HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO STUDY IN CANADA?
Canada is on its way to becoming the most sought after destination for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. One of the reasons for this rapid growth, besides the amazing quality of education and the visually appealing scenery, is the affordability which studying in Canada provides.
Universities in Canada regulate their own fees. The fee you are charged depends on various factors – whether you are a home student or international student, whether you are opting for a postgraduate or undergraduate course and so on.
What is the application process to study in Canada?:
Most Universities in Canada charge an application fee of CAD 50-150. Plus, a courier charge of CAD 15-18 will be added.
Know your tentative Flight charges:
The earlier you plan and book your tickets, the cheaper they will be. When booked 2-3 months in advance, flight tickets (one way) can be as cheap as CAD 200. When booked later, the cost of the ticket can be as high as CAD 900. To study in Canada, you need to obtain the Canadian study permit which also doubles up as the student visa. The study permit is charged at nearly CAD 130.
*AirCanada offers a discount for students going to Canada to pursue their education.
What will be your Course fee?:
The course fee for undergraduate and postgraduate programs is different, with postgraduate programs being on the cheaper side.
The average tuition fee per year for undergrad courses is CAD 27,170 with courses like medicine, engineering being above the average (CAD 27,200 per year) and arts, management, and humanities courses tending to be cheaper. The course fee for a postgraduate degree varies between CAD 2700-4000, depending on the University.
International students have to pay a lot more than home students to complete their education, with home students paying CAD 5000-7000 per year and international students paying nearly 3.5 times that amount.
Know about Accommodation costs:
Most of the Universities in Canada offer dormitory and homestay facilities for students, within the campus premises.
The average cost of living on campus comes to nearly CAD 3000-8000. This depends on a number of factors, including the type of accommodation (private room, 2 people per room), meal plan, etc.
Rent for a typical double bedroom apartment can vary between CAD 8500-10000, depending on the neighborhood. Toronto and Vancouver are the two most sought after cities to live in and also the most expensive. Rent in a smaller suburb, away from the city costs less. Staying off-campus does not provide most of the benefits as staying on campus and students have to arrange for their own WI-FI, domestic help and laundry services.
Know tentative Travel expenses:
Canada has a good public transport system and one-way bus travel usually costs a couple of dollars (CAD 2-2.5). Monthly passes can be availed at cheap rates and many travel agencies offer student discounts.
Know your Food and entertainment costs:
Food supplies can cost about CAD 40 per week, with a loaf of bread being priced at CAD 3 and most other items also priced at the same range. A movie ticket is CAD 13 and a bottle of beer is CAD 8-10. Dining out at a nice restaurant can set you back by CAD 12-15 every time.
In addition to this, health insurance is mandatory in Canada and usually costs CAD 600-700 per year.
A mandatory requirement for obtaining the Canadian study permit which doubles up as the student visa is that the applicant needs to have at least CAD 10,000 in his account, apart from the tuition fee. However, the cost of living in Canada is much more than that. This can be paid back as students can work either part-time (during the regular course) or full time (during holidays) to account for their expenses.
Most colleges also offer scholarships for students or in certain cases of exceptional talent, completely waive off the fee. However, scholarship funding is extremely competitive and is not offered to everyone.
Note: CAD- Canadian Dollar
1 CAD= $0.75( 0.75 U.S Dollar)
