Cost of Studying in Canada | Canada University Fees

When learning about plans to study in Canada, many students often ask the question: how much money does it cost to study in Canada? In fact, the cost of studying in Canada will depend on many factors such as the level of study, the city you live in, and your personal spending style. On average, how much it costs to study in Canada each year will range from 22,000 to 50,000 CAD, not including tuition fees and living expenses. Let 's find out in detail each cost with IDP Study Abroad!

On average, international students need to prepare about 22,000 – 50,000 CAD per year (equivalent to about 400 – 950 million VND)

You can refer to the statistics table of the types of costs of studying in Canada for 1 year.

Therefore, when learning how much money is needed to study in Canada, international students should prepare a budget of about 500 million to more than 1 billion VND per year to cover tuition fees and living expenses.

Note: The reference rate of 1 CAD ≈ 19,672.01 VND at the beginning of 3/2026

2. Tuition fees to study in Canada

One of the biggest expenses of studying in Canada is tuition fees. Tuition fees can vary depending on many factors such as the city, training program, and school of your choice.

To ensure a smooth learning process, international students typically need to prepare around 10,000 – 50,000 CAD per year for tuition fees. Some majors such as Humanities, Education, or the Arts typically have lower tuition rates, while Medicine, Engineering, or Technology majors may have higher tuition fees due to their training requirements and specialized facilities.

Below are the tuition fees to study in Canada in 2026, compiled by level of study and training time for you to easily refer to when planning your finances.

2.1. Tuition fees for studying in Canada at the high school level

When researching how much money is needed to study in Canada, high school tuition is one of the most important expenses in the total cost of studying in Canada. The tuition fees for studying in Canada will vary depending on the type of school and program of study in Canada.

According to information from the education system in Canada, high school tuition fees for international students usually fluctuate as follows:

• Public schools: about 9,500 – 17,000 CAD/year

• Private or independent schools: about 15,000 – 30,000 CAD/year

• Private or independent boarding school: about 63,000 – 83,000 CAD/year

Overall, if you're wondering how much it costs to study in Canada or how much it costs to study in Canada, the tuition fee will depend on the type of school and type of study the student chooses.

2.2. Tuition fees for studying in Canada at the college and vocational level

When researching how much money is needed to study in Canada, many students choose a college or vocational program because the cost of studying in Canada at this level is usually lower than at university. It is also a popular choice for international students who want to optimize their budget while studying in Canada.

Generally, tuition fees for studying in Canada for college and vocational training range about:

• 7,000 – 22,000 CAD/year

  (equivalent to about 135 – 425 million VND/year)

2.3. Tuition fees to study in Canada at the undergraduate level

Undergraduate tuition fees in Canada for international students are usually higher than for local students and vary by field of study and university. Undergraduate tuition fees in Canada for international students are usually higher than for local students and vary by field of study and university ranging from $17,000-50,000

In general, undergraduate tuition in Canada typically ranges from 25,000 to 60,000 CAD per year, depending on the field of study and school. Disciplines such as Medicine, Law, or Engineering often have higher tuition fees than those in the social or humanities sectors.

2.4. Tuition fees for studying in Canada for Master's and Master's degrees

For graduate programs such as Master's or PhD, the tuition fees for postgraduate study abroad in Canada are usually lower than in many other English-speaking countries. The average tuition fee for international students is about 19,000-32,000 CAD/year.

However, actual costs may vary depending on the student's chosen field of study, university, and region of state. Disciplines in the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, law, or pharmacy often have higher tuition rates than other disciplines.

In summary, tuition fees to study in Canada can range from about 3,000 CAD to 50,000 CAD per year (equivalent to about 59 million – nearly 1 billion VND/year), depending on the level of study and training program that students choose.

If you need to update the latest tuition fees to study in Canada or the right study pathway, please contact us for detailed support

3. Cost of living for 1 year in Canada

Choosing the right accommodation to help you save on the cost of living in Canada

Accommodation is one of the most important items when figuring out the cost of living in Canada. Depending on their needs and budget, international students can choose from many different forms of housing when studying in Canada.

One of the most concerned issues when studying in Canada - after tuition fees - is "where will I stay and how much will it cost?". There are 3 accommodation options available to international students in Canada.

Three common forms of housing include:

Note: Reference rate: 1 CAD = 19,672.01 VND. Rates may vary depending on the time and bank.

Dormitory (On-campus): Located on campus in Canada, it is convenient to go to school and use facilities. Suitable for first-year students or new international students.

Renting an apartment (Off-campus): You can rent a private room or share a room to save costs, but you have to pay for electricity, water and internet yourself. Suitable for students who want their own space and active living.

Homestay: Students who live with a local family in Canada, which usually includes meals. Suitable for students under the age of 18 or those who want to experience the local culture.

Choosing the right form of accommodation will help international students optimize the cost of living in Canada and be more proactive in their financial plans when studying abroad. If you still can't find the right place to stay, IDP will provide you with free accommodation advice.

Cost of Living in Canada

In addition to tuition and housing, international students in Canada need to prepare a budget for monthly expenses such as food, transportation, communications, and entertainment. Tracking your spending will help you manage your finances more effectively during your study period.

Here are some reference living expenses:

When studying in Canada, you will need an expense for shopping for goods, necessities, extracurricular activities, and in an emergency. It's better to keep track of your monthly spending so you don't get "swinging your hands over your forehead". Learn about IDP's Cost of Living Calculator here.

Here are some expenses for your reference:

On average, international students in Canada will spend about 600 – 900 CAD/month on basic living expenses (excluding rent).

In addition, expenses for healthcare, personal shopping, or leisure activities may also arise. Therefore, making a reasonable spending plan will help you be more financially proactive during your time studying in Canada.

See also:

Part-time jobs for students while studying in Canada

Cost of Living in Canada

Compulsory health insurance

When studying in Canada, international students are required to participate in health insurance to ensure health care benefits during their studies. Depending on the province or school, the type of insurance and fees may vary.

Normally, the cost of health insurance for international students ranges from 600 to 900 CAD/year. Participating in insurance helps students get support for medical expenses and limit financial risks if health problems arise.

Before coming to Canada, you should carefully research the insurance policy of the province or school you attend to be fully prepared and in accordance with regulations.

Before officially coming to study in Canada, international students need to prepare some mandatory fees in the process of applying for a visa and completing immigration procedures. These are important expenses when researching the cost of studying in Canada and help you plan your budget more accurately.

4.1 Cost of applying for a Canadian student visa

One of the first fees when applying for a visa and study permit is the fee for applying for a visa and a study permit. When applying, you need to pay:

• Study Permit Fee: 150 CAD

• Biometrics Fee: 85 CAD

The total cost is 235 CAD (about 4.36 million VND at the reference rate). Biometric results are valid for 10 years, so if you later go on to apply for a visa or other permit, you usually don't need to do this step again.

4.2 Cost of medical examination to study in Canada

To be considered for a visa, international students need to undergo a medical examination as required by the Government of Canada. Examination fees in Vietnam usually fluctuate:

• HCMC Ho Chi Minh City: about 126 USD (~3.2 million VND)

• Hanoi: about 147 USD (~3.7 million VND)

This fee is to ensure that students are healthy enough to study and live in Canada permanently.

4.3 Judicial record fees

A criminal record is a necessary document in the application for a Canadian student visa, used to prove that you have no criminal record. The current fee is about 200,000 VND.

4.4 Admission and Admission Fees

When applying to schools in Canada, students usually have to pay an application fee. The common fee is about 100 – 150 CAD depending on the school, equivalent to 1.9 – 3 million VND.

4.5 Guardianship expenses for students under 18 years of age

For high school students under the age of 18, the Canadian government requires a legal guardian to be present during their studies. The guardian will assist with matters related to learning and life.

Guardianship costs typically range from 200 to 1,000 CAD per year, depending on the school and support services.

4.6 Translation fees for Canadian study documents

Another expense that many parents often miss is the document translation fee. Documents such as school records, degrees, birth certificates, or personal documents need to be translated into English and notarized before applying. The average translation cost is about 500,000 – 1,500,000 VND/set, depending on the number of papers.

In general, before officially enrolling in Canada, international students need to prepare many fees such as visas, biometrics, medical examinations, criminal records, admission fees, guardianship (if under 18 years old), and translation of documents. Knowing these amounts will help you be more proactive when planning the cost of studying in Canada.

5. Prove how much money is needed to study in Canada"

To answer exactly how much it costs to study in Canada, you need to pay attention to the financial proof requirement when applying for a student visa. According to the new regulations of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, international students must prove that they have sufficient living expenses for 1 year in addition to tuition fees.

From 01/09/2025, the minimum financial level to be proven is 22,895 CAD/year for single students. This money is to ensure that international students can afford to live while studying in Canada.

• If traveling with relatives:

  • CAD 4,000 for the first relative

  • 3,000 CAD per subsequent person

This does not include tuition and travel expenses, and is used to prove that you can afford to live while studying in Canada.

6. How to reduce the cost of studying in Canada

Studying in Canada will become easier if you have a sound financial plan. Here are some effective ways to help reduce the cost of studying in Canada :

Hunt for scholarships to study in Canada

Scholarships are one of the best ways to reduce the cost of studying in Canada. You should regularly monitor the websites of schools, educational institutions, and scholarship programs to study in Canada for international students to stay up to date with the latest information. Preparing your application early and submitting it on time will help increase your chances of receiving a scholarship.

Part-time work

International students in Canada are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week during their studies and unlimited hours during official holidays. Part-time jobs help you earn extra income to cover part of your living expenses while studying in Canada.

Choose a work-study program

Some training programs in Canada include internships or paid work (co-op). This helps students gain both practical experience and additional income to support their study and living expenses.

The cost of studying in Canada will vary depending on the school, major, and city you choose to live in Canada. If you're still unsure how much money you need to study in Canada or don't know how to plan your finances properly, IDP Education's team of counselors will assist you completely free of charge.

When you attend the study abroad seminars organized by IDP, you will receive detailed advice on:

• How much does it cost to study in Canada for tuition fees and living expenses

• How to choose the right school, major, and curriculum

• Full or partial

  scholarship opportunities

  to study in Canada

• Assistance with visa applications, proof of finances, housing, and international remittances

IDP Vietnam has more than 30 years of experience in the field of education consulting and has accompanied thousands of international students to study abroad successfully. With a team of experienced consultants who have studied in many countries such as Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland, IDP will help you answer all questions from how much it costs to study in Canada to your future study and career development path.

Contact IDP now for detailed support.