How to Study in Canada for Free?

Students willing to study in Canada for free can either opt for a university with low tuition fees or get a part-time job. Canada does not offer free college education but there are various ways to reduce the cost of studying and living in Canada. The main thing students need to do is reduce their spending and increase their income.

Canada is one of the most coveted study destinations for international students planning to study abroad. Compared to other countries like the UK and the US, Canada is more affordable for international students to pursue higher education. The country is home to top-notch educational institutions that are renowned for their academic excellence and internationally recognized degrees. However, some students might find it difficult to bear the overall cost of studying in Canada.

How to Study in Canada for free? This is a common question among aspirants who look for affordable options to study abroad. Well, it is possible to study in Canada at a very reasonable cost if you follow some effective measures. Read this article to learn more!

How to Study for Free in Canada?

There are several ways in which you can study in Canada for free or at a minimal cost. One of the ways is to reduce the overall cost of living. This can be done by creating a budget, as it will help you manage your finances effectively. Try to look for affordable accommodation options, shop at second-hand stores, and make use of student discounts. Let us discuss some of the other ways in which you can study in Canada for free:

• Prepare a Great Application
• Apply to Low-Cost Canadian Universities
• Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships
• Look For Part-Time Work Opportunities

Prepare a Great Application

Top universities in Canada prefer accepting applications from students who have a good academic record. Make sure to prepare well for language tests or other entrance exams. Also, it is recommended to start preparing for your application as early as possible. This will not only help in minimizing errors but also in creating a compelling application. Moreover, a great application will increase the probability of obtaining a scholarship. Hence, this is one of the most important ways to study in Canada for free.

Apply to Low-Cost Canadian Universities

Another easy way to study in Canada for free is to apply to a cheap Canadian university. There are many public and private universities in Canada that provide quality education at an affordable price. You should list all the cheapest schools and programs and then apply to the one that matches your field of interest. By doing this, you will save thousands of dollars on tuition. We will discuss low-cost Canadian universities in detail in the next section.

Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships

International students can find a wide range of scholarship opportunities in Canada. You will have different options depending on your field of study and your country of origin. Fully funded scholarships are offered in Canada by the government, non-governmental organizations, and universities. Some of the university-specific scholarships are provided by Carleton University, Concordia University, Dalhousie University, Humber College, University of Alberta, and many more. Let us take a look at some of the fully funded scholarships in Canada that can help international students to study in Canada for free or at a minimum cost:

• Canada Graduate Scholarships
• IDRC Research Awards
• NSERC Postgraduate scholarships
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Program
• Canada Memorial Scholarship
• Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship
• Anne Vallee Ecological Fund
• Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships

Read More: Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada

Look For Part-Time Work Opportunities

With a Canadian student visa, international students can work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week in Canada. Taking on part-time work will allow you to cover your expenses while improving your skill set at the same time. Bookkeeper, sales assistant, customer service assistant, program facilitator, cook, bartender, dog walker, Uber driver, office assistant, etc., are some of the popular part-time job options that can help students to study in Canada for free.

Low-Cost Canadian Universities for International Students

Tuition fees make up a large part of the total cost of studying in Canada. Hence, students must enrol in affordable Canadian Universities in order to pursue free higher education that will help them to study in Canada for free. Following are the top low-cost universities in Canada for international students:

• Brandon University
• University of Guelph
• Memorial University of Newfoundland 
• Canadian Mennonite University
• University of St. Boniface
• McGill University 
• University of Calgary
• Humber College

Brandon University

Founded in 1889, Brandon University is situated in the beautiful Canadian city of Manitoba. Maclean's Magazine ranked the university as the #1 University for its student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1 in 2018. The university is home to more than 3,000 students and offers UG, PG, pre-professional, and certificate programs. An undergraduate course at Brandon University costs between 13,000-15,000 CAD, while the course fee for a postgraduate program is roughly 6,400 CAD. Along with being one of the most affordable universities in Canada, it also has an employment rate of around 82.3%. Given below are some of the popular courses offered by Brandon University:

• Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Nursing [B.N]
• Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in Business Administration
• Master of Education [M.Ed]
• Master of Music [M.Mus] in Performance and Literature

Read More: Brandon University

University of Guelph

Established in 1964, the University of Guelph is one of the popular universities in Canada for its courses in agriculture, food science, and veterinary sciences. With 11 academic departments, students have an option to choose from 19 majors and minors. Ranked as the #1 university in Canada for agricultural science, the university provides courses at affordable tuition rates. The average tuition fee of UG programs is between 16,997 CAD – 19,529 CAD. When it comes to PG courses, the average tuition costs come up to be around 8,644 CAD- 17,808 CAD. Let us take a look at some of the major courses of the University of Guelph:

• Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Computer Engineering
• Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Psychology
• Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computer Science
• Master of Arts [M.A] in Economics
• Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] in Sustainable Commerce

Read More: University of Guelph

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Located on the Canadian East coast, the Memorial University of Newfoundland started as an academic institution in 1925. The university enrols over 19,000 students from more than 115 countries across the globe. It has been ranked between #701-#750 in the QS world university rankings 2021. The university is a renowned public institution offering hundreds of courses and more than 125 exchange programs in 40+ countries around the world.

As one of the cheapest universities in Canada, MUN offers affordable bachelor's and master's degrees facilitating international students to study in Canada for free or at reduced costs. Undergrad courses cost an average of 11,460 CAD for 30 credit hours, and postgraduate courses cost between 8,130 - 15,271 CAD. Check out the most sought-after courses offered by MUN:

• Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A]
• Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Mechanical Engineering
• Master of Science [M.Sc] in Management
• Master of Science [M.Sc] in Medicine
• Master of Business Administration [M.B.A]

Read More: Memorial University of Newfoundland

Canadian Mennonite University

Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the university has a religious affiliation with the Mennonite Church Canada. It offers 3-4 year internationally accredited UG and PG programs in various subject areas like communications & media, music, theological studies, biology, and intercultural studies, among others. Three-credit undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Canadian Mennonite University require a tuition fee of 17,000 CAD for international students. Here are a few of the university's most popular programs:

• Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A] in Business Management
• Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in Geography
• Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Mathematics
• Collaborative MBA
• Master of Divinity

Read More: Canadian Mennonite University

University of St. Boniface

The University of St. Boniface came into existence in 1818 as the first university in Western Canada. While the institution was granted university status in 2011, it has been consistently recognized as one of Canada's most affordable and coveted universities. There are a wide variety of undergraduate programs offered at the university in multiple subject areas, including arts, health, education, and business administration, among others. An international student's first-year tuition ranges from $4,600 to $7,500 for a bachelor's or master's degree. These are the top courses offered at St. Boniface University:

• Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Biochemistry
• Diploma Auxiliary Nursing
• Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A]
• Master of Education [M.Ed] in School Administration
• Master of Education [M.Ed] in Inclusive Education

Read More: University of St. Boniface

McGill University

Established in 1821, McGill University is one of the most prestigious universities in Canada. The McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, is home to more than 12,800 international students from over 150 countries. It has been #44 in the world as per the rankings of Times Higher Education, 2022. For popular graduate programs, tuition is generally between CAD 15,324 - 29,666, and for undergraduate programs, it is between CAD 21,388 - 57,575. Among McGill University's most popular courses are:

• Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Software Engineering
• Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com] in Accounting
• Master of Science [M.Sc] Computer Science
• Master of Management [M.Mgmt] in Analytics
• Master of Law [L.L.M] in General Law

Read More: McGill University 

University of Calgary

Founded in 1966, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) is situated in Calgary, Alberta. It is another popular university that offers courses at a low price making it one of the most popular choices for international students to study in Canada for free. The university has five campuses with more than 33,000 students enrolled in 250+ programs. The average tuition fee is CAD 29,087 for master's courses and between CAD 2,218 and 3,826 for bachelor's degree courses. With an impressive graduate employment rate of more than 91%, students get excellent employment opportunities. As per the 2022 rankings of US News, the University of Calgary ranks #7 among the Best Global Universities in Canada. Following are some of the major courses offered by UCalgary:

• Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Nursing [B.N]
• Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] in Management
• Master of Architecture [M.Arch]
• Master of Engineering [M.Eng] Civil Engineering

Read More: University of Calgary

Humber College

Humber College is a publicly funded university in Ontario, Canada. With over 200 programs, it has three main campuses. The programs are offered in various disciplines, including marketing, nursing, engineering, public relations, etc. There are 29,000 full-time students enrolled at the university, including 3,800 international students representing over 100 countries. A Bachelor's program here costs an average of CAD 10,687 - 19,807. Almost 85% of Humber students were employed within 6 months after completing their education, according to the annual report of 2021. The top courses of Humber College are listed below:

• Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com] in Finance
• Diploma Business Management
• Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in Creative Advertising
• Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Mechatronics
• Graduate Certificate Supply Chain Management

Read More: Humber College

Low-Cost Canadian Universities for Bachelor’s Programs

International students looking to reduce the overall cost of studying in Canada should get enrolled in a university with a low tuition fee. One can study in Canada for free if he/ she is able to cover the living costs from the income through a part-time job. Shown below are five universities that have very affordable bachelor’s programs for international students:

1. Canadian Mennonite University
2. Brandon University
3. Université de Saint-Boniface
4. University of Guelph
5. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Canadian Mennonite University

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) offers 21 majors in its three and four-year bachelor’s programs. The cost of full-time enrollment for international students is $12,583 which includes tuition fee, full meal plan, dormitory use, and health insurance. CMU is known to offer a true international student-friendly package in every sense.

CMU offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Therapy, and Bachelor of Science programs in popular disciplines like business and organizational administration, economics, communication, and more. 

Brandon University

Brandon University offers bachelor’s degrees in a lot of disciplines, including arts, science, business administration, and finance. It is known for catering to foreign students with extra care and is considered one of the favourite places for international students.

International students get ample amount of research opportunities under the direct supervision of professors at Brandon University. The deposit amount is around $27,000 in the first year which includes full-time tuition fees, residency charges, meals, books and courses, and health insurance.

Université de Saint-Boniface

The Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) offers undergraduate courses in social sciences, arts, science, business and education, translation, and nursing. It is affiliated with the University of Manitoba and enrols students who can speak and write French.

The annual tuition fee for international students is around $7,500. Students who have completed their bachelor’s program at USB can pursue their master’s degree at the University of Manitoba. 

University of Guelph

The University of Guelph is considered among the top-quality institutes in Canada that comprises five colleges, each offering bachelor’s degrees to international students. It is not the cheapest Canadian university but its Ivy League standards justify its fees for international students.

Undergraduate programs are offered in the fields of biological sciences, engineering & physical sciences, business & economics, art, and social & applied human sciences. The full-time tuition fees at the University of Guelph start from $18,000 per annum for international students. 

Memorial University of Newfoundland

The Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) offers a wide range of bachelor’s degrees and diploma programs to students from all over the world. It is quite welcoming for the international students and has established a separate division for them which takes care of student advising, problem resolution, and group activities. 

MUN is considered among the cheapest universities in Canada with the full-time tuition fee for most of the programs being around $7,000. Popular disciplines at the Memorial University of Newfoundland include business, education, engineering, medicine, nursing, and more.

Low-Cost Canadian Universities for Master’s Programs

International students can study in Canada for free by covering a major part of their expenses through a scholarship. Several organizations and institutes offer different types of scholarships to international students that cover expenses like tuition fees, living costs, room and board charges, etc. Students doing a part-time job and willing to pursue a master’s program in Canada can check out the below options:

1. University of Northern British Columbia
2. Memorial University of Newfoundland
3. Simon Fraser University
4. University of Saskatchewan
5. University of Calgary

University of Northern British Columbia

The University of Northern British Columbia offers master’s programs in various disciplines like business administration, science, education, nursing, and social work. The average fee for international students is $4,441 per semester.

Students have an option to carry on their master’s program into a doctorate. The tuition fee for full-time MBA programs is $8323.20 in addition to the MBA fee of $442.17 per semester. This does not include the charges for textbooks, course materials and student fees.

Memorial University of Newfoundland

The Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) offers a wide range of master’s degree programs to international students at reasonable fees. The graduate tuition at MUN is considered among the lowest in Canada. Popular study areas include social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.

The 1-year master’s program at MUN costs around $5,000 for international students. Graduate students are also offered competitive funding packages to pursue research-intensive programs.

Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University (SFU) offers master’s programs in arts & social sciences, applied sciences, art & technology, business communication, and health sciences. International students have to pay around $4,000 for a one-year program.

The total fee for graduate students is $10,618/ term which includes a tuition fee of $1,986 for a full-time research term. Other charges included are supplementary fees, residence charges, meal plans, and charges for room and board.

University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) offers around 80 master's and doctorate programs at a reasonable tuition fee. The fee for international students comes to around $5,000 per year. International students generally consider USask to pursue a career in medical research.

Popular graduate programs at USask are offered in the fields of applied microbiology, engineering, immunology, and more. The total fees for thesis and project-based master's and doctoral programs are $9,396 per academic year for international students.

University of Calgary

The University of Calgary offers a course-based based master’s degree program that eventually leads to various doctorate programs. This serves as a good option for students who have decided to complete their doctorate.

The thesis-based master’s degree from the University of Calgary can cost around $20,000 for international students. The Faculty of Graduate Studies at UCalgary offers several graduate programs making it a top choice graduate education.