Study in Canada — universities, campus life and student cities

Canada flag Sukhada's Study Destination Guide

Study In Canada

Everything you need to know about tuition, cost of living, post-study work rights and top universities in Canada — backed by Sukhada's counselling team.

Canada at a Glance

Partner Universities 88+
Region North America
Cost Tier Premium
Post-Study Work Up to 3 years (PGWP)
› Study Destinations › Canada

Why Study in Canada?

Canada pairs well-regarded public universities and colleges with clear routes from study to work and permanent residence. Cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal have large, established Indian communities.

  • Post-Graduation Work Permit of up to 3 years
  • Clear pathway to permanent residence
  • Safe, multicultural cities

Quick Facts

North America Premium cost tier High PSW Up to 3 years (PGWP) ★ Popular destination
Talk to a Counsellor

Key Numbers

88+ Partner Universities
Premium Cost Tier
North America Region
Up to 3 years (PGWP) Post-Study Work
477 Programmes
73 Universities with Scholarships

What Are the Most Popular Courses in Canada?

Our partner universities in Canada offer 477 programmes. The largest subject areas are Natural Sciences, Business & Management, Computer Science & IT.

A programme can appear in more than one subject area.

Canada at a Glance

Official Name Canada
Capital Ottawa
Population 41M
Currency Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Official Language(s) English, French
Also Spoken French, Punjabi
Calling Code +1
Region North America
Economy Developed
English Proficiency Native

How Does the Education System Work in Canada?

A bachelor's degree in Canada usually takes 3–4 years and a master's takes 1–2 years. The main intakes are September, January, May.

Bachelor's 3–4 years
Master's 1–2 years
MBA 1–2 years
PhD 4–6 years
Academic Year Starts September
Intakes September, January, May

Grading system

Percentage or 4.0/4.3 GPA, varies by province

Accepted tests

IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAEL

What Is the Application Timeline for Canada?

Most students start 10–12 months before their intake. Exact deadlines vary by university and programme.

  1. ResearchShortlist universities in Canada that match your budget, course and career goals.
  2. ShortlistNarrow down to 4–6 programmes and note each deadline for your intake.
  3. TestsBook the tests your universities ask for: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAEL.
  4. ApplySubmit applications with transcripts, SOP, LORs and test scores.
  5. OfferAccept your offer and receive the Letter of Acceptance + Provincial Attestation Letter.
  6. VisaApply for the Study Permit as soon as your documents are ready.
  7. AccommodationBook on-campus or private housing before you travel.
  8. TravelArrange flights, forex and insurance, and carry original documents.
  9. EnrolComplete orientation, local registration and course enrolment.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in Canada?

Typical bachelor's tuition in Canada: CAD 20,000–45,000/yr. Master's tuition: CAD 18,000–40,000/yr. Living costs, covering rent, food and transport: CAD 1,500–2,200/month.

Bachelor's Tuition CAD 20,000–45,000/yr
Master's Tuition CAD 18,000–40,000/yr
Living Cost CAD 1,500–2,200/month
Proof of Funds CAD 22,895 for living costs (single applicant, outside Quebec) plus first-year tuition

Monthly budget breakdown (Toronto)

Rent (shared) CAD 1,000/month
Food & groceries CAD 400/month
Local transport CAD 130/month
Utilities & phone CAD 120/month
Personal & leisure CAD 150/month
Estimated Total CAD 1,800/month (approx.)

Accommodation options

On-campus housing CAD 900/month
Shared apartment CAD 750/month
Private studio CAD 1,600/month
Homestay CAD 1,000/month

Figures are indicative ranges for international students and change every year. Your counsellor will confirm exact fees for your shortlisted courses.

How to Get a Canada Student Visa

Indian students apply for the Study Permit after receiving the Letter of Acceptance + Provincial Attestation Letter. Visa fee: CAD 150 + CAD 85 biometrics. Typical processing time: Varies by country; check current IRCC processing times.

Visa Type Study Permit
Visa Fee CAD 150 + CAD 85 biometrics
Processing Time Varies by country; check current IRCC processing times
Interview Rarely

Step-by-step visa process

  1. Secure your admission Apply to your chosen university and accept the offer. You will receive your Letter of Acceptance + Provincial Attestation Letter, which your visa application depends on.
  2. Arrange proof of funds CAD 22,895 for living costs (single applicant, outside Quebec) plus first-year tuition. Keep recent bank statements, loan sanction letters or sponsor documents ready.
  3. Prepare your documents Collect your passport, academic records, English test scores, Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL), Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), commonly used as proof of funds, Immigration medical exam (if required).
  4. Submit the visa application Apply for the Study Permit and pay the fee: CAD 150 + CAD 85 biometrics.
  5. Biometrics and interview Give biometrics if requested. Visa interview: Rarely.
  6. Get your decision and travel Typical processing time: Varies by country; check current IRCC processing times. Once approved, book your travel and complete any local registration after arrival.

Can You Work in Canada During and After Studies?

Part-time Work Up to 24 hrs/week off campus during term
Work During Breaks Full-time during scheduled breaks
Post-Study Work Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years, based on programme length
After a Bachelor's Up to 3 years PGWP
After a Master's Up to 3 years PGWP
PR Pathway Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class) or Provincial Nominee Programs
Typical PR Timeline 1–3 years after gaining Canadian work experience

Immigration rules change often — always confirm on the official government website before you apply.

Documents You'll Typically Need

Exact document requirements vary by university and visa category. This is a general checklist — we'll confirm the precise list for your course.

Checklist

Academic transcripts & certificates
Valid passport
English proficiency score (IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / DET)
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Proof of funds / financial statements
Resume / CV (for PG programs)
Offer letter (once admitted)
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL)
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), commonly used as proof of funds
Immigration medical exam (if required)

What Is the Weather Like in Canada?

Long, cold winters and warm summers; milder on the west coast. Summers: Warm, 20–30°C. Winters: Very cold, often below -10°C.

Average temperatures in Toronto

January -9°C to -1°C
April 1°C to 12°C
July 17°C to 27°C
October 5°C to 14°C

How Do Students Open a Bank Account in Canada?

Major banks run newcomer student packages with no monthly fee and sometimes a free credit card. Many students open a GIC account with the same bank before arrival.

Popular banks for students

RBC TD Scotiabank BMO CIBC

Documents usually needed

Passport
Study permit
Proof of enrolment
Canadian address

Is Canada Safe for International Students?

Safety: High. Healthcare: Very good; provincial plans vary.

Health Insurance Yes (provincial or university plan)
Typical Insurance Cost CAD 600–1,000/yr

Common insurance options

Provincial health plans (e.g. MSP, AHCIP) UHIP (Ontario universities) University group plans

Safety tips

  • Buy proper winter clothing on arrival
  • Keep your study permit valid and renew early
  • Save local emergency numbers on your phone
  • Keep digital copies of your passport, visa and admission letter

What Is the Job Market Like in Canada?

Graduate job demand in Canada is high. Entry-level salaries are roughly CAD 45,000–60,000/yr, rising to about CAD 70,000–95,000/yr with experience.

Top hiring sectors

Healthcare Very High demand
Technology High demand
Skilled trades High demand
Finance Medium demand

Skills in demand

Nursing Software development Electricians and trades Data analysis Early childhood education

Salary figures are indicative gross annual ranges and vary by city, role and employer.

What Is Student Life Like in Canada?

Friendly, inclusive and multicultural, with a strong emphasis on politeness and diversity.

Student life

  • Winter sports
  • Cultural festivals like Diwali and Vaisakhi
  • Co-op work terms
  • Student clubs

Major religions

Christianity Islam Hinduism Sikhism No religion

Indian community

Community Size About 1.9 million people of Indian origin
Indian Food & Groceries Very easy — especially in Brampton, Surrey, Toronto and Vancouver

Which Scholarships Can Indian Students Get for Canada?

Well-known options for Canada include Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Lester B. Pearson Scholarship (U of Toronto), University entrance scholarships. Eligibility and deadlines change every year, so check the official page before applying.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships CAD 50,000/yr for PhD
Lester B. Pearson Scholarship (U of Toronto) full undergraduate funding
University entrance scholarships CAD 1,000–20,000

Scholarships for Canada

Our team tracks live scholarship listings across 150+ university and government portals. Here are the common categories students in Canada typically qualify for — talk to a counsellor for current deadlines and amounts.

All Levels Merit-Based

Merit Scholarships

Awarded by universities based on academic performance
Canada
UG / PG Need-Based

Need-Based Financial Aid

Partial tuition waivers based on demonstrated financial need
Canada
PG / PhD Government

Government & Institutional Grants

Country and institution-run funding programs for international students
Canada
All Levels Sukhada

Sukhada Partner Discounts

Fee-waivers and priority processing through our university partnerships
Canada

Partner Universities in Canada

We work directly with 88 verified universities across Canada — browse the full list and filter by course, budget and intake.

View All 88+

Top-ranked universities in Canada

McGill University Montreal · Est. 1821 · CAD 30,000–65,000/yr
QS #30
University of Toronto Scarborough Toronto · Est. 1827 · $ 11,000–45,000/yr
QS #32
University of Toronto Toronto · Est. 1827
QS #32
The University of British Columbia (UBC) - Okanagan Campus Kelowna · Est. 2005 · CAD 11,000–45,000/yr
QS #45
The University of British Columbia Vancouver · Est. 1908 · C$ 11,000–45,000/yr
QS #45
University of Alberta Edmonton · Est. 1908 · CAD 11,000–45,000/yr
QS #96
University of Alberta in Partnership with Kaplan Edmonton · Est. 1908 · CAD 11,000–45,000/yr
QS #96
University of Waterloo Waterloo · Est. 1957 · CAD 11,000–45,000/yr
QS #113

Frequently Asked Questions

Typical tuition for international students in Canada: CAD 20,000–45,000/yr for a bachelor's degree and CAD 18,000–40,000/yr for a master's. Living costs: CAD 1,500–2,200/month, depending on the city.

The visa you need is the Study Permit, and the application is based on the Letter of Acceptance + Provincial Attestation Letter. Visa fee: CAD 150 + CAD 85 biometrics. Typical processing time: Varies by country; check current IRCC processing times.

CAD 22,895 for living costs (single applicant, outside Quebec) plus first-year tuition. The exact amount is revised from time to time, so confirm it with the official immigration website before applying.

Student work rules in Canada: Up to 24 hrs/week off campus during term.

Post-study work in Canada: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years, based on programme length. Long-term settlement route: Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class) or Provincial Nominee Programs.

Safety in Canada: High. Healthcare: Very good; provincial plans vary.

Yes (provincial or university plan). Typical cost: CAD 600–1,000/yr.

Graduate job demand in Canada is high, led by Healthcare, Technology, Skilled trades, Finance. Entry-level salaries are roughly CAD 45,000–60,000/yr.

About 1.9 million people of Indian origin. Indian food: Very easy — especially in Brampton, Surrey, Toronto and Vancouver.

The main intakes in Canada are September, January, May. A bachelor's degree usually takes 3–4 years and a master's takes 1–2 years.

IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAEL. Minimum scores differ by university and course, so check each programme page.

We currently work directly with 88 verified universities in Canada, spanning a range of budgets and course levels.

Ready to start your journey to Canada?

Book a free session with a Sukhada counsellor — no obligation, no pressure, just a clear plan for Canada.

Free Counselling Zero Hidden Charges 94% Visa Success 12,000+ Students Guided
Handpicked For You

Top Universities Worldwide

A closer look at some of the institutions our students are applying to right now.

United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20 hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, United States Est. 1861
QS WORLD#1
Annual Tuition US$66,720 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 93%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #4
Employer Reputation
100/100 #2
Faculty / Student
100/100 #16
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #7
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #63
Intl. Students
91.6/100 #153
Intl. Student Diversity
92.3/100 #130
Intl. Research Network
94.1/100 #98
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #7
Sustainability
93.8/100 #33
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C4CA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom London
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Imperial College London

London, United Kingdom Est. 1907
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition £42,700 – £58,600 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 94%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
99.6/100 #22
Employer Reputation
100/100 #9
Faculty / Student
99.3/100 #42
Citations / Faculty
95/100 #69
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #74
Intl. Students
100/100 #35
Intl. Student Diversity
100/100 #22
Intl. Research Network
97.5/100 #28
Employment Outcomes
95.9/100 #68
Sustainability
98.3/100 #7
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C81E
United States flag United States Stanford
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa Success82
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Stanford University

Stanford, United States Est. 1885
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition USD67,731 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #5
Employer Reputation
100/100 #3
Faculty / Student
100/100 #17
Citations / Faculty
99.7/100 #24
Intl. Faculty
94.2/100 #188
Intl. Students
73.5/100 #261
Intl. Student Diversity
76.1/100 #230
Intl. Research Network
96.5/100 #49
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #2
Sustainability
95.4/100 #19
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-ECCB
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Oxford
  • IntakesOctober (Michaelmas term)
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work2 yrs; 18 months from Jan 2027
  • Cost of LivingGBP 1,405-2,105 / month
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom Est. 1096
QS WORLD#4
Annual Tuition GBP 39,620-66,580 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #
Employer Reputation
100/100 #
Faculty / Student
100/100 #
Citations / Faculty
91/100 #
Intl. Faculty
98.8/100 #
Intl. Students
98.6/100 #
Intl. Research Network
100/100 #
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #
Sustainability
77.9/100 #
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-A87F
United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Harvard University

Cambridge, United States Est. 1636
QS WORLD#5
Annual Tuition USD 62,226 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 87%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #1
Employer Reputation
100/100 #1
Faculty / Student
98.3/100 #50
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #1
Intl. Faculty
79.1/100 #300
Intl. Students
81.4/100 #217
Intl. Student Diversity
60.6/100 #335
Intl. Research Network
99.4/100 #8
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #1
Sustainability
77.8/100 #201
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-E4DA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Cambridge
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa Success95
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Cambridge

Cambridge, United Kingdom Est. 1209
QS WORLD#6
Annual Tuition £29,052 – £70,554 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 95%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #3
Employer Reputation
100/100 #5
Faculty / Student
100/100 #23
Citations / Faculty
88.6/100 #107
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #80
Intl. Students
93.1/100 #144
Intl. Student Diversity
93.6/100 #120
Intl. Research Network
99.2/100 #12
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #5
Sustainability
78.4/100 #194
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-8F14
This Week's Picks

Scholarships worth applying to right now.

A rotating shortlist our counsellors flag as genuinely worth the paperwork.

Netherlands flag
University of Twente Netherlands
All Levels Funding + benefits

NL Scholarship

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
France flag
Université de Bordeaux - Faculty of Medicine France
All Levels Funding + benefits

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Australia flag
The University of Western Australia Australia
All Levels Merit-based

UWA Global Excellence Scholarship

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Germany flag
Federal Government of Germany and private sponsors Germany
All Levels Varies

Deutschlandstipendium

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
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