The winter intake in Canada is not the primary intake in the country. This secondary intake admits students between January and May every year. It offers a chance to students, who missed the fall intake, to apply for their preferred courses and institutions. However, it is not a popular choice for international students, even though the competition is slightly lesser around this time.
Out of the three Canadian education intakes -Winter, Fall, and Spring – January intake is not very popular, and offers limited courses and specialized educational programs along with courses that have not filled out their seats completely. Students should note that the application procedure and eligibility criteria will remain unchanged for all intakes.
This intake takes applications between January and May, every year. Competition is lower, and students have more chances of landing seats in their chosen institutions and courses.
Timeline for Intakes in Canada
If you look at a timeline for the winter 2025 intake in Canada, the applications will be enabled between January and May. Those missing out on the fall intake will get a chance to apply. The winter intake is followed by the spring or summer intake that accepts applications between May and August.
Months
Timeline
January to April 2024
Start searching for universities or colleges that offer the curriculum of your choice, along with information on the deadlines for the January 2024 intake in Canada, the requirements for qualifying, and the scholarships that are given out.
July to August 2024
Get ready for and show up for admission examinations. Decide which universities you want to apply to. Send in your application for a student visa.
September to October 2024
Submit applications and obtain the necessary supporting documentation.
October to November 2024
Await the admissions decision. Pay the enrollment costs and finish the process of confirming your admission if you are approved. Apply for any student loans or scholarships available. Make housing arrangements.
December 2024 to January 2025
Prepare your belongings to embark on your study abroad journey to Canada.
Winter Intake Universities In Canada
Here are some institutions offering admissions during the winter intake in Canada:
Queen’s University (Geology, Biology, Engineering, Psychology, Computer Science)
Douglas College (International Business, Language, Literature & Performing Arts)
Cape Breton University (Public Administration, Community Studies)
The University of Toronto (Computer Science, Architecture, Music,
Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Kinesiology)
Carleton University (Architecture and Technology, Public Affairs, Journalism)
Mount Saint Vincent University (Psychology, Computer Science, Public Relations)
McGill University (Engineering, Education, Management)
The University of British Columbia (Economics, Political Science, English)
The University of Ottawa (Computer Science, Geosciences, Engineering)
The University of Manitoba (Health Services Research, Mathematics, Management)
Lambton College (Computer Software and Database Development, International Business, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)
Step by Step Guide to Apply for Canada Winter Intake
Step 1
Starting the application procedure- Most Canadian institutions have a first-come admission rule. Hence, keep all the application or admission timelines in mind. Narrow down all the institutions where you are eligible to apply and those which offer your preferred courses. Note down individual deadlines of all institutions.
Step 2
Prepare yourself for standardized examinations like the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT, IELTS, and others. Give yourself appropriate time to prepare and give yourself some buffer time to take the tests again if you are dissatisfied with your scores.
Step 3
Submit the application. It happens between August and September, and you should finalize the application, contact your supervisors, teachers and managers for LORs and finish your SOP. The deadline for January admission usually falls around September with regard to submitting applications. Some deadlines may be till mid-November, but make sure to check them carefully. Always apply well before the deadline.
Interviews & Acceptance Letters
September to October is the period when you will be contacted by universities for video interviews if required. You will also get your official letters of acceptance at this time. Respond quickly by paying all the initial charges or confirmation deposits and enrolling on the institution without waiting. You must make decisions quickly to avoid losing out on your seat.
Applying for your Visa and Education Loan
This period is usually between October and November. You should apply for the education loan immediately once you get the letter of acceptance. The procedure requires time, keep this aspect in mind. Complete the documents you will have to submit for the visa and apply at the earliest. You can also apply for a scholarship upon getting your acceptance letter, if you are eligible.
Get Ready for Departure
This period is from November to December. Buy your flight tickets and ensure that you land in Canada some time earlier to find accommodation outside or within the university campus. Get all your documentation in place before departing. Ensure that your departure checklist is completely ticked off with your international debit/credit card in place.
Standardized examinations score – ACT, GRE, GMAT, and SAT.
Proof of English language proficiency, i.e., TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Transcripts of official academic records and certificates of extra-curricular activities.
Photocopy of your valid passport.
LORs or Letters of Recommendation.
SOP or Statement of Purpose.
Deadlines for Winter Intake in Canada Applications
The deadline for your application should be between September and November. The maximum deadline at some institutions may last till mid-November
Scholarships for the Canada Winter Intake
Some of the scholarship options include the following:
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto
Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award at the University of British Columbia
Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award
Humber International Entrance Scholarships
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
International Undergraduate Student Bursary at the University of Manitoba
UBC Graduate Global Leadership Fellowships for Developing Country Students
University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
There are numerous options available for students choosing the winter intake in Canada. However, you need to be careful, apply well before deadlines, and carefully check deadlines and eligibility criteria. This period can be better for getting admission into your chosen universities and courses due to lower competition.
For the winter intake in Canada, the deadlines vary across universities and institutions. They start from September and go on till mid-November in some cases. While some institutions may have flexible deadlines, adhering to these deadlines is very important in most cases. Missing out on them means that students can only apply in the upcoming summer intake, where even fewer institutions and courses may be available. Similarly, those missing the application deadline for the fall intake usually apply in the winter intake.
What if the deadline is missed?
If you miss the application deadline for the fall intake in Canada, you will have to apply at the summer intake. The fall intake is between January and May, while the summer intake is between May and August in most cases. The deadlines for applying are usually between September and mid-November for admissions in the winter intake.
Is Canada’s winter intake good?
The winter or January intake in Canada is not as preferred by international students as the fall intake. Most international students usually prefer to apply during the fall intake. However, the winter intake is good for getting access to specialized educational programs and institutions even though the overall institution and course count is not high. You can also increase your chances of admission into your chosen university and course since competition is on the lower side.
What is the difference between September and January intake?
The winter intake begins in January and ends in May. The fall or September intake is the primary intake for most students. The highest number of institutions and courses are available at this time. It is followed by the secondary or winter intake when a limited number of institutions and courses are available. Many international students apply in the fall intake, while a limited number apply in winter.
Winter intake means which month in Canada?
The winter intake usually begins in January. It is a second opportunity for many aspirants to apply to their preferred universities and courses in Canada after missing out on the fall intake due to some reason. Many winter intake universities in Canada have majors on offer at this time, while some offer specialized and limited courses.
Rakhee Talukdar is an edtech expert with five years of experience in the education technology sector, focusing on K-12 and higher education systems in various countries, including Canada, USA, Finland, France, and Germany. Her background includes founding a startup and working with early-stage educational ventures, giving her a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities within these educational landscapes. Additionally, Rakhee specializes in helping students craft compelling Statements of Purpose (SOPs) for studying abroad, leveraging her insights into different education systems to guide students in articulating their academic and professional goals effectively. Her comprehensive knowledge and strategic approach make her a valuable resource for students navigating their educational journeys and financial planning.
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