Fall, winter, and summer intakes are the three options for international students in Canada. The fall intake, which begins in September and accepts many international students, is the first admission of the year. In January, the second intake, often known as the winter intake, occurs. As opposed to the fall intake, the intake features a smaller number of university and course possibilities. The third intake takes place in May. Only a few universities and course possibilities exist for the incoming class in the third intake (usually short-term courses only).
| Fall Intake | Winter Intake | Summer/Spring Intake |
| Primary Intake | Secondary Intake | Available for selected universities only |
| Also called September Intake | Also called January Intake | Also called May Intake |
| Application deadline: December – March | Application deadline: September – November | Application deadline: October – February |
| All programmes are available (undergraduate and postgraduate) | Available for selected study programmes | Only available for limited programmes (short-term courses such as diplomas certificate programmes) |
| Available for selected universities only | This intake has seen fewer applications than the fall intake, often appealing more to late applicants. | Very few applicants |
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Fall Intake In Canada
- Duration: September, October, November, December
September is one of the Canadian masters intakes. Compared to the other two intakes, this intake includes the largest number of institutes offering the largest number of seats available in all programmes. It is the main entry point for students wishing to study in Canada. Most students prefer to begin in the fall since it comes with various benefits of studying in Canada. This will put these pupils four to five months ahead of the incoming winter kids. Aside from that, the autumn weather is more pleasant than the winter.
Admission Timeline For The Canadian Fall Intake
Understanding the admission timeline is crucial for a successful application process. The Fall Intake, which is the primary intake for most Canadian universities and colleges, typically begins in September.
| Target Month(s) | Notes |
| May to June | Finalise your shortlist of schools you will apply to. Also, use this time to prepare for any standardised exams required for admission. |
| July to October | Finalise your shortlist of schools you will apply to. Also, use this time to prepare for any standardised exams required for admission. |
| November to February | Take required exams. Submit applications to the universities on your shortlist. |
| February to March | If required, complete any interviews, group discussions, or other assessments requested by the universities. Then, await the admission decisions and confirm enrollment if you are accepted. At this point, you may also be notified about eligibility for entrance scholarships. |
| April to May | Confirm that your student visa paperwork is in order. If you need additional funding, apply for external scholarships or student loans. Arrange housing for when you arrive in Canada. |
Colleges Available For Fall /September Intake In Canada:
Given below are the fall intake colleges in Canada you might want to get into:
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- McGill University
- University of Calgary
- Niagara College
- University of Alberta
- University of Waterloo
- University of Ottawa
- Toronto Metropolitan University
Deadline For September/Fall Intake In Canada:
The deadline for this application is usually from December to March. It does, however, vary from one college to the next.
Winter Intake In Canada
- Duration: January, February, March, April
In Canada, winter intake is also known as January Intake. This intake is a continuation of the previous one. Compared to the fall intake, fewer universities offer courses in the winter.
Admission Timeline For The Canadian Winter Intake:
Students who did not receive admission in the fall intake are more likely to enrol in the winter intake. They will continue their education immediately rather than needing to wait a year. The atmosphere becomes exceedingly cold in the winter, and it is not comfortable to begin in such conditions. Furthermore, as opposed to students from the fall intake, students from the winter intake will have to adapt to the institute’s environment swiftly.
| Target Month(s) | Notes |
| January to April | Start researching universities and programmes accepting May intake applicants. |
| July to August | Plan and take GMAT, GRE, or TOEFL/IELTS as required. |
| September to October | Gather transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, and other documents. Submit applications by deadlines. |
| October to November | Arrange travel and accommodation and finalise logistics. Get excited about your Canadian adventure! |
| December to January | Arrange travel and accommodation and finalise logistics. Get excited for your Canadian adventure! |
Winter/January Intake Colleges In Canada:
Given below are some of the January intake colleges in Canada
- Douglas College
- Lambton College
- Mount Saint Vincent University
- Carleton University
- Centennial College
- University of Toronto
- Queen’s University
- McGill University
- University of Ottawa
Deadline For Winter/January Intake In Canada:
The deadline for this application is usually from September to November. It does, however, vary from one college to the next.
Summer/May Intake In Canada
- Duration: May-August
The May intake in Canada is offered at selected institutions and is limited to specific programmes, focusing on short-term courses, diplomas, and certificates. The Canada May intake is well-known for its diverse range of diploma courses. This semester primarily admits students to diploma programmes and summer vocational programmes. However, getting a post-graduation work permit in Canada after studying in this intake is complex. The Canada May intake is well-known for its diverse range of diploma courses. This semester primarily admits students to diploma programmes and summer vocational programmes.
This is the least desirable of all the input options available in Canada. Few colleges offer courses during the spring semester, and those that do are few. Most students prefer to return home or take a spring break during the summer. Although this is not a required semester, students can still enrol in the courses, although there are limited possibilities.
Admission Timeline For The Canadian Summer Intake:
Understanding the deadlines for the summer intakes in Canada can be helpful to plan your admission process. Given below are some of the Canadian summer intake deadlines:
| Target Month(s) | Notes |
| May to June | Finalise your shortlist of schools you will apply to. Also, use this time to prepare for any standardised exams required for admission. |
| July to October | Finalise your shortlist of schools you will apply to. Also, use this time to prepare for any standardised exams required for admission. |
| November to February | Take required exams. Submit applications to the universities on your shortlist. |
| February to March | If required, complete any interviews, group discussions, or other assessments requested by the universities. Then, await the admission decisions and confirm enrollment if you are accepted. At this point, you may also be notified about eligibility for entrance scholarships. |
| April to May | Confirm your student visa paperwork is in order. Apply for external scholarships or student loans if you need additional funding. Arrange housing for when you arrive in Canada. |
List Of Colleges For May Intake In Canada:
Given below are some of the May intake colleges in Canada:
- Vancouver Community College
- Centennial College
- Northern College
- University of Waterloo
- Toronto Metropolitan University
Deadline For Summer/May Intake In Canada:
Most Summer/May Intake schools in Canada will have deadlines from January to February, but you should always check the university’s website for current May Intake in Canada deadlines. Before the deadline, submit your application.
Which Is The Best Intake For You?
It may be difficult to choose the intake that suits you best. The best way to decide which intake is the one for you is by checking the availability of your preferred course, the acceptance rates and job opportunities at the university you plan to attend. Based on this, you can even plan for your Canada student visa. Most international students prefer September or January intakes. Still, if you still need to get your scorecards ready by the application date, it is better to skip the current intake and apply for the next one.
FAQs
1. How many intakes do Canadian universities have?
Usually, it is just 3 – fall, summer, and winter intake. However, in rare cases, certain universities also offer spring intake.
2. Which is the best intake for you?
Usually, the September intake in Canada is considered the best for many international students since the majority of Canadian universities offer courses at this entry point.
3. Can I start my programme in Canada if I miss the deadline for the preferred intake?
Yes, you have two more chances to apply. However, this choice only applies to some of the universities.
4. How does the intake choice affect my chances of securing scholarships or financial aid for studying in Canada?
September intake offers the most scholarships or financial aid in Canada.
We hope you liked this article. You can find and read related blogs on Canada:
1. SOP for Canada Student Visa
2. Student Life In Canada
3. Cost of studying in Canada
4. Cost of living in Canada
1 thought on “Top PGDM Courses In Canada: Universities & Eligibility”
I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further