Canada remains the best value among major English-speaking destinations, but the numbers moved in 2025-26: IRCC raised the living-cost requirement, so your budget - and your study-permit file - must reflect the new minimums.
Here is the complete, current breakdown for an Indian student.
Tuition: colleges vs universities
College diplomas and graduate certificates: CAD 14,000-20,000 per year. Bachelor's degrees: CAD 20,000-35,000. Master's degrees: CAD 17,000-35,000. Colleges with co-op terms often deliver the best placement-per-rupee in Ontario.
Proof of funds: the current IRCC minimum
Beyond first-year tuition, show living costs of CAD 22,895 for a single applicant outside Quebec (from September 2025), plus travel. Most Indian applicants cover this with a GIC plus tuition receipt - the combination officers trust most.
City-wise living reality
Toronto and Vancouver: CAD 1,200-1,800 per month with shared housing. Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa: CAD 900-1,300. Smaller cities like Winnipeg or Halifax: CAD 800-1,100 - and regional campuses can strengthen post-study options.
Where students overspend
First-month mistakes: downtown leases signed from India, full-fee forex cards, and ignoring co-op earnings. A one-hour budgeting session before you fly typically saves CAD 2,000-3,000 in the first term.
Get a personalised Canada budget
Share your target province and program with our counsellors and receive a line-item budget - tuition, GIC, housing, insurance, and part-time earning potential - mapped to PGWP-eligible programs.
