Guide to the Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students

Written by

Darakasha Singh

Fact check by

Afreen Abbasi

Updated on

Dec 26,2024

Comprehensive Guide to the Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students- TerraTern

Planning your Canada PR
Free last minute checklist

Studying in another country offers a valuable experience, but it's crucial to consider the financial aspect. Canada is the preferred destination for Indian students because the quality of education in this country is high, Canadians are quite friendly, and the cost of living is comparatively cheaper than other developed countries of the West. In this article, let us take a look at the cost of study in Canada for Indian students, including tuition fees, cost of living, and visa fees, among others.

Pre-Arrival Expenses

Pre - Arrival  Cost 

Health Insurance

CAD 300 (INR 17,000) to CAD 800 (INR 44,000) per year.

Study Permit Fees

CAD 150 (INR 11,123)

Flight Expense

INR 1,000,000- 2,000,000 per trip

University Application Fee

$125

Proficiency Tests Fee

IELTS- INR 14,700.

GRE (general/subject)- INR 16,300/ INR 11,500

TOEFL iBT- INR 14,500

GMAT- INR 21,000

CAEL- INR 10,845

Purchase of GIC

INR 6,00,000

Biometric Fee

INR 5000

Visa Application Fee

INR 8,841

 

Breakdown of Tuition Fees of Canadian Universities for Indian Students

One of the costs of study in Canada for Indian students is tuition fees. These fees can vary significantly depending on the type of program and the institution. Here is some information on the cost of study in Canada for Indian students in terms of the type of degree you are planning to pursue:

1. Undergraduate Programs: Undergraduate program costs of study in Canada for Indian students fall between CAD 13,000 and CAD 20,000 per year. Engineering and some medical-related programs, for instance, may be more costly.

2. Postgraduate Programs: Postgraduate program cost of study in Canada for Indian students may cost anything from CAD 17,000 to CAD 25,000 per year in tuition fees. Tuition for MBA programs in most Universities, particularly those offered in Canada, can go for as high as CAD 30,000 per year.

3. Community Colleges: The cost of study in Canada for Indian students in community colleges is relatively low, normally ranging between CAD 7,000 and CAD 15,000 per year, which is relatively cheaper than many other institutions of higher learning.

4. Factors Influencing Tuition Fees: This implies that the type of program, the rank of the university or college, and its location can affect the fees charged. For instance, the programs offered in major centers like Toronto and Vancouver would cost more than in other cities. If you are wondering how much it would cost to study in Canada, then you have to keep the cost of tuition at the top of your list. 

Canada 2023-24 International Tuition Fees by Field of Study in Canadian Dollars

Field of Study

Undergraduate

Graduate

Education

$23,630

$21,111

Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies

$46,980

16,895

Humanities

$34,186

$15,406

Social and behavioural sciences, and legal studies

$33,776

$17,127

Law

$42,224

$19,442

Business, management and public administration

$33,901

$27,875

Executive MBA

Not Available

$76,687

Regular MBA

Not Available

$41,767

Physical and life sciences and technologies

$37,411

$17,138

Mathematics, computer and information sciences

$39,000

$19,865

Engineering

$39,562

$23,708

Architecture

$55,875

$27,550

Agriculture, natural resources and conservation

$32,462

$16,521

Dentistry

$59,515

$27,712

Medicine

$58,790

Not Available

Nursing

$26,203

$18,425

Pharmacy

$42,323

$15,317

Veterinary medicine

$68,256

$9,726

Optometry

Not Available

$15,092

Other health, parks, recreation and fitness

$26,837

$21,868

Personal, protective and transportation services

$27,325

$11,765

 

Tuition Fees in Canada (University Costs)

Course Name

Tuition Fee (CAD)

Tuition Fee (INR)

Duration (Years)

Humanities Undergraduate

6,463

394,580

4.0

Engineering Undergraduate

56,000

3,419,800

4.5

MBA

68,000

4,151,400

2.0

Law

12,000

732,600

3.0

PhD

8,000

488,400

4.0

Humanities Undergraduate

6,463

394,580

4.0

 

Tuition Fees for Top Undergraduate Courses in Canada

 Here are the tuition fees of the top undergraduate courses in Canada for international students:

1. Engineering & Computer Science - Average annual tuition fee: CAD 45,000

2. Business & Management - Average annual tuition fee: CAD 29,000

3. Medicine & Healthcare - Average annual tuition fee: CAD 69,000

4. Information Technology - Average annual tuition fee: CAD 36,000

5. Arts & Humanities - Average annual tuition fee: CAD 25,000

6. Hospitality Management - Average annual tuition fee: CAD 16,956

7. Environmental Sciences & Agriculture - Average annual tuition fee: CAD 21,787

8. Media Studies & Journalism - Average annual tuition fee: CAD 25,000

Tuition Fees for Top Postgraduate Courses in Canada

 Here are the tuition fees of the top undergraduate courses in Canada for international students:

1. Masters in Computer Science - Average tuition fee: CAD 21,227 (INR 1,276,000) per year

2. MBA - Average tuition fee: CAD 48,994 (INR 2,946,000) per year

3. Masters in Engineering - Average tuition fee: CAD 37,500 (INR 2,250,000) per year

4. Masters in Data Science - Average tuition fee: CAD 40,000 (INR 2,405,000) per year

5. Masters in Health Sciences - Average tuition fee: CAD 24,000 (INR 1,443,000) per year

6. Masters in Information Technology - Average tuition fee: CAD 27,840 (INR 1,674,000) per year

7. Masters in Environmental Sciences - Average tuition fee: CAD 18,873 (INR 1,045,859) per year

8. Masters in Arts and Humanities - Average tuition fee: CAD 25,000 (INR 1,503,000) per year

9. Masters in Finance and Accounting - Average tuition fee: CAD 23,500 (INR 1,383,000) per year

Cost of Living in Canada for Indian Students in 2024

If you are looking at how much it would cost to study in Canada, then the major cost of studying in Canada for Indian students is the living expenses. Students should consider this when calculating the total cost of study in Canada for Indian students. This includes housing, meals, travel, medical bills, and other general expenses like clothing. Here are some factors you need to consider

1. Accommodation: The cost of study in Canada for Indian students depends more on the type of house and or lodging and the area of placement. The cost of living in a university residence usually spans between CAD 3000 and CAD 7500 a year, while off-campus residence runs between CAD 8000 and CAD 10000 a year.

2. Food: Grocery bills range between CAD 200 and CAD 400 per month, depending on what the person takes, his or her eating habits and preferences.

3. Transportation: The use of public transport is affordable and widely available; the monthly passes to public transport range from CAD 80 to CAD 110. It is also said that some of the students in the cities may also stand a chance to enjoy the cheap charges. You cannot ignore these small numbers when you consider the total cost of study in Canada for Indian students as they will stack up.

4. Healthcare: While particulars vary depending on the country/programme, international students must have health insurance, which could be about CAD 600 to CAD 900 per year. Some provinces provide their health care for international students.

5. Miscellaneous Expenses: These are the expenses for buying clothes, going to restaurants, etc, and they range from CAD 1000 – to CAD 2000 every year. You need to consider how much you will spend on recreation when you calculate the total cost of study in Canada for Indian students, as this will give you a clear idea of your budget.
These numbers are just a gist of how much would it cost to study in Canada, there are some more factors which you should consider when you are calculating the total cost of study in Canada for Indian students.

Cost of Living in Canada for Indian Students in 2024

Also read: Why Choose Canada For Study in 2024? Reasons & Solution

Visa and Other Additional Expenses In Canada

If you are already thinking about how much it cost of study in Canada for Indian students, then this is the only expense that will cost you in your home country and is a crucial part of getting your visa and making a safe transition to Canada.

1. Visa Fees: The cost of getting a Canadian study permit will set the candidate back CAD 150 in application fees. Subsequently, students may be charged for biometrics, which is CAD 85.

2. Health Insurance: For instance, health insurance is compulsory; it ranges from CAD 600 to CAD 900 per year, depending on the employer’s plan.

3. Study Materials: The overhead costs, which include books and other study materials, range between CAD 500 and CAD 1,000 per year, depending on the program.

4. Travel Expenses: The flight cost from India to any Canadian cities can greatly fluctuate, normally the cost of an air ticket would vary from CAD 1000 to CAD 2000 for a round trip.

5. Miscellaneous Fees: Some of them can be the administrative fees that the university requires, meaning that the costs would be around CAD 200–CAD 500 more per year.

Scholarships and Financial Aid Opportunities for Studying in Canada

There are many ways where you can lower the total cost of study in Canada for Indian students. Here are some of the options you should consider:

1. University Scholarships: The average amount of merit-based scholarships is between CAD 2,000 and the full tuition fee, and it is expected that more universities will increase the amount of scholarships.

2. Government Scholarships: There is certain financial support for international students, such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships.

3. Private Scholarships: Some institutions, for instance, the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, offer scholarships for Indian students only.

4. Financial Aid: Some institutions offer different kinds of financial assistance, including grants, bursaries and work-study.

Scholarships and Financial Aid Opportunities for Studying in Canada

Tuition Fees for International Candidates in Canada - Province-Wise

Province

Undergraduate Tuition Fee (CAD)

Graduate Tuition Fee (CAD)

Ontario

40000

27149

British Columbia

56000

21111

Alberta

31089

21111

Quebec

20000

20034

Saskatchewan

40000

21100

Prince Edward Island

14838

 

Nova Scotia

9328

10591

Manitoba

20500

29500

New Brunswick

20.551

26.175

Newfoundland and Labrador

21630

5300

Average Cost Comparison of Studying in Canada with Other Countries

If you are wondering how much it would cost to study in Canada, then here is a table to better show you how much it would cost to study in Canada:

Country

Tuition Fees (per year)

Living Expenses

Canada

CAD 13,000 - CAD 25,000

Moderate, CAD 10,000 - CAD 15,000 per year

United States

USD 20,000 - USD 50,000

High, USD 15,000 - USD 20,000 per year

United Kingdom

GBP 10,000 - GBP 30,000

High, GBP 12,000 - GBP 15,000 per year

Australia

AUD 20,000 - AUD 45,000

Moderate to high, AUD 18,000 - AUD 25,000 per year

Germany 

EUR 0 - EUR 3,000 (public universities)

Moderate, EUR 10,000 - EUR 12,000 per year

France

EUR 2,770 - EUR 3,770 (public universities)

Moderate, EUR 12,000 - EUR 15,000 per year

Netherlands

EUR 6,000 - EUR 20,000

Moderate, EUR 10,000 - EUR 15,000 per year

New Zealand

NZD 20,000 - NZD 35,000

Moderate, NZD 15,000 - NZD 18,000 per year

Singapore

SGD 20,000 - SGD 45,000

High, SGD 12,000 - SGD 18,000 per year

Sweden

SEK 80,000 - SEK 140,000

Moderate, SEK 80,000 - SEK 120,000 per year

These are the comparisons of how much would it cost to study in cost of study in Canada for Indian students compared to other countries, do note that the costs may also depend on which city you live in these cities and these costs might also differ based on your preferred degree.

Also Read: Top Part-Time Jobs for Indian Students in Canada

Conclusion

Canada is one of the leading positions in terms of attraction for Indian students because of its quality educational services and rather low tuition fee rates. Even today, the Canadian government is launching measures to enchant international students and provide rich, flexible, and competitive opportunities for education. By understanding the cost of studying in Canada for Indian students and exploring available financial aid options, students can plan their education journey effectively.

If you want to find out the cost of studying in Canada for Indian students, then TerraTern can be your assistant when immigrating to Canada. With many immigration services offered by TerraTern that will make your move to Canada easier and simple!

Get all the details on Australia PR with this visa checklist

Why Trust TerraTern

At TerraTern, we adhere to a stringent editorial policy emphasizing factual accuracy, impartiality and relevance. Our content, curated by experienced industry professionals. A team of experienced editors reviews this content to ensure it meets the highest standards in reporting and publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Indian students manage their finances while studying in Canada?

The Indian student must learn to budget himself and or herself, look for employment in various capacities, and apply for a scholarship or a financial aid program. However, it is possible to take certain measures that can range from cutting costs drastically, choosing cheap accommodation, and cooking your meals, taking advantage of student discounts. Some universities also have services that help students how to deal with money for instance financial counselling services.

Are there specific scholarships available for Indian students in Canadian universities?

Indeed, numerous universities in Canada provide scholarships to Indian students depending on merit, financial situation, or areas of study. Various available scholarships include Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute scholarships, Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence scholarships, and others like the University of Toronto International Scholar Award hence can go a long way to help with the expenses of studying in the region for students from India.

What are the average monthly living expenses for Indian students in Canada?

Basic living expenses that are incurred by Indian students in Canada every month are estimated to be in the range of CAD 800 to CAD 1,200. These include; housing and utilities, eating-out expenses, travel costs, medical costs and other incidental charges. Expenditures can be different depending on the city, chosen life, and type of housing – in a dormitory or an apartment. These expenses can be kept down to the bare minimum through as much budgeting and optimally, totally availing of the student discounts.

Do universities in Canada offer part-time work opportunities for international students?

Yes, it is legal for international students in Canada to work while studying as they are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week during term time, and full-time during holidays. Students can work for institutional employers like the university, where often there are options such as working at the library, in the cafeteria, or even as a research assistant. Laddering of jobs in markets, and restaurants, and interaction with customers are also other opportunities that enable students to cater for their living expenses other than study.

How does the cost of studying in Canada compare to other popular study destinations?

Education cost in most of the universities in Canada is cheaper than those found in the United States and United Kingdom with much cheaper tuition fees and cost of living. Compared to Australia, Canada has a comparatively lower cost for education but higher living costs whereas countries in Europe may have smaller tuition fees but the living costs differ. This makes Canada to be cheap for Indian students who want to pursue their education in foreign countries.