Cost of Studying in Canada for International Students

Canada remains one of the most sought-after study destinations for international students, and for good reason: it consistently costs less than comparable degrees in the US, UK, or Australia, while still delivering globally recognized credentials and a clear path to post-study work. But “affordable” is relative — total costs still run into the tens of thousands of dollars once you add tuition, living expenses, insurance, and the funds you must prove to immigration before you ever board a flight.

This guide breaks down exactly what studying in Canada costs, using the latest figures from Statistics Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), so you can build a realistic budget before you apply.

Quick Answer: How Much Does It Cost to Study in Canada?

Most international students should budget CAD 35,000 to CAD 65,000 per year, all-in. That range covers:

• Tuition: CAD 20,000–55,000/year, depending on program and institution
• Living expenses: CAD 15,000–30,000/year, depending on city
• Mandatory proof of funds: CAD 22,895 (outside Quebec) for a single applicant, on top of first-year tuition
• One-time costs: study permit, biometrics, health insurance, flights, and move-in costs

The exact number depends heavily on three things: your program level, the province you choose, and the city you’ll be living in.

Tuition Fees by Program Level

Canadian universities set their own international tuition — there’s no federal cap — so fees vary widely by school and field of study. Based on the latest Statistics Canada figures for the 2025/2026 academic year, international undergraduates pay an average of roughly CAD 41,700 per year, while graduate students pay considerably less, averaging around CAD 24,000.

Here’s how that breaks down across credential types:

Professional programs — business, engineering, computer science, and health sciences — tend to sit at the higher end of each range. Humanities and social science programs are generally the most affordable option at the undergraduate level.

Tuition Varies Enormously by Province

Where you study matters almost as much as what you study. Ontario, home to the largest concentration of in-demand programs and internationally ranked schools, is the most expensive province for international undergraduates. Newfoundland and Labrador sits at the opposite end, offering comparable degrees for a fraction of the cost. Choosing a lower-cost province can cut your tuition bill by more than half for a similar program, which makes location one of the biggest levers you have over your total spend.

Quebec is a special case: universities there often charge reduced tuition for programs delivered in French, so bilingual students can find meaningful savings by studying in Montreal, Quebec City, or elsewhere in the province.

Living Expenses: What to Budget Beyond Tuition

Tuition is only part of the picture — and it’s usually not where students get caught out. Living costs are the number most people underestimate, because they scale so heavily with city choice.

Typical annual living costs:

• Toronto or Vancouver: CAD 24,000 – 30,000+
• Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton: CAD 18,000 – 24,000
• Halifax, Winnipeg, smaller cities: CAD 15,000 – 20,000

These figures typically cover rent, groceries, transit, phone/internet, and personal spending — but not tuition. A realistic one-year budget at a mid-range university in a smaller city like Ottawa lands around CAD 38,000 total; in Toronto or Vancouver, that figure often climbs past CAD 50,000.

Health Insurance

Whether health insurance is a separate line item depends on your province. Alberta and British Columbia extend provincial health coverage to international students at no extra cost. In Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, however, international students aren’t covered by the public system and must purchase private or university-sponsored insurance, typically adding CAD 600–900 per year to your budget.

Proof of Funds: What IRCC Requires for Your Study Permit

Beyond what you’ll actually spend, Canada requires you to prove you can support yourself financially before issuing a study permit. This is a separate, non-negotiable requirement under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and it’s where many applications stall if the paperwork isn’t right.

As of September 1, 2025, a single applicant heading to any province or territory outside Quebec must show:

• CAD 22,895 for one year of living expenses, plus
• Full first-year tuition, plus
• Return travel costs

This threshold is indexed to Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off and is reviewed every September, so it typically rises year over year — always confirm the current figure on canada.ca before you apply.

Quebec is different and significantly higher. The province runs its own financial assessment through the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) as part of the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), which every applicant to a Quebec institution needs before IRCC will even consider the study permit. As of January 1, 2026, MIFI requires a single applicant to show CAD 24,617 — a figure that now bundles health insurance into the “basic needs” calculation, unlike the rest of Canada, where insurance is priced separately.

Read Also: Scholarships to Study in Canada from Nigeria

It’s not enough to simply have the money sitting in an account, either. Immigration officers must be satisfied the funds are genuine, reliable, and readily accessible to you — meaning a large, unexplained deposit shortly before applying can raise red flags. Common accepted proof includes bank statements showing consistent balances over several months, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian bank, or documented evidence of a scholarship or sponsor.

One-Time and Upfront Costs

Beyond the recurring tuition and living costs, budget for these one-time expenses before and during your first year:

• Study permit application fee: part of a combined visa/biometrics fee, roughly CAD 235 total
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), if used to prove funds: around CAD 20,000–22,895, refundable if your permit is denied (minus a small administrative fee)
• Flights: varies by origin country
• First and last month’s rent (deposit): commonly required by Canadian landlords
• Books, supplies, and orientation fees: CAD 1,000–2,000

Sample First-Year Budgets

To put all of this together, here’s what a realistic first year looks like at three different price points:

Budget option — smaller city, college diploma: Tuition CAD 16,000 + living costs CAD 16,000 + insurance CAD 700 + one-time costs CAD 2,000 = ~CAD 35,000

Mid-range option — mid-sized city, Bachelor’s degree: Tuition CAD 30,000 + living costs CAD 20,000 + insurance CAD 800 + one-time costs CAD 2,000 = ~CAD 53,000

Higher-cost option — Toronto or Vancouver, competitive Master’s/MBA program: Tuition CAD 45,000 + living costs CAD 28,000 + insurance CAD 800 + one-time costs CAD 2,500 = ~CAD 76,000

How to Reduce the Cost of Studying in Canada

• Choose your province strategically. Tuition for a similar degree can differ by tens of thousands of dollars between Ontario and a province like Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Consider a smaller city. Living costs in Halifax, Winnipeg, or Edmonton run well below Toronto or Vancouver, often without sacrificing program quality.
• Look at colleges, not just universities. Diploma and graduate certificate programs at Canadian colleges are frequently CAD 10,000–20,000 cheaper per year than equivalent university degrees, and many lead directly to eligible work permits.
• Apply for scholarships early. Many Canadian institutions offer entrance scholarships specifically for international students — these are typically automatic for strong applicants but sometimes require a separate application.
• Work part-time. International students can generally work up to 20 hours per week during term time. At minimum wage, this can cover a meaningful share of monthly living costs, especially in more affordable cities.
• Factor in the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). It doesn’t reduce your study costs directly, but it lets you work in Canada after graduating, which is how most students offset the investment over time.

Read Also: Med Schools in Canada that Don’t Require MCAT for International Students

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Canada cheaper than the US or UK for international students? Generally, yes. Average tuition and living costs in Canada tend to run lower than comparable programs in the United States and, in many cases, the United Kingdom — one of the reasons Canada has become such a popular study destination.

Do I need to show proof of funds even if I have a scholarship? Usually yes, unless your scholarship fully covers tuition and living costs and you can document it. Partial scholarships still require you to prove the remaining amount.

Does the proof-of-funds amount change every year? Yes. The threshold outside Quebec is tied to Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off and is typically reviewed each September, so it’s worth checking canada.ca for the current figure before you apply, not relying on last year’s number.

Can I get my GIC money back if my study permit is refused? Yes. If you used a GIC to prove funds and your permit is denied, the funds are refundable, minus a small administrative fee and any currency conversion losses.