A typical international university or college student spends approximately CAD$14,000 annually on tuition, books and other study materials in Canada, so it’s important to have funds in place before you start.
The vast majority of students remain dependent on their families and/or personal savings to pay for their education. A report by the Canadian Bureau for International Education says that 85% of college students and 67% of university students admit that parents help pay for their education.
Most universities and colleges in Canada are funded by the government, and as a result the tuition fees are considerably lower than in many other countries.
Each university determines its own tuition fees, and there can be a wide range even within the same province. While fees are generally more expensive for non-Canadian students, the levels of government funding do make it possible for institutions to offer education at a lower rate to all students.
There are also a number of private institutions in Canada, which charge the same or very similar tuition fees to both Canadian and international students.
Information about programmes available at Canadian universities, including international tuition fees and even an estimate of living costs, can be found at www.educationau-incanadaca, where interested international students can do a detailed search to help determine which institution is best for them.
Scholarships
Most universities offer their own scholarships to international students, and at the masters/graduate and doctorate/post-doctorate levels many offer substantial scholarships and teaching or research assistant positions (which include a salary) to b candidates.
There are a number of scholarships that are available for international students who want to study in Canada. Scholarships are often awarded by individual schools are universities, and are given on a merit basis – you will need to be of a high academic standard to be successful.
Also available are scholarships from the government and external organisations, which are not affiliated with any particular university. They include:
Canadian International Development Agency Scholarships – several of these scholarships are available, for international students who want to finish their education in Canada.
International Council for Canadian Studies – this organisation gives a number of scholarships for internships, graduate and postgraduate research in Canadian Studies.
International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Funding – the IDRC awards money to fund research activities that will provide benefits for developing countries and their citizens.
International Scholarship Programs for Study in Canada – scholarships are awarded by the government to international students who want to take up study in Canada.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS) – funding is awarded to encourage excellence in graduate studies at both masters and doctoral levels.
Quebec Merit Fellowships Program for Foreign Students – a variety of scholarships available for doctoral research, postdoctoral fellowships, short-term research and professional development.
The Rotary Foundation’s Ambassadorial Scholarships – this is the world’s largest privately funded scholarship system, giving out more than 1000 scholarships per year.
Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories – research associateships are available for emerging scientists and engineers. The awards are given by the National Research Council (NRC).
The Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships Programme – 15 scholarships are awarded every year to doctoral candidates in the social science and humanities fields.