Cost of Study in Canada 2026
Learn everything you need to know about Studying Cost in Canada and get end-to-end expert guidance from us.
When planning your studies abroad, one of the biggest elements to determine the validity of your dreams is your financial capability to cover the cost of studying in Canada. From the individual tuition fees to administrative costs such as the application fees, books and study materials, exam fees and much more are all inclusive of the cost of study in Canada.
The cost of studying in Canada is a crucial factor to consider at every stage of the decision-making process. From choosing the right university to the right programme, even researching the right scholarship opportunities, your financial capability should be an important factor to consider. Additionally, other factors like the accommodation and the lifestyle you choose to live will also have a significant impact on the overall cost of studying and living in a country which is considered to have one of the best post-graduate stay back programmes.
On average, the cost of study in Canada for international students can range from CA $20,000 - $75,000 per year for undergraduate courses, while for Master's and graduate courses, the cost of studying can vary between CA $5,000 - $75,000 per year. Other factors like the university and the province in which the universit is located will also affect the overall cost of studying in Canada.
Let’s understand the cost structure for studying in Canada in detail.
Cost of Study in Canada
The cost of study in Canada differs based on the institution or college and the kind of degree chosen by students. To attend undergraduate courses in Canada, Indian students must have an annual budget between CA $20,000 and $75,000, on average. However, they might require between CA $6,500 - $72,000 each year for post-graduation courses.
International Tuition Fees by Level of Study in Canada
The annual tuition fees in Canada are a significant portion of the costs associated with studying there for Indian students. Inevitably, each university and college will determine the individual cost of studying in Canada. Highlighted below are the degree-level tuition fees for international students across different disciplines.
Cost of Study in Canada for Undergraduate Courses
The cost of study in Canada is relatively high but competitive with other top study destinations. Let’s check out the undergraduate tuition fees in Canada for international students.
| Programme Name | Average Annual Fee (in CAD) | Average Fee (CAD 1 = INR 63.36) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | CA $20,000 - $60,000 | 12,67,255 - 38,01,766 |
| Bachelor of Science | CA $20,000 - $68,000 | 12,67,255 - 43,08,668 |
| Bachelor of Engineering | CA $20,000 - $75,000 | 12,67,255 - 47,52,207 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | CA $20,000 - $72,000 | 12,67,255 - 45,62,119 |
| Bachelor of Computer Science | CA $20,000 - $72,000 | 12,67,255 - 45,62,119 |
Cost of Study in Canada for Master’s Courses
Opting for a Master's programme in Canada represents a significant advancement in your educational path. Canadian universities are eager to help international students achieve their academic goals and do so by offering a variety of programmes. Listed below are some of the popular master’s programmes offered, along with their respective cost of study in Canada.
| Programme Name | Average Tuition Fees (in CAD) | Average Fee in INR (CAD 1 = INR 63.35) |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts | CA $4,900 - $32,000 | 3,10,419 - 20,27,224 |
| Master of Science | CA $5,000 - $62,000 | 3,16,754 - 39,27746 |
| Master of Engineering | CA $5,000 - $70,000 | 3,16,754 - 44,34,552 |
| MBA | CA $32,000 - $72,000 | 20,27,224 - 45,61,254 |
| Master of Computer Science | CA $4,900 - $70,000 | 3,10,419 - 44,34,552 |
Cost of Study in Canada for Diploma Courses
Through numerous top colleges in Canada, international students can gain a diploma/advanced diploma or certificate courses to fast-track their goal of getting a Canadian degree. Diploma programmes in Canada are a cost-effective and practical option for international students.
However, the cost of studying in Canada in any one of the diploma programmes will be similar at the same institution, regardless of the academic discipline. At most Canadian colleges, international students will have to set aside an annual budget of CA $15,000 - $23,000 [INR 9,47,518.5 - INR 14,52,861.7 (CA $1 = 63.17), on average, as tuition fees alone.
Province-wise Cost of Study in Canada for International Students
A growing number of Indian students are choosing to study in Canadian universities for a variety of courses. In 2024, over 17,000 applicants applied for undergraduate programmes and 100,000 for master's programmes in Canada. The overall cost of study in Canada will also be affected by the province you choose to study in. For example, Ontario and British Columbia are considerably more expensive than the other provinces. Let’s check out the province-wise cost of studying in Canada for international students here:
| Province Name | UG Annual Tuition Fees (CAD) | PG Annual Tuition Fees (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | CA $30,000 - $75,000 | CA $19,000 - $72,000 |
| British Columbia | CA $32,000 - $61,000 | CA $10,000 - $60,000 |
| Alberta | CA $26,000 - $34,000 | CA $9,000 - $37,000 |
| Quebec | CA $28,000 - $64,000 | CA $20,000 - $60,000 |
| Saskatchewan | CA $23,000 -$28,000 | CA $6,000 - $33,000 |
Note: The tuition fees listed above have been provided for reference, and the actual cost of study in Canada will vary depending on a number of factors. Connect with AECC Counsellors today and get the latest information regarding the costs of studying in Canada in the upcoming months.
Healthcare Costs in Canada
As an international student, one of the mandatory costs of living in Canada is the health insurance plans that students will have to pay for even before they land in the country. There are different plans and policies offered to international students, varying between different provinces and universities in Canada. Therefore, when selecting a university for your higher studies in Canada, it is important to check the health insurance plans on offer.
Check out the following table for brief information about the health insurance in Canada for international students.
| Health Insurance Plan | Average Cost (in CAD) |
|---|---|
| Provincial Public Plan (Basic Coverage) | CA $0 - $75 (varies by Province) |
| University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) - (Provinces that do not offer public health insurance plans get covered under UHIP) | CA $53 - $66/month |
| Interim/Waiting Period Plan - (Mandatory in provinces that do not offer health insurance to students immediately after they enter the province.) | CA $75 - $170/month |
| Extended Health and Dental | CA $30 - $85 |
| Doctor’s Visits | CA $120 - $150 |
| Diagnostic Services | CA $900 - $2,400 |
| Emergency Room | CA $3,000+ |
Note: The public and university health insurance plans offer basic coverage, which may not be enough for the times when students need different health services. Therefore, students are advised to spring for more extensive health insurance plans to cover costs such as hospital room rent and post-care services, especially for emergency services. In Canada, all provinces offer free emergency services to all, even those without a health card. However, covering the non-health costs, such as private rooms, can be significantly high, which is where insurance comes in handy.
Mandatory Cost of Study in Canada
Along with the tuition fees, other miscellaneous fees like the application fees and other administrative fees also make up the cost of studying in Canada. These are costs that students incur either before or during the application process and often are one-time charges, unlike the tuition fees. Let's check out the miscellaneous cost of study in Canada for international students.
Canadian Universities & College Application Fees
Each university accepting international student applications will charge a set amount as the student application fee. Here is a list of the application fees at the top Canadian Universities:
| University Name | UG Application Fee (in CAD) | PG Application Fee (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | CA $192 | CA $130 |
| McGill University | CA $136.08 | Varies by Programme |
| University of British Columbia | CA $172.25 | CA $168.25 |
| University of Alberta | CA $150 | CA $135 |
| University of Waterloo | Varies by Programme | Varies by Programme |
| Western University | Varies by Programme | Varies by Programme |
| McMaster University | CA $166 | Varies by Programme |
| Simon Fraser University | CA $130 | Varies by Programme |
Note: The application fee for top universities in Canada is typically determined individually by the university or its respective departments. Therefore, candidates are advised to check the official website of your desired university or get in touch with our counsellors and stay updated on all the fees that you are liable to pay.
Other Costs to Study in Canada
Highlighted below are some of the university and administrative costs associated with studying in Canada that international students will have to cover.
| Expenses | Average Yearly / Monthly Cost (in CAD) |
|---|---|
| Canada Student Permit | CA $150 (INR 9,481, as per CA $1 = INR 63.21) |
| Books and Study Material | CA $1,000 - $1,500 per year |
| Health Insurance | CA $700 - $1,000 per year |
| Average Flight Ticket | INR 60,000 (one-way ticket) - INR 1,30,000 (round-trip) |
| Standardised Test fees | SAT - US $68 + $43 (international fee) ACT - US $186.50; [+US$ 25 (Writing Test), +US $10 (Science Test) GRE - INR 22,000 (General Test) GMAT - US $275 (test centre); US $300 (online) |
| English Language Test Fee | IELTS Academic - INR 18,000 TOEFL iBT - US $173 |
Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students
The cost of studying in Canada can often be offset by the numerous scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to international students. From universities to external organisations, international students will be able to avail any number of scholarships and financial aid to reduce their financial commitment to study in Canada. Some of the popular scholarships in Canada for Indian Students are:
- Humber International Entrance Scholarships
- Sauvé Scholars Program by the Jeanne Sauvé Youth Foundation
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship by Government of Canada
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships funded by Government of Canada
- The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
- Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
These are just a few scholarships and financial aid available to international students to cut down on the overall cost of study in Canada. Several universities also offer automatic scholarships where eligible students are qualified for automatic tuition fee reductions or awards based on the academic merit of the student.
And thus, we have covered everything you need to know about the cost of studying in Canada and how much you should budget when planning your studies in Canada. It should be noted that tuition fees and university fees are just half of the overall cost of study in Canada. Students also need to budget the cost of living in Canada to get a proper idea of how much money they will need to spend to earn a Canadian degree. Therefore, it is advisable to connect with AECC counsellors and get expert guidance to study in Canada this year.