Canada's cost of studying varies meaningfully by province, with Ontario and British Columbia generally the most expensive and other provinces offering more budget-friendly alternatives.

Tuition by Province

  • Ontario and British Columbia: Often CAD $25,000-$40,000/year for international undergraduate students.
  • Quebec: Often CAD $15,000-$25,000/year, with additional reductions for French-taught programs in some cases.
  • Atlantic Canada and the Prairie provinces: Often CAD $15,000-$25,000/year, generally more affordable.

Living Costs

The study permit application requires proof of funds — currently around CAD $20,000/year outside Quebec (Quebec has its own separate requirement), on top of tuition. Toronto and Vancouver are notably more expensive than smaller cities.

Other Costs to Budget

  • Study permit and biometrics fees.
  • Health insurance, which some provinces include and others require separately.
  • Accommodation deposit, often 1-2 months' rent upfront.

How to Reduce Costs

Consider provinces outside Ontario and BC, and research each university's specific international-student scholarships since Canada has no single national scholarship system.

See our Study in Canada guide and our Canada study permit guide.