Canada is undoubtedly one of the most promising higher-study destinations for international students. Given its high-quality education, industry-oriented programs, student-friendly environment, commendable safety and high employability rate, it is indeed the most preferred choice among the international students willing to pursue UG, MBA and Masters Programs from the Great White North.
However, the money factor could prevent some from pursuing their desired course at a Canadian University. High tuition fees, coupled with living expenses, can put a strain on an international student’s budget. However, not many are aware that they can pursue high-quality yet affordable education in Canada.
We have compiled a list of the 10 Most Affordable Universities in Canada for International Students. Please have a look:
Famously known as the Memorial University of Newfoundland or MUN, it is one of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students. Founded in 1925 to honour the First World War veterans, it is one of the biggest establishments in Atlantic Canada. The requirement to get an admit is an academic score of 66.8%. Its Education, Medicine and Geology departments happen to be the best in the country. Given its low tuition fee, it has an influx of international students every year.
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: CAD 11,460 (~$9,035)/year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: CAD 6,654 (~$5,245)/year
The University of Manitoba or U of M is one of the most affordable universities for Canadians and international students. Historically, it is the oldest educational institution in Western Canada. It is also known for its research acumen and has campuses in Fort Garry and Bannatyne. The high teaching standard for both UG and Master’s levels attracts thousands of students from across the globe every year to Manitoba. It offers numerous programs through the schools of Architecture, Art, Science, Social Work, Engineering, Kinesiology, Human Ecology, Business, Agriculture, Environment, Rehabilitation Science, Music, and Graduate Studies.
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: CAD 15,800 (~$12,455)/year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: CAD 11,694 (~$9,220)/year
The University of Alberta or U of A was founded by Tory and Rutherford in 1928. Some of the departments in its school are ranked among the top 100 educational programs across the world. It is one of the finest public institutes located in Edmonton, Alberta. It offers faculties in multiple fields like Law, Medicine & Dentistry, Native Studies, Agriculture, Business, Arts, Kinesiology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Public Health, Science etc. The population of 7,800 international students in Alberta represents 151 nationalities.
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: CAD 29,500 (~$23,255)/year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: CAD 15,360 (~$12,110)/year
Located in Ottawa, the University of Ottawa is a government-sponsored entity. One of the largest bilingual establishments, U of O offers lectures in both English and French. Its research efforts have been widely recognised, making it a part of U15. Founded in 1848, it provides courses in Social Science, Management, Health Science, Law (Civil and Common), Education, Engineering, Medicine, and Science.
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: CAD 18,570 (~$14,640)/year
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is a research-led institution with an acceptance rate of 70%. It is also a member of U15 research-intensive universities in Canada. One of the budget-friendly universities, it offers programs in engineering, agriculture, the environment and veterinary medicine. Moreover, it provides graduate and post-doctoral programs in more than 80 fields and offers scholarships to support students.
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: CAD 27,312/year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: CAD 8,096/year
Established in 1964, The University of Guelph is one of the top institutions for programs such as Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, and Food Science offered by Ontario Agricultural College, Macdonald Institute, and Ontario Veterinary College. You have the option to choose from the vast range of short-term and long-term courses in diverse fields. Some of the most sought-after programs at the University of Guelph are Graduate Diploma in Tourism Research, MSc Computer Science, PhD Social Practice and Transformational Change, BEng in Computer Engineering and BSc in Psychology: Brain and Cognition.
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: 16,997 CAD – 19,529 CAD/year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: 8,644 CAD- 17,808 CAD/year
Founded in 1821, McGill University is one of the most sought-after universities in Canada. Located in Montreal, Quebec, it is also a member of the Association of American Universities. It is very well-known for its landmark discoveries like the Theory of Advancement of Atomic Theory, DNA, and Genetic Codes. Widely known for its innovation, especially in the field of epigenetics and alternative energy resources, it is home to students from more than 150 countries across the globe. Some of the most opted courses at McGill University are Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery, Master of Laws (LLM), Bachelor of Commerce with Major in Marketing and Master of Management – Finance.
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: CAD 21,388 – 57,575/year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: CAD 15,324 – 29,666/year
The University of Calgary is another famous Canadian University offering courses at a low price. There are four campuses in total including one in Doha, Qatar. World-class faculties, state-of-the-art labs, top-class research initiatives and an employment rate of 94.1 % make this university quite popular among international students. Some of the most popular courses offered by the University of Calgary are BBA, MEng (Master’s in English), BBA, MArch (Masters in Architecture).
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: CAD 2,218 – 3,826/year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: CAD 29,087/year
Established in 1889, Brandon University has a student population of approx. 3,000 students. It is one of the cheapest universities in Canada and has been globally recognised for its student-centric programs, particularly in Liberal Arts and Science. It is well known for its interactive, progressive and enriching learning environment. It offers master’s programs in education, rural development, music performance & literature and undergraduate programs in nursing and computer science.
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: 13,000-15,000 CAD/year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: 6,400 CAD/year
Concordia was founded in 1974 and is home to approx. 4,00,000 students representing almost 150 nationalities. Its graduate school is ranked among the top Canadian B-schools. It offers courses in the field of business, engineering, economics and marketing. Famously known for its inclusivity and diversity, Concordia’s vision is completely aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Located in Montreal, it actively promotes cross-functional research and experiential learning.
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: CAD $19,581 – $23,700/year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: CAD $12,563 – $21,150/year
Ques.1 What are the requirements to study in these Canadian Universities?
For a masters’ program, a bachelor’s degree is required. Those who want to pursue their undergraduate study need to show their high school (10+2) degree. Transcript record, GRE/GMAT (for Masters’), SOP, LORs, Resume are some of the other requirements to apply in the Canadian universities. TOEFL/IELTS are mandatory to prove English language proficiency.
Ques.2 I can’t afford to pay the tuition fees. Do I still stand a chance to study in Canada?
This is one of the most often questions asked by international students. The good news is that YES, IT IS! Moreover, these affordable universities provide scholarships for international students, helping them significantly reduce the cost.
Ques.3 Are these affordable universities accredited and globally recognised?
Yes, all these universities are accredited by the competent authorities in the provinces and territories of Canada. You can also look up any universities status by going to The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
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