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.
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.
- 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 |
💡Did You Know? - Over 70% of Indian students heading to Canada enter through the Fall intake! |
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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
|
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 |
---|---|---|
27 |
45 |
|
29 |
21 |
|
40 |
41 |
|
94 |
=116 |
|
119 |
=163 |
|
151 |
201-250 |
|
168 |
=125 |
|
173 |
=116 |
|
University of Calgary | 211 |
201–250 |
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.


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