Canada is a top destination for international students. Canada’s education system is well-known for its quality and diversity, allowing students to choose a program that meets their needs. Canada also provides a range of scholarships and grants to international students, allowing them to pursue their education without incurring too much financial burden. Studying in Canada is regarded as a worthwhile investment for your future because you will have access to a world-class education, cross-cultural experiences, and a globally recognized degree.

Admission to Canadian universities and colleges for international students requires planning and financial commitment.

International students must cover the costs of their studies as well as the cost of living in Canada. A minimum bank balance is required for a Canada student visa. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) requires confirmation that you have sufficient money and funds. The immigration officer will use the cost-of-living estimate provided by your college. If your college does not supply it, you will be required to provide evidence of $10,000 for 12 months of student living expenses in Canada. An additional $4,000 will be required for the spouse, with an additional $3,000 required for each dependent. Accommodation, food, medical insurance, transportation, books, and clothing are all included in this price.

Students must obtain medical and hospital insurance because healthcare in Canada are very expensive. Public health insurance plans are administered independently in each province. Some universities make insurance coverage mandatory. Coverage should be obtained within the first week of arrival. A few things influence the cost of living for international students.

They are as follows:

Big city life vs. Suburban areas

Living costs in cities, as anyplace else in the world, are higher than in suburbs. Many students prefer on-campus housing, which may not always be the inexpensive but is definitely more convenient. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive cities to live in, and with a shortage of affordable housing in Toronto, prices are the highest and continue to rise.

Based on Educational Institutions

Because the cost of living varies by city and school location, the best estimated living expense will be determined by the university to which you are applying. As stated previously, every college provides an estimate of fees and living expenditures in Canada. Some institutions provide fair and affordable on-campus boarding options, while others charge quite a bit. Here is a table that will help you understand approximate monthly and annual expenses in Canada.

EXPENSES

MONTHLY

ANNUAL

Tuition

$18,907*

Student Fees

$400

Health Insurance

$70

$840

Textbooks

$600

On-campus Rent

$600

$7,200

Mobile phone (basic package)

$30

$360

Public Transit Pass

$40

$480

Groceries/Food

$300

$3,600

Entertainment/Clothes/Gifts

$80

$960

Car: Insurance

$1,500

Car: Fuel

$200

$2,400

Total Expenses

$1320

$37,247

*Average 1st-year tuition fees are based on 343 MS courses in Canada 

Scholarships to study in Canada

International students studying in Canada may be eligible for a scholarship, fellowship, or grant. The Canadian government, our provinces and territories, and many educational institutions provide funding for international students. Many Canadian colleges and universities provide scholarships to students to help them manage their education and living expenses. 

FAQs

  • Q. Is the cost of living in Canada for International students very high?
    If you compare it to other popular study destinations then studying in Canada is affordable. A student needs around C$20,000 and C$30,000 depending on the course/city to cover his tuition. Apart from this, the cost of food, living, and other living expenses will be around C$10,000. This is quite affordable if you compare it to other popular study-abroad destinations.
  • Q. What are some of the most expensive cities in Canada?
  • The top most expensive cities in Canada are:
  • Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Toronto, Ontario
  • Montreal, Quebec
  • Calgary, Alberta
  • Ottawa, Ontario
  • Q. What is the cheapest course to study in Canada?
    Canada offers affordable education in both undergraduate as well as postgraduate courses. Check out the list of some of the affordable and cheap universities and courses in Canada here
  • Q. Which are some of the popular vocational courses to study in Canada?
    Business & Management, Accounting, Business Studies, E-Commerce, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, etc. are some of the popular vocational courses to study in CanadaVocational courses are equally popular in Canada as degree courses. Read the most popular vocational courses in Canada  here
  • Q. What province in Canada has the lowest cost of living?
    Living expenses in Canada vary from city to city, the province of Quebec continues to rank as one of the lowest-cost-of-living provinces in Canada with an estimated living cost of C$1600 per month. This stems not only from some of the lowest rents in Canada and subsidized child care but also from Quebec’s electricity prices being much lower than the national average, at 7.3 cents per kWh.
  • Q. Which jobs are in high demand in Canada
    Registered Nurses, Web Developers, Electrical engineers, Truck Drivers, Welders, Veterinarians (Vet), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Industrial electricians, etc. are some of the jobs in high demand in Canada. Learn about the most popular jobs and job sectors in Canada in detail here
  • Q. Which city in Canada offers more job opportunities?
    The most number of jobs were added in the provinces of Ontario (151, 000), Quebec (98, 000), British Columbia (70, 000), and Alberta (68, 000). Below we have listed the top 5 cities for having more job opportunities for graduates.

Cities

Employment Rate

Peterborough, ON

56.7

Vancouver, BC

64.4

Guelph, ON

67.3

Edmonton, AB

64.4

Kitchener, ON

63.9

  • Q. How much does it cost for international students to study in Canada?
    The average first-year tuition fee for postgraduate courses based on 343 MS courses in Canada is C$ 18,894. Also, the average first-year tuition fees for undergraduate courses based on 334 BE/Btech courses in Canada is C$33,591.
  • Q. How much money students required per month to live in Canada as an international student?
    The cost of living in Canada varies from city to city. Living in Canada is relatively affordable in comparison to other prominent study destinations. Above we have given general expenses to live in Canada. Monthly expenses can be C$1500-2000 depending on the city and your lifestyle.
  • Q. How much students get paid per hour in Canada?
    Usually, a student earns around C$10-15 an hour in Canada, however, it may vary depending on the city and job you perform. Entry-level positions start at $30,952 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $58,424 per year. 
  • Q. Which is the best part-time job in Canada
    Teacher’s Assistant, Tutor, Waiter, Bartender or server, Driver, Freelancer, Translator, Salesperson, Babysitter, Dog walker, etc. are the best part-time job in Canada. International students can work up to 20 hours per week while studying and 40 hours during vacation.