Would you study Fine arts in Canada or UK?

I am a UK citizen. How do I go on to study a degree in Social Work in Canada?

• I am currently nearly 21 year old and about to start my third and final year of studying a BA Honours degree in English Literature and American Studies in a UK university. I have wanted to emigrate to Canada for a while - I have family there and I have put a lot of thought into it over the past year. Unfortunately I am not classed as a skilled worker because I have gone down the education route. At the moment one of the required occupations for emigrating to Canada with is as a social worker. I am the sort of person that wants to make a difference to the world, and I do not want to move to another country if I do not have something to offer. After much consideration, I have now decided I would like to study a 4-year degree in Social Work and go on to work as an Addicts counsellor to young people. I have done some research and the only college that offers this kind of degree in Alberta (where my family live, I want to be close to them at first as even though I am too old to be sponsored they have agreed to help me start out) is the University of Calgary. I am extremely committed towards this idea and do not mind that it will be a long haul of studying. My question is this - how do I go about applying to study at the institution? I am aware that if successful I can be granted a student visa which after my education can be changed to a permanent visa. I would like to get on with the applying soon after summer next year, when I will have completed my current degree. My main questions are - am I eligible for scholarships or loans to help me through my education? How long is the process of applying for a student visa? I am flying out to Canada for at least three months next summer and am willing to use this time to schedule interviews etc regarding counselling work and social work. I would really appreciate if anybody who has any experience of studying as an international student/working in Social Work in Canada can advise me on the best way to go about this.

• Answer:

  I am surprised that a BA Hons degree in English Literature does not make you a 'skilled worker' but I suppose that they need to see a couple of years of work experience first. But to do a second degree in social work in Canada will take you longer than getting work experience, will cost you a ton of money and will lead to a job that will always be poorly paid. Have you thought this through? To answer your question however; You apply to the university itself as an international student, if you are accepted and can show you have the money you will get a student visa. You are not going to get student loans or scholarships unless these are offered to you by the university itself so ask if there is anything available for international students when you apply, they can only say no.