFL- min 90 or above

Documents Required

  • All academic transcripts
  • Language proficiency proofs
  • Resume/ CV
  • Passport and Visa
  • Photographs
  • Completed application form and fees
  • Identification Documents
  • SOP
  • LOR
  • Criminal Background Check
  • Medical Certificate

Top Specializations In Nursing For International Students

Canadian universities and colleges offer a variety of specializations in nursing for distinct career paths. Here are the popular specializations in the field of nursing:

SpecializationsAverage Annual Salary
Nurse PractitionerCAD 93,000
Clinical Nurse SpecialistCAD 101,000
Pediatric NursingCAD 87,000
Registered NurseCAD 104,280
Community Health NurseCAD 101,000
MidwiferyCAD 91,557

FAQs

Yes, a lot of Canadian universities offer scholarships

Edmonton, Scarborough, London, Toronto, Ottawa, etc. are some of the top-paying cities for nursing graduates in Canada.

Yes, the Canadian government allows you to work part-time; 20 hours per week in Canada if you are a full-time student.

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