International students frequently choose Canada as their study abroad destination because of its outstanding universities, vibrant student cities, and organized way of life.
International students’ tuition costs in Canada in 2023 will be a reflection of the wealth of choices the nation provides: there are both expensive and affordable universities in Canada.
1. Tuition fees
Tuition fees in Canadian universities are slightly more than in the United Kingdom, the United States, or Australia. University fees can vary from year to year, and there may be changes depending on the city or degree program. For example, Newfoundland offers the cheapest institutions in Canada, whereas Ontario has the most expensive degrees.
Tuition fees for Bachelor’s degrees
Tuition range: 550 – 30,000 CAD/year. Bachelors in Medicine, Engineering, and Social Science are among the most expensive study programs.
Tuition costs for popular disciplines:
- Bachelors in Business & Management: 550 – 56,000 CAD/year
- Bachelors in Computer Science & IT: 1,535 – 55,500 CAD/year
- Bachelors in Engineering & Technology: 1,350 – 55,000 CAD/year
- Bachelors in Social Sciences: 1,025 – 56,000 CAD/year
- Bachelors in Natural Sciences: 1,780 – 53,000 CAD/year
Tuition fees for Master’s degrees
Tuition range: 1,075 – 65,000 CAD/year. Masters in Business, Engineering, Computer Science and Law are the most expensive.
Tuition costs for popular disciplines:
- Masters in Business & Management: 2,150 – 52,700 CAD/year
- Masters in Computer Science & IT: 2,150 – 52,500 CAD/year
- Masters in Engineering & Technology: 2,150 – 52,500 CAD/year
- Masters in Medicine & Health: 2,150 – 58,300 CAD/year
- Masters in Social Sciences: 2,150 – 37,000 CAD/year
These tuition fee figures for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs are provided to assist you in determining how much money you will need to study in Canada.
While more expensive programs don’t always offer a greater quality of education, you are not required to select the most expensive ones. Find the ideal balance between your finances, tuition, and the outcomes you want from your study program.
There are other degrees that cost a lot of money, with annual tuition of at least 100,000 CAD. We have chosen not to include them in the tuition ranges due to their small number. These are still available on our portals, Mastersportal and Bachelorsportal.
Cheap Universities in Canada
Check this list of cheap universities in Canada:
- Memorial University of Newfoundland – tuition fees: 2,150 – 11,460 CAD/year
- University of Regina – tuition fees: 1,715 – 20,050 CAD/year
- Royal Roads University – tuition fees: 3,750 – 27,600 CAD/year
- University of Saskatchewan – tuition fees: 4,110 – 24,000 CAD/year
- Athabasca University – tuition fees: 1,625 – 17,250 CAD/year
Even at the cheapest universities in Canada, there are various study programs that cost more than 30,000 CDN per year. Master’s degrees in business, law, dentistry, or MBAs are the most common (Master of Business Administration). An MBA is exceptionally expensive, with tuition expenses exceeding 50,000 CAD each year.
2. Student living costs in Canada
You might save some money by choosing a cheap university in Canada, but keep in mind that living expenses there are higher than average. Yet, a high standard of living is assured. For the majority of provinces, including Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa, you would require between 800 and 1,500 CDN each month.
Some of the most costly cities in Canada are Vancouver and Calgary, where monthly living expenses can exceed $2,000 CDN.
Accommodation costs
Thankfully, just as you can choose between expensive or cheap universities in Canada, you can also choose from a range of prices when it comes to accommodation.
The main housing options for students in Canada are:
- Student residences: 250 – 625 CAD/month
- University-arranged homestays: 400 – 800 CAD/month
- Rent & share an apartment: 300 – 700 CAD/month, prices for rent depend on location and facilities. If you choose to rent a studio/one-room apartment, you can pay over 1,000 CAD/month.
Other costs associated with accommodation
When you rent an apartment or studio, it comes with extra costs:
- basic utilities (electricity, water, heating, garbage): 150 CAD/month
- internet: 50-70 CAD/month
Food costs
You don’t need to spend a lot on food expenses, only about 300 CAD per month for shopping at local supermarkets and groceries. There are affordable supermarkets like Canadian Superstore, Walmart, and No Frills all over Canada. If you combine this with studying at one of the inexpensive colleges in Canada, you can get a budget-friendly Canadian education.
But if you prefer eating at restaurants, it will cost you approximately 10 to 25 CAD. A three-course meal for two people at a medium-priced restaurant will be around 50 to 65 CAD.
Transportation costs
University students in Canada, who are between 18 and 25 years old, can get discounts on monthly transportation passes.
- The total price of a transport pass is 90 CAD/month, while a one-way ticket is worth 3 CAD.
- Taxis are also a common way of transport all over Canada and fares are between 2 and 6 CAD/km.
3. Funding and financial support
We understand that the tuition fees in Canada for international students in 2023 might be expensive for some people, but don’t let that discourage you from pursuing your dreams! There are many financial aid programs available to support international students in Canada, and here are just a few of them.:
- Scholarships provided by various Canadian universities for Master’s and PhD studies
- Scholarships available to non-Canadian academic institutions to facilitate collaboration with the local academic community
- You can also check out the Studyportals Scholarship to get some help on financing your studies abroad.
4. Student permit and visa in Canada
In order to study in Canada, you will require a student permit. The cost of the permit is 150 CAD, and it is advisable to apply for it before your trip to Canada. Here are some of the documents you will need to submit during the application process:
- Acceptance letter from the university
- Valid passport or travel document
- Documents that show you can financially support yourself in Canada
You can learn more about the student permit on the Canada.ca website.
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