15 Cheapest Universities, Courses in Canada for Int’l Students

The 15 cheapest universities and courses in Canada include all the courses available for international students in Canada where they can get a degree in their preferred course at a very low cost.

Canada witnessed an increment in the number of international students in the country between 2010-2018,this accounted for more than 100% increase. There are many reasons why international students choose to study in Canada. 

One of the reasons is because Canada offers a lower tuition fee than other developed countries like USA, Britain and others and still offer good and quality education.

There are many universities in Canada with low tuition fees where students can get quality education like other places in the world and still enjoy a good standard of education and also a good living standard. Canada has a reputation for its quality of education which starts from elementary to post-secondary studies.

According to University Ranking, 7 out of 150 universities in the globe are in Canada, so you can guess that Canada boasts of top universities even though their cost may be lower than other palaces.

In this article, you will see the cheapest universities and courses to study in Canada in 2021.

Among the most popular universities in Canada include: the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University and the University of Alberta. These universities can be compared with the best universities in the world.

Designated Learning Institution

When planning to enroll into any Canadian university, you must enquire to know if it is in the list of  designated learning institutions in Canada.

You can see the list of designated learning institutions at Canada.CA website which is the government of Canada’s official website and where you will find the list of all designated learning institutions.

What if the designated learning institution loses its designation status?

In certain situations it happens your institution was in the list of designated learning institution but later lost this status while you are still studying. The questions that many students ask, what they should do.

When your college or university loses its status as a designated learning institution, be calm because it has no effect on you. This is simply because you have gained admission before it loses its status, so, you can finish your studies in that institution without any problem. 

Even if you are still in the first semester, you are guaranteed to complete your program with full-time status. All you have to do is fulfill all the requirements you need as a full-time student by completing all the credits. When you have done this, you will be eligible for a post-graduate work permit after your studies like other students in a designated learning institution. 

Education System in Canada

The major reason while international students rush to study in Canada is not just because of the low tuition fee but also because of quality system of education in Canada especially at the higher education level. Canada enjoys a very good higher education system feature in which each of the provinces take care of their own education system.

So, if you are planning to study in Canada, you will have to check the particular province to know their what variation they might from other provinces. You can also check for the education system of each province in their official websites.

In Canada, you are most likely to complete your  undergraduate degrees between three years and four years compared to most countries where it takes nothing less than four years for undergraduate programs. 

Postgraduate degrees could be completed between one to three years depending on which program you take

Cost of Study in Canada

As mentioned above there are many universities and courses in Canada that you can study for a very low fee. Canada enjoys low tuition fee in the world and this attracts international students into Canadian universities for not undergraduate and graduate programs. Canada is also ranked among the best countries to live in the world. So, you don’t just have the best place to study but you will also enjoy Canada’s living standard.

You will learn everything you need to know about the cost of studying in Canada in this paragraph. The details will be divided into two categories based on the type of program for better understanding. They include:

• Bachelor’s or Undergraduate Fees
• Postgraduate/ Master’s Degree Fee

15 Cheapest Universities in Canada for International Students

Below is the list of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students who want to study in Canada.

1. Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)

The number one in the list of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students is Memorial University of Newfoundland with the average tuition fee of  USD 8,150 per academic year.

The university is ranked between the 701st and 750th best universities according to the QS World University Ranking. Among all the universities in Canada, the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) is currently the cheapest university in Canada for international students. Thus, they receive about 3,000 international students every year. 

There are seven faculties at Canada’s cheapest university, with six schools and more than 30 research centres. The university is located in St. Johns with other four campuses including one in England. There are various scholarships for international students at MUN

2. St. Stephen’s University (SSU)

The second cheapest university in Canada is St. Stephen’s University with a tuition fee of USD 8,400 per academic year.

St. Stephen’s University (SSU) is also a private university and is located in one of Canada’s small towns in New Brunswick. It offers four Bachelor of Arts in humanities, international studies, psychology, and community engagement to its students. You also have the opportunity of gaining a master’s degree from the university in theology and culture, and different diplomas and certificates.

They offer admission to about 30 new students each year including international students and offer many opportunities to study abroad. There are also scholarships for international students at the university. 

3. Canadian Mennonite University (CMU)

The next cheapest university in Canada is Canadian Mennonite University with a tuition fee of USD 8,450 per academic year.

The Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is a Christian private university located in the province of Manitoba. One of Canada’s cheapest university is divided into five schools where students can take more than 20 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

4. Athabasca University

The number four in the list of cheapest universities in Canada is Athabasca University with the tuition fee of USD 8,515 per academic year.

It is located in the province of Alberta and  specializes in distance and online education. It is actually one of the first universities that offered this type of education when it started developing distance programs in the ’70s.

There are five faculties in Athabasca University which include: faculties of health disciplines, science and technology, humanities and social sciences, business, and graduate students. They offer all their programs online and students enjoy a highly flexible schedules, giving you the opportunity of applying at any time of the year.

5. University College of the North (UCN)

Another cheap university in Canada is University College of the North with a tuition fee of USD 8,600 to USD 10,120 per academic year.

The university was established in 2004, but its origins can be traced back to 1966 when it was a vocational center. The university boasts of about 2,400 students with its location at the province of Manitoba where it has 2 campuses and over 10 regional centers.

UCN has five faculties including faculties of trades and technology, education, arts and science, business, and health which offer 40 degree and non-degree programs.

6. Booth University College

The number six in the list of 15 cheapest universities in Canada for International Students is Booth University College with a tuition fee of USD 9,200 per academic year.

Booth University College is located in Manitoba and is another Christian private institution affiliated to the Salvation Army, a Christian international organization. This is one of the reasons they offer many opportunities to students to study a few semesters in other countries.

It offers programs in the fields of humanities, business, social work, and social sciences. Also see Booth University admission requirements for international students.

7. Kingswood University

Kingswood University is the number 7 cheapest university in Canada for international students with a tuition fee of USD 9,550 per academic year. The university offers religion-related degrees and is affiliated to the Christian church. Kingswood University grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in the areas of theology, evangelism and compassion ministry, ministry, and Christian school education.

It also boasts of two campuses located in New Brunswick that include multiple student residences and several sports facilities. 

8. University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)

At number 8 of cheapest universities in Canada for international students is University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) with a tuition fee of USD 9,650 to USD 47,200 per academic year.

UPEI is the only university in the province of Prince Edward Island and also a public university whose origins is traced back to 1804.

There are seven in the university including faculties of business, sustainable design engineering, science, nursing, veterinary medicine, arts, and education. UPEI also boasts of three student residences, a sports complex, and a research institute.

Most of the programs offered at UPEI cost between USD 9,650 and USD 16,650 per year except the programs in the fields of health which may cost up to USD 47,200 per academic year. 

9. Atlantic School of Theology (AST)

Atlantic School of Theology is the 9th cheapest university in Canada for international students with a tuition fee of USD 9,900 per academic year.

As the name indicates, the Atlantic School of Theology (AST) offers graduate degrees in the field of religion to both religious and non-religious students. It is a public university located in the province of Nova Scotia that also offers a Master of Arts in Religious Studies and Theology and a Master of Divinity.

10. Brandon University

At number 10 is Brandon University with a tuition fee of between USD 9,800 to USD 10,850 per academic year. The university was originally founded as college in 1889. Brandon University is  a public university located in the province of Manitoba with about 3,000 students including international students. Brandon University mostly offers undergraduate programs with five facilities including faculties of education, arts, science, graduate studies, and health science. It also has five research centers and a school of music, which is known as one of the best in Canada. The faculty of graduate studies offers five master’s degree programs. Brandon also has some scholarships for international students. 

11. University of Manitoba

The next cheapest university in Canada for international students is the University of Manitoba with a tuition fee of between USD 10,000 to USD 18,700 per academic year. This is the biggest university in the province of Manitoba with almost 30,000 students including international students. It has several education buildings throughout the region besides its main campus. It is ranked between the 601st and the 650th best universities according to the QS World University Ranking.

The university can boast of 24 faculties that offer programs in the areas of architecture, arts, science, education, humanities, ecology, etc. It is reputed for its faculty of medicine that has over 15 research institutes and 27 departments.

12. University of Winnipeg

The University of Winnipeg is the number 12 cheapest university in Canada with a tuition fee of between USD 10,100 to USD 12,500 per academic year.

As one of the cheapest universities in Canada, University of Winnipeg was merger of different colleges with the oldest founded in 1871. There are six colleges of education, arts, science, kinesiology and applied health, graduate studies, and business and economics programs in the university. 

The university has three colleges, 12 research centers and institutes, an anthropology museum, an art gallery, and multiple student residences. Apart from the numerous undergraduate programs, University of Winnipeg also offers eight master degree programs.

13. Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts)

The number 13 in the list of cheapest universities in Canada for international students is Alberta University of Arts with a tuition fee of USD 10,600 per academic year.

AUArts was originally an institute of art founded in 1926. The Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is a public university that grants degrees in different fields of arts and design, which include photography, print media, visual communication, ceramics, etc.

Its campus includes over 10 galleries for exhibiting student work within and outside the university.

14. Tyndale University

Tyndale University is another cheap university in Canada for international students with a tuition fee of USD 11,300 per academic year.

This is a Christian private higher education institution that was founded over a century ago with grants undergraduate degrees in education, religious education, business administration, philosophy, history, religious studies, English. 

This is a seminary that also offers graduate studies. The Master’s degree programs include master’s degree programs in theology, theological studies, divinity, and a doctor of ministry.

15. St. Thomas University (STU)

The last university in our list of the cheapest universities in Canada for international students is St.Thomas University with a tuition fee of between USD 11,400 to USD 14,700 per academic year.

STU is located in New Brunswick as a public Catholic university with 1,900 students. The main focus of STU is on undergraduate education and its degree programs include multiple bachelors of arts, social work, education, and applied arts in more than 30 areas.

STU is affiliated to the University of New Brunswick (UNB) as they share certain facilities together. This helps some students of STU to take some courses atvUBN even as thay are autonomous and independent universities.

Cheapest Courses in Canada for International Students

After knowing the 15 cheapest universities in Canada for international students, it is also necessary that you know the cheapest courses you can study in Canada across different fields. The list of the cheapest courses in Canada for international students is below.

Canadian University without Application Fees for International Students

Apart from having the cheapest universities for international students, Canada also boasts of some some decent universities that you do not require an application fee to enroll into them as an international student. They include:

• Royal Roads University
• Quest University International
• Redeemer University College
• Booth University College

Frequently Asked Questions About Canada’s Cheapest Universities