Cost of Studying in Canada 2025 - Best Study Abroad Destination

Canadian universities' quality of education surpasses the tuition fees they charge to international students.  However, it is pivotal to know the cost of study in Canada for making an informed decision in regard to studying abroad. In this relation, the cost of study in Canada is mentioned as follows:

In order to study in Canada, students must appear for any of the English proficiency exams for their preferred university or college accepts. The list of various English proficiency exams and their cost are mentioned below.

While applying to a Canadian university or college, international students have to pay an application fee. The application fee for Canadian universities or colleges varies between 50-250 CAD. However, there are a few universities which do not charge an application fee. Generally, the application fee is compulsory to pay in Canada and is non-refundable.

The tuition fee charged by universities for international students depends upon the course and type of programme. For example, the tuition fee for art and design-related courses is comparatively higher than that for other courses. If the student is applying to some top universities in Canada, they might have to pay more for the same course than any other average university.

In Canada, international students have three options at the undergraduate level, i.e., Diploma, Advance Diploma, and Degree. The diploma course in Canada is 1 or 2 years, the advanced diploma is 3 years, and the degree programme is 4 years. The tuition fee charged for different types of undergraduate-level programmes is mentioned below.

Two types of programmes are available at the graduate level in Canada, i.e., PG Diploma and Master's Degree. The PG Diploma course in Canada is 1 year or 2 years, and the master's degree course is 2 years. To enrol for the master's degree programme in Canada, students must have a bachelor's Degree of minimum 4 years. The tuition fees charged for different types of graduate-level programmes are mentioned below.

Canada is home to some of the world's top research-intensive universities that offer high-quality education and various research opportunities. Some of the most affordable universities in Canada are:

• UCW (University Canada West)

• CBU (Cape Breton University)

• Thomas University

• University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)

• Nipissing University

• Acadia University

• Trent University

• Mount Saint Vincent

International students must pay the visa application fee to apply for a Canadian student visa. The visa application fee includes 85 CAD for biometrics and 150 CAD for service charges, so the total Canada study visa fees is 235 CAD. Apart from this, an international student must undergo a medical examination and pay for it, which is a vital requirement for obtaining a Canada study visa. The medical examinations cost approximately 5k-6k INR.

 International students can benefit from various scholarships in Canada. With the help of scholarships, they can reduce the financial burden and overall cost of study in Canada.

Multiple scholarships, bursaries, and fellowships available in Canada help international students reduce the cost of studying and manage their funds. Three types of scholarships are available in Canada: Government-funded, Non-government funded, and university-based.

Some of the best scholarships available in Canada for international students are:

• Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships 

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program 

• Ontario Trillium Scholarship 

• Anne Vallee Ecological Fund 

• Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship 

• Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships 

• University of Calgary International Scholarships 

• UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award 

• Western University Scholarship 

• McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

• Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute

• York University International Student Scholarship Program 

• Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan     

• University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students

• Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

• Carleton Prestige Scholarships

• National Research Council of Canada (NRCC)

• Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship

• Winnipeg President’s Scholarships for World Leaders

• Ontario Trillium Scholarship

• Humber College International Entrance Scholarships

• Partnership Grants by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

• University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships

• Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

• University of Waterloo Master’s Awards of Excellence

• University of Calgary Graduate Awards 

Canada is home to people from multiple backgrounds and ethnicities. International students get a great opportunity to explore diverse cultures while studying in Canada. Also, it is one of the safest and most welcoming countries, where internationals can enjoy a high standard of living. If we talk about living expenses in Canada, international students have to pay a GIC of around 10,000 CAD for the first year of living expenses in Canada.

The amount of GIC is being transferred from an Indian bank account to an international student bank account. After the students reach to Canada, they'll get the amount of CGI every month in the form of pocket money. During the first month, students will get 2,000 CAD; for the rest of the 11 months, they'll get around 727 CAD every month as pocket money.

The cost of living mainly depends on the accommodation type you choose while studying in Canada. The cost for accommodation may range from CAD 5,000 to CAD 10,000 annually, and several universities offer on-campus residences. However, you can opt to live off-campus according to your preference or convenience. Townhouses, dormitories, single apartments, condos and homestays are varied accommodation alternatives available to students. Moreover, look at the monthly expenses for different accommodation types for proper financial planning concerning the cost of study for Canada.

Other than the living expenditure and tuition fee, miscellaneous expenses that make up the average cost of study in Canada for international students are as follows: 

A Canadian student visa allows international students to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week. Students can easily earn extra money for their living costs through part-time jobs. International students earn an average of 15 CAD to 25 CAD per hour through part-time jobs. Students can opt for part-time jobs according to their interests and skills. Some of the part-time job options in Canada are:

• Cashier in Super Markets

• Baby sitter

• Adult caretaker

• Waiter in bars or restaurants

• Personal tutor

• Freelancer

• Dog walker

• Sales assistant

Once you complete your higher education in Canada, you can explore enticing job opportunities present in the Canadian job market, such as:

• University Professor and Lecturer

• Software Engineer

• Aerospace Engineer

• Human Resource Manager

• Business Development Manager

• Project Manager

• Registered Nurse (RN)

• Optician

• Web Developer

• Accountant

• Industrial Electrician

• Data scientist

• Systems auditor

• Information systems testing technicians

• Cybersecurity specialist

• Cyber forensic investigator

• 3D architect

• Chief experience officer

• Automation engineer

• Artificial intelligence researcher

In brief, the cost of studying abroad is usually high, but through proper financial planning and different scholarship options, international students can reduce the cost of education in Canada in 2025. We have given a list of various scholarships to decrease the cost of study in Canada for international students. However, it is advised to learn about the scholarship specifics from the official website. International students can benefit from part-time work opportunities available in Canada for optimising their living expenses in Canada.

Please note that statistics in the blog concerning accommodation and miscellaneous expenses are only indicative in nature, as the actual cost for a student can vary according to the chosen city, university and living standards.

We hope you liked reading the blog and got an idea about the cost of study in Canada for international students in 2025.  If you are looking forward to study in Canada and seeking financial assistance or exploring scholarship opportunities, we recommend you contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC).  You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance you need for admission and visa. In addition, they will help you shortlist the universities according to your profile. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

Q: Which course is best to settle in Canada?

A: Some of the best courses to get the Canadian PR are Business and Management, Computer Science, Finance and Economics, Engineering, Medicine and Healthcare, and IT.

Q: How much does it cost to study in Canada for international students?

A: The cost of studying in Canada varies from 15,000 CAD to 30,000 CAD, depending upon the course and type of programme you choose.

Q: How much money is required for a student visa in Canada?

A: The application fee for a Canadian student visa is 235 CAD. Students also have to pay for medical check-ups, which cost around 5,000 INR.

Q: Which job is highly demanded in Canada?

A: Jobs in the healthcare sector, technology, and science fields are highly demanded in Canada.

Q: Is it cheap to study in Canada?

A: Compared to other study-abroad destinations, Canada is affordable for higher education. The quality of education in Canada exceeds the cost of studying.

Q: What city or area in Canada is the most affordable for international students?

A: Quebec is the lowest-cost-of-living province in Canada, around CAD 1600 monthly. Due to the lowest rents and subsidised medical care, Quebec is touted as the most affordable city in Canada.