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Post Grad or B.Comm?

taifi.91

Newbie
May 1, 2013
6
0
Hello.

I've been having a huge problem deciding my next step. Found these forums, hope you guys could help me out.

I have done ACCA and BSc(Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. My mother is a diplomat in Ottawa and I am here on an official visa. I want to further my studies in Canada and I was looking at a few options.

Everyone I've met has suggested I move to Saskatchewan. Now I have two options, either I could start a Post Grad Certificate at SIAST, or I could transfer my credits and spend two years studying at USASK for a B.Comm Accounting graduation.

Which of the two options sounds better? My aim is to find a job here and settle down in Canada. Would be grateful for any sort of help.

Thank you!
 

tiger007

Champion Member
taifi.91 said:
Hello.

I've been having a huge problem deciding my next step. Found these forums, hope you guys could help me out.

I have done ACCA and BSc(Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. My mother is a diplomat in Ottawa and I am here on an official visa. I want to further my studies in Canada and I was looking at a few options.

Everyone I've met has suggested I move to Saskatchewan. Now I have two options, either I could start a Post Grad Certificate at SIAST, or I could transfer my credits and spend two years studying at USASK for a B.Comm Accounting graduation.

Which of the two options sounds better? My aim is to find a job here and settle down in Canada. Would be grateful for any sort of help.

Thank you!
Hi,

There is NO Post grad Certificate courses offered in any of the colleges in Saskatchewan. Most PG certificate courses in business field are offered by colleges in Ontario. It's best if you can get admitted to a B.Comm Accounting program in some Canadian public university or pursue a 2 years job oriented practical diploma in Accounting (with co-op) /skilled trades/ other fields at any of the colleges across Canada (including Saskatchewan). Do some research on your own... and find an appropriate program for yourself.
Here's the list of ALL recognized Canadian educational institutes eligible for OCWP+PGWP, listed according to province:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/institutions/participants.asp

Saskatchewan at present has one of most friendly/ comparatively easier student immigration laws for international students. However, if you are sure of finding a skilled job, then you can get PR in any of the provinces across Canada under one of many student immigration programs.
You need to go through the university/college websites, contact the university/colleges to know more such as course content, degree/diploma options, deadlines, tuition fees, admission procedure etc. You will have to do the hard work to find the right type of programs of your desire and shortlist a list of say atleast 4-6 universities/colleges, you may consider applying to.
The application submission date for Fall 2013 (Sept) start in most universities is already long over, and you should consider applying for 2014 Fall intake, while you can still apply right now for Sept 2013 admissions to a practical diploma program in colleges. SIAST is the largest college system in Saskatchewan, offering 2 years diploma in Business Accounting (with co-op).

To know more about other student immigration programs see latest APRIL 2013 update on page 6 (mid level) of this thread:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/various-immigration-programmes-for-international-students-in-canada-t100908.75.html

As for general Business PG diplomas./certificates offered in most Ontario colleges (and few in other provinces) is a different story. Please go through this previous post of mine, on pursuing these PG certificate/diploma courses in Canadian colleges. Remember it's my personal opinion and not a standard rule.
(http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/pr-rules-t143055.0.html;msg2237439#msg2237439)

tiger007 said:
Hi,

Honestly it means... that most Canadians either pursue lower level trade certificates/diplomas OR practical career oriented diplomas in recognized Canadian colleges or directly pursue Bachelors or higher education in universities. rarely...do Canadians actually pursue these PG certificate course in Canadian colleges (especially these Ontario colleges and some other like the B.C colleges of NIC & Northern lights where they have recently started post degree diplomas in Business to attract international students) which are run keeping international students in mind. There are very few PG certificate/diploma colleges programs..which Canadians actually pursue. This trend started, when colleges found international students, are either overqualified for practical trades/diploma programs or underqualified for Master degrees/ higher education in good public universities..and thus to fill the gap, most probably such college programs started. These programs are heavily promoted by the educational consultants/agents in countries like India, where they get a lump-sum commission to send every student to these kind of PG programs. That being said... there is no set rule either, that an international student is bound to fail/i.e not get skilled professional job after these PG certificates/diplomas (although there r few programs which are quiet good).. .as in really, at the end...it all depends on individual capabilities and circumstances, skills, academic performance, networking abilities & communication skills etc... it's just that... pursuing trades/ practical diplomas/Master's (from good public universities) increases the odds of getting a skilled job substantially....

Only a 3 years PGWP, gives you TIME... i.e extra time to pursue immigration... nothing else. 3 years PGWP doesn't mean guaranteed PR. If tomorrow rules change or easy immigration policies like that of Saskatchewan shut down, majority of desi students who pursue these kind of quick entry PG certificate programs (especially business field programs) will be in limbo, when they will either have to find a skilled job or pay huge sums to not so trustworthy agents, in hope they help them get skilled jobs that may assist in overall immigration process. I'm sorry to be brutally honest..but even though today we have easier immigration polices such as those of Sask. and Manitoba PNPs, there's no guarantee these will not shut down tomorrow, and if that happens.. finding a skilled job will be the only way to immigrate. Reality is... even having a practical skilled trade/diploma from colleges or Master's from universities gives no guarantee of a good professional job, and finding a skilled job and getting PR is not a cakewalk like most desis seem to have that false sense of hope/ idea... especially if they rely ONLY on these PG certificates of colleges. As truth is, even native born Canadians often struggle face fierce competition to find those "skilled" jobs.
And for moving to PHd you need valid Master's degree from a Canadian public university.. not one of these PG cert./diplomas.

Others may agree or oppose with my views, and are welcome to discuss/debate.

Hope it's clear.

Hope it helps.



***All opinions expressed are purely personal, and pieces of information mentioned are to the best of my knowledge... You should consult other sources too.