Affordable Universities in Canada: Tuition Fees, Popular Courses & Admission
If you are considering starting or continuing your higher studies in Canada, then you might be thinking about funding part. For many international applicants, the cost of studying in Canada seems daunting due to high tuition fees, but this is not always the case.
There are several cheapest universities in Canada that are highly ranked and provide a good quality of education and research opportunities. In this blog, we will discuss affordable universities in Canada, including their tuition fees, the courses they offer, and the admission process.
- List of Affordable Public Universities in Canada for International Students
- List of Affordable Private Universities in Canada for Indian Students
- Eligibility Criteria to Study in Affordable Universities in Canada
- Documents Checklist for University Application
- How to Apply for Budget-Friendly Universities in Canada?
- Factors that Make Education Comfortable in Canada
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
List of Affordable Public Universities in Canada for International Students
- Some of the affordable public universities in Canada for international students are tabulated below, along with their average tuition fees per year.
- Depending on the course and university, the tuition fees vary between CAD 9,666-56,000 or INR 6 Lakhs-33 Lakhs per year.
- These are among the cheapest universities in Canada.Â
| University | Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Memorial University of Newfoundland | CAD 9,666-21,630 (INR 6 Lakhs-13 Lakhs) |
| University of Manitoba | CAD 18,657-20,800 (INR 11 Lakhs-12 Lakhs) |
| University of Saskatchewan | CAD 37,737-54,953 (INR 23 Lakhs-33 Lakhs) |
| Simon Fraser University | CAD 30,000-36,000 (INR 18 Lakhs-22 Lakhs) |
| University of Glueph | CAD 34,000-54,000 (INR 13 Lakhs-20 Lakhs) |
| University of Regina | CAD 22,000-45,000(INR 6 Lakhs-33 Lakhs) |
| University of New Brunswick | CAD 32,000-40,000 (INR 19 Lakhs-24 Lakhs) |
| Brandon University | CAD 12,943-19,030 (INR 8 Lakhs-11 Lakhs) |
| University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) | CAD 24,000-36,000 (INR 14 Lakhs-22 Lakhs) |
| Mount Allison University | CAD 20,010-30,000 (INR 12 Lakhs-18 Lakhs) |
List of Affordable Private Universities in Canada for Indian Students
- Some of the affordable private universities in Canada for international students are tabulated below, along with their average tuition fees per year.
- Depending on the course and university, the tuition fees vary between CAD 30,000-60,000 or INR 19 Lakhs-36 Lakhs per year.
- As compared to public universities, private universities in Canada have relatively higher tuition fees for international students.
| University | Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Quest University | CAD 35,000 (INR 21 Lakhs) |
| Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) | CAD 40,000-67,000 (INR 24 Lakhs-40 Lakhs) |
| Concordia University of Edmonton | CAD 34,950-50,000 (INR 21 Lakhs-30 Lakhs) |
| Trinity Western University | CAD 23,950-45,000 (INR 14 Lakhs-27 Lakhs) |
| King's University | CAD 43,000-55,000 (INR 26 Lakhs-33 Lakhs) |
| Yorkville University | CAD 45,000-60,000 (INR 27 Lakhs-36 Lakhs) |
| University Canada West | CAD 32,000-65,000 (INR 19 Lakhs-39 Lakhs) |
Popular Courses in the Affordable Universities of Canada
Some of the popular courses in the affordable universities of Canada are mentioned below
- Applied Sciences
- Business Management
- Computer Sciences & Information Technology
- Engineering Sciences
- Hospitality Management & Tourism
- Natural Sciences
- Media & Journalism
- Social Sciences
Eligibility Criteria to Study in Affordable Universities in Canada
The general eligibility criteria for studying at affordable universities in Canada are discussed below, and they depend on the specific degree program, course level, and the university to which applicants are applying.
For Bachelor's Programs
- Indian applicants must have completed their 10+2 in the relevant field (science/commerce/arts/humanities) to which they are applying to study at the bachelor’s level.
- The minimum grade should be between 65%-80%, depending on the university and course.
For Master's Programs
- A 4-year bachelor’s degree in the relevant academic program from a government-recognised college/university, with a minimum grade of 60%-80% or CGPA 6.5-8.0.
- If Indian applicants hold a 3-year bachelor’s degree, they are required to undergo a WES Evaluation to verify their Indian degree against Canadian educational standards.
Time duration: The WES Evaluation process takes 7-10 days.
Fee: CAD 230-269 or INR 13,000-16,000.
Documents Checklist for University Application
The following documents are required to be submitted when applying for an academic program at the Canadian universities. The document checklist might vary depending on the course and university.
- Completed university application form
- Previous academic transcripts like academic marksheets of Std. X, XII and undergraduate, including degree certificates, passing certificates, etc.
- 1 statement of purpose/essay/personal statement
- 1-2 letters of recommendation
- Proof of English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE etc.)
- GRE score (if required)
- Passport
- 2-passport sized photograph
- Application fee receipt
- 1 CV/Resume
- WES Evaluation certificate (if required)
- Work Experience letter (if required)
How to Apply for Budget-Friendly Universities in Canada?
The application process for affordable universities in Canada varies significantly based on the course level, program, and institution. However, there are primarily two main methods through which you can apply to these universities.
Centralised Application Portals
For bachelor’s degree programs, you can apply on the centralised application portals of the universities, such as Ontario for Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC), ApplyAlberta for Alberta universities, EducationPlannerBC for British Columbia, and ApplySak for Saskatchewan.
University Websites
Most Canadian universities, except for the above, accept applications through their official websites.
Factors that Make Education Comfortable in Canada
Several factors contribute to making higher education affordable for international students in Canada.Â
- The tuition fees at public universities in Canada are relatively lower than those of private institutes because of the funding and grants they receive from the government.
- Several universities in Canada offer merit-based and need-based scholarships to Indian students.
- Students can find budget-friendly stay options on campus. Also, public transport services offer them an affordable travelling experience.
- International students can work up to 24 hours per week while they are studying to afford their expenses.
- Several Canadian universities offer co-op internships where Indian students gain work experience while studying.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
Canada is a globally recognised country that provides high-quality education, a comfortable lifestyle, networking opportunities, and a vibrant campus life to international students.
There are several affordable universities in Canada, in the range of CAD 9,000-35,000 or INR 5 Lakhs-21 Lakhs per year. Scholarships, co-op internships, and part-time work opportunities can help them cover tuition fees and other expenses.
FAQs
Which university in Canada has the lowest tuition fee?
Some of the popular and affordable institutes, such as Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Manitoba, Simon Fraser University, Brandon University, Quest University, etc., have the lowest tuition fees.
Which cities in Canada are affordable for international students?
Montreal, Saskatoon, Calgary, Québec City, Windsor, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Abbotsford are some of the affordable cities in Canada for international students.
How do I get a scholarship in Canada?
Many Canadian universities automatically consider international students for scholarships as they apply for any academic program, while in other cases, students are required to apply for the scholarships separately on the official website of the scholarship-providing agency.
Which course has high demand in Canada?
Business management, computer science and IT, engineering sciences, data sciences, mathematics, applied and natural science, English literature, etc., are some of the highly demanding courses in Canadian universities.
What are some of the affordable universities in Canada under INR 20 Lakhs?
The affordable universities in Canada under INR 20 Lakhs are Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Manitoba, Simon Fraser University, Brandon University, University of Glueph, and Mount Allison University.
