Case study · Canada
Priya R. — MSc Data Science and Analytics at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson)
From Chennai, Tamil Nadu · Intake 2025
Visa type
SDS
Processing time
22 days
Tuition
CAD $42,000 / year
Living cost
CAD $18,000 / year
Background
B.Tech in Computer Science, 7.2 CGPA, 6 months work experience at a Chennai-based fintech as a junior data analyst.
Challenges
- IELTS first attempt was 6.0 overall with a 5.5 in Writing — below the 6.5 SDS threshold
- Parents had savings of ₹35 lakh but a large ₹20 lakh deposit 3 weeks before applying (parking-of-funds risk)
- 6-month study gap explained by competitive exam prep (GATE), but the application narrative was weak
What A-WAY did
- Two-week IELTS Writing bootcamp with our test-prep team — score lifted from 5.5 to 6.5 in Writing
- Built a source-of-funds letter explaining the source of every deposit in the parents' savings account (sale of ancestral land, EPF, business income)
- Wrote a 1-page study gap narrative tying the GATE prep to a clear MS research direction (data engineering for fintech)
- Applied under SDS with ICICI GIC of CAD $20,635
Outcome
Study permit approved in 22 days under SDS. Priya joined TMU in September 2025 and is now on a co-op term at a Toronto-based AI startup.
“I was about to give up on Canada because my first IELTS score was so low. A-WAY gave me a 2-week plan, fixed my financial documents, and the visa came back in under a month. I cannot recommend them enough.”
Ready to be our next case study?
Book a free 30-min consultation with a CICC + MARA licensed consultant.
Book free consultation