As an aspiring international student, you should prepare carefully for your study-abroad journey. After all, you may be staying in another country for several years. Choosing a subject that matches your interests, budget, and career goals can help you make the most of your time in Canada.
You can find scholarships and support resources that may help you prepare for studying away from home. You should also compare the available courses and degree programs carefully. To help you get started, we have listed five subjects to consider studying in Canada.
Top Courses to Study in Canada
1. Business
Business is one subject to consider if you plan to study in Canada. Canadian universities offer programs in areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, management, and business analytics. The 2025 Forbes Global 2000 list included 60 companies from Canada. Although studying business does not guarantee employment, it can prepare students for careers in a wide range of sectors.
Some graduates may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) after completing an eligible program at an eligible institution. A PGWP is not automatic. Its length depends on factors such as the level and duration of the completed program and the expiry date of the applicant’s passport. Under current federal rules, a PGWP can be valid for up to three years in qualifying cases. Students should review the latest eligibility requirements before selecting a program.
Another reason to consider business is the range of business programs in Canada. Rotman Commerce is the undergraduate business program at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus. The University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business and McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management also offer Bachelor of Commerce programs. Compare each school’s curriculum, degree level, and admission requirements before applying.
2. Public Health
Public health focuses on preventing disease, promoting health, and understanding the factors that affect communities and populations. Depending on the degree level and university, programs may cover health promotion, health policy, epidemiology, community health, research methods, or applied practice.
Career outcomes vary depending on the occupation, province, qualifications, and level of experience. Rather than relying on a single salary estimate or vacancy count for the entire field, students should review occupation-specific wage and outlook information. Canada’s Job Bank states that its wage and employment outlook reports are updated yearly.
The institutions listed above offer different types of public health programs. Brock University offers a Bachelor of Public Health and an online Master of Public Health. The University of Alberta offers graduate-level public health programs, including a Master of Public Health. The University of Saskatchewan also offers graduate programs through its School of Public Health. Review the degree level, delivery mode, and entry requirements carefully before applying.
3. Journalism
Studying journalism involves developing skills in reporting, research, interviewing, fact-checking, ethical decision-making, and producing content across multiple platforms. Depending on the program, students may study writing, data analysis, audio, video, digital storytelling, and multimedia production.
Canada has a range of journalism programs, but the program titles and study levels differ by institution. Université de Montréal offers journalism certificates and a graduate diploma in journalism. The University of Ottawa offers an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism jointly with college partners. Université Laval offers journalism-related study options, including a journalism certificate and public communication programs with journalism pathways. Review the language of instruction, qualification type, and delivery format before applying.
Journalism programs can prepare students for career paths such as reporting, research, presenting, production, media analysis, and digital content creation. The most suitable program will depend on the type of journalism you want to pursue and the practical skills you want to develop.
4. Information Technology
Information technology is a broad field that can include computer systems, networks, software, databases, and data processing. At universities, closely related degree programs may be listed under subjects such as computer science, computing, data science, or information systems. Review the exact degree title and curriculum before applying.
The institutions listed above offer related computer science and computing programs in Canada. The University of Waterloo offers computer science through regular and co-op options. The University of Toronto offers computer science programs with opportunities to develop skills in areas such as programming, data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Queen’s University offers computing programs with majors, sub-plans, and specializations.
Depending on the curriculum and your experience, related career paths may include software development, systems analysis, information architecture, database administration, and security. Compare the available courses, practical learning opportunities, and co-op or work-integrated learning options when choosing a program.
5. Agricultural Science and Forestry
Agricultural science and forestry include subjects such as crop and animal systems, food and resource economics, soil health, sustainable land management, forest science, and conservation. Agriculture and forestry are related but distinct fields, so students should compare the focus of each program carefully.
Canada’s agriculture sector depends heavily on exports. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada reports that the country exported approximately C$100.3 billion in agriculture and food products in 2024, including raw agricultural materials, fish and seafood, and processed foods.
The institutions listed above provide relevant study options. Dalhousie University has a Faculty of Agriculture with undergraduate and graduate programs. The University of Guelph has the Ontario Agricultural College, which offers programs connected to food, agriculture, animals, communities, and the environment. The University of British Columbia offers undergraduate programs through its Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. Their official program pages describe hands-on, research, or field-based learning opportunities. Compare the specific curriculum and degree requirements before applying.
As an international student in Canada, choosing the right degree program is important because it can shape your academic experience and career options. Make sure your decision aligns with your interests, budget, and long-term goals. You should also review each university’s official program page and confirm the latest admission and immigration requirements before applying.
We hope this article about the best subjects to study in Canada was helpful. If you are interested in studying in this country, also make sure to check out our Study in Canada page and the Available Courses for International Students!
