Introduction
Fall, winter, and summer admissions are the three options for international students in Canada. The fall intake, which begins in September and accepts a large number of international students, is the first admission of the year. In January, the second intake, often known as the winter intake, takes place. When opposed to the fall intake, the intake features a smaller number of university and course possibilities. The third intake will take place in the month of May. There are only a few university and course possibilities for the incoming class (usually short-term courses only).
What are the different intakes in Canada?
| FALL (Also known as September intake) | September | Primary/Major intake |
| WINTER (Also known as January intake) | January | Secondary intake |
| SUMMER/SPRING (also known as May intake) | May | Least preferred intake |
Fall/September Intake
The Fall intake, which typically begins in September, is the most popular, convenient, and diverse intake.
When it comes to programmes offered by universities to international students, this intake is also known as the primary intake. In comparison to the other two, the primary intake has the largest number of institutions with the most seats available for all types of degrees. Students will also have the opportunity to acclimate to the Canadian climate and the place they are visiting. Candidates are placed 4-5 months ahead of students from the Winter Intake, implying that competition is severe. Most institutions start their flagship programmes in this intake, and they offer a plethora of scholarships, on-campus jobs, and other benefits.
Deadlines: It is set from December through March.
Winter/January Intake
The Winter Intake typically begins in January. For many who lost out on the Fall Intake due to a variety of factors, this offers a second shot. This intake, which is referred to as the secondary intake, is where many colleges offer their major programmes.
Students in this intake, on the other hand, are typically thrust into the beautiful but severe Canadian winter, and may be required to adjust at astounding rates. When compared to the Fall Intake, there is less room for exploration, but the options, scholarships, and programmes are largely the same. Competition is still fierce, but not as fierce as it was during the main round. While this may appear to be a positive thing, keep in mind that a large number of people have already been accepted into your desired programme.
A benefit is that you have more time to tailor your profile to the university’s requirements, whether it’s standardised test results or application processes.
Deadlines: It is set from September through November.
Spring/Summer Intake
The Spring/Summer Intake is the final intake of the academic year. This intake is offered by a small number of universities and has the least variety or number of courses available. There is little competition, and most flagship programmes aren’t available as part of this intake.
Most students would like not take this course since they do not want to miss their Spring Break.
Deadlines: It usually falls in the month of February.
List of colleges and universities for May/Summer Intake
If you apply in May, you’ll have plenty of time to think about your options and prepare your application. The biggest disadvantage is that only a few universities accept applications for the May intake. This intake also has a restricted number of course options. As a result, of all the intakes offered by Canadian universities, the may intake is the least popular.
| Canada May Intake Universities | Canada May Intake Colleges |
| Mount Saint Vincent University | Bow Valley College |
| Brock University | Durham College |
| University of the Fraser Valley | Lambton |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University | Selkirk College |
| Capilano University | College of New Caledonia |
| New York Institute of Technology | Northern Lights College |
| Lakehead University | Norquest College |
Applying to a Canadian university – List of Required Documents
Students attempting to gain admission to a Canadian university should prepare a list of documents that they will need when submitting their enrolment application. Among the documents are:
- Language proficiency test scorecard.
- Scorecard of other exams such as SAT, ACT, GMAT, and GRE.
- Academic records.
- Extra-curricular activity certificates.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Letter of Recommendations.
- Photocopy of passport (a valid one)
Step Guide to take Admission
There will be a consistent set of actions that you must complete regardless of whatever intake you choose in order to acquire that dream-admit from your preferred university. These stages apply to all types of intakes and are necessary for all of them.
- Decide on your specialty as well as your beliefs and motivations for studying abroad.
- Evaluate your profile, develop abilities, and make a list of professional accomplishments.
- Study for standardised tests such as the GRE, GMAT, IELTS, and TOEFL that are required. This is one of the most crucial aspects in the process, and it can help you get into your preferred school.
- Make a shortlist of ten institutions and rank them from’safe’ to’reach for the stars.’ There are a few practical ones as well.
- Begin applying and double-check that you have all of the required papers, including SOPs, LORs, and Test Scores, as well as Academic Transcripts and your VISA.
- Make financial and financial arrangements.
- Do you have a pack? Dream big and shoot for the stars. Best wishes!
- Download the university brochure and contact the institution if you have any questions about the deadlines and intakes for your selected programme. They would gladly offer you with any information that will be of assistance to you (do thoroughly check out the website first though).
Which intake should international student go for?
The major and secondary intakes, i.e., the Fall and Winter Intakes, respectively, are the most popular intakes, giving a wide range of good courses and possibilities, as seen by the preceding paragraphs.
Having said that, your final decision may be influenced by a number of circumstances, including:
- Is your dream course offered at your dream school? Is it a part of any particular intake?
- How impressive are your academic achievements and standardised test results? It’s possible that the competition will be strong.
- What are the work prospects and placements like during the different seasons? When do they succumb to your scheme?
- Are you prepared to submit your applications? Have you got your scorecards with you?
- Are you eligible for the university’s programme? What should you do, for example, if you have one year and seven months of work experience by June and your GRE/GMAT scores are set to go, but your programme demands two years of work experience? You must complete the required months of work experience before deciding whether to apply for the Winter Intake or the Fall Intake the following year.
- Climate inclinations – You can choose your adaption period, even if you will have to brave the climate at some point. This is also why students choose the Fall semester because they have more time to prepare for the cold.
FAQs
Which is the most popular intake in Canada?
Most students prefer to begin their studies in Canada in the fall since it gives them adequate time to adjust to the curriculum and the atmosphere. This will put these pupils four to five months ahead of the winter incoming kids.
Is Spring a good intake for international students?
Many institutions have set admissions quotas for each semester. Because the class sizes are substantially greater for the Fall Intake, you might have a better chance of being accepted. If your profile is exceptional, you will have a better chance of being accepted into the Spring Intake.
Which intake is the best for Canada student visa ?
Intake in the fall
It is the main entry point for students wishing to study in Canada. Most students prefer to begin their studies in Canada in the fall since it gives them adequate time to adjust to the curriculum and the atmosphere. This will put these pupils four to five months ahead of the winter incoming kids.
Which intake has the least crowd?
In Canada, the Spring Intake is also known as the May Intake. This training will take place from May through August. This is one of the least popular ways to study in Canada because it offers the fewest courses. There aren’t many colleges that offer a course during the spring semester, and those that do are few.
Conclusion
It may be difficult for you to determine which intake is optimal for you. We will assist you in selecting the appropriate intakes. For this, you should think about the following elements:
- Your desired course’s availability
- Ratios of acceptance
- Your academic transcripts
- Scores on entrance exams
- Job possibilities are available.
- Your willingness to participate in the programme.
The September intake, on the other hand, is preferred or chosen by the majority of international students. Many programmes believe January and April intakes to be good. It is preferable to forego the current intake and apply for the next intake if you do not have your scorecards available until the application deadline.