Most international students looking to migrate to Canada usually need clarification when they hear of terms like SDS and Non-SDS. These two terms are usually encountered during student visa applications. Although these two terms seem sub-standard, they do hold great relevance to your visa application. This article will shed more light on the Non SDS student stream and the top 15 notable Non SDS colleges in Canada.
Before we proceed, let’s familiarise ourselves with the terms SDS and Non-SDS. SDS meant Student Direct Stream and was formally known as SPP (Student Partners Program). Non SDS, on the other hand, is known as or often called the General Category. The SDS and the Non SDS are methods of applying to study in Canada. However, the Non SDS is the easily available option for those international students who do not meet the basic requirements for a Canadian student visa.
What is Non-SDS
The Non SDS is a general category visa application procedure for international students who couldn’t fulfill the SDS’s requirements for one reason or another. The Non SDS visa application is a standard process to get temporary residence in Canada. However, the requirements for this visa application will be different, and it requires more documents.
Difference Between SDS and Non SDS Colleges in Canada
Although both the SDS and Non SDS are somewhat similar patterns of immigration streams, it’s important to outline their differences clearly:
1. Not all Canadian universities offer the Non SDS stream
As not all Canadian colleges are open for international students using the Non SDS stream, these students would have to choose their college from the top 15 Non SDS colleges in Canada.
2. Requirements for Non SDS is more than that of the SDS
If you, as an international student, are deemed ineligible for the SDS stream, most likely, it is due to not satisfying the SDS stream requirements. However, you have a second chance at studying in Canada. Although the Non SDS stream is available to all, its requirements are more in number than that of the SDS.
3. Non-SDS colleges have a way less strict admission process
The application procedure for students who qualified for the SDS stream is easier than that of the Non SDS. As the Non-SDS students would receive an enormous amount of applicants, they would have to slightly increase their admission process to enable them to shortlist some applicants.
4. Application process for SDS colleges is faster than Non SDS
The application process for candidates who qualified for the SDS program is much easier than for students in the Non-SDS. As Non SDS students have to submit slightly higher requirements than the SDS candidates, the application process for Non-SDS candidates will obviously be longer than that of the SDS.
5. SDS has a higher success rate for student visas than Non SDS
International students who are eligible for the SDS stream have a much better chance of getting student visas than those students in the Non SDS stream. This is because the SDS stream requirements are similar to the requirements needed to apply for a student visa.
Top 15 Non SDS Colleges in Canada
The following is a comprehensive list of the top 15 Non SDS colleges in Canada:
The following is a comprehensive list of the top 15 Non SDS colleges in Canada:
1. The Acsenda School of Management
The Acsenda School of Management was established in 2004 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The university is a private post-secondary institution offering specialist courses in Business Administration and Hospitality Management right in the midst of the business district of Vancouver.
The Thompson Rivers University acceptance rate is 90% and, on average, welcomes around 950 international students from all over the world each semester.
The university has an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 84 for international students in their language proficiency tests. The average tuition fee for degree programs is $4,405 for international students.
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2. The Thompson Rivers University
The Thompson Rivers University is a public university in British Columbia, Canada, established in 1970. It is popular for its research and vocational training programs offered to students worldwide and provides residence to over 800 students at its campuses. It offers over 140 programs, including master’s degrees, post-baccalaureate diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, certificates, and many more.
The Thompson Rivers University acceptance rate is 82%, and on average, welcomes around 3,500 international students each semester from more than 100 countries.
The university has an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 88 for international students in their language proficiency tests. The average tuition fee for degree programs is $18,369 for international students.
3. The Fairleigh Dickinson University
Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The university was founded in 1942; however, its latest Vancouver campus was built in 2007. The university has 4 campuses and is a center of academic excellence. The university serves nearly 12,000 graduates and undergraduates worldwide, including more than 1,000 international students.
Fairleigh Dickinson University has an acceptance rate of 78%, an IELTS limit of 6.0 and a TOEFL score of 70 for international students in their language proficiency test. The average tuition fee for degree programs is $39,686 for international students.
4. The Cape Breton University
Cape Breton University is an open experiential learning and research institution in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university, formerly known as the College of Cape Breton (CCB), was established in 1974. Cape Breton University is home to about 5,500 students from more than 40 countries worldwide from diverse backgrounds.
Cape Breton University provides undergraduate research opportunities in a supportive academic environment. The university has an acceptance rate of 60% and offers a comprehensive education in various fields such as art, science, business health, liberal arts, and professional programs. It’s also the first energy-self-sufficient campus in North America.
Cape Breton University has an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 80 for international students in their language proficiency test. The average tuition fee for degree programs is $17,027 for international students.
5. The Cambrian College
The Cambrian College is a public institution offering programs in applied arts and technology, which was established in 1967 in Ontario. The college has its 3 college campuses in Sudbury and Espanola in Ontario and Little Current in l Manitoulin Island, Canada.
The Cambrian College has a community of about 11000 students, with over 4100 and about 7000 students, including international students in full-time and part-time programs. The 11,000-student community makes the university the largest college in Northern Ontario. The average tuition fee for degree programs is between $6,030 – $ 9,505 for international students.
The university has an acceptance rate of 70%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 84 for international students in their language proficiency test.
6. The University of Canada West
University Canada West is a private university located in British Columbia, Canada and was established in 2004. The university is a business-based, innovative, and technology-oriented university. The university offers a variety of undergraduate programs and courses. These programs include the Bachelor of Commerce, Associate of Arts, Master of Business Administration, and other University Canada West online courses.
The University welcomes international students from more than 45 countries around the world. The average tuition fee for degree programs is between $15,492 for international students. The university has an acceptance rate of 70%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 88 for international students in their language proficiency test.
7. The McMaster University
McMaster University is one of the oldest universities in Canada, established in 1887. The university offers over 3000 programs at different levels of study through its 70+ research centers and institutes and is home to over 25,000 students from all over the world. McMaster University is also quite reputable worldwide and ranks number 140 in the QS university world ranking.
The average tuition fee for degree programs is between $15,000 – $ 20,000 for international students. The university has an acceptance rate of 58%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 86 for international students in their language proficiency test.
8. The Brock University
Brock University was established in 1964 in the Niagara Region, Ontario. The university is a public research university offering 120+ programs at undergraduate and graduate levels to its students. It is home to more than 19,000 students from over 100 countries worldwide.
The average tuition fee for degree programs is between $25,290-$29,022 for international students. The university has an acceptance rate of 85%, an IELTS limit of 7 and a TOEFL score of 100 for international students in their language proficiency test.
9. The Lakehead University
Lakehead University is a publicly funded institution established in 1965 in Ontario, Canada. It is a comprehensive institute that offers a wide range of degree and diploma programs in ten faculties or areas of study. There are two Lakehead University campuses, Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses.
The university enrolls around 9,000 students from all over the world in various programs. The average tuition fee for degree programs is $17,560 for international students. The university has an acceptance rate of 83%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 80 for international students in their language proficiency test.
10. The University of Northern British Columbia
The University of Northern British Columbia was established in 1990 in Northern British Columbia. The university is regarded as one of Canada’s best small universities. The University of Northern British Columbia is a research-intensive university that offers excellent teaching and research. The university provides outstanding undergraduate and graduates learning opportunities that explore culture, health, science, economics, and the environment.
The University welcomes international students from around the world and has a community of about 3,500 students. The average tuition fee for degree programs is $24,640 for international students. The university has an acceptance rate of 80%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 90 for international students in their language proficiency test.
11. The University of Windsor
The University of Windsor was established in 1963 and was the first autonomous degree-granting institution in western Ontario. The University of Windsor is a student-focused university with over 1600 student enrollments in a broad range of undergraduate and University of Windsor graduates.
The University welcomes international students, with 23% of its student representing 85 different countries.
The average tuition fee for degree programs is $15,170 for international students. The university has an acceptance rate of 65%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 83 for international students in their language proficiency test.
12. The Royal Roads University
The Royal Roads University was established in 1995 and is located in Colwood, British Columbia, Canada. The university provides students with the tools, training, and connections to help them succeed in their various degree programs and prepare them for the career of their dreams.
The University welcomes international students from around the world and has a community of about 4,500 students.
The average tuition fee for degree programs is $ 19,995-$39,990 for international students. The university has an acceptance rate of 70%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 79 for international students in their language proficiency test.
13. The York University
York University is a public university established in 1959 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It’s the second-largest university in Ontario and the third-largest in Canada.
York University offers undergraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, and doctoral programs in various study areas such as engineering, science, education, and more.
The University has over 8,500 international students from more than 175 countries worldwide. The average tuition fee for degree programs is between $22,121 for international students. The university has an acceptance rate of 50.5%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 80 for international students in their language proficiency test.
14. The King’s University College
The King’s University College was founded in 1954 in London, Ontario, Canada. The college is a widely known Catholic college in Canada for its excellent academic programs, generous scholarships, and comprehensive student services.
The King’s University College is home to approximately 3,500 students in full and part-time programs. The college also has about 500 international students from over 35 countries. The college has an acceptance rate of 86%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 85 for international students in their language proficiency test. The average tuition fee for degree programs is between $28,743-$34,747 for international students.
15. The Memorial University of Newfoundland
The Memorial University of Newfoundland was established in 1925 in Newfoundland, Canada. The university is regarded as one of the largest in Atlantic Canada. The university offers more than 100 degree programs, from classic to advanced technology. Certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and graduate programs are offered across 4 Memorial University of Newfoundland campuses and online.
The University has over 2,700 international students from more than 110 countries worldwide. The average tuition fee for degree programs is $11,460 for international students. The university has an acceptance rate of 65%, an IELTS limit of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 90 for international students in their language proficiency test.
Requirements for Non SDS Colleges in Canada
The 2022 requirements available for the top 15 Non SDS colleges in Canada include the following:
1. The language proficiency test
International students applying for the Non SDS colleges in Canada are required to take a language proficiency test. These proficiency tests appear as eligibility tests like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. This is needed in other for each candidate to prove their language proficiency.
2. International passport
If you are a candidate and wish to apply for the Non SDS visa stream in Canada, you’ll need a valid international passport. If the passport expires, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will not issue you a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or study permit. You’ll need to ensure that your permit has been extended before it expires, as well as other Canadian permits and visas.
3. Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
The Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) would require you as an international student to deposit around CAD$10000 or more. Depositing this money helps prove to them that you have the resources to take care of all your personal and educational expenses while in Canada. This deposit will be yours to access upon arriving in Canada.
Not all Canadian banks offer GIC; however, some of the banks that offer GIC include NOVA SCOTIA, ICICI, SBI and CIBC. As you arrive in Canada, you will get around CAD$2,000 plus any interest. After you arrive in the country for the next 12 months, you’ll get approximately CAD$667 each month. It is important to note that a GIC is not mandatory and can be replaced by proof of funds.
4. Tuition fee
As an international student, the Non SDS visa requirements warrant that you provide further proof that you deposited your tuition fees six months’ before DLI. This is to ensure further that you are financially capable.
5. Digital pictures
You will be required to submit a digital picture with specifications like 35X45 and an 80% zoom-in white background.
6. Educational documents
As an international student applying to any top 15 Non SDS colleges in Canada, you’ll be required to submit your genuine academic documents. These documents will include previous education certificates or diplomas.
7. Medical examination
You’ll be required to submit a document of a full body checkup as proof of medical examination.
8. Financial documents
As an international student under the Non SDS, you’ll be required to submit financial documents to help further justify your financial stability. The documents you might be required to provide include Proof of Income (Income Tax Returns, Form-16, J-Forms) and liquid assets in the form of GPF, Bank Statements, Fixed Deposits, etc.
9. Statement of purpose
You will also need to provide a statement of Purpose (SOP) irrespective of whether you apply for the SDS or Non-SDS stream. The SOP is more like an essay in which you will have to state your reason for choosing Canada as your education destination and your intentions on choosing a specific course.
How to Apply for Non SDS Colleges in Canada
The Non-SDS colleges’ application process is slightly more tedious than with the SDS colleges. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to go about it.
- Step one:
You will visit the Immigration Refugee Citizenship (IRCC) website or the official website of CIC Canada and sign in with your GCKey user ID and password. Accept the terms and conditions laid out for you and proceed to foil in the identification validation.
- Step two:
Kickstart your application and enter the personal reference code. If you have yet to have a code, check your eligibility by answering some questions and applying online. Move on to save and exit the questionnaire.
- Step three:
When you’re done answering all the questions, you will receive a pop-up notification to ascertain whether you are eligible or not. If you are found eligible, then you move on to the next step.
- Step four:
Review all the questions and the answers you gave to each one thoroughly.
- Step five:
Go through your checklist and documents. Be careful to complete all requirements; if you still need to complete any, fill them out.
- Step six:
Proceed to submit your application.
Wrapping Up on Non SDS Colleges in Canada
Traveling abroad using the Non SDS stream is difficult, but depending on if you aren’t eligible for the SDS stream. Although the Non SDS stream seems substandard than the SDS stream, it still gives you the opportunity of being an international student in Australia. Some of the top 15 Non SDS colleges in Canada are highly recognized globally. This means that obtaining a degree or diploma from any of those universities is a big deal.
Frequently Asked Questions On Non SDS Colleges in Canada
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