Canada is one of the sought-after higher education destinations offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses to students worldwide. As per the Canadian Bureau of International Education, Canada is ranked 3rd for housing the highest percentage of international students globally. Moreover, Canadian universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate certifications along with short-term courses. Students can choose to opt for private, public, or community colleges. Moreover, before doing so it is crucial to know the cost of studying in Canada for Indian students.
According to the report published by Statista Research Department, the number of study permit holders at the end of 2020 was 530,540. The idea of opting for overseas education in Canada has now become one of the most preferred decisions for students globally, owing to the affordability of the cost of studying in Canada. The primary reason to choose Canada is its advanced education system, high-ranking institutions, and an extremely safe and secure environment to thrive in. Along with these essential reasons, students head towards Canada because of its pocket-friendly tuition fee structure for all the educational programs.
Today is a better time than ever to study in Canada. The county has made the Canadian immigration journey smoother. Whether the student chooses to study from the comfort of their home or university, they will be able to access the same perks of being in Canada. Moreover, The Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan extends aid to those facing predicaments due to COVID-19. International students should check if they are eligible for Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB).
Read Now: Cost of Studying Abroad for Indian Students
Table of Contents
Cost of Studying in Canada
Students should do their homework in terms of evaluating the cost of studying in Canada. The fee structure varies based on the university and the province. Moreover, if the student decides to study on-campus, the cost would fluctuate.
Apart from the academic costs, several other factors like transportation, basic utilities (electricity, water, heating, garbage), taxes, and insurance affect the overall cost of studying in Canada.
In a nutshell, the cost of studying for international students comes under the following range:
Expected Cost of Study in Canada
Cost (CAD)
Study Permit Fees
$150
Incidental Fees
$1,885.60
Application fee
$125
Travel Costs
$80 – $110/month
Parking on Campus
$644.35 and up
Tuition Deposit
$500
Accommodation
$5,000-$16,000
Health Insurance
$300-$800
Books & School Supplies
$1,000 – $2,000
Laptop
$1,600 – $2,000
Pre Arrival Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students
| Tests | Registration Fees |
| TOEFL iBT | ₹14,500 |
| IELTS | ₹15,500 |
| GRE (General/Subject) | ₹16,300/ ₹11,500 |
| GMAT | ₹21,000 |
| CAEL | ₹10,845 |
| Purchase of GIC (One time) | ₹ 6,00,000 |
| Flight Tickets (One way) | ₹1,00,000 |
| Study Permit | ₹8,900 |
| Biometric fee | ₹5,000 |
Source: Official Website
Country Wise Cost of Studying Resources
- Cost of Studying in Ireland
- Cost to Study in Germany
- Cost of Study in Australia
- Cost of Studying in UK
- Cost of Studying in USA
- Cost of Studying in London
- Cost of Studying Engineering in USA
Top Universities in Canada and Popular Courses
Canada hosts a plethora of international students for undergraduate, postgraduate, short-term courses, undergraduate certifications, and postgraduate certifications. The duration for diploma courses ranges from 1 year to 3 years whereas, for PG Diploma courses, it ranges from 1 year to 2 years. Apart from these, a student can enrol in a vocational training course (1 year).
Bachelor’s Degree in Canada
In recent years, bachelor’s degrees have gained popularity. Universities in Canada offer students co-op bachelor’s options. It enables students to spend four months in the institute and the subsequent ones working with an organization.
Course
University
BSc (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
McGill University
Bachelor of Science in Health Studies
University of Waterloo
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Carleton University
BSc Chemistry
University of Northern British Columbia
Types of Master’s Degree in Canada
Masters degree is also referred to as grad program in Canada. Students can select a suitable program based on their choice and niche for specialization. Popular courses that students op for their masters in Canada are listed below:
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Master of Technology (MTech)
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Engineering (MEng)
- 1-year masters in Canada
- 2-year PG Diploma
Popular Master’s Degree in Canada
In Canada, a master’s degree is not confined to lectures and tutorials. It also encapsulates field trips and group work. Students should also look for placement and ranking to make a prudent decision.
University
Popular Course
University of Toronto
Masters of Medium Studies
Westford University College
Masters of International Business
University of British Columbia
MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
McGill University
Masters of Management in Analytics
Apart from these options, students can look for courses and certifications from a community college in Canada.
Top Reasons to Choose Canada to Study
Canada is recognized as one of the most exceptional countries to pursue higher education due to many reasons. Its education system is said to be one of the most remarkable ones in the world. Below are the other major reasons to study in Canada:
1. Affordable fees
In comparison to other countries, including the prominent universities present in the USA, the tuition fee of Canadian universities is affordable. To make a prudent decision, students should be cognizant of the tuition fees in Canada for international students.
Tuition Fee for Popular Undergraduate Program
Disciplines
Fee (CAD/Year)
Bachelors in Computer Science & IT
$1,535 – $55,500
Bachelors in Business & Management
$550 – $56,000
Bachelors in Engineering & Technology
$1,350 – $55,000
Bachelors in Natural Sciences
$1,780- $53,000
Moreover, postgraduate courses are also popular among students. Tuition fees for some of the popular master’s programs are given below.
Tuition Fee for Popular Graduate Programs
Discipline
Fee (CAD/Year)
Masters in Computer Science & IT
$2,150 – $52,500
Masters in Medicine & Health
$2,150 – $58,300
Masters in Business & Management
$2,150 -$ 52,700
Masters in Social Sciences
$2,150 – $37,000
Masters in Engineering & Technology
$2,150 – $ 52,500
2. Reputed University
Canada has an excellent reputation for providing a world-class education to students globally. The country competes equally with nations offering high-quality education with the top-most universities. Excellent education opportunities open better career opportunities.
3. Comfortable and Quality Living
When a student visits Canada to continue higher education, the individual gets the latest and upgraded version of education in the world’s most renowned universities. Still, they also benefit from a comfortable lifestyle and ease of living.
4. Career Opportunities
Students pursuing education in Canada get access to world-class education and are exposed to better career opportunities. The prospects may be in other nations, or they can even settle in Canada
Tuition Fees in Canada
The expenditure of a student on the tuition fee depends on the type of qualification and institution they opt for. The first question that would come to a student’s mind would be – how much money is required to study in Canada? They will require approximately between CAD 13,500 to CAD 38,000 annually to cover this.
The humanities, education, and arts programs are a bit more expensive than the subjects like medicine and engineering. The students who require to study at the postgraduate level, the tuition fee is comparatively higher and the cost differs depending on the program they select.
Like the other countries, even the MBA programs in Canada are the most expensive ones among the academic programs offered. Here’s a brief about the estimated cost of education in Canada as per the study levels:
Tuition Fees in Canada
Program
Fee (CAD)
Duration (Years)
Undergraduate
$5,542- $21,717
3-5
Postgraduate
$18,000
1-2
Executive MBA
$45,000 – $1,25,000
1
PhD
$4,000 – $19,000
3-6
If the students are unable to bear the cost of their tuition fee, they can choose from the scholarships available by their educational institutions. Various private and public universities in Canada provide complete scholarship plans for their native and international students seeking admission there. While the students get lesser chances of such financial aid from private universities, the public universities are more generous with their scholarship plans for the aspirants.
Read More: Study Abroad while you prepare for IELTS
Universities in Canada & Their Fees
Private Universities
The private universities of Canada allow the students to finance a portion of their payment corresponding to the final total registration amount. The English proficiency requirement by the private institutions is an IELTS score of around 5.5 or 5.6.
Apart from these, the private universities are divided into provisional departments. There are limited numbers of private colleges in selected provinces such as Manitoba, Alberta, New Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia. These colleges don’t get any monetary aid from the central (federal) or the provincial governments and rely entirely on the tuition fees for functioning.
So, before a student applies for a popular program or university, they should know the cost of studying in Canada.
(3 credit-hour course) -$1,233.80 (3 credit-hour course)
University
Undergraduate Tuition Fee (CAD)
Graduate Tuition Fee (CAD)
The King’s University
$6,851
St. Mary’s University
$1,966.00 – $2,118.00
$1,486 – $3,649
Trinity Western University
$742 (per semester hour)
$535 – $1000 (per semester hour)
Fairleigh Dickinson University
545- 1460 (per credit)
$51,000
Canadian Mennonite University
$1,192.00 – $596.00
$616.90
Source: Official university website
Popular Canadian Universities Fee
(3 credit-hour course) -$1,233.80 (3 credit-hour course)
University
Undergraduate Tuition Fee (CAD)
Graduate Tuition Fee (CAD)
The King’s University
$6,851
St. Mary’s University
$1,966.00 – $2,118.00
$1,486 – $3,649
Trinity Western University
$742 (per semester hour)
$535 – $1000 (per semester hour)
Fairleigh Dickinson University
545- 1460 (per credit)
$51,000
Canadian Mennonite University
$1,192.00 – $596.00
$616.90
Source: Official university website
Read More: Ways to reduce Master’s cost from abroad by 20 lakhs
Public Universities
Although there are acclaimed private colleges in Canada, the number of revered public universities are more. Academically, there is not much difference between the private and public colleges in Canada. But the public colleges in Canada ask for a lower tuition fee for the country’s citizens (compared to international students). But again, these universities in Canada offer more financial aid options to these students — and that is why they are most recommended for the international students turning to this country to pursue higher education. These institutions ask for an IELTS score of 6-6.5.
Some of the top-most universities of Canada and an approximation of their fees structure are listed below:
Public Universities in Canada
$3,259.84 – $24,087.09 (per installment) (Graduate)
University
Tuition Fee (CAD)
University of Toronto
$58,160 – $66,110
University of British Columbia
$5,616.90 – $9,051.30 (Full-time course load) (UG)
Brandon University
$4,013 – $18,151
University of Regina
$10,708-$11,338
University of York
$30,349 – $37,345
University of Winnipeg
$15,240.00 – $18,360.00 (30-credits)
Source: University’s Official Website
Read More: Prepare for IELTS at home
Course-Wise Cost of Education in Canada
The approximate cost the students bear while studying in Canada depends on the courses they decide to pursue in the country. While some courses such as bachelor’s degree and diploma courses are inexpensive, courses like medical or business courses are substantially more expensive. Still, for a brief idea, refer to the chart below:
- Vocational or Diploma Courses – CAD 2,000 to CAD 18,000 (yearly)
- Bachelors Course – CAD 18,000 to CAD 40,000 (yearly)
- Masters Courses – CAD 7,472
- MBA – CAD 30,000 – CAD 40,000
- PhD – CAD 2,500 – CAD 12 17,000 (yearly)
Read More: Study Abroad from home and earn credits in COVID
Average Cost of Living in Canada
Living costs in Canada are already above average compared to other countries. The reason for this remains the high quality of life guaranteed here. To calculate how much money is required to study in Canada, students should consider the cost of living in tandem with the tuition fees of the university.
The students would need between CAD 800 – CAD 1,500 (monthly) for provinces like Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa. But if the students are studying in the provinces like Vancouver and Calgary, these being the most expensive cities in Canada, the living costs can reach even CAD 2,000 (monthly).
1. Accommodation
The students also have a multitude of housing options to select from in Canada, but the prices can be high. Accommodation charges can range from CAD 5,000 to CAD 10,000. The prominent housing options for students in Canada are
a) Student residences – CAD 300 – CAD700 (monthly)
b) On-campus – CAD 637– CAD 800 (monthly)
c) Rent & sharing apartments – CAD 300 – CAD 800 (monthly), rent prices also depend on the location and facilities available. If students prefer to rent a studio or one-room apartment, they have to pay over CAD 1,000 (monthly).
d) There are also some other costs associated with accommodation when the students rent a studio apartment. The approximate cost can range between
- Basic utilities like electricity, water, heating, and garbage — CAD 200 (monthly)
- Internet — CAD 50 – CAD 80
2. Food Costs
Food bills in Canada are also bearable. Around CAD 350 (monthly) is enough for shopping from the local supermarkets for groceries and essentials. There are economical and famous supermarkets that are easily available all over the country like the Canadian Superstore, Walmart, No Frills, etc. But if the students are inclined to eat at a restaurant, they will spend around CAD 10-25 per meal. Also, a three-course meal for two in an average restaurant in Canada costs around CAD 60-75.
3. Transportation Costs
All the students who are enrolled in a Canadian university, aged between 18 and 25, benefit a lot from the discounts on public transport provided by the government. They can avail of these privileges when purchasing a monthly transport pass:
a) The transport pass – CAD 83- CAD116 (monthly)
b) One-way ticket – CAD 3.25
c) Apart from these if the students prefer taxis, the fares can be between CAD 2 and CAD 6 per km.
4. Insurance Costs
Health insurance is compulsory for international students studying in Canadian universities and colleges. The cost of insurance for international students varies across locations and insurance providers. The average annual premium for health insurance for international students in Canada ranges from CAD 600 to CAD 900.
5. Taxes on Part-time Jobs
Students can earn from part-time jobs in Canada. To check If they are subject to residency taxes in Canada, they must determine their residency status.
The average tax rate ranges from around 10% to over 15%, and it varies from province to province. For example, with an earning of CAD 17.25 per hour or CAD 21,562.50 per year, and an average tax rate of 12.65 % in Ontario, the after-tax income would be CAD 18,833. This amounts to an annual deduction of CAD 2,729.
6. Students Permit and Visa
Students need a special student permit to study in Canada. The cost for this is around CAD 150 per student, and they should apply for this permit before travelling to Canada. Some of the documents that the students need to provide during the application process are as following:
a) An Acceptance letter provided by the university
b) A valid passport and a travel document
c) Documents proving the procedure of financial support in Canada
Scholarships for International Students in Canada
Scholarships
Amount (CAD)
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
$50,000 per year
Humber College International Entrance Scholarship
$2000 (waived from their first two semesters)
Ontario Trillium Scholarship
$40,000
Waterloo Merit Scholarship
$1,000
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
$5,000 (per session)
Study in Canada with upGrad Abroad:
Canadian universities offer unparallel learning opportunities to students. With upGrad Abroad, students can leverage the blended courses. With a commitment to providing quality education at affordable prices, upGrad has launched study abroad programs. These programs enable students to study for one year online from home and then on-campus for the following years.
Students can avail of the following benefits if they choose to study with upGrad Abroad:
Ø Post Study Work Visa opportunities (up to 3 years) as accessed by graduates of standard Canadian degrees.
Ø Students will be guided by trained instructors to help them prepare for entrance and qualifying exams like IELTS, TOFEL, SAT, GRE, and GMAT to get their visa approval.
Ø Fast-track courses that help students learn efficiently in a short amount of time.
Ø Assistance with visas, scholarships & preparing admission documents.
Conclusion
For students, choosing Canada for higher studies can be a crucial decision, as it significantly changes their lifestyle and even their future. They get an exclusive and world-class education with lots of privileges in the safest and most wonderful environment.
Therefore, being rightly informed about study in Canada requirements will help them choose the right institution, course, and even further educational programs and career paths. But the students should remember to set proper goals and objectives so that they can achieve their best in Canada. This will help them define the path they should follow to benefit the most from the opportunities that this country offers them.
Read More: Get to reduce the Bachelor’s cost by 20 lakhs
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The list of the cheapest universities in Canada includes Brandon University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Guelph, Dalhousie University, and Laval University.
A: So far there aren’t any universities providing free education in Canada, but the students can avail of certain scholarships available for international students in this country.
A: If the students require working part-time along with studying in Canada, they must get special permission from the university they are enrolled in and then pursue the job.
A: There are several higher education providers in India to help students prepare and pursue higher education in countries like Canada, but upGrad abroad is the best source that provides ease of assistance to the students and helps them in their exams like IELTS and even secures better opportunities to enroll in the great universities of countries like Canada.
A: It is indispensable for a student to furnish the proof of minimum funds for a Canadian visa. They should have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution. Furthermore, CAD 10,000 is the required bank balance for a Canadian student visa. A: To get some relaxation in tuition fees in Canada for international students, they can avail for the scholarships offered by Canadian universities such as Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Ontario Trillium Scholarship, Waterloo Merit Scholarship, and more. Moreover, students should get an International Student Identification Card to avail of additional benefits.
A: A student would be eligible to work in Canada if their study permit includes a condition that states they can work on and off-campus.
A: A student is allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. Working more than that can lead to a student losing their student status. Furthermore, they may not be able to receive a work or study permit in the future.
Q. Which are the cheapest universities in Canada?
Q. Are there any free universities in Canada?
Q. Are there part-time jobs available in Canada for students?
Q. Which source is best to help Indian students pursue higher education in Canada?
Q. How much bank balance is required for a Canadian student visa?
Q. How can I reduce my expenses to study in Canada?
Q. Can I work while studying in Canada?
Q. How many hours can I work in Canada while studying?
Disclaimer! All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.
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