Canada Coast to Coast: Studying in Saskatchewan

Did you know that Canada is the world’s second-largest country by landmass, covering 9.98 million km²? With 10 provinces, three territories, and multiple climates, Canada is a land of contrasts and diversity.

The Visa Centre together with ApplyBoard is embarking on a trip across Canada to help international students get a better feel for this unique country and discover the region that best aligns with their educational goals. The first stop in the Coast-to-Coast Canada series is Saskatchewan.

This post explores some of the advantages of studying in Saskatchewan and a few of partner The Visa Centre / ApplyBoard schools in the province.

Top 4 Reasons to Study in Saskatchewan

With a mix of bustling urban centres and small communities, Saskatchewan is a province that reflects Canada’s welcoming spirit and attracts many international students every year. Here are just four reasons why Saskatchewan is a great place to study abroad:

1. World-Class Education

First and foremost, Saskatchewan truly offers international students a world-class education. Saskatchewan is home to some of the country’s leading post-secondary schools—we’ll take a closer look at three below. All post-secondary institutions in Saskatchewan are publicly funded, which translates to more affordable tuition fees and stronger diversity on campus.

2. High Quality of Life

Saskatchewan boasts an exceptionally high quality of life, and this benefit extends to its international student population as well. Unlike other Canadian provinces, the Government of Saskatchewan provides healthcare to international students studying in the province. Air pollution levels are comparatively low, and the province has done a commendable job of containing its COVID-19 cases.

3. Excellent Employment Opportunities

International students in Saskatchewan can take advantage of employment opportunities—both while studying and after. Many students are attracted to Saskatchewan’s post-secondary schools for their competitive Co-Op programs, which allows students to gain invaluable hands-on experience and earn money. The opportunities in Saskatchewan continue post-graduation, which segues nicely to the next point.

4. Great Immigration Policies

Saskatchewan is looking to welcome 400,000 individuals to immigrate to the province over the next decade. Several initiatives will help the province accomplish this—two of which will appeal to international students.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) gives eligible recent graduates the option to remain in Saskatchewan and provides a viable pathway to Canadian permanent residency. The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category of the SNIP enables eligible students who don’t have a post-graduate work permit to open or invest in a business. It’s another example of how Saskatchewan is leading the way.

The Visa Centre / ApplyBoard Partner Schools in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Nearly 6,500 international students study at Saskatchewan Polytechnic at several campuses scattered across the province, including its main campus in SaskatoonPrince AlbertMoose Jaw, and Regina. The school emphasizes hands-on training and prides itself on a 90% graduate employment rate and leading industry connections, including John Deere, General Motors, and Ford, just to name a few.

All programs have advisory councils comprised of employers and graduates, and faculty regularly reviews the school’s curriculum to ensure that it’s relevant to the modern workplace. After completing their studies at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, many students opt to continue their education at the University of Regina or the University of Saskatchewan.

Scholarships for International Students

After completing their first semester, international students studying at Saskatchewan Polytechnic are eligible for academic merit scholarships and awards. 

The University of Saskatchewan

A member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the country’s top research-intensive medical doctorate schools. Located in Saskatoon, the university is home to world-leading research in areas of global importance, such as water and food security, and is currently developing a COVID-19 vaccine.

The University of Saskatchewan is a mid-sized university with a student population of 26,000, offering degree, diploma, and certificate programs in more than 160 areas of study. The university placed first in the world in the study of water resources in ShanghaiRanking’s 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), and was among the top four in Canada for veterinary sciences, environmental science, engineering, and agricultural sciences. The school’s veterinary medicine program will open to international students in Fall 2021. Graduates will be able to practice across Canada, the United States, and most of the rest of the world.

Scholarships for International Students

In 2019, the University of Saskatchewan awarded $13 million in scholarships and bursaries to its students. The university also offers a number of scholarships for international students. Students who apply for admission by February 15, 2021 will automatically be considered for: 

  • 0 International Excellence Awards ($10,000) 
  • 0 International Baccalaureate Excellence Awards ($20,000)

Students who apply for admission by February 15, 2021 will be eligible to apply for:

  • 0 International Canadian Curriculum School Awards ($15,000)
  • 0 Council of International School (CIS) Awards ($15,000)

Students must apply for these scholarships by March 1, 2021.

The University of Regina

Recognized by InfoSource as one of the top comprehensive universities in Canada, the University of Regina offers an array of certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s programs. The university is renowned for its competitive 12–16-month Co-Op program, which allows students to apply classroom theory to practical, real-world scenarios while earning money to support their studies.

The University of Regina has also developed the UR Guarantee Program, which supports students throughout their journey at the university. If a student completes the UR Guarantee program and does not obtain employment in their related field within six months of graduation, they can return for an additional year of undergraduate classes for free.

Fun fact: The University of Regina campus is located in one of North America’s largest and most beautiful urban parks.

Scholarships for International Students

The University of Regina grants a number of scholarships and discounts for its international student population, including:

  • 0 International Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship
  • 0 Circle of Scholars Entrance Scholarship
  • 0 Undergraduate International Student Welcome Solidarity Scholarship and Housing Support (students with a GPA of 85% or higher will receive $3,000 or 8 months of residence free)

Sticking with the Prairies for the next stop on the cross-country Canada journey, we looking at exploring Alberta!

Source: ApplyBoard