Winter Intake in Canada 2026: Universities, Deadlines, Application

Canada Winter Intake starts from January Month till April or May month every year. Indian students who missed fall intake deadlines can apply for admission to this intake. Students will have less choice of courses, and competition to get enrolled during Winter intake in Canada. 

The application process for winter intake in Canada starts in June or July. Universities abroad offer admissions to international students in different intakes and months. In Canada, the two main intakes are Fall and Winter, with the Summer intake being less popular. In this article, we will cover all the aspects of the Canadian winter intake.

Winter Intake in Canada: An Overview

Winter intake in Canada means the period from January to April (May for certain universities) when universities accept admissions for the winter semester. It is an extension of the fall intake to study in Canada and provides a second chance for students to start their academics. The table given below provides an overview of the winter 2025 intake in Canada:

Note: Students should also be aware of all the study abroad intakes for other countries as well.

Universities with Winter Intake in Canada

Before we move to deadline for winter intake in Canada, let us look at some of top universities with winter intake in Canada. It is important to note that universities in Canada, which offer winter intake, have different deadlines for different courses. It is advised that students check deadline for winter intake in Canada from official webpage.

Deadline for Winter Intake in Canada

As mentioned above, winter 2026 intake Canada means the beginning of the academic year from January to April. If you are applying for the winter intake in Canada, ideally speaking, you must begin your preparation at least 9-12 months before the intended intake. Let us consider the month of April 2026 as your starting point (9 months).

1) April 2025 – May 2025

• During this period, you need to do your ground research by shortlisting the universities and courses.
• Carefully note the eligibility for each programme such as exams, documents, deadlines, etc.
• Make a note of the tuition fee and the cost of living in Canada. Take note of your finances and gather information about scholarships and study abroad loans.

2) June 2025 – July 2025

• Take the exams that are required for your admissions.
• Standardized tests include the ACT and SAT for UG courses and the GMAT and GRE for PG courses.
• English language tests include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.
• Start preparing your application documents that include:
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Admission Essays
  • Updated Resume or CV
  • Academic Transcripts
• Certain courses might require extra application materials such as creative samples. Make sure to check their requirements.

3) August 2025 – September 2025

• File your documents.
• Apply to the winter intake universities in Canada through their application portals.
• Apply for scholarships in Canada. Make sure to the scholarship applications very seriously as these can be an excellent chance to reduce the cost of studying in Canada. If the scholarship amount is sufficient, you might skip doing part-time jobs in Canada and focus only on your academics.

4) October 2025 – November 2025

• Find accommodation if you are planning to stay outside of the university accommodation.
• Apply for the Canada student visa once you have received an acceptance for a designated learning institute (DLI).

5) November 2025 – December 2025

• Make all the final preparations.

6) January 2026

• Start your academic journey in Canada.

The table given below is a summary of the details given above:

Note: It is important for students to check the exact deadlines for the course and university they wish to study at. Make sure not to delay your application process.

Documents Required for Winter Intake in Canada 2026

Required documents for the winter intake in Canada may vary. However, here are some common documents that are typically required:

• Academic transcripts
• English language test scores
• Standardized test scores
• Statement of purpose
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume/CV
• Admission essays
• Identity proof
• Fee

It is important to note that these are general documents, and requirements may vary.

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Advantages of Winter Intake in Canada

• Less Competition: Fewer applicants apply during winter intake than during fall intake.
• Sufficient time for visa processing: Winter intake allows a good time for international students to complete visa application process.
• Planning: Winter intake provides flexibility for students who may have missed Fall intake or need more time to prepare for their studies. 
• Scholarships: For students enrolled in winter intake, there are still some top scholarships for Canada available.