International Students
Study in Canada for Your Massage Career
Canada is a great destination for your massage education if you choose the right program. For professional success in Canada—or anywhere else—choose from programs that are fully accredited by the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation. The CMTCA’s standards for academics and practical training are what you need for a career as an effective massage therapist anywhere in the world.
Vicars School is fully accredited by the CMTCA and is also a Designated Learning Institution, approved by the Government of Canada to host students from all over the world.
Ready to Study in Canada?
The following documents cover what you need to know about studying at Vicars School of Massage Therapy.
What international students ask us.
This is the most important document for all Vicars students. It contains information on every part of student life, including: admission requirements, privacy policies, dispute resolution, withdrawal information, and more.
This shows current tuition, fees, textbook costs, and estimates of other school expenses.
Useful links to government and community information and resources.
Everyone pays the same tuition at Vicars School!
Most Canadian institutions charge more for international students—often much more. But students at Vicars pay the same tuition as Canadian residents: $25,000 for the full two-year diploma program, regardless of citizenship status or country of origin. Private colleges like Vicars do not receive any government subsidies, so we don’t see any reason to have a different tuition price for international applicants than we charge Canadian residents.
International students are also eligible for our no-fee, no-interest, tuition payment plan, which makes the program even more affordable.
We follow the regulations of the Alberta government’s Private Career Colleges branch (PCC) which sets standards for our tuition and refund policy. For more details about the tuition, fees, and other expenses that all students will have, download the Budgeting Guide.
Entrance requirements and transcripts
The entrance requirements for Canadian and international students are the same. We accept students based on an application form, transcripts from previous education, and a personal interview, and we accept only those who we feel will succeed in our program.
Our decisions are never based on gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, or religious beliefs.
Students who are applying from Canada are required to have a high school diploma with Science and English at a senior grade level or the equivalent. International applicants will need transcripts to document similar academic achievement from their home country.
Please note that all transcripts must be notarized and translated into English before you send them to us. It’s best to check with one of our admissions advisors for details before submitting your documents. Our program is delivered in English. All students must be fluent in both oral and written English. If you have completed a high school, college, or university program delivered in English, we will accept your official transcripts from that program as evidence of your English skills. We may require English language testing.
Getting a Canadian study permit starts with us
If you are not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, you will need a valid study permit from the Government of Canada to study in Canada. Your first step is to apply to and be accepted by the school of your choice.
To apply for a study permit, you’ll need a letter from us that confirms you have been accepted into our program. Be sure to leave enough time before the next intake, in March or September of each year. You will need to check us out carefully to make sure our program is right for you, apply, have a virtual or in-person interview, and submit your transcripts and other details.
You may also need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from Alberta. This is a new requirement, as of 2024, so be sure to check the latest information on how to apply for a PAL in Alberta, and to see if you are on the list of people who do not need one.
Support for international students on campus and in the community
We make it easy for students to talk to us in our small classes, by e-mail, text, in study groups, and in online student forums. While our campuses are small and we do not employ student services professionals, everyone on staff from the front office to the Executive Director is dedicated to your success as a student.
The Registrar’s Office is your contact for personal or financial concerns. Your privacy is carefully protected at all times. If we cannot help you on campus, we will refer you to a wide range of community services in either Calgary or Edmonton.
If you have a complaint or want to appeal a grade or a decision made by the school, we have processes for that.
Health care coverage is free for international students
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) covers any international student who has a valid study permit and is living and studying in Alberta for 12 months or longer. You can apply for AHCIP at no cost.
We encourage you to check your eligibility for AHCIP and apply before arriving in Canada. To be covered by AHCIP, you must apply within 90 days of your moving date. The plan only covers basic health expenses, not dental care, or prescriptions, for example, so you may want to look into getting an additional private plan.
Need more details on the Alberta Health Care Insurance plan?
Working while you are a student
Working in Canada may be possible, depending on the conditions of your study permit and whether you have a Social Insurance Number.
Our diploma program is challenging, and it is full time. Successful students commit to 35 hours a week or more, including classroom sessions, online coursework, and supervised student clinics. We recommend that students wishing to work while they are students limit their hours to part time during the school year.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are following the conditions of your study permit.
Need more information?
Let's Get Started!
If you have questions or would like more detailed information about studying at Vicars as an international student, please contact the Registrar.
Get in Touch
Our friendly and knowledgeable admissions advisors will help you decide for yourself if Vicars school is a good fit for you.
