Summary
- The fact makes the city a popular choice for international students wanting to study in Canada as they can secure a job or start their own business in the industry.
- Vancouver has a low crime rate and a zero-tolerance policy against crimes and discrimination, making it one of the best cities for students in Canada.
- One of the best cities for students in Canada, Vancouver is a multicultural city with a large population of Scottish and Irish immigrants.
Canada has received over 90,000 study permit applications from Indian students by April 2021. The Canadian government has approved over 67,000 Indian students for the same. The number portrays an 83% rise from 2020.
Why the demand to study in Canada?
Three principal reasons:
- 26 Canadian universities including the University of Toronto, McGill University, and University of Montreal have secured a place in the QS World University Rankings 2021.
- International students can work up to 20 hours each week to support their studies.
- Canada is one of the safest places to live and study.
However, which city should you live in when you study in Canada? This guide will help you find the answer. In the next seven minutes, the guide will talk about the 5 best cities for students in Canada. We will discuss:
- The reason why these cities are the best to study in Canada
- Detailed information on each city
- An FAQ section
However, you must poke a hole in your pocket no matter which best cities for students in Canada you choose. Here’s why:
- Expect to pay over C$63,000 a year in tuition fees for an undergraduate degree. The number hikes to over C$66,000 a year for a graduate degree.
- Expect to pay up to C$15,000 a year for accommodation, food, and other living expenses.
- International students studying in cities such as Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia must arrange for private health insurance which incurs more expenses.
That’s when FundRight can help you sew the hole in your pocket back. More on that later. Back to discussing the best cities for students in Canada for now.
Note: the information is accurate at the time of writing. That’s May 2022.
The 5 best cities for students in Canada
Toronto
17% of students in the universities of Toronto are international students. The city is famous for art, food festivals, and its historical monuments.
The largest city in Canada houses a higher number of students than any other Canadian city.
QS Best Student City Ranking: 13
Top universities in the city
- University of Toronto
- Ryerson University
- York University
- Ontario College of Art and Design University
Cost of living
| Activity | Monthly Expenses |
| 1-bedroom apartment rent | CAD 2,020 |
| 3-course meal | CAD 75 |
| Transportation | CAD 103 |
| Total (After adding other living expenses) | CAD 2,200 – CAD 3,000 |
Why choose Toronto?
- Toronto houses 3 of the top 500 universities in the world — the University of Toronto (QS World University Ranking 26), York University (QS World University Ranking 494), and Ontario College of Art and Design University (QS World University Ranking 101-150).
- The Economist ranked Toronto as the 4th best livable city in the world.
- Toronto ranks 81% on the safety index, making the city a popular choice for international students wanting to study in Canada.
- Toronto is a multicultural city with over 140 languages spoken. The cultural melting pot makes Toronto one of the best cities for students in Canada.
Vancouver
One of the best cities for students in Canada, Vancouver is a multicultural city with a large population of Scottish and Irish immigrants.
Vancouver stands out for excellent transportation including Rapid trains and SeaBuses.
QS Best Student City Ranking: 18
Top universities in the city
- University of British Columbia
- University of Canada West
- Vancouver Island University
- Simon Fraser University
Cost of living
| Activity | Monthly Expenses |
| 1-bedroom apartment rent | CAD 1,900 – CAD 3,000 |
| 3-course meal | CAD 80 |
| Transportation | CAD 109 |
| Total (After adding other living expenses) | CAD 2,500 – CAD 3,500 |
Why choose Vancouver?
- The tech industry is the second-fastest-growing sector in British Columbia. The fact makes the city a popular choice for international students wanting to study in Canada as they can secure a job or start their own business in the industry.
- Vancouver has a low crime rate and a zero-tolerance policy against crimes and discrimination, making it one of the best cities for students in Canada.
- All international students receive free health care in Vancouver.
Montreal
35,000 students come to Montreal each year to study in Canada.
One of the best cities for students in Canada, Montreal is famous for its festivals and comedy acts.
QS Best Student City Ranking: 9
Top universities in the city
- McGill University
- University of Montreal
- Polytechnic School of Montreal
- Concordia University
Cost of living
| Activity | Monthly Expenses |
| 1-bedroom apartment rent | CAD 709 – CAD 1,050 |
| 3-course meal | CAD 60 |
| Transportation | CAD 85 |
| Total (After adding other living expenses) | CAD 2,000 – CAD 2,500 |
Why choose Montreal?
- The city offers 15 universities and 60 public and private colleges. The numbers alone make it one of the best cities for students in Canada.
- Montreal boasts of a lower cost of living, making the city a popular choice among international students wanting to study in Canada.
- Montreal offers a growing job market in leading-edge industries such as visual effects, aerospace, and virtual reality.
Quebec City
One of the best cities for students in Canada, Quebec is the second-largest metropolitan area after Montreal.
The city is famous for its winter Carnival.
QS Best Student City Ranking: 113
Top universities in the city
- University of Quebec
- Laval University
- National Institute of Scientific Research
Cost of living
| Activity | Monthly Expenses |
| 1-bedroom apartment rent | CAD 525 – CAD 700 |
| 3-course meal | CAD 60 |
| Transportation | CAD 87 |
| Total (After adding other living expenses) | CAD 1,500 – CAD 1,800 |
Why choose Quebec City?
- Quebec City stands out for the lowest unemployment rate among all Canadian cities. Thus, anyone who chooses Quebec to study in Canada is almost certain to get a job.
- Quebec ranks 11th of the 20 cheapest cities to live in Canada.
- Universities in Quebec offer state-of-the-art laboratories, multi-purpose halls, and sports grounds.
Ottawa
Ottawa boasts of a high-income rate, making the city one of the best cities for students in Canada.
Ottawa is famous for skating and skiing.
QS Best Student City Ranking: 53
Top universities in the city
- University of Ottawa
- Dominican University College
- Carleton University
Cost of living
| Activity | Monthly Expenses |
| 1-bedroom apartment rent | CAD 1,120 |
| 3-course meal | CAD 70 |
| Transportation | CAD 103 |
| Total (After adding other living expenses) | CAD 2,000 – CAD 2,500 |
Why choose Ottawa?
- Ottawa offers award-winning transportation options including fixed-route buses, a shuttle-style light rail transport system, and fast bus transit with high-frequency service.
- Ottawa offers Canada’s largest federal employment hub and innovation park which offers 566,000 jobs. This fact alone makes Ottawa one of the best cities for students in Canada.
- The University of Ottawa boasts of one of the top-ranked co-op programs in Canada.
FAQs
1. How many universities are there in Canada?
Canada houses 223 public and private universities. Furthermore, the country has 213 public colleges and institutes as well.
2. Which are the best cities for students in Canada?
The 5 Ans: best cities for students in Canada are (in no particular order)
- Montreal
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Ottawa
- Quebec City
3. Is studying expensive in Canada for international students?
Yes. International students need to pay over C$63,000 a year in tuition fees for an undergraduate degree. Furthermore, the number shoots up to over C$66,000 a year in tuition fees for graduation.
4. Is it difficult for Indian students to find loans to study in Canada?
Both yes and no. Go to the banks and NBFCs and you’ll observe:
- Massive interest rates of up to 15%
- A lengthy and tiresome processing time of up to 20 days
- The need to offer a collateral to the banks
Sounds exhausting, right? Now, compare the process with FundRight:
- Over 30 lenders including public and private sector banks, NBFCs, and international lenders bidding to offer you a student loan.
- Competitive interest rates that can help you save up to 23 lakhs in your loan journey.
- Loan process completion within 48 hours.
If you have more questions, write to us at grad@stage.gradright.com to have a chat with our financial and educational experts.
5. Can international students work to support their studies?
Yes. The Canadian government allows international students to work for 20 hours each week to support their studies.
