Study BSc Nursing in Canada – Eligibility, Fees & Process For Indian Students

Nursing is an important field in healthcare having a huge potential in terms of earning, growth, and giving back to the community. Students looking to get into the BSc nursing in Canada must have clarity about the eligibility, fees, and the process to avoid hiccups in the process and miss getting enrolled in the first go. 

In this article, we will discuss aspects where you will know how to apply for a bachelor of science in nursing course with the basic requirements to ensure successful admission. 

Scope of Studying BSc Nursing in Canada

Canada has an inclusive healthcare policy wherein everyone from the citizens to residents and even visitors are covered under the comprehensive universal healthcare plan. With an increased emphasis on people’s health, the country’s healthcare institutions require an apt number of professionals, including nurses. 

From 2019 to 2028, the demand for nurses in Canada is expected to rise, with more than 190,000 new opportunities being created. Around 150,000 new students are expected to pass out from the nursing colleges in Canada to fulfill the demand within this period. 

This still leaves a gap of 40,000 opportunities lying vacant. And this is your chance to start looking for a career in nursing. After BSc nursing in Canada, you can become a medical consultant, holistic nurse, research nurse, travel nurse, and take up other relevant roles in the industry. 

Best Institutions to Study BSc Nursing in Canada

Colleges & Universities in Canada offer two types of nursing graduate certificate courses and programs;

• Regular degree
• Accelerated degree

Here are the top institutions for BSc Nursing in Canada:

1. University of Toronto: Here, you can get enrolled into an accelerated program running for two years. The BScN course at the University of Toronto, Ontario, takes the students through a program offering theoretical and practical knowledge of the field of human anatomy, practical nursing, and general health care. 

1. McMaster University: The Bachelor of Science Nursing course at McMaster University will get the right course required to become efficient healthcare professional. Along with this, the university also offers clinical placements. The program here runs for four years. 

1. McGill University: The Bachelor of nursing in Canada’s McGill University runs for three to four years. Under the program, the students will learn simple to complex lessons on healthcare related to nursing along with contemporary issues. The course teaches students nursing theory, critical thinking, fundamentals, and helps them build expertise in nursing. 

1. University of Alberta: At the University of Alberta, the BSc Nursing course duration runs for four years giving the students access to comprehensive learning. The students learn amidst an advanced clinical setting gaining extensive hands-on training. Even better, the practical training begins in the first semester. 

1. University of British Columbia: The program for BSc Nursing in Canada’s one of the most prestigious universities, UBC, is facilitated by an amazing quality with the assistance of advanced technologies. The institute has a global appeal and is popular for research-oriented studies towards physical and mental health. 

While several other institutions and colleges you can choose for your BSc Nursing course, these five take the top spots. Studying in any of these institutions can propel your nursing practice career to the next level in terms of academic excellence, placements, and future scope. 

Eligibility Process into BSc Nursing

The eligibility requirements differ depending on the course and the university. Here are some of the essential requirements that international students must meet in order to apply for any course.

• The last five years score should aggregate at 75% or 3.0 GPA. 
• The students must have studied in any of these subjects before applying; human physiology, life sciences, health science, social sciences, humanities, and statistics (only some universities have a condition of these subjects). 
• Letter of references.
• CASPer or Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics. 
• Proven language proficiency must be provided via IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE test results. In IELTS, the minimum band score for getting into a bachelor’s course is 6.5.

Course Fee for BSc Nursing in Canada

On average, you are looking to spend somewhere between CAD 52,000 to CAD 215,000 for studying BSc Nursing in Canada. The exact fees will vary from institution to institution. So, make sure to check the course fee and other expenses before applying.

To help you with the exact numbers, here are the probable BSc Nursing fees in Canada for the universities and colleges listed in the section above:

• University of Toronto – 143,560 CAD
• McMaster University – 66,680 CAD
• McGill University – 213,720 CAD
• University of Alberta – 130,970 CAD
• University of British Columbia – 147,850 CAD

While this covers the tuition fees, there are several other expenses that an international student must cover. Plus, your application for a visa also demands financial evidence that you can support your living and daily expenses while staying in Canada. 

Scholarship for BSc Nursing in Canada

A wide range of study scholarships is available in Canada for international students looking to join a nursing program, diploma, certificate, or degree course. 

• Canadian Nurses Foundation Scholarship: Under this scholarship, international students can get more than $50,000 as an award. Students wanting to pursue a bachelor’s degree to a doctorate course can apply. 

• Opterus Helen Rose STEM Award: This scholarship award is presented to female students aged 16 to 28. The students applying here must submit an essay with their application. The essay topics will be shared when filling out the form. 

• Nursing Bursary Program: The award of $2500 under this scholarship program is given to international students under the condition that they are either Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Here too, the applicants are required to submit an essay. 

• Nurse Practitioner Bursary: This bursary award is meant for international students who wish to stay and work in Alberta after completing their graduation. So, to receive the $9000 amount for the BSc nursing in Canada degree, the students must prematurely decide that they will stay in Alberta. 

• The Friends of Mary Seacole Funding for International Students: The award amount is not specified under this scholarship. However, it applies to international students from the UK, Europe, and other countries, including Australia, India, the USA, etc. 

Process to Get into a Nursing Course in Canada

The admission requirements for studying Bachelor of Nursing in Canada begin with selecting the universities and colleges you want to apply into. Make sure to submit all the required documents:

• Academic transcripts of high school
• Copy of your passport
• Resume
• Letter of recommendation
• Test results of English language proficiency test
• Statement of purpose
• Letter of references

After you have got the acceptance letter from the college or university, submit the visa application. Post the approval of the visa, you can migrate to Canada and start studying. 

Studying BSc nursing in Canada means you will be on the road to building a promising, satisfying, and responsible career in the country. With Canada’s heightened focus on improving universal healthcare, the educational institutions ensure apt learning for the students. 

The students are taught and trained for the skills and thought processes required for a nurse and ensure effective help or treatment. For more blogs sharing such insights, you can visit the LeapScholar blog section and discover more helpful content. 

Frequently Asked Questions