Canada's cheapest universities for international students are not as cheap as many guides still say. This guide uses 2026-27 fees published on each university's own website, and it shows where older lists understated the cost. Tuition changes every year, so check the university page for your programme before you apply.
- For study permit applications on or after 1 September 2026, IRCC requires a single applicant outside Quebec to show 23,448 Canadian dollars a year for living costs, on top of first-year tuition and travel
- Off-campus work for international students is limited to 24 hours a week during term
- Most undergraduate and diploma applicants also need a provincial attestation letter (checked October 2026).
Which Are the Cheapest Universities in Canada for International Students?
Among the public universities we checked, the lowest 2026-27 undergraduate tuition is at the University of Prince Edward Island, at about 17,850 Canadian dollars a year. The University of Manitoba is next at about 20,700, then Memorial at 22,500 and Cape Breton at about 23,800. Several universities often called cheap now cost far more.
| University (fees checked Oct 2026) | Programme | Approx. tuition per year, 2026-27 (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Prince Edward Island | Bachelor's, full load | About 17,850 (tuition plus international fee) |
| University of Manitoba | Arts, 30 credit hours | About 20,700 (689.23 per credit hour) |
| Memorial University (St. John's) | Bachelor's, two semesters | 22,500 (750 per credit hour) |
| Cape Breton University | BA, BSc or BBA | About 23,800 (four-year total 95,177.60, includes the mandatory medical plan) |
| Thompson Rivers University | Bachelor's, 30 credits | About 26,250 (875 per credit) |
| Lakehead University | BSc Computer Science | 31,750 |
| University of Regina | Bachelor's, average of 10 classes | About 32,500 (university estimate) |
| University of Saskatchewan | Arts, full course load | 39,007 |
These figures are tuition only. Student fees, health insurance, books and programme fees come on top, and engineering, business and science programmes usually cost more than Arts. Public colleges are often cheaper than universities, so compare diplomas as well.
Cheap Diploma Courses in Canada for Indian Students 2026Read →Are Regina, Saskatchewan and Lakehead Still Cheap for International Students?
Not on 2026-27 figures. The University of Regina estimates about 32,500 dollars of tuition for an international undergraduate, after raising its international multiplier from 3.0 to 3.5. Lakehead lists 31,750 for computer science, and the University of Saskatchewan lists 39,007 for Arts. Older guides showing 16,000 to 25,000 dollars are out of date.
Treat any list of cheap Canadian universities with caution if it does not show the year of the fee. International tuition at several prairie universities has risen sharply, and Cape Breton's board approved a 5 percent increase for international undergraduates. Always confirm the fee for your own programme on the university's fee page.
Which Are the Cheapest Universities in Canada for an MBA?
Published fees put Memorial University at about 37,500 Canadian dollars for the two-year MBA, using its 2025-26 table, and the University of Regina's Levene MBA at about 38,900 in tuition plus a surcharge of 1,334.50 per semester. The Edwards MBA at the University of Saskatchewan lists about 73,600 for the full programme, so it is not a budget option.
| MBA (fees checked Oct 2026) | Published cost (CAD) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial University | About 37,500 total | 2025-26 international table, includes special and student fees |
| University of Regina (Levene MBA) | About 38,900 tuition | Plus an international surcharge of 1,334.50 per semester |
| University of Saskatchewan (Edwards MBA) | About 73,600 tuition | Full programme completed in 2026-27, plus student fees |
Add living costs, books and insurance to these totals. MBA fees change each year and often include special programme charges, so ask the school for the current cost sheet.
MBA in Canada for Indian StudentsRead →Which Is the Cheapest Master's in Computer Science in Canada?
Memorial University lists an international MSc in Computer Science at 2,600 Canadian dollars a semester, about 15,600 over a two-year programme, on its graduate fee page. That is low next to other Canadian universities, but the page does not state the academic year, so confirm the current rate with the department before you apply.
Other universities charge more. The University of Manitoba's main master's table lists an international programme fee of about 13,455 a term in the first two terms, while another table on the same page lists about 7,186, so confirm which applies to computer science. The University of Regina publishes its fee schedule by programme and adds an international surcharge each term.
Which Are the Cheapest Colleges in Canada for a PG Diploma?
Public colleges usually cost less than universities. Diploma tuition at the public colleges on our diploma guide runs from about 14,000 to 20,000 Canadian dollars a year, for example 14,045 at North Island College and 20,085 at Niagara College. Check your own programme's fee, and note that most diploma applicants also need an attestation letter.
Fees for postgraduate diplomas differ by college and programme, and the post-graduation work permit depends on the programme being eligible. Our diploma guide lists current college fees and the rules for work permits.
Canada Study Permit Cap 2026: What Indian Students Should DoRead →What Is the Cost of Living in Canada?
For study permit applications on or after 1 September 2026, IRCC requires a single applicant outside Quebec to show 23,448 Canadian dollars a year for living costs, excluding tuition and travel. Quebec sets its own amount. Shared rooms outside the biggest cities cost roughly 600 to 1,200 dollars a month, and much more in Toronto and Vancouver.
The cost of living in Canada includes pre-arrival and post-arrival costs. Pre-arrival expenses cover the study permit fee, biometrics, a medical exam, an English test and insurance. Post-arrival costs vary widely by city, with Toronto and Vancouver running 30 to 50 percent above Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Atlantic Canada.
Pre-arrival costs
- Study permit (visa) fee – CAD 150
- Biometrics fee – CAD 85
- Proof of living funds – CAD 23,448 for a single applicant outside Quebec (applications from 1 September 2026); many students show it through a Guaranteed Investment Certificate, so ask your bank for the current minimum
- Medical exam (panel physician) – approx. CAD 200–400
- Police clearance certificate – varies by country
- Insurance and English test fees – vary
Post arrival costs
- Shared accommodation – CAD 600–1,200 per month outside Toronto/Vancouver, CAD 1,300–2,000 in big cities
- Public transport pass – CAD 90–160 per month depending on city
- Food and groceries – CAD 300–500 per month for a self-cooking student
- Health insurance (UHIP/private) – CAD 600–1,050 per year where provincial cover does not apply
- Books, supplies and winter clothing – CAD 1,250 plus CAD 500 one-time
What Can International Students Do to Save Costs?
From November 2024, international students at designated learning institutions can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during term and full-time during scheduled breaks. Smart cost-cutting moves for 2026 include applying for entrance scholarships, choosing Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Atlantic provinces, sharing rentals, cooking at home, and using student transit passes.
There are several effective ways for international students to save money while studying in Canada. Applying for entrance scholarships and bursaries is the biggest lever, followed by choosing an affordable province (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland), working up to the new 24-hour weekly cap during term, sharing accommodation, and using monthly transit passes instead of ride-share or owning a car.
Work
Eligible international students at designated learning institutions can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during term time (raised from 20 hours in November 2024) and full-time during scheduled breaks. On-campus work has no hour cap. The average part-time wage of CAD 16-22 an hour helps offset living costs, and the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) can lead to permanent residence.
Controlled lifestyle
International students can keep costs down through a controlled lifestyle. Eating out, frequent ride-shares, and entertainment spending add up quickly in Canadian cities. Cooking at home, using student discounts, and limiting non-essentials can save a meaningful share of your yearly budget.
Accommodation
International students can stay in shared rentals, homestays, university residences or basement apartments to save costs. In 2026, shared accommodation in Winnipeg, Saskatoon or St John's runs CAD 600-900 per month, while the same setup in Toronto or Vancouver typically costs CAD 1,300-2,000. Most universities also run subsidised on-campus residences for first-year international students.
Cost of Living in Canada 2026Read →What Are the Application Fees at Cheaper Canadian Universities?
Published international application fees are modest at several cheaper universities: 80 Canadian dollars at Cape Breton, 100 at Thompson Rivers University and the University of Regina, 125 at the University of New Brunswick and 135 at Lakehead. Fees can change and some programmes charge more, so check the application page of each university.
Application fees are only a small part of the budget, but applying to several universities adds up. Most universities also ask for a tuition deposit after you accept an offer, for example 1,000 dollars at the University of Regina and 3,000 at Thompson Rivers University for undergraduate fall programmes.
Which Cheap Canadian Universities Accept International Students Without IELTS?
Several affordable Canadian institutions accept applicants without an IELTS score if their previous studies were taught in English or they provide a Medium of Instruction letter. Examples often listed include the University of Winnipeg, Concordia University, the University of Saskatchewan, Brock University, Carleton University, Cambrian College, Seneca College and the University of Regina.
There are several Canadian universities that are both affordable and willing to admit international students without an IELTS score, where the previous qualification was taught in English or a Medium of Instruction letter is provided. Policies differ by programme and year, and an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent is still strongly recommended, so confirm on each university's English requirements page.
Here is a list of some of the cheapest universities and colleges in Canada that do not require IELTS:
- University of Winnipeg
- Concordia University
- University of Saskatchewan
- Brock University
- Carleton University
- Cambrian College
- Seneca College
- University of Regina
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (case-by-case MOI letter accepted)
Which Canadian Universities Offer Scholarships to International Students?
Most public Canadian universities offer entrance scholarships, bursaries and graduate awards. Notable 2026 options include the University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award, McGill Entrance Scholarships, York University Global Leader of Tomorrow Award, Memorial University International Entrance Scholarship and Concordia Presidential Scholarship.
Students can use scholarships, bursaries and assistantship awards to substantially reduce the cost of studying in Canada. Most public Canadian universities offer entrance scholarships based on academic merit, plus larger fully funded awards. Amounts and deadlines change each year, so confirm them on each university's scholarship page.
Let us take a look at the best scholarships of universities in Canada
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, University of Toronto (full tuition + residence + living for 4 years)
- UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award (full tuition + living costs)
- McGill Entrance Scholarships (CAD 3,000–12,000)
- York University Global Leader of Tomorrow Award (up to CAD 10,000 per year)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland International Entrance Scholarship (CAD 4,400 and above)
- Concordia Presidential Scholarship (CAD 25,000 over 4 years)
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CAD 50,000 a year, doctoral)