Cheapest Universities in Canada for International Students: Tuition Fees and Admission

Last verified: November 4, 2026

If you are searching for the cheapest universities in Canada for international students, the most important thing to know is that location matters more than reputation. Statistics Canada’s 2026/27 figures show that the average international undergraduate pays $42,062 a year in tuition, but the provincial averages range from under $19,000 in Newfoundland and Labrador to over $50,000 in Ontario. Choosing the right province can cut your tuition bill by more than half.

This guide compares the provincial averages, then looks at the actual 2026–27 fees published by universities that stay on the affordable end: Memorial University of Newfoundland, Université de Saint-Boniface, Brandon University and the University of Manitoba. We also explain why the University of Regina, long recommended as a budget choice, is no longer especially cheap after a large fee increase this year.

Tuition is only part of the cost. To get a study permit you must show Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you can pay your first year of tuition plus living expenses, and most undergraduates also need a provincial attestation letter (PAL). We cover both, along with admission requirements and work rights after graduation. All amounts are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and are stated as of November 2026.

Average International Tuition by Province

Statistics Canada publishes average tuition for international students each September. The 2026/27 figures (table 37-10-0045-01, released September 16, 2026) are the best starting point for comparing regions, because each province sets its own policy on international fees.

Four provinces stand out: Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba all average under about $23,200. Ontario, home to many of the best-known universities, is the most expensive by a wide margin.

Graduate students pay much less

Graduate tuition is lower across the country. Statistics Canada puts the average international graduate tuition at $24,693 for 2026/27, and Newfoundland and Labrador is again the cheapest at just $6,996. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, a master’s in a low-cost province can be one of the most affordable routes to a Canadian qualification.

Cheapest Universities Compared

The following universities publish 2026–27 international fees that sit well below the national average. Figures are taken directly from each university’s own fee documents.

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Memorial charges international students at its St. John’s campus $750 per credit hour in 2026–27, which works out to $22,500 for a typical full-time load of 10 courses. The provincial government has frozen these rates at 2025–26 levels, giving some stability. On top of tuition, Memorial lists a student services fee of $100, a students’ union fee of $149, a recreation fee of $148 and international health insurance of $548. Residence with a meal plan costs $5,237 to $6,315 per semester.

Memorial’s Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook charges new international students $2,250 per three-credit course, so check which campus your program is offered at.

Université de Saint-Boniface

Located in Winnipeg, Saint-Boniface is Manitoba’s French-language university and has the lowest published fees in this guide. Its 2026–27 international estimates for 30 credits are:

• Arts and Translation: $14,345
• Education: $14,830
• Sciences: $15,415
• Social Work: $15,850
• Business Administration: $16,455
• Master’s programs: $4,095 per year

The international application fee is $130. The catch is language: courses are taught in French, and a standardized French test is mandatory. The minimum level required was not confirmed for this guide, so check directly with the university before applying.

Brandon University

Brandon University, in the city of Brandon, Manitoba, publishes 2026–27 international tuition for 30 credit hours of $17,877.44 for Arts, $18,200.12 for Education, $18,992.66 for Music, $19,428.55 for Science and $19,779.53 for Health Studies. An Arts student’s bill with all fees included comes to $20,879.56. Health insurance is roughly $1,320 a year and the application fee is $140. For English-taught programs, Brandon is one of the lowest-cost universities in the country.

University of Manitoba

The University of Manitoba is a large research university in Winnipeg. Its estimated 2026–27 international averages are $21,498 for Arts, $22,535 for University 1 (the first-year entry program), $23,455 for Science, $25,860 for Business and $29,165 for Engineering. International undergraduate tuition rose 8% this year, but Arts and Science remain below the national average. Residence with a meal plan costs $10,500 to $17,000.

Why Regina Is No Longer a Budget Pick

Older “cheapest universities” lists often include the University of Regina. That advice is now out of date. For Fall 2026, Regina raised the multiplier it applies to international tuition from 3.0 to 3.5 times the domestic rate, on top of a general 3% increase. International undergraduate tuition jumped from $24,413–$28,755 in 2025–26 to $29,348–$34,545 in 2026–27.

Add about $954 in additional fees and $7,720 to $16,260 for room and meals over eight months, and Regina now costs more than every university above. It remains below the national average, but it is no longer especially cheap. If budget is your main concern, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador offer better value.

First-Year Cost and Proof of Funds

To get a study permit, IRCC requires you to prove you can cover your first year. For applications received on or after September 1, 2026, students studying outside Quebec must show $23,448 for living expenses for one person ($29,192 for two people), plus first-year tuition and travel costs. The previous living-cost figure was $22,895. Quebec sets its own financial requirements, so students heading there should check the Quebec rules separately.

The table below adds IRCC’s $23,448 living-cost amount to the lowest published tuition at each university. Travel costs depend on where you are flying from, so they are not included.

A realistic first-year budget at Memorial

Here is what a first year at Memorial’s St. John’s campus looks like using the university’s own figures:

• Tuition (10 courses): $22,500
• Student services, students’ union and recreation fees: $397
• International health insurance: $548
• Residence with meal plan, two semesters: $10,474 to $12,630
• Total: about $33,919 to $36,075, before books, phone, clothing and travel

Note that IRCC’s proof-of-funds amount is a legal minimum, not a budget. Your actual spending depends on housing, city and lifestyle. Many students fund the gap with an education loan; see our guide on Education Loans for Studying Abroad, and compare fees on our International Money Transfer guide before sending tuition payments.

Admission Requirements and English Tests

Each university sets its own academic requirements, but language test scores are published clearly:

• Memorial University: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 in reading and writing; or Duolingo English Test 115.
• Brandon University: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band; or Duolingo 120. Application fee $140.
• Université de Saint-Boniface: a standardized French test is mandatory; confirm the minimum score with the university. Application fee $130.

Check each program’s page for academic prerequisites, as specific subjects and grades are often required. For a comparison of test formats and fees, see our IELTS vs TOEFL guide.

Steps to apply

1. Shortlist programs and confirm 2026–27 fees and language requirements on each university’s site.
2. Take your English or French test early so scores are ready by the deadline.
3. Apply and pay the application fee, then accept your offer and get your letter of acceptance.
4. Obtain your provincial attestation letter (if required) and gather proof of funds.
5. Apply for your study permit.

Study Permit, PAL and the 2026 Cap

Provincial attestation letter (PAL)

Most undergraduate applicants must include a PAL or territorial attestation letter (TAL) from the province where they will study. Since January 1, 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public institutions are exempt. A letter issued in 2026 is valid until December 31, 2026, and you need a new one if your study permit is refused or you change schools. Your university normally arranges the PAL after you accept your offer.

The 2026 international student cap

Canada continues to limit international student numbers. For 2026, IRCC has allocated 309,670 application spaces across provinces and territories, with 49,000 set aside for PAL-exempt graduate students. Because PALs are limited, apply early.

Study permit fee

The study permit processing fee is listed as $150 on IRCC’s fee list; check the official fee list before paying, as fees can change.

Working During and After Your Studies

Work while studying

Eligible study permit holders can work off campus up to 24 hours per week while classes are in session, and without an hourly limit during scheduled breaks such as summer and winter holidays. IRCC expects you to show your funds upfront, so do not plan to pay tuition from wages.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

A PGWP is one of the main reasons students choose Canada. Key rules:

• Your program must be at least eight months long, and you must apply within 180 days of completing it.
• Bachelor’s and master’s graduates need language results at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French.
• Bachelor’s and master’s graduates have no field-of-study requirement.
• Programs of two years or longer, and any master’s program, can lead to a three-year work permit.

This makes a low-cost master’s, such as Saint-Boniface at $4,095 a year or a graduate program in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly good value. To compare post-study options elsewhere, read our Post-Study Work Visa in the UK guide, or see Study in the USA for U.S. costs.

Tips to Keep Your Costs Down

• Pick the province first. Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba have the lowest average international tuition.
• Choose lower-cost programs. Arts, education and general science usually cost less than engineering or business.
• Consider French. If you are fluent, Université de Saint-Boniface has the lowest fees in this guide.
• Look at graduate study. International master’s tuition can be a fraction of undergraduate fees, and master’s students do not need a PAL at public institutions.
• Check this year’s fees. As Regina and Manitoba show, international fees can rise sharply in one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the cheapest province in Canada for international students?

Newfoundland and Labrador, with an average international undergraduate tuition of $18,911 in 2026/27, according to Statistics Canada. New Brunswick ($20,029), Prince Edward Island ($22,067) and Manitoba ($23,160) follow.

Which university in Canada has the lowest tuition for international students?

Among the universities in this guide, Université de Saint-Boniface in Manitoba has the lowest published 2026–27 fees, from $14,345 for 30 credits in Arts and Translation. Courses are taught in French. For English-taught programs, Brandon University starts at $17,877.44.

How much money do I need to show for a Canadian study permit?

For applications received on or after September 1, 2026, outside Quebec, you must show $23,448 for living expenses for one person, plus your first-year tuition and travel costs. Quebec has its own requirements.

Is the University of Regina still cheap for international students?

Not especially. Its international undergraduate tuition rose to $29,348–$34,545 for 2026–27, up from $24,413–$28,755, after the international multiplier increased from 3.0 to 3.5 and a 3% general increase.

Do I need a provincial attestation letter?

Most undergraduate students do. Since January 1, 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public institutions are exempt. A 2026 letter is valid until December 31, 2026, and a new one is needed after a refusal or change of school.

Can I work after graduating from a cheap Canadian university?

Yes, if you meet the Post-Graduation Work Permit rules: a program of at least eight months, an application within 180 days, and CLB 7 English or NCLC 7 French for bachelor’s and master’s graduates. Programs of two years or more, and any master’s, can lead to a three-year permit.

Conclusion

The cheapest universities in Canada for international students are concentrated in Manitoba and Atlantic Canada. Université de Saint-Boniface, Brandon University, the University of Manitoba and Memorial University all publish 2026–27 tuition well below the national average of $42,062, while the University of Regina has become noticeably more expensive. Remember to budget for IRCC’s $23,448 proof-of-funds requirement on top of tuition, secure your PAL early under the 2026 cap, and confirm every fee on the university’s official page before you apply.

Official References

• Statistics Canada – Table 37-10-0045-01, Tuition Fees for International Students
• Statistics Canada – The Daily, September 16, 2026
• Memorial University – Money Matters
• Memorial University – Tuition Fees
• Memorial University Grenfell Campus – Tuition and Fees
• Memorial University – English Proficiency Tests
• Université de Saint-Boniface – 2026–27 Fees (PDF)
• Brandon University – 2026–27 International Undergraduate Tuition (PDF)
• Brandon University – Apply
• Brandon University – English Proficiency Requirements
• University of Regina – 2026–27 Tuition and Living Costs Summary (PDF)
• University of Regina – Fees
• University of Manitoba – Average Tuition Rates 2026–2027 Estimates (PDF)
• IRCC – Proof of Financial Support
• IRCC – Provincial Attestation Letter
• IRCC – 2026 Allocations Under the International Student Cap
• IRCC – Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility