Fall Intake in Canada 2026: Deadlines, Timeline, Top Universities

Many international students apply during the fall intake in Canada. It is the most popular intake in Canadian Universities and colleges that begins in September of the previous year. It is advisable to apply as soon as possible as universities offer admission on a first come first get basis. 

September intake or Fall intake in Canada is known as the primary intake because several top colleges and universities offer admission to students. It starts in September or October of the previous year, and Canadian universities receive enough applications in a short period. Sometimes, universities accept fall intake admissions till mid-June.

When it comes to studying abroad, Canada is the most preferred destination after the USA and the UK. This blog will be helpful for those students who are planning to study in Canada and apply in fall intake 2025. We have covered all possible queries of those students so they stay prepared.

Popular Intakes in Canada

There are three major intakes in Canada, i.e. Fall, Winter, and Summer. The majority of international students apply for the Fall intake in Canada. In this article, we have given details about Canadian colleges open for the September Intake 2026 (also known as Fall Intake). The Fall Intake in Canada has its benefits. Some of the benefits of applying to the Fall Intake in Canada include:

• All the top-ranking Universities in Canada have a Fall Intake (September Intake).
• Almost all the courses are available in the Fall Intake.
• More scholarships to study in Canada are available in the September Intake.

Before understanding the finer details of Fall Intake in Canada, students are advised to learn about upcoming intakes in Canada. We have given details about the three intakes in the below table.

Advantages of Studying in Canada

Here are a few advantages of pursuing studies in Canada:

• 11 Canadian universities are amongst the top 200 QS World University Rankings 2025.
• After the US and the UK, Canada is the most preferred destination among international and Indian students.
• The cost of studying in Canada is relatively lower when compared to the US.
• A large Indian population in Canada, so it is considered a safe immigration destination for Indians.
• As one of the biggest economies, it offers a wide range of job opportunities to young graduates.

The Fall Intake in Canada is the most popular among international students due to a wide range of courses and scholarships available.

Some Quick Facts for Fall Intake in Canada 2026

Check some of the highlights of the fall (September) intake in Canada presented below:

• Being the most popular and primary intake in the country, the September intake sees a high demand among prospective students.
• You can apply to a variety of diplomas, bachelor’s, master’s degrees and other most demanding courses in Canada during the fall intake.
• The application deadlines, specific to each university, are usually set around in December. However, it suggested that apply as soon as possible.
• Interested applicants are also going to see a wide range of scholarships, both partial and full during the fall intake in Canada.

Timeline for September 2026 Intake (Fall Intake in Canada)

Note that the deadline for fall intake in Canada shall vary from university to university as well as from course to course. So, before you begin the application process, check out the timelines posted by the desired university. Check out the detailed timeline for the September intake in Canada given below.

April – August 2025: Research About the Universities and Courses

• To get admission into any university, the first and foremost thing that you have to do is to research the universities as per your interests.
• Note down the colleges that offer the best bang for your buck.
• Familiarize yourself with the various bank loans and college scholarships that are available. After looking at the options, shortlist the affordable and cost-effective options.
• Once you have shortlisted the few universities that appeal to you, download the admission brochures of those universities and read about the offerings and facilities.

May – September 2025: Prepare for Standardised Tests

• Appear for the tests that are required by the Universities in Canada. Appear for IELTS or TOEFL. For these tests, register one month before the test date.
• Also, appear for the other qualifying tests like GMAT/ GRE (as per the University requirements).
• Universities require you to submit the scorecards of the tests in which you have appeared at the time of application. Therefore, apply for the tests and give yourself enough time to to receive the appropriate scores and certificates. The perfect time to appear for the tests is around September–October, in the year prior to admissions. Plan for buffer time as well, in case you need to retake the test.
• It is important to prepare for the basics of the GMAT and GRE beforehand. Students must not wait until the last minute. If you have made a decision to study abroad and your course requires a GMAT or a GRE score, students must start preparing even before they do their research on Universities.

October 2025– January 2026: Fill out the Application Forms

• Once all the documents are ready, visit the official websites of the universities (of your choice) and fill out the respective application forms.
• Also, request your professors and teachers to submit their letters of recommendation for you. These are important documents that are needed for admission into fall intake in Canada.
• In addition, draft your statement of purpose (SOP) and essays, as required by your desired university. Structuring the SOP and essay will take time, so be an early bird here and complete this process on time.

January 2026 – March 2026: Reply to College Emails and Responses

• Once all the applications have been sent to the Universities, it is now time to be attentive and look out for college admission emails that you are going to receive.
• Colleges and Universities will send quite a few emails concerning your applications. Be prompt in replying to those emails.
• Additionally, you might be asked to appear for personal or video interviews. These are scheduled in the first few months of the year; January to March, and sometimes April.
• As per your performance, the universities will send the acceptance letters. If you like the offer, do not delay in accepting it.
• You will need to pay a non-refundable deposit to confirm your admission.

February 2026 – May 2026: Apply for a Canada student visa

• Settling your finances and applying for Education loans is crucial. So, research about various scholarships and student financial aid.
• Look for student housing and accommodation options in Canada.
• Apply for the appropriate student loans to study in Canada. This will help you in covering your tuition and accommodation expenses.
• Complete the paperwork for your Canadian student visa. Check visa requirements.
• Apply for your student visa in time. Keep in mind the time taken for visa processing!
• Book airline tickets.
• Arrange for an International Debit/ Credit card.
• Collect all the documents and their photocopies.

The table given below provides a summary of the fall intake in Canada timeline:

Why Fall Intake in Canada is Important?

Now that we have learnt about the timeline for the September 2026 intake (Fall intake in Canada), it is equally important to understand the relevance of applying for the Fall intake in Canada. Here are some points that will help you understand the importance of the Fall intake in Canada:

• Academic Calendar: The September 2026 intake in Canada represents the main academic intake. Most universities and colleges offer the maximum number of courses in the Fall intake in Canada. Applying in the September intake in Canada permits students to make use of the entire variety of courses and resources offered while also coordinating their studies with the standard academic calendar.
• Course Availability: For the fall intake in Canada 2026, many universities and colleges offer a wide range of programmes, giving students more options for courses and academic specialities. Finding a programme that matches their interests and professional objectives is therefore more likely.
• Internships & Jobs: Students who enrol in the September intake in Canada 2026 are significantly exposed to internship, co-op, and employment options. During the autumn hiring season, many firms in Canada aggressively seek out college students, offering both useful job experience and viable future paths.
• Scholarships: Fall intake Canada 2026, offers more opportunities for gaining scholarships as universities and colleges tend to offer more awards, grants, and scholarships for this intake.

Top Universities Offering Fall Intake in Canada

Below we have mentioned the top universities in Canada according to the QS World University Rankings 2025:

Top Courses for September Intake in Canada

The table given below provides the top courses and programmes for the September intake in Canada 2025:

Note: Canada September intake 2024 deadlines vary on the basis of academic level, course, and university requirements. Most of the deadlines close around February. It is important to check the deadlines for each course you are interested in to arrange all the documents in time.

Admission for Fall Intake in Canada

In this section of the article, let us look at an overview of the admission process and documents required for applying for the Fall intake in Canada. The admission process for the September intake in Canada depends on your academic level, course requirements, and the university you have applied to. However, below are the basic eligibility requirements:

• Formal Schooling: Students need to complete formal schooling with a certain minimum percentage to be eligible to apply for admission to fall intake in Canada. Usually, the minimum percentage required is 70%.
• Bachelor’s Degree: If you are applying for a master’s degree or PG diploma course, you are expected to have a bachelor’s degree with a certain GPA (typically, 3.0 out of 4.0).
• Standardized Exam Scores: Students need to provide scores of certain standardized exams such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, etc. Their requirement depends on your course.
• English Language Proficiency: Those who come from non-English speaking countries need to provide proof of their English language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, DTE, etc.

Documents for September Intake in Canada

Here is an overview of the documents required for applying for the September 2026 intake in Canada:

• Formal schooling
• Bachelor’s degree with a certain CGPA and academic courses (usually, 3.0 out of 4.0)
• Academic or Professional experience (course-specific)
• GRE or GMAT scores (may vary according to university and course)
• English language proficiency test scores: IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Exam (IELTS Exam is most preferred for visa application)
• Latest resume
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• LORs (Letters of recommendation)
• Admission Essays
• Work Samples + Video Samples (course-specific)

Now that you have a complete idea of the Fall intake in Canada 2026, you need to arrange all the documents and meet all the eligibility requirements well before the admission deadlines. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.