The perks of studying abroad, especially in Canada, are many. Students from other countries troop here to get access to quality education and on graduation, often decide to stay back and work in the country.
International students however literally have to bear the brunt of paying higher fees to school in Canada. Except one is lucky to find a cheap university in Canada for international students, it may be impossible to fit the bills all alone. This article introduces you to some of the affordable universities in Canada.
What are the Cheapest Universities in Canada?
The following are some of the most affordable schools for post-secondary school international applicants:
- University of Calgary
- Simon Fraser University
- University of Saskatchewan
- McGill University
- University of Guelph
- Brandon University
- University of British Columbia
- Canadian Mennonite University
- University of Manitoba
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
1. Brandon University
Brandon University in Manitoba is one of the cheapest universities for international students seeking affordable studies abroad in Canada.
Tuition and Fees
Undergraduate domestic tuition fee ranges from $$669.80 for a 3-credit hour course and $6,256.88 annually for a 30-hour credit course.
Graduate tuition and fees for domestic students are up to $4,292.79 for a total of 15 credit hours.
International students enrolling for graduate studies pay between $2,244 and $7,000 yearly for 3 and 30 credit hours, respectively.
If you are enrolling for an undergraduate program, the tuition and fees range from $2,170 and $20,086.
Programs of Study
Brandon University offers a range of programs for intentional students, including:
- Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College (BU & ACC) Programs.
- Degree programs, including Science, Arts, Health Studies, Education and Music.
- Pre-professional programs
- Graduate studies/programs in Rural Development, Education, Psychiatric Nursing, Music, Environmental and Life Sciences.
- Certificate programs have been designed to help professionals enhance their skills and knowledge, as well as aid the enhancement of students’ degree programs.
2. University of Saskatchewan
This university is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It is home to over 3,000 international students drawn from over 130 countries. If you are looking to study here, be assured of affordable tuition fees and access to scholarship programs.
Tuition and Fees at the USask
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) offers a cheaper route to study abroad in Canada, with the undergraduate tuition starting at CAD 30,480 for direct-entry colleges and $38,481 for non-direct-entry colleges.
Tuition and fees for graduate studies depend on the program of studies. Applicants to doctoral programs pay up to $4,900 yearly. International students enrolled in course-based programs pay tuition for each class, with the fees starting at $598.05 per graduate credit unit. International students in a project or thesis-based master’s program pay up to CAD 11,097 per academic year of 3 terms.
International students will also pay up to CAD 1,088 as student fees for full-time studies during the fall and winter terms. The fees cover services like a bus pass for the city’s transit system, health and dental insurance, and access to athletic facilities.
Programs Offered Here
The University of Saskatchewan has 17 colleges and schools, with a good number of affiliated and federated colleges.
Over 80 different programs across over 130 fields of study are also offered here. Popular programs include:
- Art History
- Engineering Physics
- Law
- Indigenous Governance and Politics
- Peace Studies Certificate
- Women’s and Gender Studies
- Educational Foundations
- Agricultural Economics
- Civil Engineering
- Field Epidemiology
- Physical Therapy
- Public Health
- Studio Art
- Writing
- Water Security
- Geography
- Supply Chain Management
3. The University of British Columbia
The UBC is located in Vancouver, in the province of British Columbia. It offers undergraduate and graduate admissions to international students looking to study affordably in Canada.
Programs of Study
Over 200 programs of study drawn from 10 topics are offered at The University of British Columbia. Popular programs include:
- Economics
- Combined Major in Statistics
- Applied Animal Biology
- Food Science
- Astronomy
- Biophysics
- Canadian Studies
- Interdisciplinary Studies
Tuition and Fees
The tuition fee varies by factors like the program of study, campus and where you will be living during your studies. For example, international applicants to the university’s Okanagan campus and who are applying for an Arts program to live in BC will pay up to $44,942 as tuition.
Scholarship Options
To help you save money on tuition and related fees, The University of British Columbia has an array of financial aids, including scholarships.
Since 2001, over 360 international scholars have benefitted from the university’s $30 million annual budget for international student financial assistance, covering awards, and scholarships.
Merit-based awards are available to international students who have demonstrated extracurricular involvement and academic achievement. Both the Outstanding International Student Award and International Major Entrance Scholarship fall under this category.
4. Simon Fraser University
International students from all around the world are welcome to study at Simon Fraser University (SFU) for a shot at becoming global citizens. The school is located in Burnaby British Columbia. It has its main campus in Burnaby and two satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey.
SFU is also a popular university for international students because of the affordable tuition, starting at $2,066 per term for the regular programs and $6,042 per term for international students enrolled in speciality programs.
Scholarship Opportunities
The university offers awards and funding for international students applying for graduate programs. These financial aids will go towards helping undergrads get the graduate-level research experience they seek.
SFU raises funding from various sources, such as:
- Private donors
- Federal or provincial sources
5. McGill University
Located in Montreal, McGill University also offers cheap tuition and fees, depending on the preferred program or degree.
International students applying for a Bachelor of Arts degree can expect to pay up to $21,500 as tuition for undergraduate programs. Undergraduate programs start at $5,672 for 6 credits.
Funding Options
International or non-Canadian students studying at McGill University have access to a plethora of awards and funding across different fields of study.
Centrally administered entrance scholarships are also available, paying up to $3,000 for a non-renewable one-year scholarship and up to $12,000 for major scholarships (with a yearly renewal of up to 4 years).
6. Canadian Mennonite University (CMU)
The Mennonite Church established this university in Winnipeg, Manitoba to provide quality educational services to domestic and international students. The school is open to accepting foreign students from different backgrounds, acknowledging the experiences, gifts and perspectives that they bring.
If you wish to study here, be assured that you won’t break the bank to afford the tuition and fees. As of the time of writing, the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is listed as one of the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in the country with over 90 international students accepted yearly from over 30 countries.
Programs of Study
Canadian Mennonite University offers both graduate and undergraduate programs to international students.
For graduate applicants, the school offers a Master of Business Administration via the collaboration with:
- Goshen College
- Bluffton University
- Eastern Mennonite University
It also offers a Master of Arts in Peacebuilding and Collaborative Development.
Through the Graduate School of Theology and Ministry, the university offers the following programs:
- Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies and;
- Master of Arts in Christian Ministry.
Undergraduate programs include:
- Intercultural Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Philosophy
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Sociology
- Languages
- Mathematics
- Ecology
- International Development Studies
Tuition and Fees
International students are required to pay up to $1,204 annually as undergraduate tuition for a 3 credit-hour course. The tuition fee for graduate studies (Master of Divinity and Master of Arts) starts at $805 for a 3-credit-hour course.
Funding Opportunities
Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) offers both awards and scholarships to deserving international students as encouragement for previous academic achievement(s).
7. University of Northern British Columbia
The province of British Columbia (BC) has a good concentration of cheap universities for international students. In the northern part of the province, you will find the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where foreign students are provided with exceptional support during their studies.
Programs of Study
The UNBC offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs. Popular programs include:
- Environmental Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Economic
- Anthropology
- Disability Management
- Business Administration
Tuition and Fees
International students pay up to $23,818.20 annually, being tuition for a full-time based on 30 credits per year. That is for undergraduate programs. For the graduate programs, international students at the UNBC pay a basic, annual full-time tuition of $7,494.69. This fee covers 3 terms per year.
8. Concordia University
This is a North American university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Concordia University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world, offering some of the best tuition and fees.
Tuition and Fees
US and international students studying undergraduate programs at Concordia University pay some of the most affordable tuition and fees, depending on the degree type. The fee starts at $29,215 for a degree in Fine Arts and from $34,974 for a degree in Administration/Commerce. This fee is for one year of full-time studies of 30 credits.
For graduate studies, future students are charged in two ways:
- Thesis-based: the tuition fee is charged on a termly basis for either a Master’s or Doctoral program.
- Course-based: in this case, international students will pay the tuition on a per-credit basis for Master’s programs.
Scholarships, awards and bursaries are also available to help international students finance their education at the university.
9. University of Ottawa
International or foreign applicants to the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) are welcome to a new experience to study in a school that offers the best education.
At the uOttawa, international students are allowed to enrol for either graduate or undergraduate studies. Graduate studies range from PhDs, Microprograms, Master’s, Graduate Diplomas, and Short Duration Master’s. Applicants to undergraduate studies get to choose from over 400 programs and courses, including:
- Certificate Creative Writing
- Advanced Minor in English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Certificate Law
- Bachelor of Science
- Doctorate in Philosophy Biochemistry
- Honours BA English.
Tuition and Fees
The tuition for international students in undergraduate programs differs by the academic year, faculty, discipline and course load. For example, an undergraduate on a full-time course load in the Faculty of Education should expect to pay up to $16,619 for 165 units/56 courses or $21,262 for 33 units/11 courses per term.
Scholarship Options
The University of Ottawa provides a range of financial aid to help international students cater for themselves and pay off their tuition with ease.
There is the International English Entrance Scholarships targeted at foreign students who are citizens of any of the listed countries, and enrolled in a full-time program, among other requirements.
The Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship it is offered to international students studying in French at the university.
10. Memorial University of Newfoundland
This university is located in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is home to international students looking to further their education in Canada at the lowest costs possible.
Tuition fee starts at $20,790 for international students. Keep in mind that additional fees may be required, depending on your program of study. The university also has ancillary fees, ranging from $523 for health insurance, $100 for student services fees and $138 for recreation fees.
Programs Offered
Undergraduate and graduate programs are available at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Graduate programs and courses include Applied Geomatics, English, Earth Sciences, Geography, Marine Biology and German Language and Literature. The list of undergraduate programs includes:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Diploma in Adult Learning and Post-Secondary Education.
Conclusion
It is possible to find cheaper universities for international students in Canada, even amidst the general submission that studying abroad can be expensive. To make the most of it, check out the schools we have listed in this guide and see if your preferred program is available.
To wrap it up, the choice of an affordable university in Canada is not only limited to the tuition but also spreads out to the ancillary fees, program-centric fees and associated costs of studying in the school.