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International Students

international-students-citcmCITCM welcomes international students to study and experience exceptional learning at our college under one or more of the following programs:

  • The Acupuncture Diploma program
  • Massage Therapy, both a 1113 hours and a 2200 hours programs, utilizing the Integrated Western and Eastern (WE) philosophies and methodologies

All CITCM programs are Designated Learning Programs and are therefore eligible to enroll foreign nationals on a study permit. We encourage all international students to apply as CITCM believes that having students from all countries and cultures can only benefit and enrich both the student and the college.

CITCM is a Designated Learning Institution in Canada (DLI No: O19256722732)

CITCM is designated institute as of June 1st, 2014.

International students have several advantages to attending CITCM to study massage, acupuncture, or traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to exceptional education a foreign student will normally:

  • Be able to work 20 hour per week while studying at CITCM with a valid study permit;
  • Be able to have provincial health care coverage while studying at CITCM;
  • Pay the same tuition as Canadian students;
  • Have access to living in a student residence located in inner city allowing students access to multiple apartment buildings and other city amenities (park, C-Train, buses, grocery stores), which is within walking distance to CITCM.
  • Note that as per current Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guidelines, international students graduating from licensed programs at a private career college in Alberta are not eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

What should I do before I apply?

1. Fill out the online application form

Our program enrollment starts in April and September. International students are advised to apply at least 6 months before in order to allow sufficient time for application acceptance and study permit process.

2. Meet the admission requirements and Language Proficiency Requirements

The primary language of instruction at CITCM is English. All international students must meet the admissions requirements outlined in the Admissions section of the CITCM Student Handbook, and meet the required English Language Proficiency requirement. English is the language of instruction in all programs at CITCM. To enable academic success all international student applicants are required to demonstrate communicative proficiency in the English language prior to admission acceptance at CITCM. This requirement may be demonstrated by one of the following methods:

  1. A TOEFL ibt score of 60 or higher with a minimum of 18 in each skill/category on the internet based test. English Language Arts 30-1 equivalency.
  2. An IELTS score of 6.0 in each skill/category or higher. English Language Arts 30-1 equivalency.
  3. A minimum score of 7 in Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA). The CLBA measures English proficiency in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
  4. Successful completion of an English course, with a minimum course mark of 60%, including a minimum of 10 months of education at an English speaking Canadian school.
  5. Completion with a minimum course mark of 60%, of a post secondary program, including a minimum of 10 months of education at an English speaking Canadian School.
  6. Over 18 months of live and work experience in Canada consecutively for the past 3 years of the application date.

3. Prepare your transcripts and other documents.

Documents to be included in the application package:

  • An online Application Form
  • Copies of official transcript and diploma certificate of high school or post secondary education
  • Letter of Intent (describing why you would like to study Acupuncture/Massage at CITCM)
  • Two Letters of Reference (employers, instructors, etc)

Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by an official English translation.

Please do not send your original documents to CITCM (transcripts and diploma certificates). Once you are admitted, you may be asked to submit the official transcripts.

4. Find out what you need to apply for a student visa. If you are not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, you will require a study permit. Please check Citizenship and Immigration Canada (IRCC) website about the requirements, eligibility, and processing time. Please include CITCM DLI number in your study permit application as required by CIC.

5. Prepare your finances and registration deposit.

Registration fee CAN$500 is required to secure a seat for prospective students and this amount will go to the tuition account once the program commences. CITCM may retain this fee if the prospective student does not attend the program or withdraw from the program prior to enrolment start date unless the prospective student notifies the intention in writing 4 days prior to the signing date.

A full time program tuition fee is CAN$11,600/year not including mandatory & book fee.

For 2024, a single applicant will need to show they have CAN$20,635, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs. This change applies to new study permit applications received, on or after January 1, 2024. This amount reflects updated cost-of-living requirements. Going forward, these amounts will be adjusted each year, as Statistics Canada updates the LICO.

Go to canada.ca website for more details.

CITCM Registration & Tuition Refund Policy

The refund policy follows the guidelines of the Alberta Private Vocational Act.

Tuition refunds are calculated, after the commencement of classes and receipt of a signed withdrawal notice, as follows:

If a student contract is terminated after the vocational training begins, the licensee (CITCM) is entitled to the following amounts of tuition:

  • When 10% or less of the vocational training has been provided, 25% of the tuition;
  • When more than 10% but 50% or less of the vocational training has been provided, 60% of the tuition;
  • When more than 50% of the vocational training has been provided, 100% of the tuition.

It is the student’s responsibility to complete a formal Withdrawal Form and submit it to the Program Manager.

Failure to attend classes is not automatically considered a withdrawal for the purposes of receiving a refund. Therefore, no refund will be issued until CITCM receives a written request to withdraw. Stop payment of any kind or failure to make payments does not constitute automatic withdrawal for the purpose of receiving a refund.

Transfer students

Students can apply for transfer credit from previous post-secondary education (University/College). This assessment service is offered to all CITCM students.

Transcript Assessment (Transfer Credit)

If you have previously completed education at an accredited post-secondary institution, you can apply to have your past course work assessed. To be considered, the following criteria must be met:

  • Previous grades must be 60% or higher.
  • All relevant courses must have been completed within the past years (addressed on a case by case basis pending relevant professional or work related experience that may exist)
  • Course credit hours are at least equivalent to CITCM courses.
  • Course curriculum must be a 75% of the required hours match to CITCM courses.
  • Detailed course syllabus and learning outcomes from your previous institution.
  • CITCM has a 50% residency rate. Applicants can request credit transfer for up to 50% of any CITCM program. The remaining 50% must be taken at CITCM to qualify for credential/certification.
  • When submitting foreign documentation for transfer credit evaluation, please provide transcripts and the detailed course outlines translated to English by an official translator.

When to Apply

CITCM accepts applications throughout the year for all programs for both April and September semesters.


How Do I Apply?

Click the button “Apply Now: to fill out the application form online and upload the necessary documents.

 


What Happens Next?

You will be contacted by the admission team to confirm the receipt of your application package. Within 10 business days after the receipt of the application, an acceptance package (acceptance letter and tuition contract) will be emailed if you are accepted into the program. You will be required to sign and email back the tuition contract along with a deposit of CAD$500 through international bank wire transfer to confirm your registration and reserve your seat. A copy of the signed contract from the Admission Office will be emailed back to you that you can use as supporting documents in your Canadian study permit application along with other required documents by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (IRCC).

For more information, please email admission@citcm.com.


Medical Insurance/Health Care for International Students

International students who will be studying in our WE Integrated Orthopedic Massage (1113 and 2200 hours) and Acupuncture program are eligible for Alberta Health Care Insurance Program (AHCIP) which allows student to get specific medical expenses coverage for free in Alberta. Coverage is immediate upon application and you are eligible from your day of arrival in Alberta. To apply, please fill out the Application Form and mail to the address on the bottom of the form.

Or you can apply in person at one of the registry offices around Calgary area.

For more details on AHCIP coverage, please visit the website.

International Students who will be studying in Canada for less than 12 months
must purchase a private health insurance plan through an insurance company or agent in their home country or in Canada. Medical insurers in Canada are authorized to provide this service to those who apply within 5 days of arriving in Canada.

Do I need extra medical insurance?

We recommend students get additional insurance/plan because AHCIP only covers specific medical expenses such as doctor visits, lab and hospital costs, etc. The additional insurance helps you to pay for situations not covered by AHCIP, for example: prescription drugs, dental or eye check, ambulance service, etc.
If you have private medical insurance from your home country that can be transferred/used in Canada, you do not need to purchase additional medical insurance.

Our International Student Advisor is pleased to offer information on the following topics:

  • Accommodations
  • Information on transportation, route, etc
  • Information on banking, cell phone set -up
  • Applying for Alberta Health Care
  • Personal and cultural transition to Canada
  • Any other non-academic questions or concerns

Accommodations

Temporary Stay

Ambassador Motor Inn
802 16 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 1K8 ‎
(403) 276-2271

Homestead Inn
Calgary, AB ‎
+1 800-661-1021 ‎

Tel Star Motor Inn
Calgary, AB ‎
+1 800-260-6211 ‎

Super 8 Village Calgary AB
1904 Crowchild Trail NW
Calgary, AB T2M 3Y7

EconoLodge Motel Village
2440 16 Ave NW
Calgary, AB T2M 0M5

Note: Single room rates range $100 – $200 per night depending on the time of the year. Rates are not guaranteed and may vary by the time you arrive in Canada. Please confirm rates prior to booking your accommodations.


Apartments

For those who wish to live in an apartment, many students are able to find accommodations within walking distance of CITCM to minimize on transportation time and costs. Rentfaster.ca is one of the online tools to look for apartments, rooms, or houses available in Calgary area.


City of Calgary

Information on Calgary communities, maps, schools, crime statistics, etc.


Transportation

Trains and buses are available in most part of the cities. A single fare is $3.00 or a monthly pass for unlimited travels for $94.00/pass (recommended). Visit Calgary Transit for more details on schedules, route maps, fares, etc. Rates are subject to change.

Information about Housing/Counselling/Other Services in Calgary

Click the link here to access information about legal, emergency, food, housing, transportation, counselling, medical and pregnant women services that are available around the city of Calgary.

Personal Information Collection

The personal information collected by CITCM during the application process and throughout the academic years complies with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). For more information, please visit Alberta.ca website.

Academic & Other Policies

For more details on our academic and other policies, please go to the 2023/2024 CITCM Student Handbook.


International Student Advisor

Our International Student Advisor is available Monday – Friday, 09:00 to 15:00.

Should you be unable to come in to see us in person, you may also call or email us below.

International Student Advisor for CITCM:

Mewah (Mei) Susana:
admission@citcm.com
+1 (403) 520-5289
+1 (403) 520-5258


Resources: