How to write a good SOP for Canada Study Visa Application

What is Statement Of Purpose (SOP)?

• Also known as Letter of Explanation.
• It’s a  document written by applicants to the authority that grants the visa.
• SOP for Canada Study Visa must explain the purpose of your student visa application to the visa officer.
• It helps you to convince the visa officer that you are a genuine student and you should be granted study permit.
• A Letter of explanation becomes extremely important if you have a study gap.

9-pointer SOP for Canada Study Visa:

A good SOP should address these 9 key-points:

1. Reasons for studying in Canada
2. Reasons for choosing this college/university and this course
3. Why didn’t you choose to study in your [HOME COUNTRY]?
4. How studying this program will help you?
5. Your English Language Skills
6. Details of Educational Qualifications and Work experience
7. Sources of funding your education and stay in Canada
8. Future Plans after completing this course
9. Understanding of Responsibilities as an International Student in Canada

Reasons for studying in Canada

Explain why you chose Canada as your Study Destination. You  can mention about:

• Strength of Education System in Canada
• Diverse Culture
• Job opportunities present in Canada in your field
• Any other reason/reasons

Reasons for choosing this college/university and this course

Explain why you chose this particular college/university and this particular course. You can give the following reasons:

• Reputation of the college
• Ranking
• Diversity
• Course related to previous education or job
• Interest/Passion/Experience
• Any other reason/reasons

Why didn’t you choose to study in your [HOME COUNTRY]?

Explain why you didn’t choose your home country for higher education. You can give the following reasons:

• Weak Higher Education system in your home country
• Non-availability of subject/specialization
• Political issue/Social issue
• Any other reason/reasons

How studying this program will help you?

Explain the benefits of the program that your are going to study. Your reasons can be:

• Further advancement in career
• Entrepreneurship / Business opportunity
• Gaining new skills
• Any other reason/reasons

English Language Skills

Mention your English Language Test scores. Also include a copy of you test results.

For example:

I took an IELTS Academic Test on 27^th March 2019 at New Delhi, India. My candidate number was 1111. I got overall 8 bands in the IELTS Academic Test.

My scores for the test are as given below:

Listening – 8.5, Reading – 8.5, Writing – 7.5, Speaking – 7.5

Overall IELTS Band score – 8

Please refer to Annexure 4 – for the copy of the IELTS Test Report.

Details of Educational Qualifications and Work experience

Narrate your RESUME in the form of a short story and cover entire period since last education. DO NOT LEAVE ANY GAP.

For example:

I started my 4-years Bachelor of Technology program at IIT Delhi in September 2015 and completed the course in August 2019 (Refer to Annexure-4). In this degree program, my specialization was in Computer Science and I studied courses such as Computer Hardware, System Programming, Computer Networks, Project Management along with other related courses.

August 2019- Nov 2021:

·I got opportunity to work as Data Analyst at Citi bank. I got posted at the Citi bank Corporate Office Dubai and worked in bank’s Personal lending department. (Refer to Annexure – 9)

Dec 2021 – Till now:

·Prepared for CFA Level 1 and attempted exam in Sep 2022 Refer to Annexure-5)

Sources of funding your education and stay in Canada

List the sources of funding in this section. You can include

• Payment of Tuition Fees
• GIC account
• Ownership of Assets
• Proof of own Savings
• Funding support from parents
• Any other information that the visa officer should know

Future Plans after completing this course

Here you will explain what you are your immediate plans after completing the course. You can also mention long term career plans. It is recommended to mention that you will move back eventually to your home country after completing the course.

Understanding of Responsibilities as an International Student in Canada

You can include the following declaration indicating that you understand your responsibilities as a student.

I fully understand that:

• I should be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution only
• I should make progress towards completing the program in which I am enrolled
• I should respect any conditions that will be listed on my study permit
• I should stop studying if I no longer meet the requirements of my Study permit
• I should leave Canada when my study permit expires.

Don’t forget to include copies of documents and Refer them in your Key points

Download Canada Neo’s 9-pointer SOP Template

Click here to download 9-pointer SOP Template