Writing a study plan is one of the essential parts of preparing a Study Permit application. Learn the basics of writing a strong study plan.
Table of Contents
What is a Study Plan?
A Study Plan is a descriptive statement of a prospective student’s interest in a particular study program. You must submit a study plan as part of your study permit/study visa application in Canada. A study plan is a significant component of your immigration application because it gives you the chance to explain your interest in a specific study program and allows you to connect it to your personal background, academic experiences, and future professional goals.
How Do I Write a Strong Study Plan?
Writing a strong study plan can take you closer to your study permit approval. However, it’s helpful to differentiate a strong one from a weak one to do so. Your main goal when writing this document should be to explain why you’re a good “fit” for your chosen program, education institution, and the Canadian city your studies will take place in. Hence, your study plan should concisely and convincingly respond to the following questions:
Why me?
Why this program?
Why this school?
Why in Canada?
What are the reasons for my interest?
What Are Some Guiding Principles for Writing It?
When writing your study plan, remember the following basics:
Be concise
Base your arguments on facts, not assumptions (do a little research)
Write, read, re-write, check (make sure to find the best ways to express your ideas)
Ask someone with strong English writing skills to review and edit your study plan
How Can I Explain My “Program Fit”?
To effectively convey why you’re an excellent fit for the study program you wish to pursue and the institution you wish to pursue it at, make sure your study plan contains the following:
1. A Clear Articulation of Your Goals and Interests Lead from your educational goal – how is the program you’re interested in connected to it? Will it be your academic foundation? Will it give you more significant expertise (i.e., a master’s or post-graduate degree)? Support your goal by providing a detailed summary of what led you to this aspiration.
2. Evidence of Past Experiences and Success Summarize your education history until this point; name and describe the courses you’ve completed until now (along with the start and end dates), provide details on the schools you’ve attended, the degrees you’ve completed (if any), and the qualifications you acquired from them. Additionally, if you have obtained honourable certificates or awards, you should also describe them in this section. Lastly, include any relevant work and volunteer experiences related to your chosen academic/professional path here and link them to your current and future goals.
3. Interest and Fit with the Program Explain why you are interested in this specific program. What makes this program special? How is it different from programs in your country of citizenship or residence? Why is Canada your country of choice? How will the city where the program is taught benefit your experience?
4. Strong Writing Find compelling ways to tell your story. Try your best to be engaging with your writing. Keep grammar, tone, and flow in mind when you’re writing to make sure that the visa officer not only finds it easy to read your study plan but also entertaining. Remember, a first draft is just that – make time to revise your writing and make it stronger. When you feel confident, get someone with strong English skills to read it and make editing suggestions.
5. Provide Research References The visa officer will want to see whether you have put considerable effort into researching your study opportunities, so you must back up all claims you make about your program fit. Some points to address here are whether your home country offers similar study programs (if yes, why you believe the Canadian counterpart is the right program for you), how the education system in your home country differs from the one in Canada, how the educational institution you’re hoping to join compares to other Canadian institutions with similar study programs. Don’t cut your research short; show the officer you’ve done your homework.
6. Provide Supporting Documents
To give the officer more solid proof that what you’re saying in your study plan is factual, reference the attachment of any documents that verify your past academic and professional endeavours in your study permit application package.
What Are the Elements of A Strong Study Plan?
A strong study plan will contain elements that provide evidence of your bona fide (honest, genuine) nature as a student. These elements will show consistency throughout your study plan and per all other components of your study permit application. Remember, conflicting stories reduce credibility and raise concerns. To avoid raising any doubts, ensure that your study plan touches on the following elements:
Future Employment Prospects
Address Inadmissibility
Program & Institution Research
Persuasive & Consistent Writing
Authentic Writing (no plagiarism)
Analysis of Opportunity in Canada
Address All Issues
Push & Pull Factors / Ties
What Happens If I Don’t Address My Program Fit?
Failing to address your program fit can lead to complications with your study permit application. A lack of information or coherence in your application might raise authenticity concerns, prompting the visa officer to refuse your request altogether – the worst-case scenario. Your application must make it clear to the visa officer reviewing why you’re seeking to pursue your intended study program in Canada, and a study plan gives you the perfect opportunity to provide a convincing explanation. Here are some things that could get your study permit application refused:
Study Plan isn't well articulated
Fails to convey future career prospects
Cost-Benefit Analysis not shown or unclear
Education or career haps unexplained
Does not convey long-term goals
Proposed program seems irrelevant
Does not provide enough material / information
While the prospect of someone assessing whether your arguments are convincing or not may seem scary, don’t worry, if you apply the elements mentioned earlier, you’ll be on the right track.
Need some help? Let us guide you!
Key Takeaways for a Strong Study Plan
Ultimately, your study plan will be as strong as you make it, and it will largely depend on the effort you put into your research, the time you separate to write and re-write your study plan, the supporting documents you gather, and the description of your academic/professional history and your academic/professional goals. To ensure you tackle them all effectively, remember these takeaway points:
Answer the questions the visa officer will have
Explain your program fit
Be concise but give detail where necessary
Provide evidence for all your claims and arguments
Reference your research sources
Look out for grammatical mistakes and use coherent vocabulary
Provide relevant supporting documents
Articulate your goals and hopes
Writing a good study plan can lead to the beginning of your life in Canada, so make sure to give it your best and ask for guidance wherever necessary. At Chitra & Associates Immigration Consultants, we believe that to be successful, students need to be well-informed. Therefore, our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) work with our student clients through every step of the application process. Are you ready to start your application? Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help!
A Cautionary Note: The foregoing provides only an overview and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, specific legal advice should be obtained, and the readers are asked to refer to the government website for the most updated information.
