Personal Study Plan Guide

Personal Study Plan or Statement of Purpose is a description of your proposed program of studies as it relates to your academic, technical, or vocational background. It should be in a letter format addressed to the visa officer that must address the following:

Why you wish to come to Canada to study at the school and in the program for which you have been accepted;
What is your overall educational goal;
Why you are not pursuing less expensive alternatives in your home country (What are those alternatives? Have you investigated them?);
What ties do you have to your home country that will lead you to return home following your course of studies?
How will this Canadian diploma/degree increase your chances in the labor market in your home country?

You may also mention details of your accommodation arrangements and how will you support your studies - sources of funds, etc. You need to explain clearly where your funds came from and you must submit supporting documents to show the sources and history of your funds.

Suggested content for your Personal Study Plan

1st Paragraph (Introduction)

Brief introduction what the purpose of your letter and
Your civil status, details about your dependents. Are they going with you to Canada?

2nd Paragraph (Your Profile)

Talk about your profile (your educational background, Your work experiences (period covered, job title and brief job description
What are your goals and what made you decide to study in Canada

3rd Paragraph (Justification)

brief description of the program (program title, level, length and what is the program about?)
what do you intend to learn from the program?
why not study locally where it could be cheaper?
How will this help achieve your goals?

4th Paragraph (Financial Capacity)

Is it self-funded, sponsored or mixed?
Source of funds (you and your sponsor): employment, business, proceeds from properties sold?
Did you pay the 1 year tuition? How much?
Did you open a GIC Account? How much?
Aside from tuition and GIC account, how much cash in bank is available (your cash in bank and pledges from sponsor/s)
Are you expecting to receive something from your employer once you resigned? It is worth mentioning as well.

5th Paragraph (Career Plan)
After completing the program and when you return to your home country, what is your plan? Be specific. If planning to establish a business, provide details and projected income. If career advancement, to what position, target employer and expected salary

6th Paragraph (Home ties)

In this paragraph, talk about reasons and motivations for you to go back after your studies
Do you have business which will remain operational even if you're in Canada? Provide details.
Do you have properties under your name? Provide details.
Do you have travel history abroad? Provide details
Do you have parents, spouse or kids who will not be joining you in Canada? Provide details.

7th Paragraph (Closing Statement)

A declaration that you will respect the conditions of your stay in Canada