Canada is a popular destination for overseas students, particularly Indians seeking higher education. It is a budget-friendly option compared to other popular study-abroad destinations like the UK, Australia, and the US. Every year, thousands of students from around the world try to enrol in top universities in Canada to pursue their dreams. According to official government data, approximately 1,83,000 Indian students travelled to Canada to further their studies. The most advantageous thing is that international students enjoy the same rights and freedoms as other Canadian citizens while studying in Canada.
Canada is one of the most popular choices for international students planning to get a high-quality education at an affordable price. But before you get enrolled in Canadian universities, look at these important highlights.
Parameter |
Statistics |
No. of universities in Canada |
155 |
Tuition fees of universities in Canada |
Up to INR 10 L: 117 Universities Up to INR 40 L: 155 Universities |
Top Streams in Canada |
Business, IT & Computer Science, Media, Engineering and Health & Medicine. |
English language exams required |
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
Entrance exams required |
GMAT, GRE |
Studying in Canada offers many advantages. It is a safe and welcoming country with a diverse population. You'll experience a multicultural environment that enriches your learning and personal growth. Moreover, Canada's natural beauty is unparalleled. From stunning national parks to vibrant cities, there's always something new to explore, enriching your overall experience beyond academics.
Moreover, studying in Canada can enhance your language skills since many programs are offered in English or French. The country also encourages innovation and research, with ample funding and resources for students to explore their ideas.
Post Graduate Work Permit in Canada, also known as PGWP Canada or the Post-Canadian Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), enables international students who have graduated from Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada to obtain a valid open work permit and gain work experience in Canada. The length of your PGWP is determined by the level and duration of your study program, as well as the expiration date of your passport, whichever occurs first. Students who complete master's degree programs in less than two years (8 months minimum) may be eligible for a three-year PGWP.
The Canada student visa allows you to work 24 hours a week at a paid employment. However, this is the maximum number of hours you can work. Universities recommend that students enrolled in challenging or rigorous courses work up to 12 hours each week. Part-time jobs typically pay students by the hour. On average, you will be paid roughly CAD 10 every hour. Part-time employment includes customer service, bartender, cooking, tourist guide, clerking, tutoring, web design, dog walking, etc.
Canadian universities are known for their high-quality education and globally recognised degrees. Whether you're pursuing sciences, arts, business, or technology, Canadian institutions provide top-notch programs that open doors to exciting career opportunities worldwide. Here is a list of some of the best universities in Canada for international students, along with their world rankings.
University Name |
Canada University Rankings by QS World University 2025 |
Canada University Rankings by THE (The Higher Education) 2024 |
25 |
25 |
|
29 |
29 |
|
38 |
38 |
|
96 |
96 |
|
University of Waterloo |
115 |
115 |
Western University |
120 |
120 |
Université de Montréal |
159 |
159 |
McMaster University |
176 |
176 |
University of Ottawa |
189 |
189 |
Queen's University at Kingston |
193 |
193 |
Canada hosts some of the world’s best universities for Arts and & humanities related courses. Below, you can check the list of universities in Canada that are highly ranked for their Arts & Humanities-associated courses.
University Name |
QS Ranking |
University of Toronto |
10 |
University of British Columbia |
18 |
McGill University |
29 |
Université de Montréal |
117 |
University of Alberta |
137 |
York University |
157 |
Queen's University at Kingston |
183 |
Concordia University |
203 |
Western University |
203 |
University of Ottawa |
207 |
Are you also planning to take engineering and technology courses at Canadian universities? If yes, then check the list of top universities in Canada for Engineering and Technology.
University Name |
QS Ranking |
University of Toronto |
17 |
University of British Columbia |
25 |
McGill University |
39 |
University of Waterloo |
40 |
University of Alberta |
100 |
Université de Montréal |
111 |
University of Calgary |
153 |
Queen's University at Kingston |
200 |
McMaster University |
226 |
University of Ottawa |
234 |
The universities in Canada offer various Life Sciences & Medicine Courses. In fact, the recent shortage of people in the healthcare sector in Canada has led many international students to choose Life Sciences & Medicine related programs. Choosing these courses is a great option for international students who are planning to settle in Canada. Below, we have mentioned some of the best colleges in Canada for Indian students to pursue Life Sciences & Medicine courses.
University Name |
QS Ranking |
University of Toronto |
13 |
University of British Columbia |
24 |
McGill University |
25 |
McMaster University |
55 |
University of Alberta |
73 |
Université de Montréal |
103 |
University of Calgary |
113 |
University of Ottawa |
167 |
Western University |
192 |
Queen's University at Kingston |
206 |
To explore the top 10 universities in Canada for Natural Sciences, students can check the table below:
University Name |
QS Ranking |
University of Toronto |
19 |
University of British Columbia |
22 |
McGill University |
47 |
University of Waterloo |
60 |
University of Alberta |
114 |
Université de Montréal |
163 |
University of Calgary |
213 |
Queen's University at Kingston |
233 |
McMaster University |
244 |
Western University |
270 |
You can also find various Social Sciences & Management related courses in Canadian universities. Here is the list of some of the top universities in Canada for Social Sciences & Management, ranked by the QS Rankings.
University Name |
QS Ranking |
University of Toronto |
12 |
University of British Columbia |
19 |
McGill University |
39 |
Université de Montréal |
117 |
Western University |
125 |
University of Alberta |
145 |
Queen's University at Kingston |
161 |
York University |
191 |
University of Waterloo |
195 |
University of Calgary |
217 |
Canada is known for its high standard of living and multicultural environment. Various cities in the country are included in the list of the best student cities in the world by the QS Ranking organisation. Here is a list of some of the best student towns in Canada, along with their rankings.
Cities |
QS Best Student Cities 2025 |
Montreal |
10 |
Toronto |
11 |
Vancouver |
19 |
Ottawa |
57 |
Quebec |
128 |
Canada's colleges rank among the top in the world. With over 155 universities, international students can select from over 8,000 Canadian colleges and 16,000 Canadian university programs. The following is a list of top courses to study in Canada for international students, along with the number of universities offering them.
Top 10 Courses |
Count of Universities |
MBA |
40+ |
UG Diploma |
60+ |
PG Diploma |
45+ |
BCom |
15+ |
B.Ed |
50+ |
Before enrolling at a Canadian university, international students must meet the admission requirements. Although different universities have varied entrance criteria, the essential eligibility criteria are the same. So, let's look at the basic admission standards for Canadian universities.
International students must take globally acknowledged entry examinations and achieve the basic requirements of Canadian universities. Top Canadian institutions may require GRE and GMAT scores to assess international students’ academic ability on a common ground.
Canada is an English-speaking country, and institutions in Canada require international students to demonstrate their ability in English. Here are various English language tests that are accepted by Canadian universities.
International students must know all the documents required when applying to Canadian universities and for student visas.
Criteria |
Undergraduate |
Postgraduate |
10th and 12th standard academic transcript |
10th and 12th standard academic transcript along with bachelor’s degree certificate |
|
A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 bands or equivalent in any other proficiency test |
A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 bands or equivalent in any other proficiency test |
|
1 from an academic institution |
2 (1 from an academic institution and 1 from employer) |
|
Required |
Required |
|
Certificates |
Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities are accepted |
Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities are accepted |
Apart from the above documents, here are some other documents which are required to study in Canada and achieve a student visa:
2 passport size photos
Update Resume
A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI)
Medical certificate
A valid passport or travel document. (must be valid till your course completion date)
a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where you plan to study (required for most students)
proof of financial support
Canadian universities typically offer three main intakes to international students. Check all of them below.
Fall (September) Intake in Canada - Fall intake is Canada's most common and most considerable intake period. It usually begins in September and marks the start of the academic year.
Almost all the universities offer all undergraduate and graduate programs during this intake, offering a wide range of courses and degrees. Students often apply for fall intake well in advance, sometimes a year ahead, especially for competitive programs.
Winter (January) Intake in Canada - The winter intake in Canada is the second largest intake in Canada, starting in January. While not as common as the fall intake, many universities offer programs that begin in January, particularly for certain graduate programs or for students who missed the fall intake. It's a good option for students who need more time to prepare or apply after the fall deadlines.
Summer (May) Intake in Canada - The summer intake in Canada is more minor than fall and winter intakes and starts in May. This intake period is often used for specific programs, courses, or workshops rather than full academic programs. It's a popular choice for students who want to take advantage of the summer months to advance their studies or explore specific subjects. Each intake period has benefits, and the choice often depends on program availability, the student's personal schedule, and academic goals.
Tuition fees for international students at Canadian public universities are higher than for domestic students. In addition, tuition fees for international students will vary depending on the course and level of study. Generally, the fees at public universities are lower than those at private universities and colleges. Below, let’s check the number of institutions available in Canada at various prices.
First-Year Tuition Fee Range |
Count of Universities |
Max INR 10 L |
117 |
Max INR 20 L |
151 |
Max INR 40 L |
155 |
INR 40 L+ |
12 |
The cost of living in Canada will vary depending on the type and location of your accommodation. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) demands confirmation that you have enough money and cash accessible. As a student, you must demonstrate that you have CAD 10,000 (INR 6.18 Lakhs) in living expenditures for 12 months in Canada. Here is the minimum bank amount required for your living expenses in Canada.
Expenses |
Monthly Cost in Canada |
On-campus Rent |
CAD 600 |
Groceries/Food |
CAD 300 |
Health Insurance |
CAD 70 |
Mobile phone (basic package) |
CAD 30 |
Public Transit Pass |
CAD 40 |
Entertainment/Clothes/Gifts |
CAD 80 |
Car: Fuel |
CAD 200 |
It is compulsory for international students to achieve a Canadian student visa in order to move to study in Canada. However, before applying for a student visa, one must get an offer letter from the Designated Learning Institution (DLI). The fee to apply for a Canadian student visa currently is CAD 150 (INR 9,150).
Canada has job opportunities for students, graduates, and professionals of all levels. International students can select from a number of work-study programs in Canada. You can work as an intern or a co-op student both on and off campus. After graduation, you can choose to stay and work in Canada. You will need a work permit (PGW to work in Canada). It costs around 255 CAD to apply for a post-graduate work permit after studying in Canada.
The average annual salary in Canada is CAD 120,000AD (about 74.56 lakh INR). Here is a list of the most demanding careers in Canada, along with their average salaries.
Profession |
Average Salary |
Pilot |
2,05,000 CAD per year |
Manager |
1,78,000 CAD per year |
Business Analyst |
1,54,000 CAD per year |
Architect |
1,47,000 CAD per year |
Engineer |
1,09,000 CAD per year |
Lecturer |
93,000 CAD per year |
Accountant |
81,000 CAD per year |
Graphic Designer/ UI/UX Designer |
76,000 CAD per year |
Chef |
72,500 CAD per year |
IT Project Manager |
1,06,000 CAD per year |
Data Scientists |
1,01,000 CAD per year |
Developers |
1,02,000 CAD per year |
Security Professionals |
81,000 CAD per year |
Top Canadian colleges offer a variety of scholarships to international students. Some scholarships are awarded by the institution itself, while others are provided by other financial sources. We have listed some of the most popular scholarships offered by leading universities in Canada and other private organisations.
Scholarship name |
Value |
Eligibility |
President’s International Scholarship of Excellence |
awards up to CAD 45,000 |
at least 80% in your final admission score, at least 88 in TOEFL, 6.5 in IELTS, or 60 in PTE
apply to an undergraduate degree program |
UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award |
Up to CAD 35,000 |
minimum of 6.5 in IELTS, 65 in PTE, and 90 in TOEFL completed high school no earlier than one gap year |
President’s International Distinction Scholarship |
awards 120,000 CAD |
minimum of 6.5 in IELTS, 65 in PTE, and 90 in TOEFL |
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation scholars over |
vers the tuition fee for the program’s entire duration and living expenses |
one or two years of a full-time doctoral program
doctoral work must relate to at least one of the following themes: human rights and dignity |
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship |
maximum of 50,000 CAD |
first-class degree in UG as well as in PG
should be in a doctoral program
academic excellence, leadership qualities and research potential |
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program |
$5,000 per session |
For graduate students in a wide variety of disciplines
Each award is tenable for one year (two to three academic sessions). |
Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship |
$25,000 a year |
For students studying in Quebec For Doctoral or Postdoctoral Program |
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships |
50,000 CAD per year |
For meritorious students who aspire to pursue a doctoral degree at a Canadian institution |
Ontario Trillium Scholarship |
Each scholarship is worth $40,000 annually |
scholarships for international PhD students based on merit and program criteria |
Partnership Grants by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada |
Worth up to CAD 20,000 |
For PhD candidates Supports new or existing research initiatives in social sciences and humanities |
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