Study in Canada : Top Universities, Courses, Scholarships, Course Fees and Job Opportunities


Apart from the diverse culture and high standards of living, Canada has been a popular destination for International students for the institutions’ quality education. Canada offers ample opportunities for research and also has affordable options. Students can be ensured a safe and peaceful life in Canada. According to the statistics provided by Erudera, the total number of study permit holders in Canada are around 807,750 students, of which India stands first among the list of the top ten countries with maximum study permit holders in Canada. The following are the top ten countries with the total Canadian study permit holders as of 2022 (according to Erudera)
Country |
Study Permit Holders |
India |
3,19,000 |
China |
1,00,010 |
Philippines |
32,425 |
France |
27,110 |
Nigeria |
21,645 |
Iran |
21,105 |
Republic of Korea |
16,500 |
Vietnam |
16,130 |
Mexico |
14,920 |
The United States |
14,465 |
The various processes and opportunities for Higher Education in Canada for International Students are discussed in detail in this article.
Study in Canada - Universities to Apply in Canada for Indian Students
The universities in Canada are ranked as the best among the universities around the globe. There are around 100+ private and public universities in Canada. These universities are known for offering a high standard and quality of education to students from various parts of the world. Canada’s education quality is maintained by the legislation of the country’s provinces.
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The country also gets reviews on ways to improve the quality of education from various external agencies and from the universities and tries to update them on their system. Canadian universities provide a variety of courses, small or big, either in English, French, or bilingual. Canadian Universities are dedicated to providing the best opportunities to students to help them enhance their careers and life. Some of the top universities in Canada are as follows:
University |
City |
World’s Ranking 2023 |
Canada’s Ranking 2023 |
Toronto |
18 |
1 |
|
British Columbia |
40 |
2 |
|
Quebec |
46 |
3 |
|
Ontario |
85 |
4 |
|
Quebec |
111 |
5 |
|
Alberta |
118 |
6 |
|
Ontario |
137 |
7 |
|
Alberta |
201 |
8 |
|
Waterloo |
201 |
9 |
|
Ontario |
201 |
10 |
|
Quebec |
251 |
11 |
|
Ontario |
251 |
12 |
|
Simon Fraser University |
British Columbia |
251 |
13 |
Toronto |
301 |
14 |
|
British Columbia |
301 |
15 |
|
Winnipeg |
351 |
16 |
|
Toronto |
401 |
17 |
|
Ontario |
501 |
18 |
|
Saskatchewan |
501 |
19 |
|
Ottawa |
601 |
20 |
The following are some of the Top Canadian Universities and their world rankings for various subjects:
- University of Toronto – 27th rank
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University of British Columbia – 33rd rank
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University of Waterloo- 37th rank
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McGill University -41st rank
-
University of Alberta – 93rd rank
- University of Toronto – 6th rank
- University of British Columbia – 19th rank
- University of Toronto – 13th rank
- University of British Columbia – 22nd rank
- McGill University -26th rank
- McMaster University – 48th rank
- University of Alberta– 69th rank
- University of Toronto – 12th rank
- University of British Columbia – 21st rank
- University of Waterloo- 22nd rank
- McGill University -34th rank
- University of Montreal – 47th rank
- University of Toronto – 15th rank
- University of British Columbia – 23rd rank
- McGill University -36th rank
- University of Montreal – 148th rank
- University of Alberta– 171st rank
Popular Courses in Canada for Graduation, Post-graduation, and Post-degree.
Canadian Universities are popular for offering world-class education to students from all over the country. They provide excellent undergraduate, postgraduate, and post-degree diploma courses. The universities in Canada offer over 15000 programs in all fields, including:
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Postgraduation programs
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Undergraduate programs
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Certificate and diploma courses
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Professional designations
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Co-operative education
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Internships
The following are some of the courses offered in Canada that are in high demand
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Arts and Design – Graphic Designing, Fashion Designing, Photography, Media, Film, and Visual Arts
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Engineering – Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronic and Communication Engineering, IT, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, and Architectural Engineering.
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Hospitality and Tourism Management – Hospitality, Hotel Administration, Food Administration, and Tourism Management.
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Health – Health Care Technology Management and Nursing
Apart from these courses, there are a lot of courses available at cheaper costs in Canada, like the PG diploma and diploma courses, which are not as valuable as the degrees acquired from universities. Canadian universities also offer few courses that are much more affordable than the universities in other English-speaking countries. Medical and Management courses in Canada cost quite higher compared to the other courses. When it comes to tuition fees, Canadian universities offer an excellent education at affordable costs.
Application and Admission Process to Canadian Universities for Indian Students
Study in Canada - Eligibility Criteria and Requirements to Apply to Canadian Universities
The students must fulfill certain eligibility criteria to apply to Canadian universities. The following are the eligibility for various courses in Canada:
Undergraduate Courses
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70% in the 12th standard
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Should study maths in 12th
Post Graduate Courses
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Full-time work experience for at least 3 years
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An overall score of 6.5 and above in IELTS and other English proficiency tests
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A GMAT score of 580 and above
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Minimum 70% in Undergraduate degree
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Statement of Purpose
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Recommendation Letter
MBA Programs
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A relevant bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
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3-5 years of work experience in the field
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The required IELTS scores
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A GMAT score above 500 is mandatory
Study in Canada - Requirements to Apply for Canadian Universities
The admission requirements vary from one university to the other and also for the different course types. However, some of the basic requirements are as follows:
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Duly filled application form with acknowledgment
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Mark sheets of 12th, UG, and PG
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Test scores of course-specific tests
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Letter of Recommendation (from teachers or professors and from Managers and co-workers if working)
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Test scores of the required English Proficiency tests
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A properly scanned copy of the passport
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Canadian Student Visa
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Required number of photographs
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An updated resume or CV
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A supporting document for financial availability
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Experience letter, if any
Study in Canada -The Different Admission Intakes in Canada
A student must be well aware of the different intakes and deadlines followed by the universities in Canada for admissions. It must also be noted that Canadian universities offer admissions to various courses in various intakes. The following are the details of the intakes:
Primary Intake – The Fall Intake is the primary intake that happens between September to December or Early January. The application submission for this intake happens between the months of November and April. The fall intake includes admissions to all the major Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs. Some universities that begin admissions during the fall intake are:
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University of Windsor
-
University of Ottawa
-
University of British Columbia
-
McGill University
-
Carleton University
-
University of Calgary
-
McMaster University
-
Sheridan College
-
Humber College
-
University of Manitoba
Secondary Intake - The winter Intake is the secondary intake between January and May. The application submission for this intake happens between the months of March and August. The winter intake is for students who have missed the fall intake. A few selective programs open during this period. Some universities that begin admissions during the winter intake are:
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The University of British Columbia
-
The University of Toronto
-
Carleton University
-
The University of Ottawa
-
McGill University
-
The University of Manitoba
-
Queen’s University
-
Cape Breton University
-
Fanshawe College
-
Douglas College
Spring or Summer Intake – The Spring or summer intake happens between the months of May and August. The application submission for this intake happens between the months of July and December. The spring/summer intake is mainly for any short-term courses like the diploma courses. Some universities that begin admissions during this intake are:
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Ryerson University
-
Centennial College
-
Northern College
-
Algonquin College
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University of Fraser Valley
Study in Canada - Steps to Follow While Applying to Universities in Canada
An international student can follow the below-mentioned steps while applying to Canadian Universities:
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The first step is to determine the course that the candidate wishes to pursue and then shortlist universities in Canada that offer these courses. A lot of research must be done for this, and the candidate should also plan on the expenses and career opportunities before selecting the same.
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The next step is to review the eligibility and requirements for admission into these universities and the course chosen.
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The candidate must ensure to gather all the required documents, including the SOP, LOR, essays, bank statement, and updated resume or CV.
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It is mandatory to produce scores of various language tests and academic tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GRE, SAT, and GMAT to be eligible for admission.
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The important step is to calculate the finances required for travel, stay, and food. The candidate must arrange for loans and scholarships to help them for the same.
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Once finances are arranged, the candidate can submit the application form after filling it out properly and attaching all the required documents and requirements
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After the application form is submitted, the universities will take some time to process the application and then give their Confirmation. Once the student receives this confirmation, they must accept the offer and follow the instructions in the letter.
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The next step is the fee payment before the given deadline and arrangement for accommodation close to the University selected
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After all these steps are done, the final step is the Visa application and processing.
Study in Canada - Academic Exams Required to Apply for Higher Education in Canada
The entrance examinations in Canada are divided into two categories: the Language tests and the academic Tests. While the language tests examine the candidate’s proficiency in the English language, the academic test examines the candidate’s knowledge of various subjects.
Language Tests
The following tests fall into the category of language tests:
- IELTS– The International English Language Testing System or IELTS tests students on the four key skills of the English language: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The candidate must score an overall band score of 6.5 and a band score of 6 for each section to be eligible for admission to Canadian Universities.
-
TOEFL: Like the IELTS, TOEFL exams also test the candidates for their skills in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing in English. A candidate must score 110 and above to get admitted into Tier 1 Canadian Universities and a score of 80 and above to Tier 2 universities.
-
PTE – The Pearson’s Test of English is for non-English speakers, which also tests for the four basic skills of LSRW. It usually tests two skills together. A candidate must acquire a 55 and above to join Engineering colleges in Canada and a 55 – 70 score to get admitted into MBA and MS courses.
Academic Tests
Academic tests in Canada include some of the following tests:
-
GRE- the Graduate Record Examination tests are for students applying to various graduate courses in Canada. It is of two types, namely the GRE General, which tests the candidate’s critical, verbal, and quantitative reasoning, analytical and critical skills, and the GRE Subject Test examines the candidate’s knowledge in various subjects like Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Psychology
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GMAT – GMAT is for admissions into business schools and management courses like the MBA. This test evaluates the skills like analytical writing, verbal, quantitative, and reading skills in English. A student should score above 550 on GMAT to get admitted into Canadian Universities.
Study in Canada- Cost of Studying and Living in Canada
The cost of living in Canada is considerably low for Indian students compared to other countries like the UK, the USA, and Germany. However, the cost of living in Canada varies from one city to the other. Therefore, a student must be wise enough to choose an affordable city near the university. Apart from the tuition fee, a student must consider various other expenses like travel, food, accommodation, and more. An approximate of the various expenses is mentioned below:
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Tuition fee – CAD 30000 – CAD 60000
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Accommodation - CAD 6000 – CAD 10000
-
Food – CAD 300 – CAD 500/month
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Travel – CAD 200 – CAD 300
-
Public transit pass – CAD 40/month
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Health Insurance – CAD 900- CAD 1000
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Study materials – CAD 300 – CAD 600
-
Mobile phone – CAD 30 – CAD 60/ month
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Entertainment – CAD 80 – CAD 100 / month
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Miscellaneous – CAD 600 – CAD 800
Study in Canada- Scholarships and Loans Available for Students in Canada for Indian Students
Canada offers various scholarship programs to students to help them fund their dream studies. Some of the Scholarship programs in Canada for Indian students are as follows:
Popular Scholarships for Undergraduate programs in Canada
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Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
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Winnipeg President’s Scholarships for World Leaders
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Humber College International Entrance Scholarships
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York University International Student Scholarships
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University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
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University of British Columbia Scholarships
-
Carleton Prestige Scholarships
Popular Scholarships for Postgraduate programs in Canada
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University of Calgary Graduate Award
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University of Waterloo master's Award for Excellence
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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
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University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
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Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
Some Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada
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Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship
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University Canada West Scholarship 2023
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Canada Graduate Scholarships – master's program
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Anne Vallee Ecological Fund
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Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships
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Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship
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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
Some Scholarships for MBA for Indian Students in Canada
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Ivey MBA Scholarships in Canada
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Sauder School of Business Scholarship
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Haskayne School of Business MBA in Canada Scholarships
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Rotman School of Management Scholarships
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Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program
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Schulich School of Business Scholarships
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Seymour Schulich MBA Entrance Scholarship
Popular Scholarships in Canada for Ph.D. Programs
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Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds PhD Fellowship
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Dalhousie University - OZ Optics Limited Graduate Scholarships
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Google PhD Fellowship Program
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University of Lethbridge SGS Dean’s Scholarship
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University of British Columbia - Affiliated Fellowships
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Ontario Trillium Scholarships
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UBC General Awards
Study in Canada - Required Documents for Scholarships in Canada
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University application form
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Letter of Acceptance
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Academic transcripts (both school and college)
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Eligibility certificates
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Statement of Purpose
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Test scores (both academic and language proficiency tests)
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Medical Certificates (if required
Canadian Student Visa Application: Eligibility Criteria, Process, and More
Eligibility Requirements
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The candidate should enrol at a DLI
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The candidate must provide proof of financial ability for tuition fees, living, and accommodation expenses for the candidate as well as the family member accompanying them (if any)
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A Proof of no criminal record from the police
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A proper medical certificate from an authentic medical officer
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A proof that the candidate will leave the country after studies.
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The candidate must be fully vaccinated.
Application Process
The candidate can apply for a Canadian study visa both online and on paper. The following are the steps in the application process:
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Online Application: The candidate should have a clear scanned copy of the required documents to upload while filling out the application. However, the candidate must visit the visa application center to scan their fingerprints. The candidate should also visit the VFS offices to produce a valid passport and the fee payment confirmation documents.
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Offline Application: After carefully reading the instructions, the candidate should download and complete the application form. The candidate should also attach the VFS consent form along with the application form
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The next step is to pay the fee. The candidate can visit the nearest VFS office and pay the same. It is to be noted that the processing fee cannot be refunded.
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Once the fee is paid, the candidate should ensure to submit the proper documents and the application form at the VFS office.
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Finally, the biometrics of the candidate will be taken at the Visa Application Center, where the candidate must pay a biometric fee of CAD 85
Once the procedure is done, the candidate must wait till the visa is processed and keep checking on updates.
Study in Canada - Job Opportunities for Indian Students in Canada Post-degree
Canada is a country that provides ample opportunities for job seekers. The pay scale is competitive, and a lot of candidates migrate to Canada for work and to set up a career. Though Canada is open to employment in various fields, some of the highest-paying jobs are as follows:
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Full stack Developer - $75000 - $130000 annually
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Human Resource Manager - $80000- $110000 annually
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Cloud Architects - $12000 onwards annually
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Financial Analyst - $80000 - $120000 annually
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Data Scientists - $85000 onwards annually
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Production Supervisor - $65000- $100000 annually
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Millwright - $50000 - $95000 annually
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Surgeon - $325000 onwards annually
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Lawyer - $100000 onwards annually
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Cardiologist - $300000 onwards annually
