Studying in Canada is not free, but it is affordable. The average cost for a foreign student for one school year (8 months) in an undergraduate program is C$11,903. Canada offers the lowest tuition rates for foreign students compared to the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and the US. Rates at U.S. public universities were almost 1/3 higher than fees for Bachelor’s degrees in Canada, while U.S. private university fees were more than double.

University tuition fees for full-time foreign students
Province	Undergraduate tuition fees (per academic year)*	2012 Graduate tuition fees (per academic year)**
Newfoundland and Labrador	$9,000	$16,000 - $20,000
Prince Edward Island	$10,000	$16,000 - $21,000
Nova Scotia	$9,000 - $14,000	$14,000 - $19,000
New Brunswick	$9,000 - $15,000	$14,000 - $16,000
Quebec	$15,000- $17,000	$14,000- $24,000
Ontario	$10,000 - $26,000	$10,000 - $26,000
Manitoba	$7,000 - $14,000	$12,000 - $22,000
Saskatchewan	$13,000 - $16,000	$12,000 - $23,000
Alberta	$10,000 - $18,767	$10,500 - $21,500
British Columbia	$11,000 - $22,000	$12,600 - $33,500

Living costs

Living costs in Canada will vary depending on city and province, but on the whole they compare very favourably with living costs in other developed countries. Here are some typical costs for living in Canada:

Bus Fare One Way (local) $2.00 - $3.00
Average Restaurant Meal $10.00 - $25.00 per person
Movie $8.50 - $12.00
Letter within Canada $0.52
International Postage (letter) $1.55

The major living costs in Canada for international students will be rent, food and transportation. Depending on your city and province, different options will be available for all of the above. Food is generally less expensive than in European cities, particularly in terms of produce, meats and other fresh foods. This is especially true if you are in a rural area with access to farmer's markets.

Transportation will depend on whether or not you choose to have a car, how far you will need to commute from your home to your school, and what the public transportation options and fares are in the city you choose to live in. Bus fares in Canada tend to range from $2 to $5 for a single ticket depending on the city and how far you have to go; monthly passes can range from $75 to $120, and provide unlimited access to the buses in the network. Your educational institution may also offer public transit passes at a discounted rate, or as part of your tuition. Rent will depend on where you choose to live, and whether you choose to live alone or with a roommate. See the table below for a basic rent comparison between Canadian cities.

Comparison of Rents in selected Canadian Cities (2 bedroom apartment, off-campus)

Calgary, Alberta	$1250.00
Vancouver, British Columbia	$1265.00
Toronto, Ontario	$1100.00
Edmonton, Alberta	$1100.00
Ottawa. Ontario	$110.00
Victoria, British Columbia	$1050.00
Kelowna, British Columbia	$950.00
Halifax, Nova Scotia	$950.00
Winnipeg, Manitoba	$900.00
Kamloops, British Columbia	$850.00
Thunder Bay, Ontario	$850.00
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan	$850.00
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island	$850.00
Montreal, Quebec	$800.00
Quebec City, Quebec	$800.00
St John's, Newfoundland	$800.00
(source: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2007 data)

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Last Updated: 22 October 2012
Editor: Hamid Kalateh

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