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Canada is the home of world-renowned universities, and that’s how it comes under the top-notch study-abroad destinations. The country is also known for welcoming people, a vibrant environment, and a diverse set of programs. But the availability of the programs depends on your timing, i.e., intakes.
Despite course availability, you will have a higher chance of getting scholarships during the winter intake. Its applications start in April/May and end in September/October. The classes in the winter intake’s semester commence in January/February and last till August.
From courses to scholarships, there are numerous opportunities for your future career. Let's go over the specifics for the Winter/January Intake in Canada 2025.
| January Intake in Canada 2025 Application Deadlines | August - September 2025 |
| Starting Date of Semester (Classes) | January |
| End Date of Semester (Classes) | August |
| Popular Programs |
|
You must check out why you should choose the winter/January intake in Canada 2025. So, head over to the below points.
Ideal Time to Start Your Preparation : The Winter/January intake in Canada allows you ample time to prepare your application, gather the necessary documents, and ensure everything is in order. You have a better opportunity to submit a well-prepared application with this intake since you can avoid the rush and anxiety that are frequently connected to the fall intake.
Backup Option : If there are circumstances like you miss the September/Fall intake, it’s a great option for you. This January intake in Canada 2025 ensures you do not miss a year and can continue your education without significant delays.
Course-Specific Opportunities : While not all courses are available for the Fall intake, some programs are only available during this time. If the course you're interested in is available in the winter, this intake best fits your academic goals.
Faster Course Completion : Opting for January intake in Canada 2025 will help you complete your coursework faster. However, you must be prepared for a potentially more intensive schedule that will necessitate efficient time management to accommodate the shorter duration.
Less Competition : In general, fewer applicants apply in the winter than in the fall. Because of the lower competition, this can benefit you by raising your chances of acceptance into your selected program.
Ample Time for Visa Processing : The January intake allows international students enough time to process their visa applications. Starting early gives you more time to acquire all the required paperwork and meet visa criteria without a last-minute hurry.
Availability of Scholarships : While fewer scholarships may be available than in the fall, the winter intake still offers major financial assistance opportunities. These scholarships help lower the cost of studying in Canada, making it a more affordable alternative for many students.
After learning some top-notch reasons to select the Winter/January Intake in Canada, you must have a deep knowledge of all the intakes in Canada universities and colleges.
There are, in total, 3 intakes in Canada: Winter, Summer, and Fall. So, let’s explore each of them in detail.
September/Fall Intake (Primary) - The Fall intake, for which applications start in December/January and end in May, is the most popular time to apply to Canadian universities. It offers the most courses and degrees, making it the first choice for most students seeking higher education in Canada. Your classes start in September and run through April.
January/Winter Intake (Secondary) - The application for the Winter intake runs from April/May to September and is an alternative for students who missed the Fall intake. This intake offers another opportunity for admission to Canadian universities, though with a few more courses than in the fall. Your classes for this intake begin in January and end in August.
May/Spring Intake (Tertiary) - The Spring intake, which applications start from September/October to January/February, offers a smaller selection of courses and institutions than the Fall and Winter intakes. It is less common, but it can be an excellent choice for students looking for specific programs or who want to begin their studies during this time.
Winter/January Intake in Canada 2025
Here is a list of top universities accepting January Intake in Canada for international applications.
| University | QS Rankings 2025 | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| McGill University | 29 | 1st August |
| University of Alberta | 96 | 1st November |
| Universite de Montreal | 159 | 1st September |
| University of Ottawa | 189 | 23rdOctober |
| Dalhousie University | 275 | 31st August |
| Simon Fraser University | 319 | 15th September |
| University of Victoria (UVic) | 349 | 30th September |
| University of Saskatchewan | 340 | 1st September |
| York University | 362 | 1st November |
| Northeastern University | 396 | 5th August |
For more inquiries about the Winter/January Intake in Canada 2025, feel free to contact our expert counsellors. We ensure you will get excellent guidance and support during your application journey.
International students with excellent academic scores can apply to the 5 leading universities listed below for winter/January intake in Canada in 2025.
McGill University - McGill is an English-language public research university founded in 1821. This university does not admit undergraduates in January intake but makes exceptions for specific cases. Programs available include Bioresource Engineering, Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Food Science, Nutrition, and diplomas in Environment and Ecological Agriculture.
University of Alberta - The department that delivers the program sets the international students' deadlines. The earliest deadline can be 12 months before the program commences. The admission deadline for the Winter term is November 1, while the application opens on July 1.
Universite de Montreal - It has a January intake for various graduate and postgraduate programs, including master's degrees, specialised graduate diplomas (DESS), microprograms, and PhDs. The application period has started in February 2025 and will end in September 2025. International students should apply early, allowing 3 to 6 months for visa processing. Check the individual program deadlines, as they may differ.
The University of Ottawa - This university is a bilingual public research university that provides education in many fields of study, even for the winter/January intake. These are Arts, Civil Law, Common Law, Education, Engineering, Management, Medicine, Science, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences. The main campus of the University of Ottawa is located in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood, 42.5 hectares northeast of downtown Ottawa and across the Rideau Canal.
Dalhousie University - This university offers programs in winter intakes in health sciences, social work, medical sciences, environmental design studies, nursing, and more. The application deadline for Dalhousie admissions is August 31, 2025. Some departments can have different deadlines, so you must check a list of programs with non-standard deadlines on its website.
| University Name | Courses | Fees (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Ottawa |
Art History Teacher Education Civil Law |
CAD$20,700.24 - CAD$24,719.50 |
|
University of Alberta |
Education Business and Economics Media and Fine Arts |
CAD$31,089.60 - CAD$45,482.40 |
|
McGill University |
Arts and Humanities Neuroscience and Behavior Infectious Diseases |
CAD$25,000 - CAD$49,357 |
|
Dalhousie University |
Environment/Ecology Psychiatry/Psychology Geosciences |
CAD$20,401 - CAD$29,197 |
|
University of Victoria (UVic) |
Mathematics Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences Space Science |
CAD$16,773 - CAD$18,862 |
|
Northeastern University |
International Business Nursing Economics |
CAD$43,240 - CAD$84,732 |
|
University of Saskatchewan |
Water Resources Agricultural Sciences Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems |
CAD$920.25 - CAD$3228.12 |
|
Simon Fraser University |
Social Sciences and Public Health Economics and Business Computer Science |
CAD$12,140 - CAD$26,640 |
|
York University |
Arts and Humanities Economics and Business Psychiatry/Psychology |
CAD$35,148 - CAD$40,387 |
|
Universite de Montreal |
Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems Oncology Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging |
CAD$68,510 - CAD$90,339 |
| University Name | Courses | Fees (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Ottawa |
Arts - Information management Civil Engineering Biomedical Engineering |
CAD$1,421.91 - CAD$9,720.89 |
|
University of Alberta |
Political Science Neuroscience Earth and Atmospheric Sciences |
CAD$8,874 - CAD$33,968.40 |
|
McGill University |
Public Policy Management in retail Management in Analytics |
CAD$14,065.00 - CAD$28,362 |
|
Dalhousie University |
Architecture Chemical Engineering Digital Innovation |
CAD$22,830 - CAD$29,197 |
|
University of Victoria (UVic) |
Global Business program Biomedical Systems Industrial Ecology |
CAD$9,020 - CAD$13,086 |
|
Northeastern University |
Marine Biology Economics Nursing |
CAD$30,840 - CAD$62,000 |
|
University of Saskatchewan |
Nursing Chemical Engineering Environmental Engineering |
CAD$38,481 - CAD$54,954 |
|
Simon Fraser University |
Engineering Science Digital Media Communication |
CAD$12,296 - CAD$62,633 |
|
York University |
Earth & Space Science Financial Accountability Mechanical Engineering |
CA$7,000.00 - CA$16,189.07 |
|
Universite de Montreal |
Education Administration International Studies Bioinformatics |
CAD$8,854.20 - CAD$10,276.50 |
Application Opens : March 2025
Application Deadline : August - September 2025
Meeting Conditions and Deposit : September 2025
Induction and orientation : January 2025
Course start date : January 2025
| Timeline for Winter/January Intake 2025 | Things To Do |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | Research canadian universities, Shortlist as per your preferences. Find out the Eligibility & requirements for each university |
| February- March 2025 | Prepare and take the English proficiency test. Gather all the documents. Start the paperwork for your student visa. |
| March - September 2025 | Start applying to universities. Accept offer letters from universities and attend interviews. |
| August - September 2025 | Apply for a scholarship, visa, and education loan. Find accommodation |
| December 2025 - January 2025 | Travel to Canada. Attend your classes and enjoy your journey ahead. |
Understanding the admission eligibility criteria is crucial to know if you want to apply for the Winter/January intake in Canada. This is an essential factor for international students seeking higher education abroad. Requirements to apply for your dream university may vary depending on the course level:
Proficiency in English is assessed via standardised tests to meet the admission requirements. Thus, scoring well in the English Language Proficiency test is essential. The minimum requirements are given below.
To study in Canada, you must meet specific academic eligibility criteria, including an average score in your previous qualifications. These results show that you have a strong foundation for your chosen program or course.
Additionally, for specialised programs such as an MBA, you may be required to provide exam scores from the GMAT or GRE. Hence, let's delve into the specifics of the academic test scores.
To get your Canadian passport and student visa, you will need the university's Letter of Acceptance and other essential documents. When you arrive at the airport, you must also present these documents to an immigration officer for validation.
Eligibility requirements for passport and student visa include:
Acceptance by a designated learning institute (DLI)
Proof of funds
A clean background check
A medical certificate
Assurance of departure after completing your studies
If you apply for a Canadian student visa through the Student Direct Stream (SDS), your application will be processed 20 calendar days after you submit your biometrics.
Academic certificates and transcripts
Updated CV or resume
Passport
Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
English proficiency certificate
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Professional experience letters
Certificate of extracurricular activities (if any)
Proof of financial support
Letter of Acceptance
After learning everything about the Winter/January intake in Canada, you should also consider how and when to apply to universities. Here's a detailed step to apply for the January intake in Canada:
Research Universities & Check Requirements - You must narrow down your preferred fields of study and research at a few universities. You should also check the requirements and deadlines for applications at each university.
Prove Your English Proficiency - After going over all of the requirements of your shortlisted universities, you have to prove your English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE) with the required scores.
Application Preparation - Gather all necessary documents, including transcripts and standardised tests (if applicable), such as the GMAT, SAT, or GRE, as well as a passport, CV, two letters of recommendation, and a Statement of Purpose.
Apply to Universities - You must complete your online applications to the universities of your choice, upload all required documents, and pay fees.
Respond to University Communication - You must monitor email and online portals for communication from universities regarding application status and other requirements. Make sure you respond to universities’ admissions committees in a timely manner.
Arrange Funds - You should start planning for tuition and living expenses. Keep in mind that you should look into scholarship options and prepare financial documents for visa applications.
By diligently following the above mentioned steps, you can smoothly navigate the application process and increase your chances of getting admission to your desired programs for the January intake in Canada.
At this point, if you are aware of how to apply for Canada's January intake, you should know that there are numerous scholarships available to assist with defraying the cost of your education. You must double-check your eligibility and then apply accordingly.
The following table lists scholarship opportunities available in Canada for the January intake, their values and application deadlines.
| Scholarship Name | Value | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| President’s International Scholarship of Excellence | Up to CAD 45,000 | At least 80% in your final admission average, score at least 88 in TOEFL, 6.5 in IELTS, or 60 in PTE, and apply to an undergraduate degree program |
| UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award | Up to CAD 35,000 | Minimum of 6.5 in IELTS, 65 in PTE, and 90 in TOEFL, completed high school no earlier than one gap year |
| President’s International Distinction Scholarship | 120,000 CAD | Minimum of 6.5 in IELTS, 65 in PTE, and 90 in TOEFL |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship | Covers tuition and living expenses | One or two years of a full-time doctoral program, doctoral work must relate to at least one of the following themes: human rights and dignity |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship | Up to 50,000 CAD per year | First-class degree in UG as well as in PG, should be in a doctoral program, academic excellence, leadership qualities, and research potential |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program | $5,000 per session, up to $15,000 | For graduate students in a wide variety of disciplines, each award is tenable for one year (two to three academic sessions) |
| Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship | $25,000 a year | For students studying in Quebec for a Doctoral or Postdoctoral Program |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | 50,000 CAD per year | For deserving students who aspire to pursue a doctoral degree at a Canadian institution |
| Ontario Trillium Scholarship | $40,000 annually | Scholarships for international PhD students based on merit and program criteria |
| Partnership Grants by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada | Up to CAD 20,000 | For PhD candidates, supports new or existing research initiatives in social sciences and humanities |
Note : The scholarship amount is an estimate that could vary. Make sure to verify the current scholarship information with the appropriate organisations or authorities as soon as possible.
Talk to Meridean Overseas' experienced advisors to ensure a smooth application process. They can assist you throughout the application process, providing a smooth experience.
The application period for the January intake typically opens between April and May 2025. You must check the specific deadlines for each university or college you are interested in.
Fall in Canada typically starts in September and ends in December. Classes for the fall intake usually begin in September
Several Toronto colleges, including Seneca College, Humber College, George Brown College, Centennial College, and Sheridan College, provide January intake. For more information on specific program availability, please visit their websites.
The winter/January intake application opens in April/May, and the application window closes in August/September. Yet the classes for this intake start in January, and a semester is 6 months long, which then ends around August.
You should begin researching universities and preparing your application for the January intake in late April or early May. Application deadlines vary, so check each institution's specific requirements.
The best intake is determined by your unique circumstances and preferences. The fall intake (September) is the most popular and offers the most variety of courses. Still, the January intake (January/February) also provides excellent opportunities, especially if you miss the fall intake.
English language proficiency requirements vary by university and program. Generally, applicants need to show proficiency through tests such as the IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. Scores may differ for undergraduate and graduate programs.
Yes, scholarships are available for the January intake in Canada. Many universities and external organisations provide financial aid to international students. Make sure to research and apply for scholarships well before the intake deadline.
The processing time for a Canadian student visa depends on your country of residence and personal circumstances. It can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months. You should also apply for your visa soon to avoid delays.
Yes, international students in Canada can usually work part-time while studying. However, restrictions may be based on your visa status and the province where you study. Make sure you are familiar with the regulations regarding work permits for international students.
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