Study in Canada from Dubai: Top Universities & Scholarships 

#Introduction:

Canada has emerged as a place to study among the most desirable places among students in the city of Dubai. Canada boasts of globally ranked universities, a rich culture, friendly people, and clearcut channels of becoming a permanent resident (PR), not only does Canada provide a degree, but also a future. Dubai and the UAE are the two countries to which thousands of students every year send their children to study undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees in Canada. This trend is just increasing in 2026, owing to the quality education in Canada, international scholarships and career-oriented immigration policies. This blog will discuss the reasons that make Canada an excellent destination to Dubai students, the best universities, why students should be offered scholarships, and how studying in Canada will open the doors to PR.

#TL;DR Highlights:

• Canada is the top global study abroad destination for 2025, loved for quality education, affordable living, and easy study-to-PR pathways.
• Dubai and UAE students can benefit from world-class universities, tons of scholarships, and in-demand courses in fields like AI, health sciences, and business analytics.
• Simple visa rules, post-study work permits, and strong job prospects make Canada a career-launchpad for international students.

#Why study in Canada from Dubai?

It is not only scholastic glory but chances and living standards that studying in Canada is all about. The following is the reasons why Dubai students will be attracted to Canada in 2026:

Quality education: 

Canadian universities have always been included in the top 200 accredited schools in the world with their degrees being recognized at global levels.

Inexpensive relative to the rest: 

Tuition fees and cost of living in Canada is usually lower than in the US, UK or Australia, even though the standards are high.

Safety and citizen diversity: 

UAE students feel at home in Canada as large communities of Middle Eastern and South Asian populations are present.

Ease of becoming a permanent resident: 

Canada is a favored long-term destination since unlike in many countries, international graduates can move to work permits and therefore attain permanent residence (PR).

Work and Study: 

Students are allowed to work part time during semesters and full time during breaks and this assists in living expenses.

#Best Canadian Universities to Dubai students:

There are over 100 universities in Canada, yet there are always those that attract Dubai students because of the reputation, high-quality programs, the assistance granted to international students.

University of Toronto:

University of Toronto is one of the most renowned institutions in Canada in terms of research and innovation as well as wide-range academic curriculum. Dubai students are fond of it in engineering, business and health sciences.

University of British Columbia (UBC):

UBC is a university that is based in Vancouver and is known as a place of high academic standards and spectacular campus. It is particularly used in computer science, business analytics and environmental studies.

McGill University:

McGill is a Montreal based institution with world-class programs in medicine, law, and business. The city is also affordable, multicultural and friendly to students.

University of Alberta:

It has a reputation of close relations with industry especially engineering, energy, and health sciences. It is also an excellent choice in terms of providing career opportunities to students immediately upon graduation.

University of Waterloo:

Internationally known in terms of its co-op education programs, that combine classroom studies and workplace experience. Ideal students in Dubai who are interested in technology, AI and business.

York University:

York is a business, law and arts popular location in Toronto. It also provides several scholarships to international students.

#Affordable Canadian Universities for UAE students:

Not all the Dubai students aspire to target the big names only. Luckily, there are many cheap universities in Canada which offer great programs to choose:

Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN):

has extremely low tuition with quality programs.University of Regina -Known to be popular in applied sciences and low cost of living.

University of Manitoba:

Provides impressive research opportunities at fairly comparatively low prices.

Concordia University:

A cheap choice in Montre Hale with a variety of programs. 

#Scholarships for Dubai students in Canada:

Scholarships make Canada more affordable to study abroad. UAE students are eligible to apply to the government-sponsored and university-specific scholarships.

1. Government-Funded Scholarships:

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships- To doctoral students who have great potential in research.
• Canada Graduate Scholarships  Master -Helps graduate students in research based programs.

2. University-Specific Scholarships

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto) – Funds tuition, books and living cost of outstanding undergraduates.
• UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award – Open to academically high-achieving students of leadership potential.York University International Student Scholarship – Half waivers of tuition fees to good undergraduate candidates.

3. External Scholarships:

Dubai students also have an opportunity to search through scholarships offered by the privatized organizations, UAE foundations, and international non-profits that cover higher education in foreign countries.

#Data driven insights: Study in Canada from Dubai

• More than 1 Million International students come to Canada.

The international attraction of Canada is at full force- over 1,040,000 foreign students have an active study permit in Canada as of 2023. This translates to a 29 percent increase as compared to last year and this is an encouraging sign of Canada remaining as an attractive study destination. 

• Good PR Acceptance of International Graduates.

The foreign graduates have a very good route to stateless residency. In 2021 (January to October) 97.5% of international graduates who applied were, by comparison with all other applicants, approved to PR. In 2023, approximately 62,410 international students were granted PR, and 23,150 of them were granted PR directly through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Good International Graduation earnings.According to a study at University of Waterloo, international graduates earned an average salary of CAD 57 500 one year after graduation- 37% higher than Canadian-born graduates at CAD 42 000. This pay difference was sustained over the long term, as international grads made almost CAD 120, 000 a year about 13 years into the workforce. 

• There is still an Employment Rate and Earnings Gap.

Nonetheless, a more national study indicates that the situation of international graduates remains somewhat disadvantageous: three years after graduation, 88.6 percent of international grads were working versus 91.0 percent of Canadian grads. There were also lower earnings, the bachelors graduates of the international country earned less (approximately CAD 52,000 vs. CAD 65, 2000) compared to the international holders of a masters and a doctoral degree, who earned less by approximately 15, 17%. 

• The salary gap is affected by the field of study.

The disparity in earnings between international and Canadian graduates in STEM narrows considerably as opposed to that of business, arts, humanities and social sciences (BHASE). The wage difference between STEM graduates first-year decreases to approximately 22 percent and 7 percent after five years. The gap between BHASE graduates and the general population has increased dramatically to as much as 45% in the first year and decreasing to 27% in five years.

#Work opportunities while studying:

Dubai students who will travel to Canada in 2026 enjoy flexibility of work policies:

• As many as 2024 hours per week in semesters.
• During planned breaks (summer and winter holidays) full-time jobs.
• On campus position and co-op programs offering appropriate industry exposure.

This balance will enable the students to sustain themselves as they may get Canadian work experience which is valuable when they apply PR in future.

#Post-study work visa Canada 2026 and permanent residency:

The word permanent residency is another major factor that makes UAE students associate Canada with.

Here’s how it works:Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): students are allowed to acquire a (PGWP) after 8 months of study, and this work permit is entitled to last up to 3 years depending on their time in school.

Work Experience: Canadian Postgraduates utilize the PGWP to acquire Canadian work experience in skilled positions.

Express Entry System: Canadian education and work experience: Canadian students have the option of PR applied using Express Entry under Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): The provinces possess their own version of PNPs that are specific to retain international graduates so that PR is accessible even in non-major cities.To the students of Dubai, this route causes Canada not to be only a place of study, but a possible long term home as well.

#Masters in Canada requirements for UAE students:

In order to enroll in a Master degree in Canada, UAE students are required to satisfy both academic and language requirements. Generally, a bachelor degree with at least 3.0 GPA (or other equivalent) in a related area and good academic transcripts are generally required in the university. Majority of the programs also require scores in English proficiency tests like IELTS (6.5 -7.0 overall) or TOEFL. GMAT or GRE scores, especially those in business or engineering, may be required in some competitive courses. Moreover, students typically have to provide a statement of purpose (SOP), letter of recommendation and a CV of academic and professional accomplishments. As requirements depend on the university, the UAE applicant would be advised to verify program-related requirements.

#Affordable Living and lifestyle Benefits:

• Cost of living: It is generally cheaper than the UK or US, particularly not in Toronto and Vancouver.
• Canada Multicultural society: A big Arab, South Asian and African population makes students of Dubai find their place in Canada.
• Living standards: It is the perfect location of international students as it has safe cities, good healthcare, and environments that are student friendly.

#Author’s takeaways:

Thinking about higher studies in Canada? Choose from the best global universities like University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, and York University for top-notch programs in AI, business analytics, and health sciences all super hot in 2025.

• Looking for affordability? Consider Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Regina, or Concordia University great quality, lower fees, and a student-friendly vibe.
• Scholarships and financial aid are everywhere from Canada’s own Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships to big campus awards like the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship and UBCs International Leader of Tomorrow!
• Want PR? Canada’s Post Graduation Work Permit program and friendly Express Entry points for Canadian study make it easier than ever for international graduates to settle long-term.
• Grad Dreams offers personalized study abroad counseling services helping students from Dubai and across the globe choose the right Canadian universities, secure scholarships, and smoothly navigate the entire admissions and visa process.