SIAST
International STUDENTS
Saskatchewan Applied Science and
Institute of Technology An internationally recognized education and training institution, the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) is Saskatchewan’s primary public institution for skills training and technical education. More than 15,000 students are enroled in our programs and we draw almost 25,000 individual course registrations. At our four campuses across the province we offer more than 80 post-secondary credit programs in a variety of high-demand fields for international students. SIAST provides students with real-life learning experiences which contributes to academic and career success. In an independent study, SIAST graduates surveyed had a 93 percent employment rate which surpasses provincial and national averages. SIAST provides access to a wide variety of academic and skills training options that ensure students are well prepared for the workplace or further study. An emphasis on “hands-on” training, which often incorporates training in workplace settings, is also provided. Upon completion of their programs, international graduates are able to work in either their home country or in Canada through the Post-Graduate Work Permit program, or to transfer to a Canadian university to complete their degree. Many SIAST programs have strong transfer credit agreements with universities within Saskatchewan and across Canada with the possibility of receiving up to two years’ credit towards a university degree.
Why Saskatchewan?
Prince Albert Saskatoon Moose Jaw Regina
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SIAST INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
With more than one million people calling it home, Saskatchewan was named after the Cree word for “swiftly flowing river.” Spanning over 650,000 square kilometres in the heart of Canada, Saskatchewan makes up 6.5 percent of Canada’s land mass and is bordered to the east by Alberta, to the west by Manitoba, to the north by Nunavut and the Northwest Territories and to the south by Montana and North Dakota, United States. Saskatchewan is one of North America’s strongest and fastest growing economies and has a wealth of natural resources. With one of the highest standards of living and lowest costs of living in the world, Saskatchewan has a well-deserved reputation as a safe place to live.
Campuses SIAST has campuses in each of the four major cities in Saskatchewan.
Located near the heart of Saskatoon, SIAST Kelsey Campus offers full-time programs, part-time courses and customized training in a wide range of professions, technologies and trades. Saskatoon is the largest city in the province with a population of 260,000.
SIAST Palliser Campus is located in the friendly city of Moose Jaw. SIAST Palliser Campus is home to SIAST’s co-operative education program in Engineering Technology and Business where students can take advantage of paid co-op work terms to enhance their education. With many tourist attractions within the city, Moose Jaw is a smaller city with a population of around 35,000.
SIAST Wascana Campus is located in the province’s capital city of Regina. The programs offered at SIAST Wascana Campus provide opportunities for students to update their education and to prepare for rewarding careers in applied/visual media, business, community/ human services, health services/sciences, industrial trades, nursing, and technology. Also known as the Queen City, Regina has a population of 210,000.
SIAST Woodland Campus, located in the city of Prince Albert, is the hub of post-secondary education in north central Saskatchewan. Operating out of two buildings situated within walking distance of each other, SIAST Woodland Campus offers a friendly, comfortable and supportive learning environment. Prince Albert, with a growing population of 45,000, is located within driving distance of many of Saskatchewan’s beautiful lakes, a popular destination in the summer for both locals and tourists.
Programs With campuses strategically placed in each of the four major cities in Saskatchewan, SIAST offers over 80 credit programs for international students in the following program areas: »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »»
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Applied/Visual Media Aviation Business Education and Early Learning Engineering Technology Health Services Hospitality Human Services Industrial/Trades Justice Natural Resources Nursing Science Technology
SIAST offers a variety of certificate and diploma programs. Certificate programs are one academic year in length, diploma programs are two academic years and, with two paid work terms, co-operative education programs can take up to three years to complete. A four-year nursing degree program is also available.
SIAST INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Why SIAST? SIAST offers one-year certificate and twoyear diploma programs that give students skills employers seek. SIAST programs are cost effective, employer driven and have smaller class sizes that allow students plenty of interaction with instructors. Many of SIAST’s certificate and diploma programs are linked with degree programs that enable students to receive up to two years’ credit towards a university degree. This process allows students to achieve both a SIAST diploma or certificate and a university degree in about four years. Some of the programs available to international students offer block transfer or advanced standing in degree programs at the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan or other universities across Canada and the United States. These programs include:
BioScience Technology
Computer Systems Technology
Business certificate and diploma programs
Correctional Studies
CAD/CAM Engineering Technology
Electrical Engineering Technology Hotel and Restaurant Administration
Engineering Design and Drafting Technology
Disability Support Worker
Chemical Technology
Therapeutic Recreation
Civil Engineering Technology
Youth Care Worker Certificate and Diploma programs
Computer Engineering Technology
With the strength of multiple institutions, graduates with both a SIAST diploma and a university degree have an edge in the job market because of the combination of technical skills developed through hands-on training at SIAST and university-refined theoretical research skills.
Health Benefits Saskatchewan Health provides free health coverage to full-time international students who hold a valid study permit. Spouses and children of international students with a valid study permit are also eligible for this coverage. Most doctor’s fees and hospital bills are covered by Saskatchewan Health although prescription drugs are not. Upon your arrival you must apply for a Saskatchewan Health card to receive coverage. If you arrive in Saskatchewan after living in another Canadian province you will be eligible for Saskatchewan Health coverage after three months.
WOrk Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) (www.cic.gc. ca) policies allow international students to take advantage of the skills obtained at SIAST and put them to use in the Canadian work context.
Post-Graduation Work Permit 6
SIAST INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The Post-Graduation Work Permit allows graduates of SIAST programs to gain valuable Canadian work experience. A work permit under the PostGraduation Work Permit Program will be valid for the same time period as the student’s study program. For example, students who graduate from one of SIAST’s eight-month-long certificate programs would be granted an eight-month-long work permit. Graduates from one of SIAST’s two-year diploma programs would be eligible for a two-year work permit. This work permit is not tied to a job offer and does not have to be in the graduate’s field of study. Students must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation (for example, a transcript or an official letter) from SIAST indicating that they have met the requirements for completing their academic program. International graduates from SIAST have the choice of returning to their home country, gaining valuable work experience using their PostGraduation Work Permit or transferring to a university with a transfer credit agreement to complete their degree. Graduates who complete a program at SIAST and who stay and work in Saskatchewan are eligible for Saskatchewan’s Graduate Retention Program. This program enables graduates to receive an income tax credit rebate of up to $20,000 for tuition fees paid by eligible graduates who live in Saskatchewan and file a Saskatchewan income tax return.
Immigration Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) Students category (Post-Graduation Work Permit Stream) This category allows students who have graduated from SIAST to apply for Permanent Resident status under the SINP. To qualify as a student, an applicant must: »» Have graduated from a Canadian program that is at least one academic year (eight months) of full-time study and have received a certificate, diploma or degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution. »» Have worked for at least six months (minimum 960 hours) in Saskatchewan under a post-graduation work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). If you have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution outside of Saskatchewan you must have worked for 12 consecutive months of paid full-time employment (with a minimum of 1920 hours) in Saskatchewan after graduation. Eligible types of work experience in Saskatchewan include on-campus, off-campus, co-op terms, graduate fellowships that can be verified by your institution and work experience gained on a post-graduate work permit. »» Applied for and received a post-graduation work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). »» Have a current, permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer. For more information regarding immigration to Saskatchewan visit www.saskimmigrationcanada.ca
Scholarships Students attending SIAST are eligible to apply for SIAST student awards. The Awards Guide is located at: goSIAST.com/scholarships
How to apply International Student Program Information For approximate international tuition and academic requirements by program, please go to: gosiast.com/programs-and-courses/international/programs.aspx
English Language Requirement »» IELTS (International English Language Testing System)—minimum score of Band 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.0 in each component »» TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language—Internet based)— minimum score of 81 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), with a minimum score of 19 in each of reading, listening, speaking and writing For more detail on SIAST’s English language requirements, please go to: gosiast.com/ admissions/admission-requirements/english-language-requirements.aspx
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SIAST INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
HOMESTAY SIAST’s Homestay program is managed in partnership with Canada Homestay Network (CHN). CHN is the industry leader in client satisfaction, based on common values, successful experience and the highest professional standards in the industry. Once accepted by SIAST you can complete the online application at www.canadahomestayinternational.com/studentsapplication.html For further information, contact siast@canadahomestayinternational.com
Applying to SIAST Complete the online application and upload scanned colour copies of your documents including marks-sheets, transcripts, certificates and proof of English language proficiency. Application fees can be paid online via major credit cards. Official original documents will be required for verification purposes upon arrival at SIAST.
SIAST International Education #55 – 33rd Street East Saskatoon SK S7K 3R5 Canada Email: international@siast.sk.ca goSIAST.com/international
www.goSIAST.com