Last Updated: April 10, 2021
Nursing Programs in Canada
Nursing is a growing profession and is becoming a popular choice amongst the youth. Registered Nursing (RN) is classified among the top occupations in terms of job growth, and as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2019-2029. Furthermore, the job of a nurse provides a comfortable and above-average salary; paired with a potentially growing career, it is of no surprise that nursing is classified as a top occupation.
Any hospital needs a large team of experts to keep an eye on the medical requirements, and nurses are the vital link that keeps the medical program running smoothly. They serve as intermediaries between patients and doctors, and in certain cases, they also fulfill doctors' obligations. Regardless, there are various types of nurses and their chosen career aspects show what training they have received, what they have sufficient control over, and the field in which they will be employed.
Popular Nursing Programs in Canada
While doing the initial research, international students will find plenty of nursing programs at their disposal. Among the sea of programs that several universities offer, it gets difficult for potential students to decide on an ideal program from a reputed university.
Below is a list of popular programs and the universities that offer the same.
McMaster University
- McMaster University is ranked among Canada's top 100 universities, and it has been praised for its innovative research in virtually every region. The university is very famous among international students because it offers a world-class education that does not break the bank.
- McMaster offers a course in the field of nursing - Bachelors of Science in Nursing (B.S.N)
- The duration for Bachelors of Science in Nursing (B.S.N) is 4 years, and it is a full-time course. There is no part-time option available for this course.
- As for entry requirements, students wanting to apply for this course must complete their high school diploma with six grade 12 U/M courses, along with these mandatory subjects - English, Biology, Chemistry, and either MDM4U, or MHF4U, or MCV4U. Moreover, students also have to take the CASPer test to be qualified for applying for this course.
- English requirements include either a TOEFL score of 86 or an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in every component. International students will also be required to submit their PTE scores. The acceptable PTE score is at least 60 overall.
- International students will need to submit additional documents such as a transcript, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a CV, the application form and application fee, and a statement of intent.
- The fees for Bachelors of Science in Nursing is at CAD $30,000 per year.
McGill University
- The Department of Medicine at McGill University is committed to its students. So much so that they are not only known for their drug and medicine testing but even in honing the support needed in the medical field in the form of nurses. McGill University is perhaps one of the most diverse universities in the world, with students from over 150 countries, and with budget-friendly tuition fees, the university is a popular choice amongst international students.
- McGill offers a course in the field of nursing - Bachelors of Science in Nursing (B.S.N)
- The duration for Bachelors of Science in Nursing (B.S.N) is 4 years, and it is a full-time course. There is no part-time option available for this course.
- As for entry requirements of McGill University, they include a mix of school grades, SAT scores, and ACT scores. Potential international students must have a B+ (or higher) grade in classes 10, 11, & 12 and even in English. The SAT scores that are accepted are 650 in every subject, 700 in Reading & Writing, and lastly, 640 in Mathematics. As for ACT scores accepted are 28 overall, with 26 in Reading & Writing. It is important to keep in mind that the university accepts either SAT scores or ACT scores.
- English requirements include either a TOEFL score of 86 or an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in every component.
- International students will need to submit additional documents such as a transcript, and letters of recommendation.
- The fees for Bachelors of Science in Nursing is at CAD $16,500 per year.
University of British Columbia
- The University of British Columbia is one of the oldest universities of Canada, founded in the year of 1908. The university's most popular departments include engineering, medicine, management, forestry, and geography. Being one of the leads in medicinal research, the University of British Columbia does not disappoint in the training of future nurses either. The University of British Columbia ranks no.3 in the field of study in Nursing.
- The University of British Columbia offers a course in the field of nursing - Bachelors of Science in Nursing (B.S.N)
- The duration for Bachelors of Science in Nursing (B.S.N) is 2 years , and it is a full-time course.
- The entry requirements for Bachelor's of Science in Nursing are a little different at the University of British Columbia. The University of British Columbia requires potential students to have a bachelor's degree or major progress toward a degree in another area of study ( including 48 non-nursing, university transferable credits). Furthermore, students are required to have 70% based upon the 48 non-nursing, university transferable credits.
- English requirements include either a TOEFL score of 90 or an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in every component. International students will also be required to submit their PTE scores. The acceptable PTE score is at least 65 overall.
- International students will need to submit additional documents such as a transcript, letters of recommendation, a CV, financial documentation and, and a statement of purpose.
- The fees for Bachelors of Science in Nursing is at CAD $30,000 per year.
University of Alberta
- The University of Alberta was established in 1908, and since then has been a leader in departments of engineering, management, medicine, and pharmacy. Since time can tell, the University of Alberta has been situated in the high ranks of top universities of Canada. Hereby, the university's nursing program is also very well-received by students from all over the world. Along with world-class subjects, the university also has a high acceptance rate of 51%, but that is only if the potential students show academic excellence to be on par with the challenging academics that the University provides.
- Additionally, the University of Alberta has a very pocket-friendly tuition fee for international students. Coupled with the scholarships and grants provided by the university, the competition to get accepted by the University of Alberta rises year after year.
- The University of Alberta offers a course in the field of nursing - Bachelors of Science in Nursing (B.S.N)
- The duration for Bachelors of Science in Nursing (B.S.N) is 4 years, and it is a full-time course. There is no part-time option available for this course.
- As for the entry requirements, they include a minimum of 70% grade in high school, but most importantly in these particular subjects - English, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Since the competition at the University of Alberta is a tough one, it is advised to future students to aim for grades higher than the minimum requirements. Furthermore, students will need to submit a CASPer test, in order to be deemed eligible for the program.
- English requirements include either a TOEFL score of 90 or an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in every component. International students will also be required to submit their PTE scores. The acceptable PTE score is at least 61 overall.
- International students will need to submit additional documents such as a transcript, official degree certificate, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a CV, and a statement of intent.
- The fees for Bachelors of Science in Nursing is at CAD $20,500 per year.
University of Calgary
- The University of Calgary is made up of five branches, including one in Qatar, which established in 2007 and focuses on nursing education. Perhaps the best school for general studies, with moderate classes. However, the acceptance rate of the University of Calgary is quite low, being between 9% to 12%. The University of Calgary is known to be a research-focused university, hence attracting students from all over the world for academic and research opportunities.
- The University of Calgary offers a course in the field of nursing - Bachelors of Nursing (B.N)
- The duration for Bachelors of Science in Nursing (B.N) is 4 years, and it is a full-time course. There is no part-time option available for this course.
- The entry requirements for the course include at least a 60% grade in the following subjects - English, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Just as the University of Alberta, the competition at the University of Calgary is not a smooth one. Hence, it is advised to potential students to aim for grades higher than the minimum grade mentioned.
- English requirements include either a TOEFL score of 86 or an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in every component. International students will also be required to submit their PTE scores. The acceptable PTE score is at least 60 overall.
- International students will need to submit additional documents such as a transcript, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a CV, a research proposal, a statement of research intent, a document stating the thesis proposal, and a statement of intent.
- The fees for Bachelors of Nursing is at CAD $17,000 per year.