The cost of masters in Canada for international students is usually CAD (Canadian Dollar) 15,000 to CAD 40,000 (INR 10.28 lakh to INR 27.41 lakh) a year in tuition. Some courses go well past this. What you pay depends on your university, your course and how long it runs.
The national figure is a good place to start. Statistics Canada puts the average cost of masters degree in Canada at CAD 24,028 (INR 16.46 lakh) a year in tuition for 2025-26. Living costs come on top, and they make up a big share of the total cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students. From 1 September 2026, the Canadian government asks you to show at least CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh) a year for living alone, not counting tuition or travel.
In this article, you’ll find the average cost of masters in Canada, the cost of masters degree in Canada by course and university, MBA costs, living costs in big cities, other charges, scholarships and simple ways to bring your total down before youstudy in Canada.
Average Cost of Masters in Canada
The average cost of masters in Canada is CAD 24,028 (INR 16.46 lakh) a year in tuition for international students. That figure is from Statistics Canada for 2025-26, and it went up 1.5% from the year before. Ten years ago, it was CAD 18,766 (INR 12.86 lakh). So the cost of masters in Canada has gone up steadily.
Keep one thing in mind. The average cost of masters degree in Canada leaves out MBA programmes, and it only covers tuition. Your real cost of masters degree in Canada will be higher once you add rent, food and insurance.
Where you study changes the number a lot. The table below shows how the average cost of masters degree in Canada compares across a few key points, all for international students in 2025-26:
What It Covers
Approx. Yearly Tuition
All of Canada
CAD 24,028 (INR 16.46 lakh)
Ontario
CAD 28,624 (INR 19.61 lakh)
Newfoundland and Labrador (lowest)
CAD 6,964 (INR 4.77 lakh)
Canadian students, for comparison
Around one-third of the international fee
A few things decide your final cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students. These are the ones that move the cost of masters in Canada the most:
Course-based or research: Course-based degrees like a MEng (Master of Engineering) cost more. Research degrees like a MASc (Master of Applied Science) are cheaper and often come with funding.
Per term or per year: Some universities bill by term. The University of Waterloo has three terms a year, so you pay three times in 12 months.
Length of the course: A one-year MEng and a two-year MBA (Master of Business Administration) can’t be compared on yearly fees alone. Always check the total for the full course.
Province: Ontario’s average cost of masters degree in Canada is CAD 28,624 (INR 19.61 lakh), higher than most provinces.
Want the full picture of your options first? Our page onMasters in Canada lists courses, universities and entry rules.
Tuition Fees for Masters in Canada by Programme
Your course decides your cost of masters degree in Canada more than anything else. A research master’s at the University of Waterloo costs CAD 7,696 (INR 5.27 lakh) a term. A MEng at the University of Toronto costs CAD 76,090.39 (INR 52.14 lakh) for the year. That’s why the cost of masters in Canada for international students has such a wide range.
Every fee below comes from the university’s own 2026 fee pages. Some courses cost far more than the average cost of masters degree in Canada, and some cost far less. The table shows the cost of masters in Canada for popular courses, with the fee period marked, so you can compare fairly:
Field
Programme and University
Tuition
Fee Period
Engineering
MEng, University of Toronto
CAD 76,090.39 (INR 52.14 lakh)
Per year, 2026-27, with incidental fees
Engineering
MEng, University of Waterloo
CAD 17,400 (INR 11.92 lakh)
Per term
Computer Science and research degrees
Research master’s, University of Waterloo
CAD 7,696 (INR 5.27 lakh)
Per term
Data Science and AI (Artificial Intelligence)
MDS (Master of Data Science), University of British Columbia
CAD 57,469.17 (INR 39.38 lakh)
Full course, 2025-26 entry
Data Science and AI
MDSAI (Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence), University of Waterloo
CAD 6,210 (INR 4,25,509)
Per course
Business and Accounting
MAcc (Master of Accounting), University of Waterloo
CAD 25,136 (INR 17.22 lakh)
Per term
Finance
Master of Finance, York University (Schulich School of Business)
CAD 89,955 (INR 61.64 lakh)
Full course, Fall 2026
Health
MPH (Master of Public Health), University of Waterloo
CAD 12,838 (INR 8.80 lakh)
Per term
Arts and Humanities
MA (Master of Arts), University of Toronto (OISE)
CAD 33,460 (INR 22.93 lakh)
Per year, 2026-27
Education
MEd (Master of Education), University of Toronto (OISE)
CAD 51,040 (INR 34.97 lakh)
Per year, 2026-27
Law
LLM (Master of Laws), University of Toronto
CAD 56,740 (INR 38.88 lakh)
2026-27
OISE stands for the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Its students also pay CAD 2,292.39 (INR 1,57,075) in incidental fees and CAD 948 (INR 64,957) for health insurance each year.
Most charges past tuition are small, though they still push up the cost of masters in Canada. These extra fees are worth checking on your offer letter:
Incidental fees at Waterloo: Around CAD 939.06 (INR 64,344) a term for most courses.
Co-op fee at Waterloo: CAD 836 (INR 57,283) if your course includes paid work terms.
McGill University: New international non-thesis students pay CAD 1,094.42 (INR 74,990) per credit from Fall 2026. A 45-credit course comes to CAD 49,248.90 (INR 33.75 lakh).
Looking at engineering or data science? TheUniversity of Waterloo page has its courses, rankings and fees in one place.
The two sections below cover MBA fees and university-wise costs. These are the areas where the cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students changes the most.
An MBA sits at the very top end of the cost of masters in Canada. The University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business) charges CAD 112,758 (INR 77.26 lakh) in tuition for its 2027 intake. Western University (Ivey Business School) lists CAD 79,810 (INR 54.69 lakh) for its MBA Direct.
MBA fees work differently from other courses. You pay for the whole programme, not just one year. The table below shows what the University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business) MBA costs international students in full:
MBA Cost
Amount
Tuition (2027 intake)
CAD 112,758 (INR 77.26 lakh)
Student fees
CAD 1,800 (INR 1,23,336)
MBA building fee
CAD 2,027 (INR 1,38,890)
MBA society fee
CAD 528 (INR 36,179)
Global Immersion Experience
CAD 6,000 (INR 4,11,120)
Textbooks and supplies
CAD 3,300 (INR 2,26,116)
Application fee
CAD 166.50 (INR 11,409)
Tuition is split into four equal payments. You also pay a CAD 5,000 (INR 3,42,600) deposit once you get your offer. It’s non-refundable. All of this makes an MBA the biggest jump in the cost of masters in Canada for international students.
The cost of masters in Canada at top universities changes a lot from one campus to the next. The University of Toronto MEng costs CAD 76,090.39 (INR 52.14 lakh) a year. A standard master’s at the University of British Columbia costs CAD 9,883.98 (INR 6.77 lakh) a year, well below the average cost of masters degree in Canada.
This table puts the cost of masters in Canada for international students side by side at well-known universities. Check the fee period in the last column before you compare:
The University of British Columbia also gives an International Tuition Award to international students in standard-rate courses. This lowers the cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students there even more.
Living costs are a big part of the cost of masters in Canada, and they can match your tuition. The Canadian government sets the minimum at CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh) a year for one student from 1 September 2026. EduCanada, a Government of Canada website, also says to plan for at least CAD 23,000 (INR 15.76 lakh) a year. That’s close to the average cost of masters in Canada in tuition alone.
Bigger cities push up the cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students. The University of Toronto shares a monthly estimate for students living in the Greater Toronto Area in 2026. This table breaks it down so you can plan each month:
Expense
Cost per Month
Rent
CAD 1,220 to CAD 2,700 (INR 83,594 to INR 1,85,004)
Food and groceries
CAD 350 or more (INR 23,982 or more)
Electricity
CAD 65 or more (INR 4,454 or more)
Internet
CAD 60 to CAD 115 (INR 4,111 to INR 7,880)
Phone
CAD 50 to CAD 100 (INR 3,426 to INR 6,852)
Tenant’s insurance
CAD 30 to CAD 50 (INR 2,056 to INR 3,426)
Local transport
CAD 0 to CAD 150 (INR 0 to INR 10,278)
Entertainment and other
CAD 200 (INR 13,704)
Books and supplies
CAD 550 (INR 37,686) a semester
Source: numbeo
Vancouver is pricier. The University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business) puts yearly rent for a one-bedroom flat at CAD 28,000 (INR 19.19 lakh) and food at CAD 14,400 (INR 9.87 lakh). So in Vancouver, your cost of masters degree in Canada goes up fast.
Finding a room is often the hardest part. Our guide onAccommodation in Canada covers rent and housing types city by city.
The section below compares four popular student cities, so you can see how your city changes the cost of masters in Canada.
Cost of Living in Major Canadian Cities
Montreal is the cheapest of Canada’s big student cities. A single student there spends around CAD 2,689 (INR 1.84 lakh) a month with rent. Vancouver is the costliest, at around CAD 3,590 (INR 2.46 lakh). Your city alone can change the cost of masters in Canada by more than CAD 10,800 (INR 7.40 lakh) a year.
This table uses city price data from October 2026. Rent here is for a one-bedroom flat outside the city centre, so sharing a flat will cost you less:
Some costs come before you even land. The study permit costs CAD 150 (INR 10,278), and biometrics cost CAD 85 (INR 5,824). These are small, though they’re still part of the cost of masters in Canada for international students.
You must show IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) that you can pay your first year’s tuition, plus CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh) for living costs and your travel. This proof of funds is the largest upfront piece of the cost of masters in Canada for international students. It isn’t money spent, though. You’ll use it in your first year, so count it as part of your cost of masters degree in Canada.
The table below lists the main one-time and yearly costs that add to the cost of masters in Canada, so nothing catches you off guard:
Expense
Cost
When You Pay
Study permit fee
CAD 150 (INR 10,278)
Once, when you apply
Biometrics
CAD 85 (INR 5,824)
Once, when you apply
University of Toronto application fee
CAD 130 (INR 8,908)
Per application, up to May 2027 intake
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
INR 19,000
Once, in India
Health insurance in Ontario
CAD 948 (INR 64,957)
Every year
Books and supplies
CAD 550 (INR 37,686)
Every semester
Proof of living funds
CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh)
Shown once, used during your first year
A few rules about the funds trip students up. These points come straight from IRCC:
GIC is not compulsory: A GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) is only one way to show your money. Bank statements, an education loan or a sponsor’s letter also work.
Source matters: IRCC checks where your money comes from, not just how much you have.
Full course plan: If your course runs longer than a year, you must explain how you’ll pay for the rest.
Family costs more: Two people need CAD 29,192 (INR 20.00 lakh) a year for living costs.
Funding can cut the average cost of masters in Canada a lot. Research students often get paid to study. The University of Toronto gives every MASc student at least CAD 20,000 (INR 13.70 lakh) a year after tuition and fees. For research students, this can cover the full tuition part of the cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students.
Course-based students get less help, though awards still exist and can lower the cost of masters in Canada. The two sections below cover scholarships first, then research funding.
University Scholarships and Graduate Awards
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is one of the best-known awards. It’s worth CAD 15,000 (INR 10.28 lakh) a year. That covers over half the average cost of masters degree in Canada. International students in Ontario with a study permit can apply, and a winner can bring down the cost of masters in Canada for international students by over INR 10 lakh a year.
Most awards go to students with top grades. This table shows a few that international master’s students can aim for:
Award
Who Can Apply
What You Get
OGS (Ontario Graduate Scholarship)
Master’s and PhD students in Ontario, including international students
CAD 5,000 (INR 3,42,600) a term, up to CAD 15,000 (INR 10.28 lakh) a year
International Tuition Award
International students in standard-rate graduate courses at the University of British Columbia
Part of your tuition
A few rules are worth knowing for the OGS. These come from Ontario universities’ 2026-27 guidelines:
Grades: You need at least an 80% average on your last 20 one-term courses.
Limited seats: Only a small number of OGS awards go to international students.
Time limit: Master’s students can hold it for up to two years.
Research master’s students get the most support. At the University of Toronto engineering faculty, MASc students get at least CAD 20,000 (INR 13.70 lakh) a year for two years. This is paid after tuition and fees. It’s close to the average cost of masters in Canada for one year of tuition.
The funding comes from a few places, and each one cuts the cost of masters in Canada in a different way. These are the main ones:
Funding packages: Departments cover tuition and part of your living costs for research students.
Teaching assistantships: All graduate students at the University of Toronto can apply for TA (Teaching Assistant) jobs.
Research assistantships: You get paid to help your professor with research.
Scholarships: Many students earn more than the minimum through awards.
Before you count on these, note that course-based degrees like a MEng usually don’t come with funding. So the cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students in a MEng mostly comes from your savings or a loan.
Small choices can bring down the cost of masters in Canada for international students by lakhs. Many students pay less than the average cost of masters in Canada just by picking the right course. A research master’s at the University of Waterloo costs CAD 7,696 (INR 5.27 lakh) a term, while its MEng costs CAD 17,400 (INR 11.92 lakh). Picking Montreal over Vancouver saves around CAD 900 (INR 61,668) a month.
This sample shows the first-year cost of masters degree in Canada at two very different price points. Both use the government’s minimum living cost of CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh):
Cost
University of Toronto MEng
University of Waterloo Research Master’s
Tuition and fees
CAD 76,090.39
CAD 25,905.18 (3 terms with incidental fees)
Living costs
CAD 23,448
CAD 23,448
Study permit and biometrics
CAD 235
CAD 235
First-year total
CAD 99,773.39 (INR 68.36 lakh)
CAD 49,588.18 (INR 33.98 lakh)
That’s a gap of more than INR 34 lakh in one year. Both totals sit above the average cost of masters degree in Canada, since they include living costs. These steps can help bring your own cost of masters in Canada down:
Look at research degrees: They cost less and often pay you a stipend.
Compare fee periods: A low per-term fee can still add up across three terms.
Pick a cheaper city: Montreal costs less than Toronto or Vancouver.
Share a flat: Rent is your biggest monthly cost, and sharing it can cut your cost of masters degree in Canada a lot.
Apply early for awards: Many scholarships have deadlines a year before you start.
Work part-time: You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term, and full time in scheduled breaks.
The cost of masters in Canada depends on four things: your course, your university, your city and how long you study. The average cost of masters degree in Canada is CAD 24,028 (INR 16.46 lakh) a year in tuition. Living costs add at least CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh). An MBA can cross CAD 100,000 (INR 68.52 lakh) in tuition alone. Planning early is the best way to keep the cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students in check.
So what should you do next? Your plan decides how you should budget for the cost of masters in Canada:
On a tight budget: Look at research degrees and cities like Montreal to stay below the average cost of masters in Canada.
Planning a MEng: Compare the University of Waterloo’s per-term fee with the University of Toronto’s yearly fee.
Planning an MBA: It’s the priciest option, so budget the cost of masters degree in Canada for the full programme, not one year. Apply early for merit awards.
Applying in Ontario: Check if you can apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship.
Getting your visa ready: Keep proof of tuition plus CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh) for living costs.
The average cost of masters in Canada is CAD 24,028 (INR 16.46 lakh) a year in tuition, as per Statistics Canada for 2025-26. Most courses fall between CAD 15,000 and CAD 40,000 (INR 10.28 lakh to INR 27.41 lakh) a year. Add at least CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh) a year for living costs. With that, the yearly cost of masters in Canada comes to around CAD 38,448 to CAD 63,448 (INR 26.34 lakh to INR 43.47 lakh) for most courses.
What is the cost of a master’s degree in Canada for international students?
The cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students ranges widely. A research master’s at the University of Waterloo is CAD 7,696 (INR 5.27 lakh) a term. A MEng at the University of Toronto is CAD 76,090.39 (INR 52.14 lakh) a year. MBAs cost even more, like CAD 112,758 (INR 77.26 lakh) at the University of British Columbia. Compared to these, the average cost of masters in Canada is CAD 24,028 (INR 16.46 lakh) a year.
What is the average cost of a master’s degree in Canada?
The average cost of masters degree in Canada is CAD 24,028 (INR 16.46 lakh) a year in tuition for international students. This is more than three times what Canadian students pay. Ontario is higher, at CAD 28,624 (INR 19.61 lakh). This average doesn’t include MBA courses, which raise the cost of masters degree in Canada a lot.
Is a master’s degree in Canada expensive for Indian students?
It can be. A first year at the University of Toronto MEng comes to around CAD 99,773 (INR 68.36 lakh) with basic living costs. A research master’s at the University of Waterloo comes to around CAD 49,588 (INR 33.98 lakh). Compare that with the average cost of masters degree in Canada, which is CAD 24,028 (INR 16.46 lakh) in tuition alone. Research courses, funding and cheaper cities make the cost of masters in Canada for international students much easier to manage.
Which universities offer affordable master’s programmes in Canada?
The University of British Columbia charges most master’s students CAD 9,883.98 (INR 6.77 lakh) a year in 2025-26. The University of Waterloo charges CAD 7,696 (INR 5.27 lakh) a term for research master’s. Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest provincial average, at CAD 6,964 (INR 4.77 lakh) a year. All of these are below the average cost of masters in Canada. Choosing one of them can cut the cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students by lakhs.
Can international students get scholarships for master’s in Canada?
Yes. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship gives up to CAD 15,000 (INR 10.28 lakh) a year, and international students in Ontario can apply. The University of British Columbia gives an International Tuition Award to students in standard-rate graduate courses. Research students at the University of Toronto engineering faculty get at least CAD 20,000 (INR 13.70 lakh) a year. These awards can lower the cost of masters in Canada for international students a lot.
How much does it cost to live in Canada while pursuing a master’s degree?
The government minimum is CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh) a year for one student. In real terms, a student in Montreal spends around CAD 2,689 (INR 1.84 lakh) a month with rent. In Vancouver, it’s around CAD 3,590 (INR 2.46 lakh) a month. Rent is the biggest part, and it adds a lot to the cost of master’s degree in Canada for international students.
How much money do I need to show for a Canadian study permit?
You need your first year’s tuition, CAD 23,448 (INR 16.07 lakh) for living costs and money for travel. This applies to applications made on or after 1 September 2026, outside Quebec. Quebec has its own rules for its acceptance certificate. This is the first big part of the cost of masters in Canada for international students. The permit fee and biometrics add another CAD 235 (INR 16,102) to your cost of masters degree in Canada.
Is a GIC compulsory for a Canadian study visa?
No. IRCC lists a GIC as just one way to show your funds. Bank statements for the past 6 months, an education loan or a sponsor’s letter also work. IRCC checks where the money comes from, so keep proof of its source ready. A GIC isn’t a fee, so it doesn’t add to your cost of masters degree in Canada. It’s your own money for living costs.
Is a research master’s cheaper than a course-based master’s in Canada?
Yes, by a big margin. At the University of Toronto, a MASc costs CAD 36,700.39 (INR 25.15 lakh) a year, while a MEng costs CAD 76,090.39 (INR 52.14 lakh). MASc students there also get at least CAD 20,000 (INR 13.70 lakh) a year in funding after fees. After funding, research students often pay well below the average cost of masters degree in Canada. That’s a big saving on the cost of masters in Canada over two years.
How many hours can master’s students work in Canada?
You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term. In scheduled breaks, like summer or winter holidays, you can work full time. On-campus jobs have no hour limit, so many students take TA or library jobs to cover living costs. Part-time pay helps with rent and food, though it rarely covers the full cost of masters in Canada.
Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT,...
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