Canada is in no doubt one of the most preferred destinations for international students seeking to study abroad, most especially African students. Each year, thousands of African students are accepted in Canada to either study or study and work. While requirements and procedures vary for many Canadian universities, there are number of documents which are must-get before applying for admission to Canadian universities.
It is true that a lot of students who want to travel to Canada for their studies are however not aware of what documents they must possess in other to be accepted by these Canadian schools. In this piece, you will learn about six important documents African students must possess before applying to study in Canada.
6 Important Documents African Students Must Have Before Applying to Study in Canada
1. International passport
African student seeking to be admitted into a university in Canada must possess an international passport issued by his/her country of origin. E.g. A Nigerian must hold the Nigerian passport.
The international passport helps to identify you as a citizen of your country. Usually issued by the immigration department of the country, the document is important because the schools in Canada will consider you as an international student, and they will use the passport to know your country. It is important to apply for and be issued this document before starting your admission process.
2. Academic transcript
As an African student seeking master’s admission into universities in Canada, you must present your academic transcript. Your academic transcript helps to throw light on your performance in your previous school. It captures all your academic records from year one to completion.
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You should apply to your university where you did your previous degree to be issued your academic transcript. It is one important document that Canadian schools will not fail to request when applying for a study place with them.
3. Reference letters
A reference letter is a recommendation coming from someone who knows you well and who speaks in your favour. It is believed that your teacher or your boss at work will know a tangible part of you, most especially, your abilities and capabilities. Hence, Canadian schools just like many other schools in other parts of the world, will always ask for referees to send in their recommendations.
If you are seeking admission into universities in Canada, you should get at least three reference letters.
The number of reference letters required from international students depends on the school. Usually, you request a reference letter from your lecturer or boss at your workplace depending on what the school wants.
4. Statement of purpose
A statement of purpose is usually a document which gives reasons why you are applying to the school and why you should be given admission to study your chosen course.
African students who want to study in Canada will be required to submit a copy of their statement of purpose. Knowing how to prepare this document and writing it according to the demands of the school you are applying to is a plus.
5. Proof of English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or any other)
Africa does not have a common language, and nah…English is far from being a common language in Africa. However, for a successful study experience in Canada, the prospective international students should at least be proficient in English language.
As an African student seeking to study in Canada, you are considered an international student, which means you will be required to prove that you understand the English language.
It is for this reason that many schools in Canada require you to sit for IELTS/TOEFL or any other standardised English test. It is worthy of note that many schools no longer require this, but possessing it could improve your chances of getting admitted. You can also provide other alternatives in the absence of a test score. Pease refer to our post on Top 10 Canadian Universities Offering Fully-Funded Admission [without IELTS]
6. Previous Degree Certificate
Any international student seeking to be admitted into a Canadian university for a master’s course will usually be asked to upload a copy of his/her university certificate.
For undergraduate admission, a copy of your o-level, diploma or equivalent degree certificate will be required as the case may be. The school would usually want to confirm the authenticity of your previous educational qualification.
Depending on what school and/ or what course you are applying to study in Canada, these requirements may vary. However, the above six documents are such you can not do without when applying to study in Canada.
