Study in Canada
Points to remember when preparing to study abroad in Canada.
Immigration
Once you have received your acceptance letter from your host university, you must request a Canadian Study Permit for your stay in Canada. This permit is mandatory for all exchanges.
Students going to Quebec will also need a Quebec acceptance certificate (CAQ) in addition to the Study Permit if they intend on staying longer than six months. If you plan to study in Quebec for less than 6 months, you can apply for a study permit without a CAQ.
Medical Insurance
Some partner universities will require that you sign up for their medical plan. Your host university medical plan generally offers the most complete coverage at a competitive price. Please review the reports prepared by your predecessors and the University website to view details and updates.
French citizens studying in Quebec will be able to benefit from the Social Security Agreement which provides coverage for student health during the exchange.
More information on health and insurance.
Accommodation
There is usually no prior commitment from the host university to accommodate its international students on campus.
If you would like to request on campus housing, you should submit an application to the Housing services of your host university as soon as possible. The sooner your application is submitted, the higher your chances of obtaining a spot.
Please visit the Housing website of your host university for tips on how to find housing. Student reports will also provide useful information on housing.
Choice of courses
In order to validate the equivalent of 30 ECTS per semester during your exchange in Canada, you will need to take and pass 5 courses at your host university. This is the equivalent of a full-time student.
To view the disciplines that will enable you to validate your major abroad, please check the Equivalence table between disciplines and majors.
Working in Canada
In addition to your academic exchange, you may request to undertake an optional internship, for up to 21 hours per week. To do so, you will need to request authorization from your Regional Manager at the International Affairs Division, as well as from Sciences Po Carrières. An optional internship does not award any credit and must systematically be considered after your studies in the case of a scheduling or other conflict, the priority being your academic exchange.
If you would like to seek paid employment, we recommend that you contact the Student Services of your host university and inquire about on-campus jobs. In most cases, your study permit will allow you to take on a job on campus.
Information on the student work permit.