Cost of Studying in Canada: A Guide

Canada is considered one of the most popular destinations for students to pursue higher education. In comparison to countries like the UK and the USA, the cost of studying and living in Canada is less expensive. Further, the scenic premises, vibrant city atmosphere, and close-knit campus community offer students the ideal environment for their all-round development. The University of Toronto, the University of Alberta, and the University of Winnipeg are some of the most prestigious universities in Canada. In this blog, we will cover the details about the cost of studying in Canada, as well as the cost of living in Canada for Indian students and will also provide you with a breakdown of the major expenses. 

Average Cost of Studying in Canada

The tuition fees charged by universities form a significant portion of the cost of studying in Canada for international students. The total cost depends on a multitude of factors like the type of course, its international reach and reputation, the city of study, etc. Thus, the average cost of studying in terms of tuition fees in some of the best colleges in Canada can go up to CAD 35,000 (INR 18,84,000).

Course	Average Tuition Fees per annum
Application fees	$50 (INR 3,707) to  $200 (INR 14,831)
Undergraduate Courses	CAD 12,000 – CAD 30,000 (6,46,000 INR -16,15,000)
Engineering & Medicine Courses (UG Level)	CAD 22,000 (INR 11,69,000)
Humanities, Business & Management (UG Level)	CAD 5,500 (INR 2,96,000) to CAD 6,500 (INR 3,50,000)
Law	CAD14,000 (INR 8,45,597.39)
Visual and Performing arts	CAD 5,000 (INR 3,01,828) to CAD 5,000 (INR 3,01,828.55)
Postgraduate Courses	CAD 18,000 (INR 9,54,000)
MBA	CAD 28,000 (INR 14,75,000)
Executive MBA	CAD 29,000 (INR 17,51,351)
Law	10,000 CAD to 55,000 CAD (5,50,000 INR-30,00,000 INR)
Engineering	19,301 CAD (INR 11,57,152)
Dentistry	22,472 CAD (INR 13,47,276)
Nursing	47,800 CAD (INR 28,65,568)

Undergraduate Courses

The average cost of pursuing a bachelor’s in Canada across various disciplines is approximately CAD 30,000 (INR 16,15,000) per annum with the range being CAD 12,000 (INR 6,46,000) to CAD 30,000 (INR 16,15,00). In comparison to other undergraduate courses, Engineering and Medicine programs in Canada are slightly expensive. The average tuition fee for these programs is CAD 22,000 (INR 11,69,000). Further, the costs of studying Humanities, Business and Management courses range from CAD 5,500 (INR 2,96,000) to CAD 6,500 (INR 3,50,000).

Postgraduate Courses

Apart from pursuing undergraduate studies, many students also enrol in various postgraduate or master’s degree programs like MBBS in Canada. The international student will have to shell out an average of CAD 18,000 (INR 9,54,000) in tuition fees, per year. The management (MBA) programs, in particular, are very expensive courses. While the average cost of studying Executive MBA courses is CAD 57,000 (INR 30,31,000), the tuition fee for regular MBA programs is approximately CAD 28,000 (INR 14,75,000). 

University & College Application Fees

Along with other expenses, international students need to pay application fees for the college/university they are applying for. Although Canada is well-known for providing affordable education, most of the institutes charge application fees ranging from CAD 50 to CAD 250. However, only 5% of Canadian universities and colleges do not require students to submit an application fee. This means you’ll be spending a lot of money on application fees if you plan to apply to various universities.

Also Read: Colleges in Canada

Other Expenses to Study in Canada

Given below is a breakdown of the different expenses which are important to consider while calculating the cost of living and studying in Canada per month and yearly.

Living Costs in Canada	Cost
Flight Expense	INR 1,00,000- 2,00,000/- per flight
Study Permit Fees	$150 (INR 11,123)
Work Permit Fees	$155 (INR 11,493)
IELTS test Fees	INR 14,700
Accommodation	CAD 5,000 – CAD 10,000 (INR 2,67,000-INR 5,39,000) per annum
Travel Costs	CAD 80 – CAD 110 (INR 4,300-INR 6,000) per month
Health Insurance	CAD 300-CAD 800 (INR 17,000-INR 44,000)
Food	CAD 300- CAD 400 [17,508 INR-23,344] (monthly)
Entertainment	CAD 750 [43,770 INR] (monthly)

Flight cost from India to Canada

Flight tickets contribute to a large amount of international students who plan to study abroad in countries like Canada. Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, SpiceJet, and GoAir are some of the major flights en route to Canada from India. The cost of direct flights from India to Canada ranges between INR 1,000,000 and INR 2,000,000, depending on the season. The rate may be high if you apply between August and September.

Accommodation Cost

Besides the tuition fees, accommodation expenses also form an important part of the cost of living in Canada. While on-campus residences are offered by several universities, you can live off-campus as well. Depending on the types of rooms and apartments, the cost may range from around CAD 5,000 (INR 2,67,000) to CAD 10,000 (INR 5,39,000) per annum. Further, the accommodation cost in big cities like Toronto and Montreal may be higher in comparison to other cities.

When it comes to living and staying in Canada, international students have two broad choices living on-campus or off-campus. Within these two categories, students can opt for options such as dormitories and townhouses available to students living on the campus. Off-campus options like shared apartments, single apartments, condominiums, homestays or living with host families. 

Use Our Exclusive Cost of Living Calculator to Calculate your Customised Cost of Living in Canada!

Travel Cost

Canada has a cross-continent network with roads sprawling into the ends of the United States. But the travel expenses in Canada for both short and long distances are very expensive. Thus, students prefer taking the subways, trains, and buses and the average cost may range between CAD 80 (INR 4,300) to CAD 110 (INR 6,000) per month.

Health and Insurance Cost

Medical insurance is added to the final estimates of the cost of studying in Canada because students must be insured before the commencement of the program. Depending on the type of policy chosen, the total cost can range from CAD 300 (INR 17,000) to CAD 800 (INR 44,000) per year.

Also Read: Low Cost MBA in Canada

Student Visa and Application Cost

Students who wish to apply to any university for academic or professional training will require a Canadian study permit. A study permit is required for courses that are longer than 6 months. However, students who are admitting themselves to a course that is less than 6 months are advised to apply for the study permit in case they tend to extend their stay. Canadian student visa fees in Indian rupees are 8,542 (CAD 150). The application fees depend on the student’s nationality and the university to which they are applying. Along with the letter of admission and other documents, students are required to submit proof of funds and the minimum bank balance required to apply for a Canadian student visa is INR 6,00,000 or more for one year.

Taxes in Canada

As an international student studying in Canada, you are required to file Canadian income tax returns depending upon your residency status. Even if international students are not earning citizenship in the country, filing taxes can be beneficial in terms of benefits like filing taxes like GST credits, the Child Tax Benefit, or claiming a refund. Students who receive income from teaching, research assistantships, employment in Canada or investments are required to file an income tax report. Even students who receive income from outside of Canada must report their income.

Scholarships for Studying in Canada

With many students applying to Canadian universities from India, there have been various facilities and waivers provided for their ease. These scholarships help in reducing the expense and cost of living in Canada for Indian students and international students. Scholarships are based on merit, academic excellence, or potential skills. Students must check the eligibility criteria for each of the scholarships and apply accordingly. The following is a list of scholarships available in Canada for Indian students.

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship
• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program
• President’s Scholarship for World Leaders
• International Leader of Tomorrow Award
• University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF)
• The Seneca Renewable Entrance Scholarship of Merit for International Students
• Assist-on Scholarship
• Trudeau Foundation Scholarships

To know more, check out our blog on Scholarships in Canada!

Part-time jobs in Canada

A great way to meet the daily living cost in Canada is through part-time jobs. Students can also apply for the various part-time jobs available to ease their financial stress. To qualify to work in Canada, they must have a valid study/ work permit and must be a full-time student in a Canadian university. They must also be studying any professional, vocational, or academic course which is longer than 6 months and provides a certificate/degree. Students can also work during their winter or summer holidays or even an on or off-campus job for 20 hours during university semesters without a work permit.

Also Read: Here’s all you need to know about Part-time Jobs in Canada!

Cost of Studying and Living in Canada: City-Wise

Here is the average cost of living in Canada for international students:

City	Average Cost of Living
Toronto	37,000 CAD yearly (INR 22,18,460)
Vancouver	38,484 CAD yearly (INR 23,08,210)
Montreal	25,000 CAD yearly (INR 14,99,845)
Ottawa	20,000 CAD yearly (INR 11,99,301)
Calgary	26,904 CAD yearly (INR 16,13,865)

Cheapest Universities in Canada

Here are the cheapest universities in the country to manage the cost of studying in Canada for Indian students:

• University of Montreal
• McGill University
• McMaster University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Brandon
• Université de Saint-Boniface
• University of Guelph
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Simon Fraser University

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FAQs

This was all about the different expenses you need to keep in mind while apprehending the cost of studying and the cost of living in Canada for Indian students. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.