Study in Canada

Canada hosts approximately 800,000 international students, predominantly in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. International students must attend a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), a Ministry-approved institution. Study Permits are issued for the program duration plus optional 3-month grace period. The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) grants open work authorization for up to three years based on program length. Notably, Canada actively markets education as a pathway to permanent residence; successful PGWP holders can transition to Express Entry (points-based) immigration. Tuition ranges from CAD 15,000–35,000 annually for bachelor’s and master’s programs. English and French are languages of instruction depending on province.

Key facts

• Approx. international students: ~800,000 (2025–26)
• Top universities: University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill, McMaster, Waterloo, Western Ontario
• Language of instruction: English (most provinces), French (Quebec), bilingual options available
• Annual tuition range: CAD 15,000–35,000 (≈ US$11,000–26,000) bachelor’s; CAD 15,000–40,000 master’s
• Student visa category: Study Permit
• Post-study work route: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), length varies by program
• Intake months: September (fall, primary), January (spring), May–June (summer)

Study system

Undergraduate degrees: Four years (bachelor’s honours degree). Three years bachelor’s degree also available at some institutions. Academic year: September–April (fall/winter semesters), May–August optional spring/summer courses. Grading: Letter grades (A–F) or percentage-based (0–100%), converted to GPA on 4.0 or 4.33 scale depending on institution.

Master’s programs: Typically two years (M.Sc., M.A., MBA, M.Eng.). Some fast-track programs one year; research-intensive master’s (thesis-based M.Res, M.Phil) 2–3 years. Fall and Spring intakes both common.

PhD / Doctoral research: 4–6 years typical, discipline-dependent. Fully funded (tuition waiver + stipend) for most competitively selected students at research universities. Domestic funding priority; international students often require external scholarships or self-funding.

Calendar: Semester system (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer terms). Most teaching Sept–April. Summer optional; exams April–May.

Grading: A (80+% or 4.0 GPA), B (70–79% or 3.0 GPA), C (60–69% or 2.0 GPA), D (50–59% or 1.0 GPA), F (below 50%, fail). Grading scales and GPA conversions vary by institution.

Applications

Centralised systems: Limited centralization in Canada compared to US/UK. Most universities accept direct applications via institutional portals. No nation-wide platform equivalent to Common App or UCAS, though some consortiums exist:

• Ontario universities: Some use the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), though most also accept direct applications.
• Others: Direct to university website (apply.student.ca, institution-specific portals).

Application deadlines (typical):

• Undergraduate fall intake: January 15–March 1 (rolling admissions; earlier deadlines competitive).
• Undergraduate spring intake: October 1–November 15 (limited intake).
• Master’s programs: Rolling from September onwards; most deadlines January–April for fall start.
• PhD programs: December–February typical.

English language requirements:

• IELTS: 6.5–7.5 (undergraduate), 6.5–7.0 (master’s), varies by institution.
• TOEFL iBT: 80–100 (undergraduate), 85–100 (master’s).
• Duolingo English Test: 105–125.
• Exemptions: Native English speaker, or secondary/tertiary education completed in English in recognized country (US, UK, Australia, etc.).

Typical entry requirements:

• Undergraduate: High school diploma with strong grades (B+/80% equivalent).
• Master’s: Bachelor’s degree (2.0–3.0 GPA minimum), sometimes 3.5+ for competitive programs; GRE/GMAT if field-required.

Costs

Tuition (annual, 2025–26, international students):

• Undergraduate: CAD 15,000–35,000
• Master’s (general): CAD 15,000–30,000
• Master’s (MBA, professional): CAD 25,000–50,000+
• PhD (if not fully funded): CAD 12,000–25,000 (many funded)

Provincial variation: Fees set by individual provinces and institutions; significant variation (Ontario generally higher than Atlantic Canada; Quebec differential for non-French programs).

Cost of living (annual, by city, 2025–26):

• Vancouver: CAD 18,000–24,000
• Toronto: CAD 16,000–22,000
• Montreal: CAD 13,000–18,000
• Calgary, Winnipeg: CAD 12,000–16,000

Breakdown (Toronto, single student, annual):

• Accommodation (shared house, apartment): CAD 9,000–14,000
• Food, groceries: CAD 2,500–4,000
• Transport (TTC pass): CAD 1,000–1,500
• Utilities, internet: CAD 900–1,200
• Personal, entertainment, books: CAD 2,500–4,000

Financial proof for Study Permit: CAD 20,000–40,000 (estimate for one year, institution-specific). GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) increasingly requested by IRCC: CAD 20,000 minimum in bank account for 12 months before application (as of 2024). Exact amount varies; SDS (Student Direct Stream) requires documented proof.

Student visa and work rights

Visa category: Study Permit (not technically a visa, but document of authorization issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada—IRCC). Valid from acceptance date through program plus 3-month grace period (automatic).

Application process:

1. Receive acceptance letter from DLI (Designated Learning Institution).
2. Provide proof of financial support (GIC letter, bank statements, or financial documents).
3. Apply online via IRCC portal (study-permit.canadavisaservices.com or IRCC.canada.ca) or paper application.
4. Biometrics: Required if outside Canada (in-person at VAC—Visa Application Centre).
5. Fee: CAD 150 (+ CAD 100 biometrics if in home country).
6. Processing: 4–6 weeks (office-dependent); urgent processing unavailable for study permits.

Financial proof: GIC or equivalent: CAD 20,000+ in designated financial institution for 12 consecutive months prior to application (SDS stream). Standard stream: proof of funding for full duration + living expenses required (GIC not mandatory but strongly recommended).

Work hours during studies:

• On-campus: Unlimited (work permit inherent in Study Permit for on-campus roles at DLI or partner institutions).
• Off-campus: Maximum 20 hours per week during academic term (fall/winter semesters). Full-time during official breaks (summer, Christmas, spring break).
• From April 2024: Off-campus work limit temporarily increased to full-time during term for some occupations (hospitality, retail); consult current IRCC guidance.

Work restrictions: Not permitted in gambling, adult entertainment, or certain healthcare roles (regulation change January 2024 expands permissible off-campus sectors).

Recent major changes:

• January 2024: IRCC introduced cap on study permit issuances (20% reduction target). Increased financial proof requirements (GIC to CAD 20,000 from CAD 13,000). Tightened eligibility for certain institutions.
• April 2025 (announced): Proposed reduction in post-graduation work permit length from 3 years to 18 months for some program types; under review.
• Dependents: Spouse/common-law partner and dependent children eligible for open work/study permits respectively if principal student has valid Study Permit. Dependent children study free in most provinces (K-12 equivalent).

Post-study work

Primary route: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), issued by IRCC.

Duration by program length:

• Less than 2 years: PGWP length = program length (e.g., 1-year master’s = 1-year PGWP).
• 2+ years: PGWP length = 3 years (maximum).
• Below 8 months: No PGWP eligibility (change effective 2024).

Application process:

1. Apply within 180 days of program completion (or graduation date on diploma).
2. Provide diploma/transcript and Study Permit documentation.
3. Fee: CAD 100.
4. Processing: 4–8 weeks typical.
5. PGWP is open work permit—any employer, any role, any province.

Eligibility:

• Completed program at DLI on valid Study Permit.
• Minimum 8 months program length (changed 2024; was 6 months).
• Program not completed early (completed within 2 years of enrollment date for 2-year programs).

Pathway to permanent residence: PGWP holders can apply for permanent residence via Express Entry (EE), Canada’s points-based immigration system:

1. Create Express Entry profile (once PGWP obtained or while still in school).
2. Accumulate points: Age (max 12 points, 20–29 optimal), education (max 28 points for master’s/PhD), English/French language (max 32 points per language; CLB 9+ preferred), Canadian work experience (max 15 points; PGWP work counts).
3. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score: Typical cutoff 480–540 (varies by round). Master’s degree + 1 year PGWP work + strong language = ~420–480 points typical.
4. Invitation to Apply (ITA) sent by IRCC when CRS meets cutoff in weekly draws.
5. Complete application: Processing 6 months (standard).
6. Permanent Resident (PR) status granted; pathway to citizenship after 3 years PR residence.

Timeline: Study (2 years) + PGWP work (1–3 years) + Express Entry processing (6–12 months) = 3.5–5+ years to PR typical.

Alternative routes: Family sponsorship (spouse/partner to Canadian citizen/PR), provincial nominee programs (PNPs—province-specific pathways for skilled workers), business/investment visas (not primary education pathway).

Recent changes (2025–26):

• PGWP length review: Some program types (diplomas, short programs) PGWP length under consultation; may reduce from 3 years to 18 months.
• Express Entry tie-breaking: Language proficiency increasingly weighted; French language skills offer bonus points.

Working while studying

On-campus employment:

• Hours: Unlimited with Study Permit (work authorization inherent).
• Wage: Provincial minimum wage applies (January 2025 range: CAD 14.00–16.77/hour). Ontario CAD 16.55/hour, BC CAD 16.32/hour, Alberta CAD 15.00/hour.
• Tax: Canadian federal income tax applies. Federal tax threshold ~CAD 15,705/year (2025); provincial tax thresholds vary. Employer withholds automatically (T4 issued).
• CPP/EI: Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI) contributions withheld by employer; international students exempt from EI in some provinces (check provincial rules).

Off-campus employment:

• Hours: 20 hours/week during academic term; full-time during official breaks.
• Wage: Provincial minimum wage as above.
• Tax: Full federal and provincial income tax liability.
• CPP/EI: CPP contributions required (employee + employer); EI exemptions vary by province.

SIN (Social Insurance Number): Required for all employment; apply to Service Canada with Study Permit. Processing 2–4 weeks. Temporary SIN issued on-campus for interim work.

Employer sponsorship: Not required for on-campus or off-campus work under Study Permit. Employer simply hires; no visa sponsorship document needed.

Best-known universities

• University of Toronto: Medicine, engineering, computer science, business (Rotman), law, research intensive
• University of British Columbia (UBC): Engineering, forestry, business, medicine, earth sciences, Asia-Pacific studies
• McGill University (Montreal): Medicine, law, engineering, business, liberal arts, strong international profile
• McMaster University: Medicine, engineering, nuclear reactor research, health sciences, social sciences
• University of Waterloo: Engineering, computer science, mathematics, cooperative education strength, technology focus
• Western University (London, ON): Business (Ivey), social sciences, law, engineering, student life amenities
• University of Alberta: Engineering, science, business (Sauder), medicine, pharmacy, petroleum engineering
• University of British Columbia Okanagan: Engineering, business, health sciences, sustainability, smaller campus alternative
• University of Montreal: Law, medicine, engineering, business, French-language strength, Quebec focus
• Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC): Computer science, business, engineering, liberal arts, Semester Abroad programs

Primary sources

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Study Permit. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit.html (accessed 2026-04)
• IRCC. Designated Learning Institutions. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/designated-learning-institutions-list.html (accessed 2026-04)
• IRCC. Express Entry. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry.html (accessed 2026-04)
• Universities Canada. International Students. https://www.univcan.ca (accessed 2026-04)
• QS World University Rankings. https://www.topuniversities.com (accessed 2026-04)

Last updated: 2026-04-15.