Total Cost to Study in Canada from Nepal

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Total Cost to Study in Canada from Nepal

1 April, 2024 Canada Study Center
Total Cost To Study In Canada

Many students dream of studying abroad but before turning it into reality you need to be aware of the total cost to study in Canada.

Canada as a study abroad destination is undoubtedly an attractive option as getting a high-quality education and earning a globally recognized degree is an exciting opportunity. Especially for students from Nepal, Canada stands out as an excellent study option for various reasons like less tuition fee, state-of-the-art 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 is CAD 35,000. This includes tuition fees, living expenses, and miscellaneous expenses.

The cost varies across provinces and cities in Canada, fluctuating based on the tuition fees charged by universities. Here is a breakdown of the total cost to study in Canada for international students.

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. Tuition fees make up the biggest part of the total cost of studying in Canada. This 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 Fee Cost In Canada By Provinces
ProvincesGraduate 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 Fee Cost In Canada By Program
ProgramUndergraduate 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 takes up another major part of the total cost to study in Canada for Nepali students. 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 studying in Canada. 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 in Canada. 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 to study in Canada that students may forget to 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. A student must show this financial proof before applying for a study permit in Canada. So, don’t forget to consider this also when you think of the total cost to study in Canada.

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 CanadaAmount of funds required per year (not including tuition)
You (the student)CAD 10,000
First family memberCAD 4,000
Every additional accompanying family memberCAD  3,000

On or after January 1, 2024:

Number of family members
(including the applicant)
Amount of funds required per year
(excluding tuition)
1CAD 20,635
2CAD 25,690
3CAD 31,583
4CAD 38,346
5CAD 43,492
6CAD 49,051
7CAD 54,611
If more than 7 people, each additional family memberCAD 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 comparison chart for the total cost to study in Canada with the other most popular English-speaking countries Nepalese students choose to study abroad. 

CountryCanada(in CAD)USA(in CAD)UK(in CAD)Australia(in CAD)
Tuition Fee 15,990 to 21,34243,362 to 81,30519,500 to 54,87613,632 to 48,417
Accommodation Cost474 to 6772,032 to 4,2001,540 to 2,395 813
Living Expenses15,990 to 21,34213,550 to 24,3912,32619,364 to 26,137
Transportation40 to 108122 to 176240203
Textbook and Supplies2,0321,680205 to 410488 to 1,464

Tips To Manage Budget

Being an international student from Nepal, managing a budget is important when planning about the total cost to study in Canada.

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

Before you get worried about handling all the finances to cover the total cost to study in Canada, here is some good news. International students studying in Canada have a potential for scholarships and bursaries targeted especially for you.

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 total cost 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

Although you cannot cover the total cost to study in Canada by doing a part-time job, you can earn some pocket money for yourself by doing some part-time job while gaining professional skills.

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

The total cost of studying in Canada can seem overwhelming at first sight but you should take it as an investment.

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.

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