Study in Hamilton, Canada

About Hamilton

Hamilton is a port and industrial city at the western end of Lake Ontario, in Southern Ontario. Statistics Canada estimates the population of the Hamilton census metropolitan area at 871,143 on 1 July 2025. The city is a short drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls and the US border, and it is known for the Niagara Escarpment, which crosses the city and gives it more than 150 waterfalls, according to Columbia International College.

For international students, Hamilton offers access to the Toronto region at a smaller scale. Teaching is in English, and the city has a large research university, a public college of applied arts and technology and a private boarding high school that prepares students for Canadian universities.

Studying in Hamilton

Our directory currently lists one school in Hamilton: Columbia International College (CIC), a private boarding high school that has operated since 1979. It accepts students into Grades 9 to 12 and prepares them for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). There are four intakes a year, in August, October, January and May. New students take English and mathematics placement tests; students with valid IELTS or TOEFL results are exempt from the English assessment. CIC currently lists a total of CAD $53,500 for ten months (August to May), covering tuition, residence, meals, transport and other items, with health insurance and other fees on top.

Hamilton also has two large public institutions:

• McMaster University has more than 32,000 undergraduate students from over 125 countries and 25 direct-entry undergraduate programmes, according to the university. Its faculties cover business, engineering, health sciences, humanities, science and social sciences.
• Mohawk College is a public college accredited and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Its campuses include Fennell, Stoney Creek and an aviation centre at Hamilton International Airport, and it runs English for Academic Purposes courses for international students.

Cost of living for students

No official figure for typical student rents in Hamilton is published. Universities and colleges list the cost of their residences and meal plans on their own websites, and McMaster offers a cost estimator for international applicants. At CIC, residence, meals and a transport package with a discounted city bus pass are part of the annual fees.

Most international students need a study permit for a designated learning institution (DLI); the application fee is CAN$150, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Students applying to Ontario universities and colleges should also check whether they need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), as McMaster explains on its international page. During regular terms, eligible students can work off campus up to 24 hours per week.

Getting around and daily life

The city runs the HSR bus network, which serves the campuses and downtown. Mohawk College states that 70% of its students get to campus by transit, carpool, bike or on foot. Next to the McMaster campus is Westdale, a residential neighbourhood with cafés, grocery stores and restaurants.

Toronto and Niagara Falls are each about an hour away, which makes day trips easy. Mohawk's aviation centre is located at Hamilton International Airport.

Frequently asked questions

Which schools are in Hamilton?

Our directory lists Columbia International College, a boarding high school. The city is also home to McMaster University and Mohawk College.

Can international students finish high school in Hamilton?

Yes. Columbia International College accepts international students into Grades 9 to 12 and prepares them for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, with four intakes a year.

How far is Hamilton from Toronto?

Hamilton is about an hour from Toronto and from Niagara Falls, according to Columbia International College.

Can international students work while studying in Hamilton?

Students with a study permit who meet IRCC's conditions can work off campus up to 24 hours per week during regular terms.