Study in Canada from the UK: visas, universities and costs

Gert Svaiko

11.11.22 (updated more than 1 year ago)

5 minute read

Love the idea of studying in Canada? It’s easy to see why, as Canada is a beautiful country known for its excellent quality of life, jaw-dropping landscapes and vibrant multicultural cities. And of course, Canada is recognised worldwide for its outstanding quality of education.

But how easy is it to go study in Canada from the UK? We’ll cover everything you need to know here in this handy guide. This includes visas, universities, scholarships and much more. We’ll even throw in a bit of useful info about cost of living, which is bound to be of interest if you’re thinking of studying abroad.

With this in mind, it could be worth checking out the Wise card ahead of your move to Canada. Wise card automatically converts your GBP to CAD at a fair exchange rate when you spend. It’s ideal for spending and withdrawing cash wherever you are in the world.

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Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Can I study in Canada coming from the UK?

You can go study in Canada as a UK citizen, but there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet. The first is to get a study permit. This isn’t a visa, but once your study permit is approved, you’ll be issued with the appropriate visa so you can enter Canada.¹

You’ll also need to meet certain language requirements, depending on where you plan to study. Canada is a bilingual country, with both French and English speakers.

You won’t need to be fluent in both languages to study there, but you may need to take a French language test if you’re planning to study at a French-speaking institution in a province like Québec. Everywhere else, it may be necessary to take an accredited language test to prove that you’re proficient in the English language.¹

Other important requirements to note:¹

The college or university you’ll be studying at needs to be a Designated Learning Institute. These are the only institutions authorised to accept international students
You will need to provide evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your time in Canada
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination may be required before you can enter Canada

How to get a Canadian study visa from the UK?

To apply for your Canadian study permit and get a visa, you’ll need to provide the following:¹

A letter of unconditional acceptance from a Designated Learning Institute in Canada
Your valid UK passport as proof of identity
Proof of financial support (such as bank statements) - you’ll need to show you have a minimum of $10,000 CAD per year.² You may also be asked to show you have a return ticket home booked
A letter of explanation - covering why you want to study in Canada²
A Québec Acceptance Certificate² - if you want to study in Québec for longer than 6 months

You might also be asked for proof that you are a law-abiding citizen and that you’re in good health. The last step is to provide biometrics, such as fingerprints and a recent photo.

You can apply online for your study permit at the Government of Canada website. The fee for the application is $150 CAD,² and average processing times for applications from outside Canada is around 13 weeks.³

Universities in Canada for UK students

While it all depends on what you want to study and where you want to live, here are a few of the most popular universities in Canada for international students:⁴

University of Toronto
University of British Columbia
McGill University
Simon Fraser University
University of Alberta
University of Windsor
Dalhousie University
York University
University of Regina
Concordia University Montreal

Which universities in Canada are offering scholarships for international students?

Tuition fees can be expensive, especially when you add them on top of the cost of moving to a new country. One potential option is to get a scholarship, which can pay all or part of your tuition fees if you meet the eligibility criteria.

If you’re researching Canadian scholarships for international students, here are some good starting points:⁵

Scholarship name	University	Eligibility
Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2022	Multiple - including University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, York University and University of Western Ontario	Open to Canadian and international applicants
Merit-Based International Student Scholarships 2022	Concordia University	Open to all nationals except US
University Of Windsor Graduate Entrance Scholarships 2022	University of Windsor	Open to Canadian and international applicants
Trent University Entrance Scholarships in Canada 2022	Trent University	Open to Canadian and international applicants
UBC Future Forests Fellowship 2022	University of British Columbia	Open to Canadian and international applicants
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 2022	Multiple Canadian institutions	Open to Canadian and international applicants
Amelia Earhart Fellowships For Women 2023	Any institution offering an accredited course	Open to women from Canada and abroad
Banting International Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022	Participating Canadian research institutions	Open to Canadian and international applicants

Can I study medicine in Canada coming from the UK?

You can study medicine in Canada as an international student, and there are a wide range of different courses to choose from. Some of the top universities for medicine programmes include the University of Toronto, McMaster University, McGill University and the University of British Columbia.⁶

To apply for medical school in Canada, you’ll usually need to take and pass a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). You may also need to take other tests to prove English language proficiency, and submit letters of recommendation, essays and other documentation.

What master’s degree options are available in Canada?

Master’s degrees in Canada are known as ‘grad’ programmes, and are available at a range of respected universities across the country.

They generally come in the form of either a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS). And like in the UK, there are specialist Master degrees such as Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Engineering (MEng).⁷

Grad programmes in Canada generally last around 1-2 years. However, they can take longer if your course involves any additional placements or internships.

Is it cheaper to study in Canada or the UK?

Tuition fees can vary between educational institutions, both in the UK and in Canada. But generally speaking, it is a little cheaper to study in Canada compared to the UK.

Here’s a look at some average tuition fees for both countries:⁸

Type of course	Annual UK tuition fees	Annual Canadian tuition fees
Bachelor's degree	£8,000 to £14,000	£3,200 to £12,700
Postgraduate degree	£10,000 to £20,000	£5,100 to £16,000

Is living in Canada cheaper than UK for international students?

Along with slightly cheaper tuition fees, the cost of living in Canada is also a little lower compared to the UK. This is one of the main advantages of moving to Canada. However, it does depend on whereabouts in the country you go, as some cities are more expensive than others.

On average, though, rent and consumer prices in Canada are around 11-12% lower than in the UK, while groceries are a whopping 28% cheaper.⁹

Money is always tight when you’re a student. Remember that if you’re looking for a cheaper way to spend in CAD while studying in Canada, the Wise card could be the perfect solution. This contactless international card lets you start spending in CAD from the moment you land, for just a low currency conversion fee. So, you don’t need to worry about changing currency or even opening a Canadian bank account.

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After reading this guide, you should have all the info you need to decide whether studying in Canada could be the right option for you.

We’ve looked at top universities for international students, tuition fees and even a few pointers for scholarships. So, you’ve got plenty of places to start your research - good luck!

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 01-Nov-2022

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