International Students

Why Study in Canada?

Briercrest College and Seminary is one of Canada's best liberal arts colleges. For 75 years, we've offered accredited Christian education that encourages students to grow spiritually and intellectually and prepares them for life as Christians-wherever they're headed.

Why study in Canada? Find out here.

Admissions Requirements

Citizens or permanent residents of a country other than Canada must apply for and obtain a study permit if they wish to study in Canada for a period of more than six months. The following criteria are applicable for prospective students who fit this category and are requesting admission to Briercrest College and Seminary. Please note that we cannot release a letter of acceptance for the purpose of obtaining a study permit until you provide this information.

For admission into Briercrest College the applicant must:

  • Have earned a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited College or University
  • Be a professing and practicing Christian
  • Commit to live by the standards set out by Briercrest College and Seminary.
  • show evidence of being able to perform at a high academic level in the English Level (see International Application below for more information)
  • Deposit the funds necessary for one year of study (tuition + living expenses) in a Briercrest Student account.
  • Complete and submit all portions of the Seminary Application Portfolio including (application forms are located in the International Application tab below):
    • Form A - Personal Information
    • Form B - Pastoral Reference
    • Form C - Character Reference
    • Any Post-Secondary references
    • Outcomes Assessment Essay
    • $100 Application fee (International applicants)

American Students

Why Study in Canada?

It's affordable.

Christian education is far cheaper in Canada than it is in the United States, and your dollar will go further. 

You can get financial assistance for what you can't cover yourself. American students who come to Briercrest are eligible for Stafford Loans, Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS loans, and Veterans Administration Grants.

No more health insurance premiums.

U.S. citizens studying in Saskatchewan receive free basic health coverage from the Canadian government while they're here. Apply after you enrol, and you'll have your health card and coverage within three to six weeks.

You'll get international experience.

U.S. citizens studying on our campus have the opportunity to experience Canadian culture and develop friendships with students from across North America and around the world.

Getting authorization is easy.

Once you're accepted, we'll send you a border crossing checklist and a student info form for the immigration officer. The checklist will tell you what you need to have in order before you cross the border and help the officer determine when your student authorization will expire. The processing fee is C$125. This whole process takes place when you arrive in Canada-either at the airport when you go through Canada Customs or at any Port of Entry if you're driving. And remember: as long as you're a student in Saskatchewan, you can keep your state driver's license.

Briercrest grads have a great reputation.

Most of our graduates are active in full- or part-time Christian ministry. Christian employers recognize and respect Briercrest College and Seminary graduates. Our unique education prepares students with the character and competence they need to succeed roles in all sectors of the workforce. 

We offer great degrees.

See our list of excellent programs here.

You might see a moose.

Or maybe a beaver.

Caronport is a great place to study. Here's why:

  • The United Nations has placed Canada in the top ten best countries to live in for several years.
  • Our campus is one of the most extensively developed Christian college campuses in Canada, and it's located in a rural setting away from the noise and hectic pace of the city.
  • Staff and faculty live right on campus, meaning you'll have the chance to form relationships with them.
  • Our students and their families don't have the same safety concerns that they would in an urban centre. If the need for help does arise, police officers, fire fighters, and first responders are all within a 15-minute walk of anything on campus.

Health Care

Briercrest College and Seminary who come from outside Canada need to apply for a Saskatchewan health card. You may contact Saskatchewan Health at 1-800-667-7551 before arriving in Caronport. Though not recommended, the alternative is to pick up the health care application forms from Briercrest's health care centre once you arrive on campus. The cards may take four to six weeks to arrive.

If you do not have Saskatchewan Health coverage, you will have to pay for all medical services yourself. Coverage is provided for only one year at a time, so students need to reapply for their health cards each year. Renewal forms can be picked up at the health care centre.

Immigration

Getting student authorization is easy

More than 130,000 students from other countries come to study in Canada every year. Before coming to our country, you will need to apply for a study permit. To receive information on the application process and to download application forms, visit www.cic.gc.ca.  Here is a summary of what you will need before coming to school:

  • a letter of acceptance from our school
  • proof of adequate financial funding for tuition and room and board
  • confirmation that you will return home at the end of your studies
  • a medical exam (if needed)
  • a temporary Canadian resident visa (if needed)

The processing fee is C$125. This whole process takes place when you arrive in Canada-either at the airport when you go through Canada Customs or at any Port of Entry if you are driving.

Important immigration links:

Cost

Financial Details 

Canada's inflation rate has remained one of the lowest in the industrialized world, making it a great place for international students to live and study. Briercrest College and Seminary is committed to providing quality education at an affordable price. Here is a list of the present tuition costs for the year: 

  • College: $16,000 CAD for room and board, tuition, books and supplies, and return airfare deposit.
  • Seminary: Email the Admissions office at admissions@briercrest.ca for fee information.
  • Caronport High School: $17,132 CAD for tuition, room and board, and return airfare deposit.

Student employment

While attending one of our schools, students can apply for part-time work on campus in a variety of positions to help compensate for their living and education expenses.

Scholarships

Briercrest offers a variety of scholarships for those entering or continuing their education at the college level.

Please note that Briercrest does not offer full scholarships at this time. The maximum amount available covers only a portion of the cost.

If you have questions about putting together your finances for school, contact the student financial adviser.

 

English Language Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English must show that they are proficient in the English language. Students must submit a paper-based TOEFL score of no less than 550 for the college and 550 for the seminary. We will also consider MELAB, IELTS, and other approved ESL program scores.

The TOEFL test is recommended for students at the Grade 11 level or above; the test content is considered too difficult for younger students.

Proof of English proficiency may not be required for applicants who have attended secondary or post-secondary institutions where the language of instruction and examination is English. Please contact our Admissions office for further information. Please note that Briercrest College and Seminary does not currently have a centre for English language instruction.

International Application

Application Steps:

1. Fill out the Form A!
2. Request that your Official Transcript be sent to the address below from the College/University you graduated from.
3. Contact two references and ask them to complete  Reference Form B and  Reference Form C.
4. Complete the  Outcomes Assessment Essay
5. Deposit all the required funds for one year of study (tuition + living expenses).  In addition, Briercrest requires that the applicant deposit $2500 for return airfare. A letter of acceptance will not be given to the successful applicant until these amounts are accounted for.
6. If English is not your first language, then you must complete one of the following Standardized Tests. The required scores are listed in the table below:

  • TOEFL (Institution Code: 9644)
  • IELTS
  • CAEL
  • MELAB

Test Name

Accepted Score

Contact

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language

Internet Based: 80
Minimum Category Scores:

Reading: 19
Listening:19
Speaking: 18
Writing: 18 

Paper Based: 550

Computer based: 213

TOEFL
CN 6151, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 08541-6151
Tel: 609.771.7100
www.toefl.org/index.html

Briercrest Institution Code: 9644

IELTS

International English Language Test System

Band Score: 6.5

The British Council, IELTS Enquiries
Medlock Street, Manchester, M15 4AA, United Kingdom
Tel: 0161.957.7755

www.ielts.org

CAEL

Canadian Academic English Language Assessment

Minimum Score: 60

CAEL Assessment Office
228 Paterson Hall
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6
Tel: 613.520.2600 ext.2271
Email: cael@carleton.ca
www.cael.ca

MELAB

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery

Minimum Score: 85

English Language Institute
3020 North University Building
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 48109-1057
Tel: 313.764.2416
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/

 Exceptions will be made if:

1. You are a citizen of the United States, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand or the British West Indies, and are a native speaker of English.

2. You have studied in one of the countries mentioned above, or in Canada within the past three years and have a good academic record at the school attended. 

If the applicant is accepted:

  • He/she will be notified via phone or email as soon as possible.
  • An official Letter of acceptance will follow.
  • Proof of sufficient funds (tuition, fees and living expenses included) for one year of study will then be asked for it if they have not already been provided.  The required funds for one full year of study (tuition + living expenses) plus $2500.00 for return airfare must be deposited into the applicants Briercrest Student account before the letter of acceptance will be sent.
  • Any additional information that Briercrest needs (photocopy of passport, medical information) may be requested.
  • At the time of crossing the border, the student must be in possession of the following items
    • Your official letter of acceptance from Briercrest Seminary.
    • Evidence of sufficient funds for one year's worth of tuition and living expenses.
    • Be in possession of a valid Passport.
    • A document processing fee will be collected at the port of entry.  Since immigration requirements are subject to change, students are strongly encouraged to contact the Canadian Consulate   nearest them prior to crossing the border.  For more information, please contact Immigration Canada

If all these steps are taken, the student will be granted entry into the country with a permit to study. 

If you have any additional questions you can contact Briercrest Admissions at: 

Phone: 1-800-667-5199
Email: admissions@briercrest.ca
Fax: 1-800-667-2329
Mail:           
    Briercrest Admisssion
            510 College Dr.
            Caronport, SK
            S0H 0S0
            CANADA