• Study in Canada

Study intakes in Canada - Fall, Winter & Summer

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  • read time3 min Read
  • By:CANAM Group
  • Updated On:Oct 03,2024 12:51 PM IST

  • There are three types of study intakes in Canada: Fall, Winter, and Spring.
  • Fall Intake is the most popular intake in Canada, attracting the largest number of international students by offering the most number of courses.
  • Winter Intake is less competitive giving you more time to prepare for your application.
  • Spring Intake is the least competitive and offers short-term programs like diploma, certificate, and vocational programs. 

Study intakes in Canada.webp


One of the fascinating things for youngsters these days is to study abroad. And when it comes to studying in a different country Canada is a top priority for many. Also, it is said that there is a time and place for everything. Place you know, but what about time? By time, we mean study intakes in Canada.

There are three intakes in Canada: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Every intake has something the other doesn't offer. Therefore, it's essential to choose the right intake to land at your dream University. Stay with us to know the best study intake in Canada for you in 2025.

Study Intakes in Canada

Canada is a popular study-abroad destination where thousands of international students aspire to study. It is home to prestigious universities that provide superior-quality education. Moreover, after completing your studies, you can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Just like India, Canada also has a semester system and there are three semesters. These are also known as intakes in Canada. The three study intakes in Canada are:

  • September/Fall Intake
  • January/Winter Intake
  • May/Summer Intake

Let’s know about them in detail:

September/Fall Intake in Canada

The September/Fall Intake is the most popular Canadian study intake. It lasts from September to December and applications are accepted between December and March. This intake offers the most number of programs to international students compared to the other 2 intakes. Most of the students prefer this intake to study in Canada as it gives them more time to adapt to a new social and cultural environment. Here are the universities and colleges for the Fall study intake in Canada:

University/College NameTuition Fees (CAD)
Assiniboine Community College10,000 - 19,000
Bow Valley College15,000 - 35,000
Brock University18,000 - 35,000
Crandall University16,000 - 25,000
Fairleigh Dickinson University25,000 - 30,000
Georgian College14,000 - 17,000
Canadian College of Technology and Business10,000 - 37,000
University of Niagara Falls20,000 - 29,000

January/Winter Intake in Canada

After Fall Intake, Winter Intake is the best intake to study in Canada. Its duration is from January to April, and the application period is September to November. It offers fewer programs, scholarships, and accommodation options to students. This is the second-best opportunity for students who have missed Fall Intake. By enrolling in this intake, students can save one year. Following are the universities accepting students for Winter Intake 2025 in Canada:

University/College NameTuition Fees (CAD)
Acadia University20,000 - 24,000
Alexander College16,000 - 20,000
Algonquin College15,000 - 25,000
Assiniboine Community College15000 - 21,000
Bow Valley College Centre For Entertainment Arts21,000 - 35,000
British Columbia Institute of Technology15,000 - 28,000
Durham College13,000 - 17,000
Fanshawe College15,000 - 21,000

Pros of Winter Intake in Canada

  • The competition will be very low, and you can easily get accepted into your chosen university.
  • The class size will be small which will allow you to better interact with the faculty. 

Cons of Winter Intake in Canada

  • The intake offers fewer program options compared to fall intake, so you will have limited options. 
  • Winter intake offers fewer scholarships and accommodation options. 

May/Summer Intake in Canada

The last study intake in Canada is the Summer Intake in Canada. It starts in May and ends in August, and its application deadline is October to February. The intake has very few universities that offer the fewest courses compared to the rest of the intakes. Universities of this intake offer diploma, certificate, and vocational programs. It is best for those who want to pursue short-term programs. The universities that cover this intake are:

University/College NameTuition Fees (CAD)
Cambrian College14,000 - 22,000
Canadore College14,000 - 25,000
Cape Breton University18,000 - 24,000
Capilano University13,000 - 23,000
Concordia University of Edmonton28,000 - 43,000
Conestoga College14,000 - 22,000
Coquitlam College12,000 - 16,000

Pros of Summer Intake in Canada

  • During this intake very few students apply which reduces competition for you.
  • Some specific short-term programs like diploma and certificate programs are available during this intake only. 

Cons of Summer Intake in Canada

  • Very few universities accept admissions in this intake which means you will have limited programs to choose from. 
  • As it’s an off-season intake you will find very less scholarships and accommodations.

Comparison Between Canada Study Intakes

Now you know about all the study intakes in Canada. Every intake has its advantages and disadvantages. After comparing all intakes on various parameters you can choose the best intake to study in Canada after 12th. To help you out here is a tabular comparison of all Canada study intakes:

ParametersFall IntakeWinter IntakeSpring Intake
Programs AvailabilityAll programsFewer than Fall IntakeLeast programs than the other 2 intakes, including short-term diploma, and certificate programs.
CompetitionHighly competitiveLess competitive compared to the Fall IntakeLeast Competitive
Number of ScholarshipsMost number of scholarshipsLimited scholarshipsVery few scholarships
Application DeadlineDecember - MarchSeptember - NovemberOctober - February
DurationSeptember-DecemberJanuary-AprilMay-August

Which Canadian Study Intake is best for You?

As there are three study intakes in Canada, it's pretty obvious to get confused. Every intake comes with its own merits and demerits. Only after comparing all the intakes you can choose the best intake for yourself. Here are some factors you can consider while choosing the best Canada study intake: 

Program AvailabilityNot all programs are available in every intake. So you must check which Canada study intake offers your desired program. The Fall Intake in Canada offers every type of program. On the other hand, the Winter Intake offers fewer programs. Lastly, the Spring Intake offers short-term programs like diplomas, certificates, and vocational programs.
Funding OpportunitiesThe September study intake in Canada is the most popular and primary intake. As a result, it offers more financial support options to international students than any other intake. Winter and Spring Intake offers fewer scholarships than Fall Intake. So if you need scholarships you must target Fall Intake otherwise you can go for winter and Spring Intake.
Job OpportunitiesMany industries align their internship cycles with the academic calendar. If you start your studies from fall intake you may get better job opportunities, internships, and co-op options. On the contrary, the winter and Spring Intake may have fewer options for you.
CompetitionThe fall intake is the most competitive study intake in Canada. It's quite difficult to take admission in this intake. However, if you are looking for less competition then you should target winter and Spring Intake.
 

Conclusion


The study intake you will choose will play a defining role in your academic journey. Every intake has different deadlines and offerings. So it's essential to choose the right intake. It may be possible that you are ready to study in May, but to avail yourself of the best scholarships, you can just wait a bit for the September intake. On the other hand, if you are thinking of pursuing short-term programs, May intake would be best for you. So, you need to see the equation of your academic journey while selecting intake. Now, this can be a lot for you, so you should take the help of a study abroad Consultant.

FAQ

There are three major intakes in Canada: Fall, Winter, and Spring.
The September or Fall Intake is the most preferred intake in Canada as Canadian Universities accept the largest number of students during this time. 
Yes, you can apply by 22nd July for September Intake.
How long is the fall term in Canada?
The fall term in Canada starts in September and ends in December. 
September or Fall Intake is better than May Intake as it offers wide a range of programs, more scholarships, and accommodations. 
Yes, you can apply for May Intake in February. 
Yes, many Canadian colleges accept students with 5.5 IELTS bands.

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