Is Living in Canada Expensive For Foreign Students?

There’s definitely something extraordinary in Canada – so extraordinary that it makes a large number of young individuals leave their home countries to try their luck at universities throughout the area. Foreign students and young people in search of a job that’ll bring them a better tomorrow make up the majority of the migrating population, which implies how much more favorable this country is in relation to others. Reputed colleges, degrees that are much more appreciated and gain more value if they come from a more developed environment and a large selection are most responsible for such levels of enthusiasm by Canadian standards. In addition, stories about the kind and hospitable character of its inhabitants can often be heard everywhere, and that might be the reason why everyone feels so welcome there.

It all sounds lovely – maybe so lovely that the thought of a distant country that receives the ones craving for education under its wing begins to entice you. Your ambitions keep flourishing and you’d give anything to feel the vibe that it has to offer. Or maybe you have a dear person considering leaving and starting their education endeavors from the scratch. If so, you’ll admit that finances are what first comes to your mind: how to survive out there and how much money does one actually need to cover the cost of studies and basic living needs?

If so, then we have some amazing news. Canada is certainly a place where, with wise money management and a little bit of organization, you can live and study much cheaper than in countless other countries that abound in renowned universities and institutions. Just in order to prove it to you, we’ve gathered a whole handful of information so that you can get a practical financial mini-guide for your potential future in the land of maple.

Tuition costs

This belongs to the range of things that everyone asks about, logically, since they start considering such an endeavor depending on the answer they receive. Fortunately for the ones who come from less developed countries that can’t boast of a stable and strong economic situation, tuition fees at Canadian universities are largely tailored to international students. Of course, this doesn’t mean that studying is cheap, but it’s frequently much more favorable than what other faculties of equally good reputation and identical ideologies offer.

What everyone likes is the whole package of benefits that you get when you decide to take this step – universities are recognized around the globe, they enjoy huge respect, and at the same time, they’re affordable. The cost depends on the type of institution and the sphere of education, as more sought-after programs such as medicine and law are more costly than others.

Speaking of the most affordable options that are internationally friendly, the top list includes Brandon University ($7,203), Université de Saint-Boniface for French speakers ($7,482), University of Guelph ($9,730), etc. The average tuition fee in Canada is $12,000.

Accommodation

This question comes immediately after the one related to the tuition fees as it’s one of the largest expenses. Without knowing more about this it isn’t possible to consider the required investment for such a pleasure realistically. We won’t lie to you – renting living space in Canada is often not cheap at all. For a simple, decently furnished room in private accommodation such as a house, you’ll have to pay $400- $800, while the cost of renting the entire apartment can reach several thousand dollars – depending on the part of the city and the general condition of the space.

Fortunately, there’s a much more tolerable solution – student accommodation. You can find various campuses within specific universities and institutions where the average monthly cost is reduced to $250, which, you’ll admit, is the synonym for ‘now we’re talking!’ in this case. There are usually special applications for such accommodation, so it’s always advisable to get informed in advance and take all measures to ensure that the request is forwarded on time. Long story short, in case you’re a student, you can easily avoid the unnecessary costs of renting a private room or apartment and enjoy sharing your living space with your peers in dormitories for ridiculously small amounts of money.

Apart from this alluring option, Canada also offers both urban cities and smaller and more peaceful environments, impressive landscapes of nature, rich social life, and cultural and sports content. Wherever you settle down, you’ll witness their high standard of living, quality of public services, cleanliness, and safety. That’s just another thing that makes the studies there a fulfilling and unique experience.

Other factors

University and accommodation fees are at the very top of all concerns, but what else can we take into consideration when it comes to living standards in Canada? Here are a few more aspects that also occupy significant positions on this scale.

1. Food and meals. Some student residencies have obligatory meal plans and that cost counts as a part of their residence fees. Using a plan like this sets students free from having to deal with additional cash needed for food. Of course, they’re always free to purchase groceries or whatever they want, but they’ll definitely need more money for that. Their price is surprisingly low compared to the surrounding countries and doesn’t represent too much of a burden for the budget, as well as the price of drinks.
2. Nightlife and spare time. You simply can’t forget this! Every student needs to rest their brains, drink a beer or two, or see some pretty nice places out there. kevsbest.ca is mainly in charge of this, providing a handful of cool ideas for places you can choose for these purposes, but also for services you may always need, such as doctors, photographers, plumbers, etc. If you see yourself as a party maniac, know that in that case, you can spend dizzying sums of money here. Yet, in case a cinema ticket or a nice dinner at a restaurant is an occasional ritual for you, you’ll be able to successfully balance your budget with this aspect as well.
3. Transportation. If Canada can boast a single piece of infrastructure in particular, then it’s definitely public transportation, which is a pure example of quality and excellence. In case you want to take bus rides for a whole month, this will cost you around $100, while for a single, one-ride ticket you’ll have to set aside around $3. The best thing? There are also the special prizes awarded to students after the evidence provided, and in this way, they’re able to save up to a few hundred dollars a year.
4. Taxes. No taxes. Seriously. Most cities and towns in Canada have special policies when it comes to foreign students that exempt them from these types of expenses. However, it isn’t out of place to find out in advance about the rules that apply in the place you’re considering as a potential new residence. The only expense of a similar kind that you’ll have is the visa application fee, but that’s usually all.