Study in Kingston, Canada

About Kingston

Kingston is a university city in Eastern Ontario, on Lake Ontario where the St. Lawrence River begins. Statistics Canada estimates the population of the Kingston census metropolitan area at 193,466 on 1 July 2025. The city lies between Canada's largest urban areas: St. Lawrence College gives travel times of about 2 hours to Ottawa, under 3 hours to Toronto and 3 hours to Montreal.

Students are a visible part of city life. Queen's University, St. Lawrence College and the Royal Military College bring thousands of students to Kingston, which makes it a good choice for those who want a campus-centred experience in a smaller, historic city rather than a large metropolis.

Studying in Kingston

Our directory lists four schools in Kingston, and teaching is in English:

• Queen's University, established in 1841, is a research university with undergraduate, graduate and professional programmes. According to the university, its graduation rate is 89%. International applicants who need an English test usually require an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
• Queen's University School of English (QSoE) has taught English for 80 years. It offers a 12-week intensive English for Academic Purposes programme three times a year, short immersion courses of three to four weeks, and QBridge, an English pathway for students with a conditional offer of admission to a Queen's undergraduate programme.
• St. Lawrence College (SLC) is a public college of applied arts and technology with campuses in Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall. Kingston is its largest campus, where classes began in 1969. It offers certificates, diplomas, post-graduate programmes and English as a Second Language courses.

Cost of living for students

St. Lawrence College gives international students a budget guide: accommodation costs about $500 to $900 a month, and total monthly living costs about $1,100 to $1,500, including groceries, phone and internet and entertainment. Average tuition for one academic year of an SLC certificate or diploma at the Kingston campus is $16,672 for international students.

Kingston Transit charges $3.50 in coins for a single ride. A monthly pass costs $61.75 for riders aged 15 to 24 and $83.00 for adults aged 25 to 64. SLC students in Kingston get a bus pass as part of their compulsory fees, so check what your school includes before buying one.

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). During regular terms, eligible students can work off campus up to 24 hours per week.

Getting around and daily life

Kingston is compact. Downtown is only a 15-minute bus ride from the SLC campus. Kingston Transit's monthly passes include unlimited transfers, which makes the bus a practical way to reach campus, shops and the lakeshore.

The city is a convenient base for weekend trips to Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal, and for the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River. Winters are cold, so students arriving from warmer countries should plan for winter clothing.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities and colleges are in Kingston?

Our directory lists Queen's University, the Queen's University School of English and St. Lawrence College. The Royal Military College is also in Kingston.

Can I learn English in Kingston?

Yes. The Queen's University School of English offers intensive English for Academic Purposes, short immersion courses and the QBridge pathway into Queen's degrees. St. Lawrence College also runs English as a Second Language courses.

How much does a month in Kingston cost for a student?

St. Lawrence College estimates about $1,100 to $1,500 a month for living costs, including $500 to $900 for accommodation. A Kingston Transit monthly pass costs $61.75 for riders aged 15 to 24.

How far is Kingston from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal?

According to St. Lawrence College, Kingston is about 2 hours from Ottawa, under 3 hours from Toronto and 3 hours from Montreal.