Study in Canada

Canada is the second-largest country in the world and is renowned for its academic excellence, making it the first choice of an ever-increasing number of international students each year.

In fact, according to the World Population Review's Most Educated Countries 2026, Canada continues to rank first, with around two-thirds (65%) of Canadian adults holding a college or university qualification.

While Canada has two official languages (English and French), most courses - especially outside Quebec - are taught in English. This is another draw for those who want to broaden their horizons without learning a new language.

The country is consistently ranked among the safest places to live, and its diverse society is known to be warm and welcoming. Made up of ten provinces and three territories, most of the country's population lives within a hundred miles of the US border due to the harsh climate in the north.

Ottawa is the capital city, but Toronto is the largest city. Popular student destinations include:

• Edmonton
• Montreal
• Quebec City
• Toronto
• Vancouver.

Renowned for its natural beauty, Canada has a whole host of sights to tick off your bucket list while you're there. In your study free hours, you could visit Niagara Falls - one of Canada's most famous attractions, Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains, the CN Tower in Toronto, Old Quebec - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Parliament Hill in Ottawa or Vancouver Island.

Universities in Canada

In Canada, each province and territory oversees its own education system, meaning that there may be differences in the operation and structure of your studies depending on where you choose to study.

The Council of Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC) has revealed that the country has:

• 223 public and private universities
• 213 public colleges and institutes.

To search for institutions, see the directory of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Universities offer around 16,000 programmes at all levels of study, from undergraduate and postgraduate courses to PhDs.

A total of 29 Canadian universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with four making the top 100:

• McGill University (27th)
• University of Toronto (29th)
• University of British Columbia (40th)
• University of Alberta (94th).

For most universities, the academic year runs from September to the end of April/early May. The year is split into two terms - September to December and January to April.

Degree courses in Canada

Available in a range of subjects, Bachelors or undergraduate degrees typically last three or four years, depending on your course and institution.

A Canadian Bachelors degree is globally recognised and equivalent to undergraduate programmes in countries such as the USA and UK.

Each university in Canada has its own admissions criteria, so check that you have what you need with your preferred institutions before applying.

Visit the government's EduCanada site to search college and university programmes in Canada.

Masters degrees

Otherwise known as 'grad' programmes, Masters degrees typically involve one to three years' full-time study, although course length will vary considerably depending on discipline.

Alongside traditional lectures and assignments, you'll take part in interactive learning, which is likely to involve:

• group work
• placements
• site visits.

Most Masters programmes also include a heavily weighted dissertation.

For admission onto a programme, you'll usually need a degree in a relevant subject at undergraduate level. A minimum GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 or 4.0 is typically needed, equivalent to a 2:1 in the UK.

To search for Masters courses, see the EduCanada page above.

PhDs

A Doctoral degree, or PhD, requires two to three years' full-time study to complete, although a longer period of focused research and writing is usually required to complete the Doctoral thesis.

A PhD completed in a Canadian institution is regarded as equivalent to one obtained in the UK.

To search for PhDs, see the EduCanada page above.

Student exchanges

Canada does not have a centralised exchange programme, but many UK degree courses - both undergraduate and postgraduate - offer the chance to partake in an international exchange arranged between universities via an agreement. Check with your university department to see if they have links with any Canadian institutions.

For example, Manchester Metropolitan University runs an exchange programme in partnership with Canadian universities open to undergraduate students, while Queen Mary, University of London, has an exchange agreement with the University of Toronto.

Course fees

Tuition fees for foreign students are significantly higher than for Canadian nationals, but studying in Canada is generally cheaper for international students than in other English-speaking countries such as the USA, UK or Australia. It's important to note that fees vary by course and institution.

According to EduCanada's Study costs for international students page, international undergraduate fees in Canada cost an average of $36,100 per year (£19,486), while international graduate (Masters) students pay $21,100 (£11,389). EduCanada also estimates that you'll need $15,000 (£8,097) a year for your living expenses.

However, fees vary widely by subject and province. For a breakdown of costs per institution, see Universities Canada - Tuition fees by university.

Some international students in Quebec may be eligible to pay the same annual fees as residents. Find out more from the government of Quebec on exemption from additional fees.

Funding to study in Canada

International students are not eligible for the same public funding as Canadian graduates, but don't worry - there are a number of funding options available for non-native students.

It's a good idea to contact your chosen university to find out which bursaries or funding they offer.

For an up-to-date list of scholarship options for non-Canadian students, visit EduCanada - Scholarships for international applicants.

International students are allowed to work during their studies, and the income from this work can help cover their living expenses or fees. However, certain rules and restrictions apply, so make sure you understand these and check what your study permit/visa allows.

Student visas

British students who wish to study in Canada must obtain a study permit.

Before you apply for your study permit, you'll need a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution and a valid passport.

Undergraduate applicants will also require a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) from the region you plan to study in, although Masters and PhD students at publicly-funded institutions are exempt.

Apply for a permit online at Government of Canada - How to apply for a study permit. You can also visit the Canadian embassy in your home country.

Remember that it can take several months to get a permit, so be sure to apply as soon as you have your university's letter of acceptance.

In order to qualify for a permit, you must present:

• a letter of unconditional acceptance from your institution
• proof of sufficient funds, including a purchased ticket home
• proof that you are a law-abiding citizen and are in good health.

You may also need to give your fingerprints and photographs (biometrics) when applying for a study permit.

Your study permit isn't a visa. If your permit is approved, you'll be issued either a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorisation, which allows you to enter Canada.

Bear in mind that international students must apply for a new study permit if they wish to change universities.

From 2026, all Masters graduates, including those on one‑year programmes, are eligible for a three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This ensures that international graduates have:

• better employment prospects
• more stability
• a stronger pathway to permanent residency.

In addition, Doctoral student applicants and their families are now also eligible for faster processing of their study permits.

Learn more about study permits at EduCanada - Study permits and visas.

How to apply

There is no centralised application system in Canada, meaning you'll need to apply to each institution directly. You need to make sure your chosen institution is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), as only these are approved to enrol international students.

In addition to proving you speak the language, you'll also need to provide evidence of sufficient funds - see the Government of Canada - Proof of financial support.

Language requirements

Canada is officially a bilingual country, comprising English and French speakers. You won't need to be fluent in both languages to study in Canada, as Quebec is the only French-speaking province.

Fluency in English will be enough to navigate your way around all other provinces, although in many you will hear both languages, and most have at least one French-speaking institution.

Upon entering the country, you may be required to take an accredited language test to demonstrate your proficiency in English. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an approved test for all Canadian institutions.

For more information on French language testing and testing for those with additional needs, see Government of Canada - Language test results.

Comparison to UK qualifications

All levels of Canadian graduate qualifications are treated with the same regard as their UK equivalents and will be recognised by future employers as such.

For further education, your degree score will be converted comparably to reflect the system of your chosen institution - for instance, a 2:1 undergraduate degree from the UK may be regarded as a B+ or a 3.5 GPA in Canada.

To compare your qualifications with the UK system, visit UK ENIC - Statement of Comparability.

Find out more

• Discover what it's like to work in Canada.