MentorAre you looking for low tuition fee universities in Canada best for foreigners. International students ask various questions with regards the tuition fees, cost of living, admission requirements, study visa and top universities in Canada.
As a result, we emerge to ensure that you are well informed about the cheapest public universities in Canada.
International students send more study applications to Canadian universities making Canada the most desired study abroad destination.
They don’t get exhausted searching the web for universities in Canada excluding every application fees. It is also necessary to know that Canadian universities teaches courses in top fields of discipline ranging from Medical courses, Engineering courses, Law, Finance, Arts etc.
Despite the peaceful atmosphere in canada, the living cost is lower as compared to other top study abroad destinations especially in Europe. A greater number of applying students desire to study in one of the most affordable universities in Canada.
Canada As A Top Study Abroad Nation For International Students
Recently, the number of international students wishing to study in Canada has greatly increased making the admission competition tougher such that only the top-notch students can successfully sail through.
This is seen due to the fact that Canada has a lot of top ranking institutions, high academic rankings, lots of job opportunities after graduation, vibrant cultural life, safe and secure environment and even a strong geographical beauty to mention but a few.
Additionally, Canada is of no doubt one of the cheapest study abroad countries for international students. Also, there are so many affordable tuition universities and institutions you can study your dream course.
Major cities include massive Toronto, west coast film center Vancouver, French-speaking Montréal and Québec City, and capital city Ottawa.
It might interest you to know that some universities in Canada operate on very low tuition fees. These tuition fees fall in the range of $5,000 to $16,000 per year for undergraduate, master and doctorate degree programs.
These fees can be higher depending on the course of study. Checking out the fees on the university’s portal is what we always recommend. Once you are ready to apply, we can assist you in the application process.
Cost of Living in Canada as an International Student
Cost of living simply means the amount of money a student needs to take care of his/her expenses like feeding, accommodation, transportation etc. In Canada, it is very affordable.
That said, it can be estimated as $600 to $800 a month for a student’s living expenses. This amount will take care of his/her feeding, buying of books, stationery, transportation etc.
Breakdown of the cost of living in Canada for students:
- Accommodation (bedroom apartment) – $400 approximately per month.
- Books and supplies – $1000 per year
- Movies – $8.50 – $13
- Average restaurant meal – $10 – $25 per person
- Groceries – $150 – $200 per month
A student can spend more or less. This list is just an estimate and strongly depends on one’s spending habits.
Tuition Fees at Canadian Universities
Average tuition for Canadian citizens or permanent residents seeking to earn an undergraduate degree in their country is about $5000 CAD per year. The same students choosing to earn a graduate degree in Canada should expect to pay about $1000 CAD more annually than undergraduate tuition fees.
Foreign students are required to pay higher fees than Canadian residents–nearly three times the amount, in fact. If you are an international student, expect to pay $14,000 per year for undergraduate programs and an even higher amount for graduate degrees.
Even so, some agreements between certain countries and provinces can lower the tuition fees (France and Quebec for instance). It has been observed that non-resident students attending Saskatchewan and Quebec universities pay the highest in tuition fees, while students attending Newfoundland and Manitoba universities will pay the lowest tuition fees.
It is highly recommended for students to confirm these tuition fees from their desired institution before concluding their plans. As we have come to know, some courses are much more expensive than other even at the same level of study.
Admission Requirements and How To Apply To The Universities In Canada
Applying to any Canadian university as an international student takes different methods. This is because different universities in Canada have their own policy regarding admission requirements.
You need to visit the webpage of any institution you may wish to apply for specific guidelines on that. Contact us for special assistance on how to apply.
Undergraduate requirements
Undergraduate requirements depend on the type of university one chooses, this is usually in form of prerequisites and assessments guiding the admission processes involved in a certain University or College to offer an academic degree, which varies in different ways depending on if the student is a foreigner or a permanent resident.
For admission into undergraduate level, student must have completed twelve years of academic education, but for postgraduate level it is sixteen years. Please find below the undergraduate requirements if you want to start sending your applications to any Canadian Tertiary Institutions.
- An official high school transcripts/results(or attested copy if applicable)
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (if any) - (N/B: If the student applying is from a non-English speaking country these have to be translated to English by a school official)
- A detailed chronological résumé to demonstrate educational achievements, work experience, progression, community involvement, volunteer experience, and other related experience
- A Letter of Intent(LOI) that clearly explains why the applicant is applying and outlines the student’s academic intentions. This in other words is called a statement of purpose which is the most important part of the application process.
- A statement of purpose/Letter of Intent is a personal essay written by the student which outlines why he/she chooses Canada as the study abroad destination and what would make him/her a good student for the course and university
Applicants who completed high school or any post-secondary study outside Canada must also submit:
- Documentation confirming their high school completion was awarded, if not already indicated on official transcripts
- Letter of recommendation by a teacher or counsellor who knows you well and has taught you professionally in a subject related to your application choice.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
The major languages used in Canada for instructions are English and French. Bust most of the universities offer courses in English language. So, you need to show your proficiency by means of English Language tests.
IELTS is most widely recognized and accepted English proficiency test in Canada, however, some universities and colleges accept TOEFL. The score that you must obtain in these language tests vary from institution to institution and course of study.
Some universities even seek for other medium of English language test assessment. Other test results are CAEL and CANTEST.
For MBA, students may be asked for two years of work experience before being admitted to the university. In most of the cases GMAT is compulsory for MBA students.
Postgraduate entry requirements
If you wish to study at the Postgraduate (master’s) level, you must have
- A recognized Bachelor’s degree.
How to Apply To The Universities In Canada: Online Application
Applying to any Canadian institution is so easy. We have summarized the steps for you below.
Steps:
- Visit the website of the University you want to enroll for studies.
- Go through the university’s set admission requirements for the level and course you wish to study.
- Request for an application form from the university. This can be done via email, telephone or downloaded from the website of the university.
- Fill the downloaded form, upload it and send it as a a completed application form to the university’s admissions office for consideration, along with the required/supporting documents and fees as instructed by the institution.
- If the application is successful, then you will receive an admission offer, which you can either accept or decline. The admissions office will also send what is called ‘student authorization’ and ‘visa forms’.
N/B: It is necessary to start sending your applications to any institution at least 15 months before admission dates.
If you want to apply for graduate studies in Canada, you will have to pass through these steps below:
- Fill in an application form online
- Submit your qualifications and transcripts
- Show proof in proficiency in English or French( language of instruction is based on the program you want to study)
- Submit letters of recommendation
- You will need to write letter of motivation – an essay explaining why you chose to study in Canada
- For international students that finished their undergraduate program outside Canada, you may be required to pay an International Credential Evaluation fee to have your qualifications valid
- Finally, after your admission is guaranteed, you have to apply for a visa or study permit, and can also apply for scholarships or grants.
Low Tuition Universities in Canada for International students
- University of Saskatchewan
- Royal Roads University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Northern British Columbia
- Vancouver Island University
- Brandon University
- University College of the North
- University of Manitoba
- University of Winnipeg
- Université de Saint-Boniface
- Mount Allison University
- Thomas University
- University of New Brunswick
- Université de Moncton
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
Eligibility for Study Visas
To be eligible to obtain a Canadian study visa, students must prove they have been admitted by a college or university in Canada, prove they can financially support themselves and pay tuition fees and present a clean record in regards to criminal history.
Students may be asked to undergo a medical examination in some cases before a student visa is issued.
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