Studying in Canada can be an affordable option for many international students compared to other popular study destinations like the United States and the United Kingdom. However, “cheap” is a relative term and Canada’s affordability depends on factors like where you’re from, which school and program you choose, and your cost of living. Here’s an overview of tuition fees and living costs for international students in Canada.
Tuition Fees
For international students, average annual undergraduate tuition fees in Canada range from $13,000 to $20,000 per year. However, this varies significantly by program and school. For example:
- Arts, social sciences, and humanities programs tend to have lower tuition fees, often $13,000-$15,000 per year.
- Science, engineering, and business/management programs tend to have higher fees, around $16,000-$20,000 per year.
- Professional programs like medicine have very high tuition, often over $30,000 per year.
- Tuition also depends on the school’s reputation and ranking, with more prestigious schools charging higher fees.
In general, Canadian tuition fees are lower than comparable schools in the US and UK. But for many students from developing countries, $13,000-$20,000 per year is still considered expensive.
Other Student Fees
In addition to tuition, students in Canada need to budget for:
- Health insurance – International students must have health coverage, which costs $600-$1000 per year depending on the province.
- Books & supplies – Budget $800-$1500 per year for books, laptops, and other school supplies.
- Student fees – These mandatory non-tuition fees go towards things like student healthcare plans, athletic facilities, student associations, and more. They average $800-$1500 per year.
So in total, international students need to budget an extra $2000-$4000 on top of tuition per year.
Cost of Living
The main cost of living expenses in Canada include:
- Housing – For off-campus housing, average annual costs are $5000-$12,000 depending on the city. On-campus dorms and meal plans cost $8000-$12,000.
- Food – Budget $3000-$5000 per year for groceries and dining out.
- Transportation – Public transportation fees or car expenses will cost around $800-$2000 annually.
- Personal expenses – Phone bills, clothing, entertainment, etc. add up to around $1500-$3000 per year.
Overall, international students should budget $12,000-$18,000 for annual living costs in Canada. This is quite affordable compared to the UK and Australia, for example.
Scholarships
While tuition and living costs may seem high, many international students in Canada receive scholarships and financial aid to help cover these expenses. Here are some of the main funding options:
- Entrance scholarships from Canadian universities, averaging $500-$5000 per year.
- Scholarships from the Canadian government.
- Scholarships from international agencies and foreign governments.
- Teaching assistantships and research grants for graduate students.
- Part-time on-campus jobs.
Qualified students can cover 25%-100% of their costs through scholarships, making Canada much more affordable.
Tuition and Cost of Living by City
Here’s an overview of average annual tuition, fees, and living costs at some of Canada’s most popular student cities:
| City | Tuition | Other Fees | Rent | Other Costs | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $15,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $8,000 | $32,000 |
| Toronto | $16,000 | $3,000 | $8,000 | $9,000 | $36,000 |
| Montreal | $14,000 | $2,000 | $5,000 | $7,000 | $28,000 |
| Calgary | $18,000 | $2,500 | $7,000 | $8,000 | $35,500 |
As you can see, Montreal and Vancouver tend to be the most affordable cities, while Toronto and Calgary are more expensive.
Working in Canada
International students can work part-time on campus as soon as they arrive in Canada, which helps offset living expenses. After graduating, students can also work full-time for up to 3 years on a post-graduation work permit.
The average starting salary for university graduates in Canada is around $50,000 CAD per year. However, this varies greatly depending on your field, degree, and experience. Engineering, IT, and business graduates tend to earn well above average, while social science and humanities graduates earn less.
Gaining Canadian work experience is a huge asset and can help international students immigrate to Canada permanently later on through Express Entry or provincial nomination programs.
Tips for Saving Money
Here are some tips for international students to reduce costs in Canada:
- Live off-campus with roommates after first year to save on rent.
- Cook meals at home and limit eating out.
- Buy used textbooks, furniture, and other school supplies.
- Use student discounts for transportation, movies, events, etc.
- Apply early for scholarships – the most funding goes to first applicants.
- Work part-time on campus.
- Attend a university with lower tuition or in an affordable city.
Conclusion
While not as cheap as public universities in some European and Asian countries, Canada offers a high-quality education to international students at a lower cost compared to the US, UK, and Australia. With scholarships and part-time work, total costs for an undergraduate degree often end up in the $25,000-$30,000 per year range.
Canada remains an attractive choice financially for students from higher-income countries who don’t qualify for as much need-based aid. Costs are very reasonable compared to studying at home. For students from lower-income countries, finances are more challenging but scholarships can help make Canada affordable.
By choosing an affordable city, living frugally, and supplementing costs with part-time work, international students can obtain a Canadian degree with relatively manageable debt. And the long-term career benefits of graduating from a Canadian university make the investment worthwhile.