15 Cheapest Universities – Courses in Canada for Int’l Students
The 15 cheapest universities and courses in Canada include all the courses available for international students in Canada, where they can get a degree in their preferred course at a meager cost.
Canada is renowned for its excellent and cheap education, making it one of the most sought-after locations for international students. Canada is one of the most affordable countries that offers top-notch education, with tuition fees ranging from 12,000 to 30,000 CAD annually. Canada witnessed an increase in the number of international students between 2010 and 2018, and this accounted for a more than 100% increase. There are many reasons why international students choose to study in Canada.
One of the reasons is that Canada offers a lower tuition fee than other developed countries like the USA, Britain, and others and still offers excellent and quality education. There are many universities in Canada with low tuition fees where students can get quality education like in other places in the world and still enjoy a good standard of education and a good living standard. Canada has a reputation for its quality of education, from elementary to post-secondary studies.
According to University Ranking, 7 out of 150 universities in the globe are in Canada, so you can guess that Canada boasts of top universities even though their cost may be lower than other palaces. The most popular universities in Canada include the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McGill University, and the University of Alberta. These universities can be compared with the best universities in the world.
This article will show you the cheapest universities and courses to study in Canada in 2023.
Designated Learning Institution
When planning to enroll in any Canadian university, you must enquire if it is on the list of designated learning institutions in Canada. You can see the list of designated learning institutions on the Canada.CA website, which is the government of Canada’s official website, and where you will find the list of all designated learning institutions.
What if the designated learning institution loses its designation status?
In certain situations, it happens that your institution was on the list of designated learning institutions but later lost this status while you were still studying. The question that many students ask is what they should do.
Be calm when your college or university loses its status as a designated learning institution because it does not affect you. This is because you have gained admission before it loses its status so that you can finish your studies in that institution without any problem.
Even if you are still in the first semester, you are guaranteed to complete your program with full-time status. All you have to do is fulfill all the requirements you need as a full-time student by completing all the credits. After doing this, you will be eligible for a postgraduate work permit after your studies, like other students in a designated learning institution.
What is the Education System in Canada like?
The primary reason international students rush to study in Canada is not just because of the low tuition fee but also because of the quality education system in Canada, especially at the higher education level. This is because Canada enjoys a perfect higher education system in which each province takes care of its education system.
So, if you plan to study in Canada, you will have to check the province to know what variations they might have from other provinces. You can also check for the education system of each province on their official websites.
In Canada, you are most likely to complete your undergraduate degrees between three and four years compared to most countries where it takes less than four years for undergraduate programs.
Postgraduate degrees could be completed between one to three years, depending on your program.
Cost of Study in Canada
As mentioned above, there are many universities and courses in Canada that you can study for a meager fee. Canada enjoys low tuition fees worldwide, attracting international students to Canadian universities for not undergraduate and graduate programs. Canada is also ranked among the best countries to live in the world. So, you don’t just have the best place to study, but you will also enjoy Canada’s living standards.
In this paragraph, you will learn everything you need to know about the cost of studying in Canada. The details will be divided into two categories based on the type of program for better understanding. They include:
- Bachelor’s or Undergraduate Fees
- Postgraduate/Master’s Degree Fee
The undergraduate tuition fee for international students in Canada is around CAD 25,000. Of course, some programs cost lower than this, but this is the average cost of studying an undergraduate program in Canada as an international student. Below is a list of some tuition fees per year for selected undergraduate/bachelor’s degree programs in Canada: Note: This amount may not be exact, but very close to the average yearly tuition fee. Each institution has its amount, but they are very close to the amount mentioned. Most universities offer law as a postgraduate program. Still, because of the different systems applicable, some provinces have room for students who want to study law in an undergraduate program. So, if you want to study law in an undergraduate program as an international student, you are sure to spend an average tuition fee of about CAD 30,000 every year. To study any course in the sciences like Maths or engineering, you will also likely spend an average tuition fee of about CAD 30,000. BBA program Business Administration is not the same as MBA. This is just an undergraduate course in Business Administration. A Business Administration program will likely cost you about CAD 26,000 per year.
Undergraduate law program
Science and Engineering program –
The average cost of a Postgraduate or Master’s degree program for an international student is about 16,000 Canadian dollars. Below is a list of the tuition fee for some postgraduate programs in Canada.
15 Cheapest Universities in Canada for International Students
Below is the list of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students who want to study in Canada;
1. Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN);
The number one on the list of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students is the Memorial University of Newfoundland, with an average tuition fee of USD 8,150 per academic year.
The university is ranked between the 701st and 750th best universities according to the Q.S. World University Ranking. Among all the universities in Canada, the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) is currently the cheapest university in Canada for international students. Thus, they receive about 3,000 international students every year.
There are seven faculties at Canada’s cheapest university, with six schools and more than 30 research centers. The university is located in St. John’s with four other campuses, including one in England. There are various scholarships for international students at MUN
2. St. Stephen’s University (SSU);
The second cheapest university in Canada is St. Stephen’s University, with a tuition fee of USD 8,400 per academic year.
St. Stephen’s University (SSU) is also a private university located in one of Canada’s small towns in New Brunswick. It offers four Bachelor of Arts in humanities, international studies, psychology, and community engagement to its students. You also can gain a master’s degree from the university in theology and culture and different diplomas and certificates.
They offer admission to about 30 new students each year, including international students, and many opportunities to study abroad. There are also scholarships for international students at the university.
3. Canadian Mennonite University (CMU);
The next cheapest university in Canada is Canadian Mennonite University, with a tuition fee of USD 8,450 per academic year.
The Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is a Christian private university in Manitoba. One of Canada’s cheapest universities is divided into five schools where students can take over 20 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
4. Athabasca University;
Number four on the list of cheapest universities in Canada is Athabasca University, with a tuition fee of USD 8,515 per academic year.
It is located in the province of Alberta and specializes in distance and online education. It was one of the first universities to offer this type of education when it started developing distance programs in the ’70s.
There are five faculties at Athabasca University which include: faculties of health disciplines, science and technology, humanities and social sciences, business, and graduate students. They offer all their programs online, and students enjoy a highly flexible schedule, giving them the opportunity of applying at any time of the year.
5. University College of the North (UCN);
Another cheap university in Canada is the University College of the North, with a tuition fee of USD 8,600 to USD 10,120 per academic year.
The university was established in 2004, but its origins can be traced back to 1966, when it was a vocational center. The university boasts about 2,400 students, located in the province of Manitoba, with two campuses and over ten regional centers.
UCN has five faculties, including trades and technology, education, arts and science, business, and health, which offer 40 degree and non-degree programs.
6. Booth University College;
Number six on the list of 15 cheapest universities in Canada for International Students is Booth University College, with a tuition fee of USD 9,200 per academic year.
Booth University College is located in Manitoba and is another private Christian institution affiliated with the Salvation Army, an international Christian organization. They offer students many opportunities to study for a few semesters in other countries.
It offers programs in the fields of humanities, business, social work, and social sciences. Also, see Booth University admission requirements for international students.
7. Kingswood University;
Kingswood University is the number 7 cheapest university in Canada for international students, with a tuition fee of USD 9,550 per academic year. The university offers religion-related degrees and is affiliated with the Christian church. Kingswood University grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology, evangelism and compassion ministry, ministry, and Christian school education.
It also boasts of two campuses located in New Brunswick that include multiple student residences and sports facilities.
8. University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI);
Number 8 of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students is the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), with a tuition fee of USD 9,650 to USD 47,200 per academic year. UPEI is the only university in Prince Edward Island province and a public university whose origins are traced back to 1804.
There are seven in the university, including faculties of business, sustainable design engineering, science, nursing, veterinary medicine, arts, and education. UPEI also boasts three student residences, a sports complex, and a research institute.
Most of the programs offered at UPEI cost between USD 9,650 and USD 16,650 per year, except the programs in the fields of health, which may cost up to USD 47,200 per academic year.
9. Atlantic School of Theology (AST);
Atlantic School of Theology is the 9th cheapest university in Canada for international students, with a tuition fee of USD 9,900 per academic year.
As the name indicates, the Atlantic School of Theology (AST) offers graduate degrees in the field of religion to both religious and non-religious students. It is a public university located in the province of Nova Scotia that also offers a Master of Arts in Religious Studies and Theology and a Master of Divinity.
10. Brandon University;
Number 10 is Brandon University, with a tuition fee of between USD 9,800 to USD 10,850 per academic year. The university was originally founded as a college in 1889. Brandon University is a public university located in the province of Manitoba with about 3,000 domestic and international students. Besides, Brandon University primarily offers undergraduate programs with five facilities, including faculties of education, arts, science, graduate studies, and health science. It also has five research centers and a music school, one of the best in Canada. In addition, the faculty of graduate studies offers five master’s degree programs. Brandon also has some scholarships for international students.
11. University of Manitoba;
The next cheapest university in Canada for international students is the University of Manitoba, with a tuition fee of between USD 10,000 to USD 18,700 per academic year. This is the biggest university in Manitoba province, with almost 30,000 students, including international students. It has several educational buildings throughout the region besides its main campus. It is ranked between the 601st and the 650th best universities according to the Q.S. World University Ranking.
The university can boast 24 faculties that offer programs in architecture, arts, science, education, humanities, ecology, etc. In addition, it is reputed for its faculty of medicine, which has over 15 research institutes and 27 departments.
12. University of Winnipeg;
The University of Winnipeg is the number 12 cheapest university in Canada, with a tuition fee of between USD 10,100 to USD 12,500 per academic year.
As one of the cheapest universities in Canada, the University of Winnipeg was a merger of different colleges, with the oldest founded in 1871. The university has six colleges of education, arts, science, kinesiology and applied health, graduate studies, and business and economics programs.
The university has three colleges, 12 research centers and institutes, an anthropology museum, an art gallery, and multiple student residences. Apart from the numerous undergraduate programs, the University of Winnipeg also offers eight master’s degree programs.
13. Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts);
Number 13 on the list of cheapest universities in Canada for international students is the Alberta University of Arts, with a tuition fee of USD 10,600 per academic year.
AUArts was originally an institute of art founded in 1926. The Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is a public university that grants degrees in different arts and design fields, including photography, print media, visual communication, ceramics, etc.
Its campus includes over ten galleries for exhibiting student work within and outside the university.
14. Tyndale University;
Tyndale University is another cheap university in Canada for international students with a tuition fee of USD 11,300 per academic year.
This Christian private higher education institution was founded over a century ago with grants undergraduate degrees in education, religious education, business administration, philosophy, history, religious studies, and English.
This is a seminary that also offers graduate studies. The Master’s degree programs include master’s degree programs in theology, theological studies, divinity, and a doctor of ministry.
15. St. Thomas University (STU);
The last university on our list of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students is St.Thomas University, with a tuition fee of between USD 11,400 to USD 14,700 per academic year.
STU is located in New Brunswick as a public Catholic university with 1,900 students. The main focus of STU is on undergraduate education, and its degree programs include multiple bachelor of arts, social work, education, and applied arts in more than 30 areas.
STU is affiliated with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) as they share certain facilities. This helps some students of STU to take some courses at VUBN, even as they are autonomous and independent universities.
Cheapest Courses in Canada for International Students
After knowing the 15 cheapest universities in Canada for international students, it is also necessary that you know the most suitable courses you can study in Canada across different fields. Therefore, the list of the most inexpensive courses in Canada for international students is below.
There are many courses you can study across the field of Computer Science and I.T. for international students in Canada. Cheap Courses in Computer Science & I.T. in Canada include: You can also find a few courses to study in Canada in the field of Finance and Business. Some of the cheapest Courses in Business & Management for international students in Canada include: Engineering courses offer you many career opportunities in Canada, and there are some of them that you can study for low tuition fees. Some of the cheapest Courses in Engineering in Canada for international students include: You can also study a few courses in. physical and earth science in Canada for a low tuition fee. Some cheap courses in science include: The Agricultural Science and Foresters also have several cheap courses for international students to study in Canada, which include: You can also opt to study some cheap courses in Biotechnology and Medicine, which include: The cheap courses in Mass Communication include: MBA programs are always the costliest to study anywhere in the world, but there are still many courses in the field that you can study in Canada as an international student for a lower cost. Some of the cheapest MBA courses in Canada for international students include: If you are interested in psychology and human resources, some programs are available for you in Canada as an international student with low tuition fees. They include:1. Computer Science and I.T. –
Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Computing Science – Simon Fraser University
MSc in Computer Science – Memorial University of Newfoundland
Diploma in Technology – McMaster University
M.Sc in Computer Science – University of Regina
2. Business and Management –
Master of Arts in Economics – Memorial University of Newfoundland
Master of Employment Relations – Memorial University of Newfoundland
Bachelor of Business Administration – Canadian Mennonite University
M.Sc. In Business Administration – University of Northern British Columbia
MA in Development Economics– University of Northern British Columbia
3. Core Engineering Courses –
Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering – Memorial University of Newfoundland
Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering – Memorial University of Newfoundland
Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering – Memorial University of Newfoundland
Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering – Memorial University of Newfoundland
Master of Engineering in Oil and Gas Engineering – Memorial University of Newfoundland
4. Physical & Earth Sciences and Renewable Energy –
Master of Science in Physics -Simon Fraser University
Master of Science in Mathematics – Simon Fraser University
Master of Science in Chemistry – Simon Fraser University
MSc Molecular Biology and Biochemistry- Simon Fraser University
5. Agricultural Sciences and Foresters –
M.Sc Environmental Science – Memorial University of Newfoundland
B.A. in Geography – University of Manitoba
MSc in Environmental Studies- University of Victoria
M.Sc. in Geological Sciences – University of Saskatchewan
6. Biotechnology and Medicine –
Certificate in Health and Fitness Studies – Simon Fraser University
Master in Nursing- University of Manitoba
MSc in Physical Therapy – University of Alberta
7. Mass communications –
Master of Arts in Communication – Simon Fraser University
Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Media and Journalism)- Canadian Mennonite University
8. MBA –
Master in Business Administration (MBA)- Memorial University of Newfoundland
9. Psychology and Human Resources –
Master of Education in Counseling Psychology: Simon Fraser University
Bachelor of Sport Psychology: Canadian Mennonite University
Canadian University Without Application Fees for International Students
Besides having the cheapest universities for international students, Canada also boasts of some reputed universities that do not require an application fee to enroll them as international students. They include:
- Royal Roads University
- Quest University International
- Redeemer University College
- Booth University College
FAQ’s
To study in any of the cheap universities in Canada for international students, you will have to check the admission requirements at the university for international students. Then, if you are eligible to study there, you follow the admission process to the university. Although universities in Canada aren’t free, the answer is yes! You can study for free through scholarships and part-time jobs. On average, tuition fees for international students go from USD 8,000 to USD 15,000 per academic year. These fees may increase at prestigious universities or for majors like medicine or engineering. The Memorial University of Newfoundland is currently the cheapest option for international students in Canada. Tuition fees are USD 8,150 per academic year. However, it is closely followed by St. Stephen’s University, Canadian Mennonite University, Athabasca University, and University College of the North. All of them still offer programs for less than USD 9,000 per year.
