Generally, education in Canada is one of the cheapest and this presents an opportunity for international students to study in the country. This is evident by the number of international students traveling to Canada every year.
Studying abroad is a luxury most students can’t afford, so you can only imagine the number of academically qualified students who had to abandon their dream of pursuing a degree abroad. Canada is top of the list of study-abroad destinations for international students and with the availability of affordable education, we expect more application from international students to Canadian universities offering affordable courses.
With the cheap universities listed in this article, you’ll discover some of Canada’s most affordable universities that offer programs at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Universities in this article have been divided into undergraduate and master’s degree levels of studies. We’ll first talk about the cheapest universities for undergraduate studies and for master’s degree level of study.
Why Study in Canada
Who would not love to study in one of the best countries in the world that is home to top universities in North America? Canadian universities receive thousands of applications from domestic and international students and the best part of it all is that institutions offer affordable programs.
There are also scholarship opportunities to support both domestic and foreign students financially. There are several reasons you should choose to study in Canada as a prospective postgraduate or undergraduate student.
It’s affordable.
Everyone knows that Canada offers quality education at a very affordable price; they have some of the cheapest universities for undergraduate and master’s studies. Compared to universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries, the cost to obtain a degree is affordable at Canadian universities.
The positive reputation.
Due to the quality of education they offer, Canadian universities have been recognized as one of the best institutions in the world. Graduates from Canadian universities have been seen to do exploits in their respective fields, irrespective of the fact that universities in Canada are cheap and affordable.
Cost of Living in Canada for Students
The cost of living in Canada varies from city to city as you would expect. The big cities are very expensive to live in, but that does not mean that one cannot find a very affordable city in Canada.
The country has a lot of cities that are very affordable to reside in.
We have prepared a breakdown, looking at the average cost and what you will be expecting to spend in most cities in Canada.
- Pair of Jeans: $72
- The average cost for doctor visits per month: $93
- Toothpaste: $2.62
- Cappuccino: $5.05
- Internet cost per month: $54
- Lunch with drink: $18
- Average monthly rent in a furnished apartment: $1,160
- Utilities per month: $102
- Monthly transportation with commercial vehicles: $109
- Average gym membership fee: $59
What are the requirements to study in Canada?
The basic requirement for the acquisition of a bachelor’s or honors degree is a high school diploma. Applicants for a master’s degree must have a bachelor’s degree to be admitted.
A transcript is required and other documents such as work experience and GRE/GMAT results (for master’s applicants).
Depending on the university, good knowledge of English or French is also required.
Can you study English at a Canadian university?
Yes, most Canadian universities use English as a language of instruction (although some lectures are in French). For this reason, schools like McGill University need fluency in English through the IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge exams.
The same requirements apply to the University of British Columbia, an English admission standard that the foreign applicant must meet.
Cheap Universities in Canada for Bachelor Degrees
#1. Brandon University
International students at Brandon University are welcome to apply using the university’s international application process. Brandon University claims to have a long and positive relationship with international students and offers face-to-face interactions with faculty and research opportunities not available at major universities.
- Location: Brandon, Manitoba
- Tuition: USD 7,203
#2. University of Saint-Boniface
Students can continue their studies to earn a master’s degree from the University of Manitoba.
International students at Saint-Boniface should expect to be able to speak some level of French as it is a French university. Some programs also require proficiency in English.
- Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Tuition: $ 7,482
#3. University of Guelph
International students in Guelph receive special support at the university in applying for a visa, learning the English language, accommodation, and having access to an advisor, especially for international students.
- Location: Guelph, Ontario
- Tuition: $ 9,730
#4. Canadian Mennonite University
Foreign students in the country are welcome and are encouraged to apply because of the undeniable variety of experiences and perspectives they can bring with them. International students can choose from over 19 specializations for the undergraduate degree.
- Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Tuition: $ 10,003
#5. Memorial University of Newfoundland
The university welcomes and encourages domestic and foreign applications. The university offers international students specialized services such as student counseling, and internationalization office, and international student groups.
- Location: St. Johns, Newfoundland
- Tuition: $ 11,460
Cheap Universities in Canada for Master’s Degrees
Below are some of the cheapest universities in Canada for domestic and international students.
#6. Memorial University of Newfoundland
The Memorial University of Newfoundland, also known as Memorial University or MUN, is a public university in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador with multiple satellite campuses.
Established in September 1925 as a living memorial to Newfoundland and Labrador garbage collectors who died in World War I, Memorial is one of the cheapest universities in Atlantic Canada. The school has appeared twice because it is one of the cheapest universities in Canada for undergraduate and master’s degree programs
- Location: St. Johns, Newfoundland
- Tuition: $ 3,222
#7. University of Northern British Columbia
The University of Northern British Columbia is a small, research-intensive public university in British Columbia, Canada. The main campus is in Prince George, British Columbia. UNBC also has regional locations in northern British Columbia in Prince Rupert, Terrace, Quesnel, and Fort St. John.
The University of Northern British Columbia is one of Canada’s cheapest universities to get a master’s degree.
- Location: Prince George, British Columbia
- Tuition: $ 3,297
#8. University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The University of Calgary was founded in 1944 as a branch of the University of Alberta in Calgary, founded in 1908, before being established as a stand-alone autonomous university in 1966. The University of Calgary is one of the cheapest universities in Canada. You can see it in their $ 3,693 tuition fee.
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
- Tuition: $ 3,693
#9. Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a public research university in British Columbia, Canada, with three campuses: Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver.
The university was founded to expand higher education in Canada. It is one of the cheapest universities in Canada to get a master’s degree in Canada.
- Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
- Tuition: $ 3,743
#10. University of Saskatchewan
When it comes to Masters degrees, this university is one of the cheapest universities in Canada.
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university founded on March 19, 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Tuition: USD 4,358
Frequently Asked Questions on Cheap Universities in Canada
Which university in Canada has the lowest tuition fee?
Canadian universities that offer affordable programs include Simon Fraser University, the University of Calgary, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Guelph, and Concordia University. These Canadian universities offer diploma and degree programs at affordable tuition between 12,000 CAD to 30,000 CAD.
What factors affect the cost of studying in Canada?
Degree programs such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive compared to humanities. Living expenses are also another factor that could affect costs. Places like Toronto and Vancouver are expensive to live in compared to smaller cities like St. John and Winnipeg
Are there scholarships for international students at affordable universities?
Canadian universities offer scholarships to international students –Memorial University offers entrance scholarships to high-achieving students. Brandon University and the University of Manitoba also offer scholarships to international students.
What is the average cost of living for students in Canada?
On average, the cost to cover accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses ranges from CAD 10,000 to 15,000 per year. However, you can cut costs if you decide to live on campus or shared apartment.
Can I work while studying in Canada to reduce costs?
As an international student with a valid study permit in a Canadian university, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester on a part-time basis. You can also get a full-time job during the summer and winter holidays.
