Frequently Asked Questions
The following information was prepared by
1. Will my Canadian degree be recognized in other countries?
2. How long will it take to earn a degree?
3. What is the cost of living in Canada?
4. Will I need health insurance?
5. Is financial aid available?
6. Am I qualified to work in Canada?
7. What are Tuition Fees?
1. Will my Canadian degree be recognized in other countries?
- A degree from a Canadian university is of high quality, and is recognized as equivalent to degrees from the United States or Commonwealth countries.
- While Canada does not have an institutional accreditation process similar to that found in the U.S., the appropriate provincial charter plus membership in AUCC is deemed equivalent. Professional and specialized programs (i.e. medicine, nursing and engineering) are accredited by reputable agencies. To ensure high quality standards, academic programs are subject to regular review by the institutions that offer them, and in some cases by provincial or regional bodies as well. Proposals for new programs are also reviewed to ensure their quality prior to being launched.
- For specific details on degree recognition, please consult with your country’s educational authorities.
2. How long will it take to earn a degree?
- Depending on the province, a bachelor's (or undergraduate) degree requires three or four years to complete. In provinces that grant three-year bachelor's degrees, students must complete an additional year to obtain an honours degree. An honours degree requires a high level of concentration in a major subject and is typically needed for admission into graduate studies.
- Completion of a master's degree usually requires at least one year of full-time study (beyond an honours degree) and includes a thesis, practicum or a research paper. A doctoral degree, or PhD requires at least three years of additional full-time study, usually with at lest one year on campus. In most cases, a master's degree is required for admission to a doctoral program, but some universities will accept PhD students who have completed an honours degree only for certain programs.
3. What is the cost of living in Canada?
- Compared to many other countries, the cost of living in Canada is very affordable. Approximate prices ($CDN) for basic goods and services are as follows:
| Monthly rent (2-bedroom apartment) | $500.00 - 1000 |
| Bus Fare, one way | $2.50 |
| Lunch at restaurant | $10.00 |
| Dinner at restaurant | $18.00 |
| Admission to cinema | $10.00 |
- As a rough guideline, you will need approximately $19,000 to $25,000 CDN ($15,000 - $20,000 US) to cover all expenses for an academic year. This includes tuition and living expenses but not transportation to and from your home country. This figure is an average only. Actual expenses may vary with geographic region and will depend upon the specific tuition fees for the program you choose and the university you attend.
- Because winters are cold in most parts of Canada, much like in the northern U.S., a budget to buy some winter clothing may be required. If you are from a southern climate, expect to spend between $350 and $500 CDN for winter clothes.
- To calculate your expenses and estimate the cost of living in various communities across Canada, consult the Canadian government's CanLearn Interactive Web site: www.canlearn.ca.
4. Will I need health insurance?
- Yes, you must arrange for medical health coverage before you arrive in Canada. Because medical coverage varies from province to province and sometimes from university to university, consult with an official at the Canadian diplomatic post nearest you for detailed information. You may also with to determine whether the universities you are applying to offer medical insurance plans to international students.
5. Is financial aid available?
- Go to the Financial Aid section of this site.
- Contact the Ministry of Education in your home country for information on Canadian scholarships. Details may also be available from the financial aid office at your Canadian university of choice.
- To order a free copy of the helpful booklet Awards for Study in Canada, contact:
Canadian Bureau for International Education
220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1550
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 5Z9
Phone: (613) 237-4820
Fax: (613) 237-1073
www.cbie.ca
6. Am I qualified to work in Canada?
- Full-time international students may work on campus (for instance at the university library) without obtaining a work permit. Graduate or research work completed at facilities associated with your university is considered 'on-campus' work.
- The federal government’s off-campus work program allows eligible foreign students at public postsecondary institutions to work off-campus for up to 20 hours a week during the school year and full-time during study breaks. These agreements make it easier for students to gain work experience in the Canadian labour market and earn extra income while studying.
- In order to be eligible for the program, foreign students must have a valid study permit, and they must have studied full-time at an eligible public, postsecondary institution for at least six months out of the 12 months preceding their application. Institutions must sign an agreement with the province or territory in which they are located in order to participate in the program. The agreement includes monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure that students retain their eligibility for the program.
- Working in Canada is a possibility after your studies as an international student. Under certain circumstances, graduating international students may apply to work in Canada for up to two years after graduation. For more details on part-time off-campus work as well as post-graduation employment, consult www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/offcampuswork.html and www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-opps.html .
7. What are Tuition Fees?
- Go to Fees and Funding on this site
- Tuition fees for international students vary from province to province and will depend on your academic program of choice. Fee schedules are based on citizenship, not country of origin or residence. The following table indicates the range of tuition fees for each province (in US dollars) for general arts and science undergraduate programs.
University tuition fees for full-time foreign students
| Province | Undergraduate Tuition* | Graduate Tuition** |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $6,872.13 - $13,544.11 | $4,765.65 - $18,505.10 |
| British Columbia | $7,944.18 - $15,174.39 | $2,232.94 - $28,913.96 |
| Manitoba | $4,788.58 - $7,117.13 | $3,580.87 - $6,815.68 |
| New Brunswick | $6,742.07 - $11,011.84 | $6,233.97 - $8,057.72 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $7,547.71 | $1,628.50 - $3,047.57 |
| Nova Scotia | $7,077.48 - $12,334.81 | $4,924.72 - $16,715.80 |
| Ontario | $5,930.59 - $14,439.71 | $4,851.78 - $22,981.29 |
| Prince Edward Island | $7,711.04 | $3,936.34 - $6,252.29 |
| Québec | $8,654.74 - $11,113.42 | $7,794.95 - $17,173.29 |
| Saskatchewan | $7,294.14 - $9,863.22 | $1,717.10 - $6,077.71 |
* undergraduate programs in arts
** graduate programs in all faculties
Note: Figures quoted are in American dollars, based on a USD$1 = CDN $1.16 exchange rate.
Remember: Tuition fees make up only part of your total yearly expenses. You should also budget for expenses such as books, student activity fees, food, housing, travel/transportation, health care, clothing, laundry and entertainment.
