How Much Does It Cost To Live And Study In Montreal As A Student?
Recently, Montreal is making it easier for international students who graduated from the region’s college or university continuing staying. This article will check out the cost to live and study in Montreal as a student.
CTV News media reported that the “Je Choisis Montreal” – “I choose Montreal” in English – the movement is trying to improve how it assist and supports international students live and work in the metropolis after graduating.
The organisation’s Student Projects Director, Mathieu Lefort declared: “We want to improve the results…That’s why ‘Je Choisis Montreal’ campaign was launched, to work with the Québec government and make sure those talents that have a degree or diploma from Québec remain and contribute to the Quebec economy.”
The lure of receiving post-graduation policies for international students is strong in this region. What’s more, Montreal is ranked first among the North of America and fourth globally in the 2018 QS ranking of Best Study Cities.
But before you begin packing your bags to get on the next plane to Montreal, here’s a little guide as to how much it costs to live and study in Montreal:
1. Tuition fees
It is generally less expensive to study in Montreal than other places in North America. At the University of Montreal, for instance, a Master’s costs CAD$8,186 per academic year (CAD$425 per thesis session) while a PhD costs CAD$7,348 per academic year (CAD$425 per thesis session).
Meanwhile, at Dawson College, full-time regular international students pay between CAD$6,119 to CAD$9,486 per academic semester depending on their course of study. This amount is in addition to other applicable charges.
2. Visa or Canadian Study Permit
A Canadian study permit, also know as students visa, will be required for programmes or courses longer than six (6) months. Application for a Study permit costs CAD$150, including extensions.
3. Accommodation
While Montreal’s rent and accommodation prices used to be very low, things are now on the rise. In 2016, a nice, comfortable four-bedroom apartment could go for as low as CAD$1,800 a month, as this The Globe and Mail piece states. Rent prices have recently soared by 13 per cent in the previous year – according to a recent report released by PadMapper.
Ranked fourth-highest in the country in terms of rent prices, students should expect to pay an average of CAD$1,350 and CAD$1,660 for one and two-bedroom units respectively.
4. Food
Cost of living is enviably low here compared to other large cities. For food, around CAD$350 a month would be an average budget to work around with – it’s items like winter clothings and books for courses that will require big sums of money.
5. Transport
A monthly public transport tickets costs around CAD$83, while an 8km taxi trip on a business day costs around CAD$32. Since the city is known to be a hub for cyclists, it makes more sense to invest CAD$300 to buy a new or used bike of your own.
6. Fun
Festivals is a way of life in Canada’s second-largest city. While the costs for some are affordable, others like Osheaga costs CAD$115 for general admission and CAD$235 for gold passes. Other entertainment spot like going to the movies would cost you about CAD$26 for two Adults, CAD$7 for a pint of beer and CAD$45 for a dinner for two persons at a neighbourhood pub.
Montreal is a beautiful city for those who love sight seeing, there’s always Mont-Royal for the amazing views of downtown Montreal and the mountains over on the south bank is another wonderful place to visit.