Bachelor of Psychology in Canada: Top Courses and Universities

In the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day lives, the need for care for our mental health becomes increasingly important. And for this very purpose, there has been an uptake in the number of psychologists worldwide. For international students looking to study bachelor’s in psychology, Canada is the one-stop destination for all their needs. With more than eight universities in Canada ranked in Maclean’s Best Psychology Programs 2023-24. With ranks under 250 on the QS World University Rankings, the number of students enlisting in psychology courses offered by these universities in Canada has increased drastically. In this blog, we aim to help you find your dream college to pursue a bachelor’s of Psychology in Canada.

Overview: Bachelor of Psychology in Canada

Why Study Psychology Courses in Canada?

Canada is one of the best-suited destinations for international students to study psychology courses. There are ample reasons for international students to choose Canada as their place of study for a bachelor’s in Psychology. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

• University Rankings: With almost ten universities ranking below 250 on the QS World University Rankings, 2022 for courses about Psychology, top universities in Canada offering Bachelor of Psychology courses have also made it to Maclean’s Best Psychology Programs List 2023-24.

• Remuneration: Average salary of a Psychology graduate from Canada ranges from $97,000 to $125,000 per year, with most graduates earning an average of $68.68 an hour as per a study conducted by an employment website, Indeed.

•  Scholarships: Canada is famous for providing country-wide and international scholarships ranging from 1,967 CAD to 40,000 CAD for international Psychology students studying in Canadian universities.

• Employment Rate: As per the Times Higher Education Rankings 2023, top universities in Canada, such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, rank 11, 29, and 36 on the scale of employability rate in the world. Other than these universities, eight more universities in Canada offer Bachelor of Psychology courses that rank below 200 on the employability ranking scale, making Canada an extremely favorable destination for students to consider while settling in the future.

• Research: With research labs such as the Center for Clinical Research in Health (CCRH) and Center for Research in Human Development (CRHD) equipped with the latest technology instruments, what more does a med grad student need? On top of this, internationally acclaimed agencies like the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation annually invest about 2 million dollars in these universities for research purposes.

• Safety: Canada ranks 12th globally on the Global Peace Index Report 2022, so students wishing to study in Canada don’t be afraid to step out at night to pan out the country’s nightlife! Moreover, Canada is home to some of the best student cities for international students.

Top Universities in Canada Offering Bachelor of Psychology Courses

*Rankings for Best Universities for Psychology/Psychiatry

Admission Requirements to Study Bachelor of Psychology in Canada

Most universities in Canada require the following qualifications at the very least of any international candidate wishing to apply for a bachelor’s degree in psychology in Canada:

• Students must pass the 10+2 examinations from an accredited education board to qualify for a bachelor’s degree with an aggregate of 55% and above.
• A valid passport and visa are a must for all international students to study any course at any university in Canada.
• To demonstrate their aptitude, all students must submit the results of English language proficiency exams like the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc., with a score of more than 6/6.5 at least.
• A statement of intent and letters of recommendation are also necessary.

Cost of Studying Bachelor of Psychology in Canada for International Students

The cost of studying for a Bachelor of Psychology degree in Canada for international students depends on two major factors: the tuition fee of the university offering the undergraduate program and the living cost of the student. As for the tuition fee of various universities across Canada offering Bachelor of Psychology courses, Gyanberry has curated the following table for easy comparison.

*Costs mentioned are average costs which may vary depending on curriculum and annum.

Cost of Living in Canada for International Students

Since the cost of living varies hugely depending on your lifestyle, your place of study, and your preferences, an estimated living expenditure for an international student in Canada amounts to CAD 15,000 to CAD 20,000 per year which includes housing, travel, food, and all basic amenities. Moreover, don’t worry about the cost of studying in Canada too much as there are abundant scholarship opportunities for international students to financially aid them in their tuition fees in Canada (scroll further for details).

If you wish to save up some money, part-time work opportunities are ample in Canada, with relatively basic requirements. Depending on your course and timeline, you can study and work part-time to save up and buy a nice typical chair and couch for your therapy sessions!

Scholarships 

The ultimate favorable reason for international students to study Psychology courses in Canada are the scholarships. Not one, not two, not three, but almost ten scholarships exist for international students in Canada. These scholarships include governmental and institute-based scholarships, some of which are listed below for your perusal.

• Faculty of Social Sciences Dean’s Excellence Award: Both native and international students receive it. The minimum entrance average required to be able to apply for this award is 92%.

• Outstanding International Student Award: The Outstanding International Student Award is given to international undergraduates pursuing a BA in Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Amounts ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 CAD are awarded to students who excel academically.

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship: This grant is given to 37 University of Toronto students yearly. It pays for four-year resident fees, books, incidentals, and tuition. Only international first-year undergraduate program students are eligible to use it. After the student has been admitted, an application must be made via the university’s scholarship portal.

• Chancellor Cory Entrance Scholarship: York University students are eligible for a scholarship worth 4,000 CAD every year for 16,000 CAD over four years.

• Ya Wei Chen Entrance Scholarship in Science: This grant is available to international students at McGill University who are joining the faculty of science and have excelled academically.

• President’s Scholarship of Distinction: International students may apply for the President’s Scholarship of Distinction upon enrolling at the University of Waterloo. This scholarship can only be renewed under specific circumstances. Each winner receives a 10,000 CAD prize.

• Provost Entrance Scholarship for International Students: There are only ten prizes totaling 7,500 CAD in the entrance scholarship for overseas students each year. After being accepted to McMaster University, students must get a nomination from a secondary or high school authority and apply for the scholarship.

Future Prospects as a Psychology Graduate in Canada

One will have a wide range of employment options in Canada as a psychology graduate since keeping one’s mental health in check has become quite a necessity these days; take it from the writer! Numerous colleges and institutions that offer psychology courses have strong career-focused curricula that prepare students for immediate job placements. The following are a few of the most typical employment paths for psychology graduates:

• Educational Psychology: Educational psychologists assist students with academic difficulties, behavioral disorders, etc., in educational settings like schools, colleges, etc.

• Research and academia: Many psychology graduates choose to work in academic and research settings, advancing the field of psychology via their work.

• Clinical psychology: Clinical psychologists treat people who have mental illnesses and assist them by giving them counseling.

• Occupational psychology: Occupational psychologists manage employees’ well-being inside businesses.

Graduates in psychology can find employment in various industries, including human resources, marketing, advertising, management, consulting, and more.

Conclusion

The Bachelor of Psychology courses offered in Canada for international students are plentiful more than in the colleges mentioned above and in many universities across Canada. These courses are in great demand nowadays due to the awareness drive for mental health; youngsters are striving to pursue a degree related to the psychological sector. Canada, having over 10 acclaimed universities in several different verifiable ranking systems worldwide, secures a top spot for studying Psychology for international students. 

Making a decision to pursue a Bachelor of Psychology in Canada requires considering elements including price, academic standard, on-campus amenities, and global rankings. Thousands of students have benefited from our admissions counseling services to get into the institutions of their dreams. You can schedule a free video consultation with one of our specialists if you want further details.