Planning to study abroad is an intensive process that requires thorough research. Canada is one of the best options to study and move abroad as this welcoming, multicultural country provides chances to international students to start their career and afford quality education. This blog article will help you make some mental calculations about how much you will need to spend in order to survive there while pursuing your studies.
Making this initial investment is worth it because it will open up doors for you to settle there permanently after completing your education.
Tuition fee
Tuition fee can vary depending on your university and chosen field but the average tuition fee will be around 28,000 CAD per year. Engineering and medical sciences cost more than other programs. Here is a summary of some broad fields of study and their corresponding annual tuition fees.
For undergraduate programs:
- Engineering- 35,000 CAD
- Nursing- 23,000 CAD
- Dentistry- 40,000 CAD
- Pharmacy- 40,000 CAD
- Law- 36,000 CAD
- Business, Management, and Public Administration– 29,000 CAD
- Humanities– 29,000 CAD
- Education- 23,000 CAD
For graduate programs:
- Engineering– 21,000 CAD
- Nursing– 17,000 CAD
- Dentistry- 24,000 CAD
- Pharmacy- 13,000 CAD
- Law- 18,000 CAD
- Business, Management, and Public Administration– 26,000 CAD
- Humanities- 13,000 CAD
- Education- 18,000 CAD
Accommodation cost in each city
The next thing most students worry about is the rent. There are a lot of options available to you- on-campus and off-campus. It is hard to find on-campus dormitories and share them with other students so most students go for the more affordable option of homestays or rental apartments that can be shared with friends (either furnished or unfurnished). Homestay means that you will occupy one room in the house and meals will be provided by the school. Here’s an average estimate of what you could be spending on your accommodation while living in Canada.
Average rent in each city
- Toronto- 2100 CAD per month
- Vancouver- 2,050 CAD per month
- Montreal- 1,300 CAD per month
- Halifax- 1,400 CAD per month
- Waterloo- 1,500 CAD per month
Dormitory rent
The University of Toronto’s on-campus accommodation costs between 1,080 and 2,982 CAD per month while The University of Montreal charges 550 CAD per month so the dorm rent can vary depending on your university. Average dorm rent would be between 3000 to 7500 CAD per year. So you can keep this in mind if you are planning to earn and save
Homestay
This is a considerably cheaper option that costs you only 400 CAD to 800 CAD per month. You will get a private room and a chance to meet new people.
Food expenses
Groceries take up a big chunk of your monthly expenses so knowing the average prices of meals and household items can help you estimate (and hopefully, budget wisely) your monthly expenditure as an international student. You might be spending around 300 CAD per month on your food. Here’s a list of some common grocery items and how much they cost.
- Milk- 14 cents/ ml
- Rice- 2 CAD per pound
- Eggs- 4 CAD per dozen
- Loaf of bread- 3 CAD
- Apples- 4 CAD per kilogram
- Water- 2 CAD per litre
Keeping in mind this list, you can calculate how much you consume and will be spending per month on food.
Commute expenses
Most students prefer to walk to places but if the distance is too much, the Metro or train are better options. Monthly train passes cost between 80 CAD and 110 CAD but can be discounted for students (by getting a student I-card). Buses cost 100 CAD to 150 CAD per month.
Insurance cost
This might be a novel thing for you if you are coming from a country that does not have government funded healthcare. The insurance plan you choose will decide what amount you will be paying but it costs between 600 CAD and 1000 CAD per year. You can also opt for private healthcare but either way, you must choose an option to ensure studying safely in Canada.
Entertainment
Entertainment might be the last thing on your mind when thinking about expenses but it can be an unexpected cost when you are out with friends and make spontaneous plans. It is an integral part of student life and should be kept in mind when counting expenses.
- Coffee with a friend would cost around 2 CAD
- The average cost of a movie ticket is 15 CAD
- A meal in a casual restaurant costs 25 CAD
Hidden taxes and expenses
You must be mindful about monthly costs that usually get neglected- phone bills and sales taxes. The sales tax is considerably higher than other countries (12% to 15%) and cellphone bills would be around 100 CAD per month, it could vary depending on your plan.
Conclusion
You must remember to concentrate well on your education and understand the difference between your needs and wants when budgeting. There are also plenty of scholarships and earning opportunities through part-time work (20 hours per week according to the student visa), depending on the university schedule you have. Find out more about these options with our expert mentors.
