Living cost and accommodation for students in Canada
Do remember that the costs associated with attending university go beyond tuition fees. You must also budget for items such as books, living expenses and housing.
Your living expenses, including accommodation, are likely to be approximately CA$10,000-15,000 per year (~US$7,480 -11,220). You’ll need to include compulsory health insurance in your budget, along with the usual items – food, travel, course supplies, and of course social, sports and cultural activities.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada mandates that you prove you have enough money to meet your financial needs while studying in Canada before you start. So it’s important to begin sorting out your finances – and looking into the possibility of obtaining a scholarship to help fund your education.
Housing for international students in Canada
On-campus residences
Most universities offer on-campus residences for students, some of them specifically for scholars from abroad. But acceptance at a Canadian school does not automatically mean you can get a room in residence. Students must apply separately for on-campus housing, and its cost varies across institutions and will depend on whether or not you want a private room or a meal plan, for example.
Off-campus an apartments
Some international students choose to live off-campus in an apartment. Rent for an apartment in Canada can range from about $500 to $1,500 per month*, depending on the city or neighbourhood and the type of accommodation.
As a renter, you may also need to pay additional monthly costs for utilities such as electricity, home phone, Internet and cable television, as well as personal expenses and renters’ insurance. Some students share apartments or entire houses in order to reduce their housing costs, or they rent rooms in private houses, sometimes also paying for use of the kitchen.