How to Apply to Universities in Canada (2027 Step-by-Step Guide)

To apply to a university in Canada, you choose programs at a Designated Learning Institution, check each program's requirements, then submit an online application directly to the university (or through OUAC for Ontario undergraduate programs) before its deadline, pay a non-refundable fee and upload transcripts and English test results. After an offer, you accept, pay a deposit and get the documents you need for the study permit.

Below is the full process with real fall 2027 dates taken from official university pages, so you can plan backwards from the deadline that matters to you.

Where you apply: OUAC, EducationPlannerBC or direct

Each Canadian university runs its own admissions and decides how to assess your credentials (EduCanada). Some provinces have shared portals:

Step-by-step application process

1. 1

   Shortlist programs at DLIs (12 to 18 months ahead)

   Search programs on EduCanada, then confirm each school on the DLI list and check that your program is PGWP-eligible if you want to work after graduation.

2. 2

   Check country-specific requirements

   Most universities publish requirements by country (for example, which Afghan, Pakistani or Indian certificate they accept). See Canada university admission requirements.

3. 3

   Book your English test

   IELTS Academic 6.5 is a common undergraduate minimum; graduate programs often ask for more. Many universities only accept results up to two years old (Brandon University, for example, states this).

4. 4

   Prepare documents

   Transcripts, certificates, passport, English results, and for graduate programs: CV, statement of purpose and reference letters. Some universities ask for an external evaluation such as WES.

5. 5

   Submit the application and pay the fee

   Apply before the deadline and keep your login details. Fees are usually non-refundable.

6. 6

   Upload or send supporting documents

   Many universities set a separate, later document deadline. Missing documents is one of the most common reasons files are not reviewed.

7. 7

   Apply for scholarships

   Some entrance awards need a separate application, sometimes earlier than the admission deadline.

8. 8

   Accept the offer and pay the deposit

   Your school usually requests your PAL/TAL after you accept and pay tuition in part or in full. Quebec students apply for the CAQ instead.

9. 9

   Apply for the study permit

   Then follow our Canada student visa guide.

Fall 2027 undergraduate deadlines (official)

These are the international undergraduate deadlines for fall 2027 entry as published on each university's site when we checked. Many have earlier recommended dates and separate document deadlines, so always open the official page.

Some universities also admit in January or May. Memorial University has fall, winter and spring intakes and advises international applicants to apply at least 12 weeks before the semester because of study permit processing. Not every program has a January or May start, and international applicants usually get fewer options outside September.

Graduate applications: master's and PhD

Graduate deadlines are set per program, not per university. For fall 2027, examples include 1 December 2026 for the University of Waterloo's MMath in Computer Science, 15 December 2026 for McGill's MSc Computer Science and 15 January 2027 for Queen's Computing MSc and PhD. McGill's default international graduate deadline is 15 January 2027, but many programs close earlier.

• Research master's and PhD programs often expect you to contact a potential supervisor before applying. Check the program page.
• Funding is often decided at the time of admission, so applying by the first deadline matters.
• Graduate application fees we tracked include CAN$135 at the University of Alberta and U of T's School of Graduate Studies, and CAN$145 at the University of Calgary for international applicants.
• UBC's graduate school waives its application fee for applicants whose citizenship and correspondence address are in Afghanistan.

Application fees and deposits

What a strong application file contains

Undergraduate applications are mostly grade-based: universities compare your final school results and prerequisite subjects with their own admission averages. Graduate applications are reviewed by the department, so the quality of your documents matters as much as your grades.

• Transcripts and certificates: official copies, plus certified English or French translations if they are in another language.
• English test results: sent directly by the test provider when the university asks for it.
• Statement of purpose or research statement: for most graduate programs. Explain why this program, why this supervisor or research area, and what you plan to do afterwards.
• Reference letters: usually two or three for graduate programs, submitted by your referees through the university portal.
• CV and portfolio: required for some programs, such as architecture, design and music.
• Supplementary applications: some competitive programs add their own forms, for example the University of Toronto Engineering supplementary application and Rotman Commerce, or Queen's Commerce and Health Sciences.

Applying from Afghanistan or with missing documents

Many Canadian universities publish what they accept from Afghanistan. Dalhousie and Ontario Tech, for example, list the Baccalauria together with the University Entrance Exam (Kankor) results, while the University of Toronto, Western and Queen's list the Baccalauria as the admission credential.

If you cannot get official records, ask before you apply. MacEwan University says evaluation of Afghan documents may be done differently and asks applicants to upload what they have and contact admissions. Mount Royal University describes an Applicant Declaration procedure, and Memorial University says it will consider applicants who face challenges getting official documents from Afghanistan.

From offer to study permit

Once you have an offer, the immigration part starts. Outside Quebec, after you accept your offer and pay tuition in part or in full, your DLI usually obtains your provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL). It must be valid on the day you apply and cannot come from a previous cap year (IRCC). Since 1 January 2026, master's and PhD applicants at public DLIs do not need one.

In Quebec you apply through Arrima for a CAQ. The Government of Quebec says the CAN$135 fee must be paid within one hour of completing the online form, and documents uploaded within 15 days (Quebec). IRCC will also ask your school to confirm that your letter of acceptance is valid.

Want reminders before each deadline? Track deadlines for free on FindUniPath, or explore the Canada country hub.

Mistakes that cost international applicants

• Missing the document deadline even though the application was on time.
• Applying for scholarships too late: UBC's international scholar award application is due 15 November 2026 for fall 2027.
• Choosing a program that is not PGWP-eligible when you plan to work afterwards.
• Translating your own documents. IRCC does not allow applicants or family members to translate their own documents, and universities set their own translation rules.
• Applying close to the deadline and leaving too little time for the deposit, PAL/TAL and study permit processing before classes start.

Next: check the costs in cost of studying in Canada and see what documents need translating in Canada documents, translation and legalization.