Tuition fees for international students in Canada

Undergraduate vs postgraduate tuition

Undergraduate (bachelor’s) tuition for international students most commonly sits between CAD 20,000 and CAD 45,000 per year, depending on the university and programme. Taught master’s programmes vary widely — a one-year master’s in arts or science may be similar to undergraduate rates, while professional master’s degrees such as an MBA can run well above CAD 50,000 in total. Research-based master’s and PhD programmes are often cheaper and frequently come with funding, teaching assistantships or research stipends that offset much of the cost.

How your field of study changes the price

Your subject is one of the biggest factors in what you pay:

• Arts, humanities and social sciences are generally the most affordable.
• Science, engineering and computer science sit in the mid-to-upper range and are worth it for many students given strong co-op and job prospects.
• Business, and especially MBA programmes, are among the most expensive.
• Medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine are the priciest of all — and have very few international seats.

Tuition by province

Where you study matters as much as what you study. Universities in Ontario and British Columbia — particularly in Toronto and Vancouver — tend to charge the highest international fees. Universities in the Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, PEI) are often noticeably cheaper. Quebec sets its own tuition framework and can be competitive, especially at French-language institutions.

The costs beyond tuition

Sticker tuition is only part of your annual bill. Budget for:

• Compulsory ancillary fees — student services, health and athletics fees that can add CAD 1,000–2,500 per year.
• Health insurance — required in most provinces if you are not covered by a public plan.
• Books, materials and technology — often CAD 500–1,500 per year.
• Living costs — see our cost of living guide for a full breakdown.

How to reduce your tuition

There are several legitimate ways to bring your costs down:

• Choose an affordable province. The same degree can cost far less outside the biggest cities.
• Apply for entrance scholarships. Many universities award automatic merit scholarships to strong applicants — see our scholarship listings.
• Consider co-op programmes. Paid work terms help offset tuition while building Canadian experience.
• Look at research-based graduate programmes, which often come with funding packages.

Paying your fees

Most universities let you pay by term rather than all at once, and accept international transfer services that reduce bank fees. You will usually need to pay a tuition deposit to confirm your place and support your study-permit application. Keep every receipt: proof of paid tuition strengthens your study permit application and, in some cases, speeds up processing.