A comprehensive guide for Indian students looking to study in Canada

For students who are planning to study in Canada, here is a detailed guide. While students may be tempted to strive for the ‘top 10’ colleges, keep in mind that the best faculty and facilities for each course or subject may be spread across different universities, and sometimes not at the ‘top’ university May be.

Tuition in Canada

Tuition in Canada depends on factors such as whether you are a full-time or part-time student, whether you opt for a single or combined course, how many courses you opt for the same subject, the term you are opting for (winter , fall, etc.) and year (tuition is typically increased by 1% each year; fees will increase by 2-5% every academic year for international students, according to a statement from the University of British Columbia).

Fees for postgraduate studies are generally lower in Canada than for undergraduate courses. Tuition for undergraduate courses is based on the ranking of the college or university and the course in which you have gained admission.

Tuition fees for a large part of the master’s course are usually around Canadian Dollars (CAD) 17,000-25,000 (approx.) ₹10-15 lakhs). For top universities like the University of Toronto, the tuition will be CAD 62,840 (approx.) ₹37 lakhs). For universities like Ottawa and Dalhousie, the fees will be much lower.

If you want to do MBA then the course will be expensive. It is a global phenomenon and top universities across the world charge more for MBA. Tuition for international students for MBA course in Canada will range from CAD 24,150 to 66,210 (approx.) ₹14-38 lakhs).

living expenses

International students have two options for accommodation – on-campus or off-campus. It will cost CAD 8,000-10,000 (approx.) to live on a campus ₹5-6 lakh) per annum. However, the cost of shared housing is very low – CAD 400 to 700 (approx.) ₹25,000-42,000) per month depending on the location and time of year. In major cities, expenses can rise to CAD 1,000-2,000 ( ₹60,000-120,000) per month. International students who wish to live off campus can share accommodation with fellow students from around campus. Depending on the type of rooms and apartments, the charges will vary from CAD 5,000 to 10,000 (~ .) ₹5-6 lakh) per annum. Housing costs will be higher in cities such as Toronto and Montreal.

Off-campus stays include shared as well as single apartments, homestays, etc. Students can stay with families as paying guests or can opt for accommodation facilities like hostels and townhouses which are offered to the students living near the campus. International students have the option of taking up a part-time job as per their study permit, although it can be difficult to find a job during the pandemic.

work visa options

Students pursuing full-time courses are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week off campus. They can work full time during holidays and regularly scheduled breaks. Students may try to apply for a Postgraduate Work Permit (PGWP) after completing a course at a Canadian institution.

travel controls

The Government of Canada has set two requirements for international students:

You must have a valid study permit or letter of introduction indicating that you were approved for a study permit.

You must be attending a designated educational institution (DLI) that has a Covid-19 readiness plan approved by the province or territory.

The Government of Canada accepts Pfizer-BioNtech Comirneti, Modern SpikeVax, AstraZeneca Vaxjeveria/Covishield, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson as valid vaccines. Even if you are fully vaccinated, the government insists on a 14-day quarantine.

Ajesh Raj is the co-founder and CEO of Edampus.