January 2026 Intake in Canada: Universities & Deadlines
January is the month of winter season. So the January intake in Canada is also known as the winter intake. This is the second primary intake in Canada for international students. January 2026 intake in Canada will start in January and end in April month.Â
Winter session in Canada is a second chance for international students, who missed the Fall intake in Canada. This intake also gives more time to students to get prepared. This guide will give clear guidance about the January 2026 intake. Including the enrollment dates, application deadlines, admission process and the universities in Canada with Winter intake. Let’s know about the Canadian winter semester for international students.
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Popular Intakes in Canada 2026
Canada allows interested international students to study in Canada thrice a year. Students can study in Canadian Universities through three intakes. They are:
Intake | Nature | Admission timeline |
September/Fall Intake | Primary | December-March |
January/Winter Intake | Secondary | August-January |
May/Spring Intake | Tertiary | January-February |
September intake in Canada offers the most suitable options for international students. Including universities, courses, accommodations and more as this is the primary intake in Canada. However, the January intake in Canada is suitable for those who have missed the September session. And want to wait for a whole year. On the other hand, May intake in Canada is the less popular option offering only a few courses by a few universities.
January 2026 Intake in Canada
The January or Winter intake in Canada is the second main time when universities and colleges accept new students. It usually begins in January or February and goes on until April or May, depending on the university.
This intake is a great option for international students who miss the Fall (September) intake or need more time to get ready. Though there are fewer courses available than in Fall, but still many programs, especially Master’s are still open.
One big advantage of the Winter intake is the smaller class sizes and lower competition. It gives students a smoother start to university life in Canada.
For the January 2026 intake, most universities accept applications from August to mid-January. But it’s better to apply before November 2025 for the best chance of getting in.
Pros and Cons of January 2026 Intake in Canada
Studying in Canada is a big achievement. When you apply for the January 2026 intake at Canadian universities, you will get some advantages and disadvantages. Let’s learn about the pros and cons of Jan intake in Canada 2026.
Pros | Cons |
Students will have enough time to enhance their skills and knowledge to get a student visa. | The environment will become a big issue. Students need to travel during the cold and harsh weather. |
Students will get more time for research and shortlisted universities in Canada. | You will find fewer international applicants. |
Competition is lower. So it will increase your chances of getting admission easily. | Fewer courses are available compared to the September 2026 intake. |
Universities And Deadlines For January 2026 Intake in Canada
As an international student, you may be curious to know what universities in Canada are offering admission for the January intake. Let’s check out some universities with January 2026 intake in Canada and their deadlines.
University | Admission Deadline |
January 15, 2026 | |
University of Montreal | September 1, 2025 |
The University of British Columbia | January 15, 2026 |
University of Alberta | January 15, 2026 |
Queen’s University | September 30, 2025 |
University of Waterloo | January 15, 2026 |
University of Calgary | November 1, 2025 |
Simon Fraser University | September 15, 2025 |
Fanshawe College | October 1, 2025 |
Dalhousie University | December 12, 2025 |
University of Ottawa | October 15, 2025 |
Cape Breton University | August 15, 2025 |
University of Toronto | January 15, 2026 |
University of Manitoba | July 1, 2025 |
Applications for January or winter intake in Canada usually start in June to August (the year before your course begins) and close around September to December. Some universities may extend the admission deadline for the January 2026 intake in Canada to mid-January if there are still spots available in the course.
Which Canadian Universities Still Taking Applications for Winter Intake 2026?
Almost missed all January 2026 intake deadlines in Canada? Don’t worry, you still have a chance. Some universities are still accepting applications for Winter 2026. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements and have your documents ready, there’s no problem at all. Let’s check which Canadian universities are still open for applications:
- McGill UniversityÂ
- University of Waterloo
- University of Ottawa
- Simon Fraser University
- University of Alberta
- The University of British Columbia, etc.
Eligibility Criteria for the January 2026 Intake in Canada
January 2026 intake in Canadian universities brings an opportunity for international students to reach and fulfil their academic goals and explore their dreams. This is the secondary chance of admission with diversified programs. Let’s check the eligibility criteria for Winter intake in Canada 2026.Â
- Academic Transcripts and certificates with good grades
- Standardized test scores such as GMAT and GRE
- Letter of recommendation
- Financial solvency
Documents Required for January 2026 Intake at Canadian Universities
Different universities require different documents from international students. However, not every time they need different ones, they need the same documents. Here is a list of all required documents for the January 2026 intake in Canada:
- A valid passport
- All academic certificates and transcripts
- GMAT and GRE test results
- Letter of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Updated CV
Time Schedule for January 2026 Intake in Canada
You must maintain a schedule while preparing to study in Canada through this intake. The timing and the activity must match together. You should start planning a year before you start to study in Canada. Good preparation can make things easy. If you want to apply for the January intake 2026 in Canada, you should make the process like this:
Timeline | Activities |
April – June 2025 | You should research the universities of Canada and shortlist the most preferred ones. |
July – September 2025 | Prepare and attempt the English proficiency test. Start paperwork for a student visa in Canada. |
September – November 2025 | Start applying to Canadian universities. |
December 2025 – January 2026 | Accept Offer Letters and attend visa interviews. |
December 2025 – January 2026 | Apply for a visa, education loan, or scholarship (if required). |
January – March 2026 | Get ready to travel. |
How to Apply for the January 2026 Intake in Canada?
To apply for the Winter intake in Canada, you should take proper steps. Here is the step-by-step guide to apply for the January 2026 intake in Canada.
Research, Analyze and Shortlist the University
The main step to taking higher education in Canada through the January 2026 intake is to research and analyze the university well. The wise suggestion is to go through the university website. After that, learn about their requirements and match them to yours. You should also check their course list, scholarships and fees. Lastly, when you find the universities according to your eligibility and requirements, select them and shortlist the most matched ones.
Take Preparations for the English Language Exam and Sit for It
When you want to study in Canada, you must be proficient in English. The important admission requirement to study in Canada is to have a mandatory IELTS score. You have to score in one of the standardized tests like IELTS, SAT, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT etc. First, learn the English language requirement for your desired university. After that, take the test to get the required score.
Complete the Application Form and Submit It
Now, as you have taken the test and gotten the required score, apply to the shortlisted universities. While making an application, you should submit the required documents with it. To make an application, visit the official website of the shortlisted universities and fill out the application form. The information you provide must be authentic. You may also provide LOR or SOP with your application form.
Have an Active Email to Get the Offer Letter
After making the application, if everything is okay according to the requirements, you will get a confirmation letter from them. They will send you the acceptance or confirmation letter through email. So you must have an active email. You may participate in an interview. So keep yourself free for the interview. There will be a deadline to reply to the email.
Arrange Your Finances
When you get selected for the course from your desired university, now you may need to arrange your finances. The financial issues need to be completed before starting your course in Canada. When the interviewers of the desired university select you, you need to make a non-refundable payment as a confirmation of the offer letter within the deadline
Apply for Visa
Once you get the offer letter and pay a non-refundable payment as confirmation, you should apply for the visa. You should apply for a visa to study in the January 2026 intake. Make the visa application at least 3 months before the commencement of the course in Canada.
Be Ready to Study in Your Dream Destination
After completing all the processes, now relax and be ready to study in your dream destination. As your course will start in January, you should arrive in Canada within December so that you can make accommodation arrangements and other things. After getting a visa, buy a plane ticket and fly to your desired study destination.
Scholarships for January Intake in Canada 2026
January intake offer special scholarships for international students in Canada. Let’s know some exclusive scholarships to study in Canada for the January 2026 intake.Â
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship ProgramÂ
- Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award at University of British Columbia
- University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
- University of Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence
- UBC Graduate Global Leadership Fellowships for Developing Country Students
- University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)
- Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award
- Humber International Entrance Scholarships
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
- International Undergraduate Student Bursary at the University of Manitoba
Final Words
So if you want to study in Canada through the January 2026 intake, you should not delay too long. AIMS Education, a student consultancy firm, can easily help you study in Canada. We have overseas education experts who can show you the right direction to study in Canada.
FAQ
Ans: The Winter intake starts in the Canada in January and ends in early May. The spring intake is the second intake in the USA.
Ans: Between the Fall and the Winter intake in the Canada, international students mostly preferred the Fall intake as it is the start of the academic year with many opportunities. But it doesn’t mean the Winter intake has less importance. It has its own importance also.
Ans: A student can do Bachelor’s, postgraduate or PhD course through the January/Winter intake in Canada.
An applicant should apply between July to September to study in Canada. The Canadian University’s class for the January 2026 intake will start in January or February 2026.
Yes, IELTS band 7 is a good score to apply for the January 2026 intake in Canada. Most of the top-rated universities in Canada require IELTS 6.5 or more for taking admission. However, if you score 6, you can also apply to many Canadian universities.
You shouldn’t take the IELTS exam in 2024 when you want to study in Canada at 2026 as the course duration is only valid for 2 years. So you should sit for the exam in 2025.
The minimum score for January 2026 intake in Canada is a band score of 6 or above and no band less than 5.5.
Ans: The Winter intake generally runs from January/February to May, with the application deadline for universities in Canada typically falling between July and December.
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