Canada spends the maximum percentage of its economy on education compared to all the other developed countries in the world. It offers free primary and secondary education and subsidized post-secondary education to all its citizens and the permanent residents. Canadians are some of the best-educated people in the world, with an adult literacy rate of 99%. Children are required by law to attend school up to the age of 15 or 16, depending on the province, and university attendance mostly funded by the government is commonplace. The country has a range of education systems and services from early childhood to later education. Schooling is compulsory in New Zealand for all children from their sixth until their 16th birthday. The tertiary education system includes universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

In Canada, the provinces and territories are responsible for elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Consequently, Canada does not have a national or federal department of education.

Canadians place a premium on education and demand first-rate schools. Canada spends more per capita on its education system than any other country in the G-7 and is among the top three countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). A degree from a Canadian university is recognized world-wide and as a result, international students who graduate from Canadian universities enjoy successful and prosperous careers.

The Canadian education system encompasses both publicly-funded and private schools, from kindergarten through to university.  Education is a provincial responsibility under the Canadian constitution, which means there are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces.  However, standards across the country are uniformly high.

Full-time students registered in a degree or diploma-granting course are only allowed to work on the campus of the institution at which they are registered without the need for an employment authorization.  This includes on-campus employment for graduate, teaching or research assistants.   Foreign students enrolled in a full-time, post-secondary study program are automatically authorized to work up to 10 hours a week on the campus of the institution at which they are studying. Spouses of full-time students may be eligible for open or open/restricted employment authorizations, depending on medical requirements having been met.

A work permit may be issued for students whose intended employment forms an integral part of their course of study such as undergraduate co-op programs, the employment is related to an approved research or training program, or in exceptional cases where you hold a study permit and have become temporarily destitute through circumstances beyond your control or beyond the control of any person whom you are dependent on for financial support to complete your term of study (You must show proof that you are not able to obtain the money needed for daily expenses and that it is a temporary situation).

There are limited scholarships available in Canada but they rarely cover the full cost of a study program and they are not always easy to find. Scholarships to international students are available at some Canadian institutions for students with exceptional results. The amount awarded varies from one institution to another and usually covers only part of a student's education and living expenses. The calendar of each university in Canada includes a complete and detailed list of the scholarships it administers this information is usually available on school web sites as well. Obtaining a scholarship is very competitive and applications must be made directly to each university along with the application for admission. Community and Career Colleges do not usually award scholarships nor do school boards or most private schools.

There are various organizations within Canada that administer scholarship programs in various countries but they are usually for graduate students and professors who are studying or researching a specific subject; Canadian studies are a typical area for which scholarships are awarded. Students should also check within their home country through public and private organizations for any financial assistance they may provide to students looking to study abroad.