Which Intake is Best to Study in Canada for Indian students?

Studying in Canada is a dream in the eyes of thousands of international students. Along with this dream comes many questions that need to be answered before you can study in Canada. One of the common questions students often have is which is the best intake in Canada.

There are 3 intakes in Canada, and every intake has something positive and something not so positive. So, it becomes important to understand the pros and cons of all intakes to choose the best intake to study in Canada. Read this blog to learn about all three intakes and how to choose the best intake

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3 Intakes in Canada

1. Fall Intake in Canada: Fall intake in Canada, also known as September intake, is the most popular intake in Canada. It is the primary intake in Canada, as most international students are enrolled in Canadian universities during this intake. The applications for this intake begin in August/September, and the course begins in September and lasts till December or January. This intake receives the highest number of applications. As a result, there is a lot of competition during fall intake in Canada.

Pros of Applying for Fall/September Intake

• The biggest advantage of the fall intake in Canada is that you can choose from a wide range of courses compared to the other two intakes. Most of the colleges/universities provide programs during this course so you can choose whichever you want.

• You will get to avail a lot more scholarships in fall intake in Canada.

• Another advantage of fall intake is that the acceptance rate of international students is high.

Cons of Applying for Fall/September Intake

• As all universities provide fall intake in Canada, every aspiring international student wants to grab this opportunity, which increases competition.

• After completing the studies, you may also face competition in the job market as many students will be graduating at the same time.

• Another struggle that comes with fall intake in Canada is finding accommodation.

Canadian Universities Offering Fall/September Intake 2024

• Canadian Tourism College

• Acadia University

• Adler University

• Alexander College

• Algonquin College

• Assiniboine Community College

• British Columbia Institute of Technology

• Brock University

• Cambrian College

• Camosun College

2. Winter Intake in Canada: The next intake in Canada is the winter intake, which is also known as the January intake. It is the second-best option for those who missed fall intake in Canada. The seats left in the fall intake are filled during this intake. If you missed the fall intake, you can enrol in this intake to avoid a one-year break. The duration of this intake is usually from January to April.

Pros of Applying for Winter/January Intake

• As most of the students would have been admitted in the fall intake, you will face less competition during winter intake in Canada.

• Less students enrolling in this intake means that you will have small class sizes, which increases your chances of interacting with faculty.

• By enrolling in this course, you can avoid a one-year break and still pursue your desired program.

Cons of Applying for Winter/January Intake

• The winter intake has fewer program options compared to the fall intake in Canada.

• Another disadvantage of winter intake is its harsh weather. During winter intake, Canada’s weather can be very cold, which can be difficult for you to adjust.

Canadian Universities Offering Winter/January Intake 2025

• Capilano University

• Centennial College

• City University in Canada

• Coast Mountain College

• College of New Caledonia

• College of The Rockies

• Concordia University of Edmonton

• Conestoga College

• Coquitlam College

• Crandall University

3. Summer Intake in Canada: The last intake in Canada is summer intake, also known as May intake. This intake is not preferred by many students as many colleges and universities don’t offer courses during this cycle. In this intake you will find diploma, certificate and vocational courses.

Pros of Applying for Summer/May Intake

• Some courses may only be available during this intake, so if you want to pursue any specific course, you should check, and it might be there.

• As very few students will be applying in this intake the class size will be limited. This gives you more chances to interact with teachers.

Cons of Applying for Summer/May Intake

• The summer offers very few program options as most students target fall and winter intake in Canada.

• The deadline for summer intake is very short, and you have to apply between January and February.

Canadian Universities Offering Summer/May Intake 2025

• Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology

• Niagara College

• NorQuest College

• North Island College

• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

• Red River College

• Royal Roads University

• Selkirk College

• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)

• St. Lawrence College

How to choose the best intake in Canada?

Now you know about all the intakes, but you might think about which one is the best. Some will say fall intake in Canada is best because of a wide range of program options, while others may like winter intake for its less competition. Confused? Don’t worry. Here are some factors you can consider while choosing the best intake in Canada:

1. Academic Preparation: The very first factor in choosing the best intake in Canada is academic preparation. If you need more time to prepare academically, emotionally and financially, the winter or summer intake might be better.

2. Program Availability: The next factor is program availability. You should check which intake provides your desired program, as every intake has some programs provided in that intake only. Accordingly, you can select the best intake in Canada.

3. Scholarship Opportunities: Studying in Canada will require a lot of money, and you don’t want to miss any scholarship opportunities. So, look for the intake which provides the best scholarship opportunities.

4. Graduation Timing: The last factor you can consider is your graduation timing. It’s an important factor as the time when you graduate will affect the job opportunities you can get.

Conclusion

Studying in Canada is one of the best decisions you can make. With this decision, one also has to make some other decisions. One of those decisions is to choose the best intake in Canada. This blog is written keeping this in mind. The topics covered in the blog are the types of intakes in Canada, their pros and cons and, lastly, a guide to facilitate this decision. After comparing all the intakes based on their offering, you can choose the best one for you. Now, it's understandable that you are not an expert who can just simply compare and choose the best intake that’s why it is important to take the assistance of a study abroad consultants who will help you in choosing the most suitable intake for you.