Canada is slowly becoming one of the top educational destinations among English-speaking countries. While the Cost of Study in Canada can seem quite high for some, they are among the lowest in English-speaking countries like the USA, UK or Australia.
However, the quality of Canadian education is excellent, with students from Canadian Universities performing very well in the international job market.
Tuition Fees in Canada for International Students:
Universities in Canada set their fees. The fees vary depending on the course, and international students are usually charged more than indigenous students. Undergraduate and cost of study in Canada fees are usually higher, while the fees for Post Graduate programs are lower.
Public universities in Canada:
Public Universities are heavily subsidized by the government, so the fees are lower. The fees at public universities start at around 5000 CAD/year and go up from there.
Private Universities in Canada:
Private colleges tend to have higher fees as compared to public universities. Depending on the course, the fees for Indian students usually hover somewhere between C$20,000 to C$30,000 per year as the cost of study in Canada, including living expenses. The tuition fees can be partially offset by taking a job.
Canadian Universities with Low Tuition fees for International Students
Student debt is a problem for those who wish to study in Canada. The cost of living in Canada is quite high and combined with heavy fees, students often end up burdened with enormous amounts of debt.
However, certain universities have significantly lower fees, ranging from C$5000 to C$11,000. The following list of universities in Canada is among the most affordable for International students to help them lower their cost of study in Canada.
Here is the list of Affordable Universities in Canada and The Fees:
- Dominican University College: 5000 CAD/year
- Brandon University: 6219 CAD/year
- Université de Saint-Boniface: 6420 CAD/year
- Canadian Mennonite University: 7560 CAD/year
- Memorial University Of Newfoundland: 8800 CAD/year
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology: 5000-7000 CAD/year
- The King’s University College: 9920 CAD/year
- Athabasca University: 9440-10490 CAD/year
- Canadian Mennonite University: 7728 CAD/year
- Université de Moncton: 10270 CAD/year
- Saint Paul University: 9836 CAD/year
- Universite’ Sainte- Anne: 8820 CAD/year
- Mount Royal University: 11121 CAD/year
Tuition Fees at Top-Ranked Universities:
Usually, the cost of studying in Canada at the top-ranked universities is quite high. However, the top universities in Canada are surprisingly affordable. The University of Toronto charges an average tuition fee of 38,000 CAD/year, which is quite high.
However, the other top-ranked universities don’t even go above 10,000 CAD/per year. The University of British Columbia charges an average tuition fee of 8,500-9,000 CAD/per year,
McGill University charges an average tuition fee of 8,000 CAD/year, and the University of Montreal charges an average tuition fee of 10,000 CAD/year.
The Cost of Study in Canada for MS for an international student can be around $16,250 and CAD 28,650 per year depending on the field of study.
Cost of Study in Canada, as Per Various Study Fields:
The tuition fees for different courses and universities will be different. Here, we have listed the average tuition fees for Canadian Universities as far as international students are concerned. The fees, as mentioned, are average and in no way reflect the tuition fees you will have to pay for a particular course or university.
The numbers are just an indication of what an average international student pays, for a particular field of study and can be above or below your actual total cost of study in Canada. For Example, the cost of studying BBA in Canada would be around 25 to 45K depending on the business school.
The cost of studying pharmacy for postgraduate is far more affordable than graduate courses, and the same is the case with the cost of studying law in Canada. For some of the most popular courses, like the cost of studying computer science in Canada or the Cost of studying nursing in Canada, the average costs are given below:
The numbers are annual and in Canadian Dollars. Here is the Cost of Studying abroad in Canada as per various fields of study:
- Agriculture, natural resources and conservation 26,208 14,452
- Architecture 26,457 23,992
- Business, management and public administration 28,680 24,693
- Dentistry 56,621 22,472
- Education 20,875 15,764
- Engineering 33,703 19,301
- Humanities 28,676 13,667
- Law 33,192 17,237
- Mathematics, computer and information sciences 33,012 16,647
- Medicine 32,450
- Nursing 21,922 16,168
- Other health, parks, recreation and fitness 24,626 18,551
- Personal, protective and transportation services 20,332 13,796 (in 2017-18)
- Pharmacy 40,960 12,876
- Physical and life sciences and technologies 31,536 15,421
- Social and behavioural sciences, and legal studies 27,647 15,032
- Veterinary medicine 63,323 10,099
- Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies 25,127 14,737
- BBA 25,000-45,000 Not Applicable
- Executive MBA Not Applicable 66,665
- Regular MBA Not Applicable 38,950
Scholarships for International Students in Canada:
There are plenty of scholarships in Canada for International students. Deserving students can choose from a variety of scholarships they can apply for. Canadian Scholarships fall into three different segments – Government Scholarships, Non-governmental Scholarships to study in Canada and Scholarships by Universities.
There are scholarships for all degrees, from Graduate to master in Canada, and they help in reducing the cost of study in Canada for international students.
List of Scholarships in Canada:
- Government Scholarships International Student Scholarships at Humber College Canada
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid
- Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program Queen’s University International Scholarships
- IDRC Research Awards UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award
- NSERC Postgraduate scholarships UBC Graduate Scholarships
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program University of Alberta International Scholarships
- Non-Governmental Scholarships University of Calgary International Scholarships
- Anne Vallee Ecological Fund University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
- Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships University of Saskatchewan International Student Awards
- Scholarships by Universities University of Toronto Ontario Graduate Scholarship
- Carleton University Awards for International Students University of Waterloo International Funding
- Concordia University International Undergraduate Award Simon Fraser University Financial Aid and Awards
- Dalhousie University Scholarships. Western University International Admission Scholarship
- Fairleigh Dickinson Scholarships for International Students York University International Student Program
- HEC Montréal BBA Entrance Scholarships More Scholarships in Canada
Student Loan For Canada:
If you are applying through SDS, you will have to invest in a GIC of 10000 CAD. If you are exhausted of all your options with the funds, International Students Loan in Canada is the way to fund your Cost of study in Canada.
Most provincial Loans are limited to Canadian students only. So if you are an international student looking to study in Canada and need an education loan, you might have to look for private providers.
For the timelines to prepare documents and apply for education loans, make sure you have a thorough understanding of deadlines and Intakes in Canada.
Education Loans, along with scholarships are the easiest ways to fund your studies while studying abroad because they are meant for students, and the repayment is flexible. The amount is high enough to pay for the fees, but the interest rates are lower. Some loans have repayment options after graduation.
Canadian Visa requirements for Indian students state that they should have at least 10,000 CAD in their accounts, over and above the money required for tuition. However, the cost of living varies according to location.
Certain parts of Canada are significantly more expensive than others, with Vancouver maintaining its position as the most expensive Canadian city to live in. Quebec, on the other hand, has significantly lower prices.
Accommodation in Canada for International Students:
Accommodation costs would result in the most significant part of the cost of study in Canada. Toronto is one of the most expensive cities in Canada to be in, however, the accommodation part of the cost of Study in Canada will still be more affordable than the neighbouring USA, just like the cost of a University in Canada vs the USA.
The monthly cost of accommodation in Toronto can be anywhere between CAD 1080 to $2900. In smaller cities like Saint John’s, and Newfoundland, the cost of accommodation will be around CAD 710. Montreal and some parts of Quebec can have as low accommodation costs as CAD 550.
Food and Transportation:
Again, the food and transportation costs in Canada will depend on how one chooses to eat and travel. A large number of students choose to cook for themselves rather than eat out as it is one of the most affordable and healthier ways to go by. The monthly groceries will cost you CAD 200 to 400 depending on your location and preferences.
For the lazy Sundays and days when you do not want to cook, lunch or dinner will cost you around 18 to 25 Canadian Dollars.
Depending on the city or town you are in, the transportation and monthly plans vary as given below. Here is all you need to know:
Cities in Canada Food Costs in CAD (Groceries/Month) Transportation in CAD Basic Lunch/Dinner
- Toronto $200 – $400 $122 $17
- Montreal $350 $80 $16
- Saint John’s $240 $77 $
Other Costs that come with Studying in Canada:
There are also some essentials and maintenance costs that one cannot simply live without. Be it Electricity, water, Garbage, etc. The ever-essential mobile and internet charges can be around CAD 50 to $70.
- Miscellaneous (Electricity, Water, Heating, etc.): Around CAD 150 per Month
- Internet: CAD 50 to CAD 70 per month
International Student Health Insurance:
It is mandatory to have health insurance as an international student during your stay in Canada. For Provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan, students can opt for State Health Insurance.
Whereas for provinces like Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island or Quebec, the students will have to go for Private Health Insurance. The Cost of International Student Health Insurance would be around CAD 600 to CAD 900.
Canada Student Visa Cost:
The visa cost for international students is CAD 150. For Student Visa to Canada, there are application fees a student will have to pay
Also, keep in mind that international students have to show funds of around CAD 10,000 apart from their tuition fees as their funds to prove that they can sustain themselves for one year of stay.