Canada is increasingly becoming a popular study abroad destination attracting international students from many different countries when Canada has a top 4 global education with more than 30 schools listed in the top best training institutions (According to Times Higher Education). Canada has a safe, multicultural society, friendly people, and vibrant student cities. Moreover, Canada has extremely open employment and settlement policy that offers many opportunities for employment and permanent residency. Studying in Canada promises countless opportunities for valuable academic and life experiences, regardless of age.
So many benefits, but the cost of studying in Canada could not be more reasonable. Although the training quality of many Canadian schools is on par with those in English-speaking countries such as the US, UK, and Australia, the cost is more affordable thanks to Canada's public education system which is popular and well-government funding received. Especially, post-secondary education is the third highest in the world (according to the Organization for Global Economic Co-operation and Development). So how much does it cost to study in Canada a year? Specifically, what does the cost of studying in Canada include?
All costs to study in Canada 2022 are detailed below. You should research carefully to have a suitable budget plan because this is an important job that affects the visa application process and determines whether the study process will go smoothly or not.
No matter which country you study abroad, you should also consider financial issues
How much does it cost to study in Canada a year?
Schools in Canada apply their own tuition rates, depending on many factors such as: study program, level, whether the program has a co-op ...
Tuition fees to study in Canada high school
High school tuition fees in Canada range from 9,000 to 16,500 CAD/year (depending on the school and region). This tuition fee is equal or even lower than that of an international school in Vietnam, but the benefits in Canada are more when the international context Canada helps to broaden knowledge, multicultural vision, and a completely different environment. English helps practice language skills more effectively. Moreover, students have a solid stepping stone to the world's leading prestigious colleges and universities.
Tuition fees to study in Canada at colleges and universities
According to Statistics Canada, the average tuition fee for international students at the college level is from 11,000 to 17,000 CAD/year, undergraduate level is from 13,000 to 30,000 CAD/year. Generally, programs in the arts and anthropology have lower tuition fees than those in engineering, medicine, business, and management.
Tuition fees to study at the Canadian graduate level
The average tuition fee for graduate programs in Canada is 11,000 - 19,000 CAD/year (depending on the school, depending on the program).
The average tuition fee reference table for international students in the provinces of Canada
Provinces | University (CAD/year) | Master (CAD/year) |
Prince Edward Island | 21.525 | 11.905 |
Nova Scotia | 17.662 | 18.907 |
Quebec | 21.857 | 15.392 |
Manitoba | 15.582 | 10.995 |
Alberta | 21.548 | 11.804 |
Newfoundland và Labrador | 12.035 | 4.087 |
New Brunswick | 14.290 | 11.593 |
Ontario | 34.961 | 21.686 |
Saskatchewan | 20.211 | 6.032 |
British Columbia | 25.472 | 16.988 |
Non-tuition fees
- Enrollment fee: 50 CAD – 250 CAD (depending on school and non-refundable)
- Canada visa fee: 235 CAD/time = 150 CAD visa fee + 85 CAD biometrics fee
- Medical examination fee: 126 USD
- Deposit fee required by each school: usually, schools will require a deposit of 1 tuition fee and the highest level is the tuition fee for year 1. The prepayment of tuition fees helps students prove their purpose of travel. Studying in Canada is serious and the family can afford it when applying for a visa.
The cost of studying abroad in Canada is more affordable than in some English-speaking countries while providing a comparable quality education
How much does it cost to live in Canada?
The cost of living in Canada ranges from 8,000 - 15,000 CAD/year depending on spending habits where students live and study. The level of living expenditure in big cities will be somewhat higher than in small and medium cities. For example, according to Mercer's Canada Cost of Living Survey 2021, Vancouver is the city with the highest cost of living, followed by Toronto and Montreal.
However, in big cities, students also have many ways to save money such as sharing a room with others, cooking some or all of their own meals instead of eating out entirely (if allowed), and choosing to rent a house/room is not necessarily in the central area, because Canada has a modern and very convenient public transport system…
Some examples of the average cost of living in Canada
- In terms of accommodation, students in the school's dormitory usually have to pay from 3,000 to 7,500 CAD/year depending on the type of room, including meals or not. If you choose to stay in a homestay or rent a room/apartment outside, students will have to pay between 4,000 and 8,400 CAD/year. Just like in Vietnam, when renting a room/apartment, students have to pay extra for electricity, Internet, cable TV...
Depending on your needs and budget, students have many options for accommodation in Canada
- Eating at an average restaurant: 15 CAD/person/meal
- Tickets to travel by public transport: 3 CAD/1 way
- Movie ticket: 13 CAD
- Monthly gym fee 49 CAD
- Internet from 62 to 95 CAD/month
- Phone: 20 CAD/month
- Health insurance: 500 – 900 CAD/year
Thus, the total cost of studying in Canada for a year including tuition and living expenses will be from about 330 million VND/year for high school; from 350 million VND/year for college level; from 450 million VND/year for bachelor's degree and from 400 million VND/year for a graduate certificate or master's program.
Many solutions to help finance the cost of studying in Canada in 2022
Scholarships worth 20-50%
Despite having affordable tuition fees, schools in Canada also have many different scholarship programs for students, ranging in value from 20-50% of the tuition fee as a way and support for potential students and encourage students to study abroad. Encourage your spirit of learning. However, Canadian scholarships are competitive and you should apply early to maximize your chances.
Open overtime policy 20 hours/week
Students with a study permit are allowed to work part-time on and off campus for 20 hours/week during the academic year and full-time for 40 hours/week during vacations, provided that their academic results are guaranteed. This creates favorable conditions for students to both practice, gain experience and have more finance to cover study costs. >> See also: All about regulations on part-time work in Canada
The paid internship co-op program
Canada is famous for its co-op education program and internship associated with professional education. Students in co-op programs not only have the opportunity to work with industry experts and build relationships with employers but also receive a salary that helps offset some of the costs.
Program of staying in Canada to work for up to 3 years
Graduates are allowed to stay in Canada to work for 1-3 years depending on the length of the previous main course. Job opportunities with an official salary are open to any employer. You can apply for permanent residency after 1 year of work.