There’s no doubt that it can be expensive for students to study overseas. However, Canada offers one of the lowest tuition rates for international students. So, before you leave Malaysia, do consider expenses like accommodation, food, health coverage, and travelling along with your tuition fees while calculating the estimated cost of studying in Canada.
Your expenditure on tuition fees depends on the type of qualification and university or school you opt for. To cover tuition fees, you will need between CAD 7,000 and CAD 29,000 a year (indicative).
Most commonly, humanities, education, and arts courses are cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at the postgraduate level, the tuition fees are typically higher and the costs vary depending on the programme. As with most other countries, MBA programmes are often the most expensive. The average cost for these courses is around CAD 42,000.
S.no | Study Programme | Average Fees in $CAD* |
1. | Undergraduate programme | $12,000 to $25,000 per year |
2. | Postgraduate master's degree | $14,000 to $35,000 per year |
3. | Doctoral Degree | $7,000 to $10,000 per year |
*Please note all fee figures are indicative
To bring down your educational expenses, you can also apply for various scholarships available for international students.
To study in Canada, the first step is to secure a valid study permit and that comes with its costs (approx. CAD 150). You can refer to the official website for fees for various visa applications.
Most universities in Canada offer on-campus residence facilities to international students. Living as a resident on-campus is a very affordable option, however, you need to apply for it separately, and well ahead in time to secure a slot for yourself.
If you are unable to find such accommodation, you might have to look for a room on rent, homestay, or find a local host. The cost will vary from city to city.
If you opt to rent an apartment, you will have to additionally pay for utility bills like electricity, internet, water usage, and also tenant’s insurance (in some areas of housing). House rent for a two-bedroom apartment generally ranges between CAD 600 and CAD 1,600 [Indicative, Source: CMHC (Fall 2017)]. In most cases, universities help students in finding accommodation, both on-campus as well as off-campus.
You need to keep a little money aside for your grocery shopping, social activities, and emergencies. When living in a foreign country, it is better to keep track of your expenditures so that you do not overspend. Considering various expenses and living costs, a single student budget in Canada comes around to be approx. CAD 15,000 (indicative).
All international students must get medical insurance before the commencement of their programme. Several Canadian schools and universities have initiated comprehensive health insurance plans for international students, but that is applicable as long your programme is ongoing and ceases upon completion.
Certain colleges may not offer any insurance policies, and hence you will have to arrange for private medical insurance (your IDP counsellor will guide you with the same). The average cost for medical insurance ranges between CAD 300- CAD 800 a year (indicative).
Public transport is available in all cities and major towns of the country. For short distances, you can make use of regional trains, buses, and subways. This can range anywhere between CAD 80 and CAD 110 (approx. figure, subject to change with the fluctuating economy). It is a good idea to get monthly passes for traveling to college and back as these can be fairly cheap. Find out if your university or college provides any shuttle service between your place of stay and campus.
Exchange rate variations may also affect your budgeting. It is advisable to look for a part-time job while you are in Canada or seek a scholarship in the universities you apply to. This will help to reduce your cost of studying overseas.