Many students dream of studying abroad as getting a high-quality education and earning a globally recognized degree is an exciting opportunity. Canada undoubtedly stands out as an excellent study option for various reasons, especially for students from Nepal.
Canada’s education system is renowned globally for its academic excellence, cutting-edge research facilities, and a strong focus on practical learning experiences. It also has a diverse culture and a welcoming environment for international students.
The cost of living in Canada for international students is generally less expensive when compared to other Anglophone countries like the UK, USA, and Australia. But it is important to carefully consider all the associated costs and unseen expenses.
How much does it cost to study in Canada?
The average total cost to study in Canada from Nepal ranges from CAD 25,000 to CAD 50,000 including tuition fees, living expenses, and miscellaneous expenses.
This cost varies across provinces and cities in Canada, fluctuating based on the tuition fees charged by universities. Here is a breakdown of the costs for international students studying in Canada.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fees for international students in Canada can range from approximately CAD 15,000 to CAD 35,000 (NPR 14,00,000 to NPR 35,00,000) per year for undergraduate programs and CAD 17,000 to CAD 50,000 (NPR 16,00,000 to NPR 47,00,000) for graduate programs.
These fees can vary significantly based on the field of study and the institution’s reputation. Among all the costs Nepalese need to bear as an international student in Canada, tuition fees make up the biggest part. Of course, the tuition fee also varies based on the program, University, location, and more.
Usually, the courses related to the medical and engineering fields are more expensive in comparison to humanities or environmental sciences. Similarly, the undergraduate programs seem more expensive than the graduate and diploma programs because of the duration of the course and the cost per year.
Overall, international students pay higher tuition fees than Canadian students. In 2022/2023, international undergraduate students paid 429% more than Canadian students, while international graduate students paid 184% more. Graduate students in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Ontario face the highest tuition fees.
| Average Tuition Fees By Provinces | ||
| Provinces | Graduate Tuition Fees (CAD per year) | Undergraduate Tuition Fees(CAD per year) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $17,477 | $4,806 |
| Prince Edward Island | $11,502 | $19,750 |
| Nova Scotia | $22,768 | $25,521 |
| New Brunswick | $13,654 | $17,800 |
| Quebec | $20,034 | $31,887 |
| Ontario | $28,152 | $46,433 |
| Manitoba | $12,748 | $18,912 |
| Saskatchewan | $8,965 | $27,781 |
| Alberta | $18,018 | $31,549 |
| British Columbia | $23,441 | $35,266 |
Source: Statistics Canada
| Average Tuition Fees By Program | |
| Program | Undergraduate Tuition Fees (per year) |
| Dentistry | $23,963 |
| Medicine | $15,182 |
| Veterinary medicine | $14,838 |
| Law | $13,222 |
| Pharmacy | $12,291 |
| Optometry | $10,389 |
| Engineering | $8,527 |
| Business, management, and public administration | $7,207 |
| Mathematics, computer and information sciences | $7,012 |
Living Expenses
Living expenses are another major cost for Nepali students to consider when planning to study in Canada. This can vary depending on the city where the University is located and lifestyle choices of the student.
On average, living expenses in Canada for a single student can range from CAD 8,000 to CAD 12,000 (NPR 7,50,000 to NPR 11,80,000) per year.
This includes accommodation, food, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Accommodation
Accommodation is typically the most substantial expense for Nepali students. Students can choose two types of housing: On-campus or Off-campus.
On-campus housing in dormitories or residence halls can cost around CAD 5,000 to CAD 10,000 (NPR 5,00,000 to 10,00,000) per academic year.
Similarly, off-campus housing like renting an apartment or sharing a flat with roommates can range between CAD 500 to CAD 1200 per month, depending on the city and proximity to the campus.
Whether you want to live on-campus or off-campus is your choice but most of the international students in Canada live on-campus in their first year. They share their rooms, laundry room, kitchen, and social area with other college mates.
Food
Food and groceries also constitute a huge portion of living expenses for international students. This cost also varies depending on the cooking habits, lifestyle, and the city where the students live. The prices of groceries can vary across different cities and provinces.
Generally, students can expect to spend around CAD 300 to CAD 500 (NPR 29,500 to NPR 49,500) per month on groceries.
Common grocery items and their approximate costs
- Bread (1 loaf): CAD 2.50 – CAD 4
- Milk (1 liter): CAD 1.50 – CAD 2.50
- Eggs (dozen): CAD 3 – CAD 5
- Chicken (1 kg): CAD 8 – CAD 12
- Rice (1 kg): CAD 2 – CAD 4
- Vegetables (1 kg): CAD 2 – CAD 5
- Fruits (1 kg): CAD 3 – CAD 6
For students who don’t cook much, or want to experience Canada’s diverse culinary scene, dining out can be expensive. The cost of dining out can vary greatly depending on the type of restaurant, location, and portion sizes.
Common dining-out options and their approximate costs:
- Fast food meal: CAD 8 – CAD 12
- Restaurant meal (mid-range): CAD 15 – CAD 25
- Fine dining experience: CAD 30 – CAD 60 or more
Transportation
In the Canadian cities that are most popular among international students, transportation typically ranges from 80 to 120 CAD per month, constituting around 8% of the overall cost of living for Nepalese students.
Public transportation expenses in Canada are generally considered expensive, especially outside major metropolitan cities like Vancouver. Due to these high costs, many students studying in Canada choose to purchase their vehicles, finding it to be a more economical choice in the long term.
Additionally, flight tickets to and from one’s home country should be factored into transportation expenses.
Other Costs
Apart from the tuition, food, accommodation, and transportation, there are many other unseen costs students may not calculate. Some of them are:
- Communication expenses
As a foreign student, phone bills and data expenses also matter. The average cost for a phone plan is approximately CAD 20 per month.
- Books and supplies
Textbooks can be expensive, especially for engineering, law, medicine, and pharmacy courses.
- Personal expenses and incidentals
Daily expenses include laundry, toiletries, clothing, dining out, etc. Costs depend on the chosen lifestyle.
IRCC Updates to financial requirements
According to the financial requirements for study permit applicants updated by the Canadian government as of January 1, 2024, a student coming to Canada should have at least $10,000 per year apart from the tuition.
This adjustment will affect fresh study permit applications received from January 1, 2024 onwards. The revised amounts align with current cost-of-living standards, which are updated to the low-income cut-off by Statistics Canada annually.
Minimum funds needed to support yourself as a student (and family members who come with you)
For all provinces except Quebec
Before January 1, 2024:
| Persons coming to Canada | Amount of funds required per year (not including tuition) |
| You (the student) | CAD 10,000 |
| First family member | CAD 4,000 |
| Every additional accompanying family member | CAD 3,000 |
On or after January 1, 2024:
| Number of family members (including the applicant) | Amount of funds required per year (excluding tuition) |
| 1 | CAD 20,635 |
| 2 | CAD 25,690 |
| 3 | CAD 31,583 |
| 4 | CAD 38,346 |
| 5 | CAD 43,492 |
| 6 | CAD 49,051 |
| 7 | CAD 54,611 |
| If more than 7 people, each additional family member | CAD 5,559 |
Quebec:
To study in Quebec, applicants must prove they meet the financial requirements outlined by the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.
Cost Comparison With Other Countries
Here is a cost comparison of the most popular English-speaking countries Nepalese students choose to study abroad.
| Country | Canada(in CAD) | USA(in CAD) | UK(in CAD) | Australia(in CAD) |
| Tuition Fee | 15,990 to 21,342 | 43,362 to 81,305 | 19,500 to 54,876 | 13,632 to 48,417 |
| Accommodation Cost | 474 to 677 | 2,032 to 4,200 | 1,540 to 2,395 | 813 |
| Living Expenses | 15,990 to 21,342 | 13,550 to 24,391 | 2,326 | 19,364 to 26,137 |
| Transportation | 40 to 108 | 122 to 176 | 240 | 203 |
| Textbook and Supplies | 2,032 | 1,680 | 205 to 410 | 488 to 1,464 |
Tips To Manage Budget
Being an international student from Nepal, managing a budget is important. It requires careful planning and consideration.
Here are some tips that Nepalese students can implement to successfully manage their finances while studying in Canada.
- Create a detailed budget plan considering all expenses, including tuition fees, accommodation, food, transportation, books, and other essentials.
- Look for potential scholarships and grants that can significantly ease financial burden, so it’s crucial to explore available opportunities and apply diligently.
- Take up part-time work, within the constraints of visa regulations
- Cook meals at home rather than eating out
- Share accommodation with roommates to reduce rent expenses
- Make use of student discounts and plan travel strategically
Opportunities for Scholarships and Financial Aid in Canada
The good news for international students studying in Canada is that there is potential for scholarships and bursaries targeted especially for international students.
They usually range from $500 to $10,000, but receiving them can be a tough competition. Still, even if you get a small amount, it can help ease your financial worries.
To get scholarships, you usually need to have good grades, but they also look at other things like how involved you are in your community, if you’ve shown leadership skills, done volunteer work, or if you’ve done any research.
You’ll need to apply for scholarships from your university, as well as from other organizations like government agencies and private groups.
Bursaries
Bursary is a financial award given to students to assist with the costs of education or training in Canada.
They are typically awarded based on financial need or other criteria such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, or specific talents or interests.
Bursaries are often provided by educational institutions, governments, charitable organizations, or private donors to help make education more accessible to individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford it.
Students who arrived in Canada through the Canadian Study Center received bursary awards in 2023 supported by Canadian Study Center Inc, Mississauga Office. It was awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and financial hardship in Canada.
Bursaries play a vital role in making education more accessible and affordable for students across Canada, particularly for those who may face financial barriers to accessing higher education.
Part-Time Jobs and Co-Op Placements
International students studying in Canada are permitted to work for up to 20 hours per week during regular classes, and they can work full-time during term breaks or vacations.
To find part-time employment opportunities, students can search for job listings online or check the university’s notice boards for vacancies. This allows students the flexibility to manage their work schedules alongside their academic commitments and can help them gain valuable work experience while studying.
Popular on-campus jobs can be working in the Cafeteria, Library, Research lab, Teaching department, Administrative office, Student organizations, Campus guide for newcomers and visitors, and so on.
Similarly, popular off-campus jobs can include positions such as Sales assistant, Dog walker, Delivery driver, Barista, Accounting clerk, Graphic designer, etc.
Many programs in Canada like computer science, engineering, architecture, and others, integrate practical work experience, known as co-op placements, into their curriculum. These placements can involve work either on or off campus, depending on the nature of the program.
This typically lasts for 3 to 4 months or longer each year, co-op placements provide students with hands-on experience in their field of study. However, getting such placements requires obtaining a co-op work permit, for which specific eligibility must be met.
Conclusion
Investing in a global education experience opens opportunities for personal and professional growth. It provides you with valuable skills, knowledge, and networks that can significantly enhance your future career prospects.
For many ambitious Nepalese students, the opportunity of getting access to an advanced economy like Canada and the long-term career benefits that come with it outweigh the associated costs of studying abroad.
Canada’s dynamic academic and professional environment provides exposure to cutting-edge research, innovative industries, and diverse cultural perspectives, laying a solid foundation for future success.
So, despite the cost, the potential rewards of studying in Canada make the investment worth it.
FAQs on Total Cost To Study In Canada
How much money is required to study in Canada after 12th?
The cost of studying in Canada typically falls between CAD 15,000 and CAD 35,000 annually for undergraduate programs. The amount is equivalent to NPR 14,78,908 to NPR 34,50,786.
How much does it cost to study 1 year in Canada?
Studying a 1-year diploma course in Canada can cost you around 10,000 – 15,000 CAD. Apart from the tuition fee, the other expenses like accommodation, transportation, food, and lifestyle can cost you somewhere between 10,000 CAD to 15,000 CAD.
How much is Canada visa fee?
The Canada visa fee for the study permit (including extensions) per person is 150 CAD. Furthermore, you can restore your study visa status for 229 CAD and get a new study permit for 150 CAD.
What is the minimum money required to study in Canada?
According to the IRCC financial requirement update from January 2024, the minimum amount of funds required per year (excluding tuition) is CAD 20,635.
What is the minimum bank balance for Canada student visa?
The minimum bank balance for Canada student visa as of January 2024 is CAD 20,635 per year, apart from the first year’s tuition fee.
Who can sponsor me while studying in Canada?
Your relatives who are 18 years old or older and meet specific citizenship or residency criteria in Canada can sponsor you. This includes Canadian citizens, individuals registered under the Canadian Indian Act, or permanent residents of Canada.
Generally, sponsors must reside in Canada to sponsor eligible relatives, with exceptions for Canadian citizens living abroad who intend to return to Canada upon their relatives’ immigration and are sponsoring their spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children without dependent children of their own.
How much money can a student bring to Canada from Nepal?
There are no limitations on the funds you can bring into or take out of Canada, and it’s perfectly legal to do so as long as you declare it.
Whether you’re departing from or arriving in Canada, it’s mandatory to declare any currency or monetary instruments totaling CAD 10,000 or more that you’re carrying.
This encompasses Canadian or foreign currency, as well as a combination of both. Monetary instruments encompass various items such as stocks, bonds, bank drafts, cheques, and traveler’s cheques.
