The most popular courses for South American students in Canada (and why they're smart choices)
The program you pick shapes your next few years — and can shape your future in Canada. Here are the courses students from Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and across South America choose most, with salaries and PGWP notes for each.
- Published
- August 24, 2026
- Read
- 3 min
- By
- Passage Team
- Topic
- Programs
If you are planning to study in Canada, you have a big choice to make: what should you study? The program you pick shapes your next few years, and it can also shape your future here. A good program teaches you real skills, leads to a real job, and can open a path to stay in Canada for good.
This guide walks you through the courses that many students from Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and across South America choose — with a rough salary range and a note about the PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit), which lets you work in Canada after you finish your studies.
The six most popular programs
Each of these fields has real, ongoing demand in Canada. Here's what you'd study, why it's needed, and what it pays.
| Program | What you'd study & why it's in demand | Typical salary (CAD/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | Software development, cybersecurity, data, cloud, and networks. Canada's strong tech sector has a steady need for skilled workers — and a math or science background helps. | $70,000–$110,000 (developers) |
| Engineering & eng. technology | Design and build: buildings, machines, roads, electrical systems. Colleges also offer shorter, hands-on technician diplomas. Canada keeps building — homes, transit, clean energy. | $65,000–$95,000 |
| Healthcare & nursing | Nursing, practical nursing, personal support work, medical lab, pharmacy technician, health admin. An aging population means shortages in every province. | $70,000–$100,000 (RNs); support roles lower |
| Skilled trades | Electrician, plumber, welder, carpenter, HVAC, automotive. A retiring workforce, and jobs that can't be sent overseas. | $55,000–$90,000 (more once certified) |
| Early childhood education | Child development, safety, and planning learning activities; work in daycares and preschools. Canada's low-cost childcare rollout needs qualified educators. | $35,000–$55,000 (and rising) |
| Hospitality & tourism | Hotels, restaurants, events, and travel — service, management, and operations. Tourism is a big part of Canada's economy, and the people skills transfer anywhere. | $40,000–$65,000 (supervisory/management) |
A word on the PGWP
Every field above is in demand — but the PGWP is granted per program, not per field. Before you enrol, confirm in writing that your exact program is PGWP-eligible. Two field-specific notes worth planning for:
- Nursing has extra licensing steps beyond the PGWP, so start those early.
- Hospitality is the one to check most carefully, since not every hospitality program is on the eligible-field list.
How to choose the right program
Here is a simple way to decide:
- Pick a field with real demand, like the ones above.
- Confirm in writing that your exact program is PGWP-eligible.
- Choose a trusted school. Passage partners with George Brown College, Niagara College, and Bow Valley College.
- Plan your money early, so cost is not what stops you.
When you study something Canada needs, you set yourself up for a job, a PGWP, and a strong case for permanent residency down the road.
Let Passage help you get there
Money should not block your dream of studying in Canada. Passage funds student loans for international students — you can borrow up to CAD $65,000, and the online application takes under 30 minutes. We focus on PGWP-eligible, in-demand programs in areas like healthcare, trades, tech, and early childhood education.
Ready to see what you qualify for? Get your free eligibility assessment at go.passage.com and take the first step toward your studies in Canada.
This article is for general information only. Immigration rules and costs can change, so always confirm the latest details on the official Government of Canada website before making decisions.
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