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

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Aug 26, 2025 12:50 IST

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. 

Fall Intake in Canada

The September or Fall intake in Canada is considered the primary intake. Most top universities and colleges offer the widest range of programs during this intake. Classes begin in September, while applications usually open nearly a year earlier, around October of the previous year. For example, to study in September 2026, you need to start the application process in October 2025.

Most Canadian universities' deadlines fall between January and March, although some institutions may accept applications until April, May, or even mid-June. As one of the most popular study-abroad destinations after the USA and the UK, Canada continues to attract international students, especially from India. Thanks to its high-quality education, diverse campuses, and strong career opportunities. This blog will be helpful for those students who are planning to study in Canada and apply in fall intake 2026.

Table of content
  • Which Intake Should Indian Students Choose?
  • Timeline for September 2026 Intake (Fall Intake in Canada)
  • Top Universities Offering Fall Intake in Canada
  • Top Courses for September Intake in Canada
  • Admission for Fall Intake in Canada

Which Intake Should Indian Students Choose?

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. Confused about which intake is best for your study abroad plan? Here’s a quick comparison of upcoming intakes in Canada, tailored just for Indian students who want to study in Canada, to help you decide:

Feature Fall (Sept) Winter (Jan) Summer (May)
Courses Open Most (Tech, Mgmt, Health etc.) Fewer than Fall Very Limited
Indian Applicants Highest (70%+ join now) Moderate Rare
Chances of Admission Best Decent Tough
Top Universities Open? All (Toronto, UBC, Waterloo) Some Few, mostly diplomas
Scholarships/Funding Maximum options Lesser Very few
Jobs/Internships Best time for campus jobs Fewer roles Hard to find
Indian Peer Groups Biggest student communities Medium Very small
Visa Processing Normal Slightly slower Fast
Deadlines Nov to Apr (prev year) Jul to Oct (prev year) Jan to Feb
Best for Indian Students? Yes! Maybe Only for select courses
Quick Tip: For most Indian students, Fall is the smartest choice. More courses, better chances, and stronger support groups. Winter is a backup if you missed Fall. Summer: best for short diplomas or language courses.
💡Did You Know? - Over 70% of Indian students heading to Canada enter through the Fall intake!

Related Reads:

Why Indian Students Choose Fall Intake in Canada

  • Maximum Courses Open: Top universities (Toronto, UBC, McGill, Waterloo) launch major programs like BTech, MBA, and Data Science.
  • Best Scholarships in Canada: Most funding and fee waivers are released for Fall intakes in Canada.
  • Affordable vs USA: The cost of studying in USA is around USD 50,000 (INR 43.50 Lakhs) annually for top colleges, which is expensive than cost of studying in Canada(INR 10.00 Lakhs to 34.00 Lakhs).
  • PR & Work Benefits: Up to 3-year PGWP. Simply work, settle, and apply for PR in 2 to 3 years.
  • Largest Indian Community: Thousands of Indians, active associations, easier support network make you feel homely in Canada.
  • Internships & Jobs Start: Fall intake students get first access to co-ops and campus jobs.

Pro Tip: For STEM, Management, or PR goals, Fall is the best intake.

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.

Quick Glance Timeline (with Indian cues):

Month/Stage Action Required
Apr to Aug 2025 Research universities/courses
May to Sept 2025 Prepare for & take tests
Oct 2025 to Jan 2026 Apply
Jan to Mar 2026 Respond to offers/emails
  • Attend interviews, accept offers promptly
  • Pay initial (non-refundable) deposits
Feb to May 2026 Arrange finances & student visa

Top Universities Offering Fall Intake in Canada

Below we have mentioned the top universities in Canada according to the QS World University Rankings 2026 and THE Ranking 2025:

Best Universities in Canada

QS World University Ranking 2026

THE Ranking 2025

McGill University

27

45

University of Toronto

29

21

University of British Columbia

40

41

University of Alberta

94

=116

University of Waterloo

119

=163

Western University

151

201-250

University of Montreal

168

=125

McMaster University

173

=116

University of Calgary

211

201–250

Queen's University

191

201-350

Top Courses for September Intake in Canada

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

Top Courses for September Intake in Canada

Medicine

Political Science

Physics

Microbiology and Immunology

Nursing

Public Health

Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Law

Renewable Resources, Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences

Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, etc.)

Education

Computer Science

Business (MBA, BBA, etc.)

Chemistry

Communications and Technology

Biotechnology

Art and Design

Environmental Studies

Food Science and Technology Specialization

Mathematics

Petroleum Engineering

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 Fall 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.

Q:   Which are the advantages of the Fall intake in Canada?
Q:   When should I start the process for the fall intake in Canada?
Q:   What are the three intakes in Canada?
About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
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Reviewed by
Prayas
UG & PG expert
Armed with a decade of professional experience, Prayas is a connoisseur of the overseas education industry. He holds a post-graduate diploma in marketing and has the knack for finding ideal study options for student Read Full Bio
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Comments

(2094)

L

Lydia Magnus

2 years ago

When applying for my SOP, LOR and English proficiency letter. Please should I use my maiden name or husband name because my result bear maiden name while my Int'l passport and my Statement of acc bear my husband name.

Reply to Lydia Magnus

L

Lydia Magnus

2 years ago

When applying for my SOP, LOR and English proficiency letter. Please should I use my maiden name or husband name because my result bear maiden name while my Int'l passport and my Statement of acc bear my husband name.

Reply to Lydia Magnus

L

Lydia Magnus

2 years ago

When applying for my SOP, LOR and English proficiency letter. Please should I use my maiden name or husband name because my result bear maiden name while my Int'l passport and my Statement of acc bear my husband name.

Reply to Lydia Magnus

L

Lydia Magnus

2 years ago

When applying for my SOP, LOR and English proficiency letter. Please should I use my maiden name or husband name because my result bear maiden name while my Int'l passport and my Statement of acc bear my husband name.

Reply to Lydia Magnus

L

Lydia Magnus

2 years ago

When applying for my SOP, LOR and English proficiency letter. Please should I use my maiden name or husband name because my result bear maiden name while my Int'l passport and my Statement of acc bear my husband name.

Reply to Lydia Magnus