Universities in Canada

Canada has no national ministry of education: according to EduCanada, the Government of Canada's official study portal, the provincial and territorial governments are responsible for education. Universities are created by provincial or territorial law, and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) defines a recognised postsecondary institution as one that has been given full authority to grant degrees by an act of the provincial or territorial legislature or through a government-mandated quality assurance mechanism.

EduCanada counts 100 public universities and 16,000 university programmes. Teaching is in English or French, and some universities are bilingual. SpainExchange lists 32 universities and other degree-granting institutions in Canada, with the largest groups in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Halifax and Victoria.

How Canadian universities work

Publicly funded universities are largely autonomous: they set their own admission standards and degree requirements. The range is wide, from large research universities such as McGill University in Montreal, a public university founded in 1821, and the University of British Columbia, which dates from 1915 and has major campuses in Vancouver and the Okanagan, to small liberal arts universities that grant only undergraduate degrees, such as Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and Acadia University in Nova Scotia. Athabasca University in Alberta, which calls itself Canada's Open University, teaches online.

Degrees follow three levels:

• bachelor's degree: three or four years of full-time study, depending on the province and whether the programme is general or specialised
• master's degree: one to two years after a bachelor's degree
• PhD or doctorate: three to five years, after a bachelor's and a master's degree

Universities also offer certificates, diplomas and professional degrees. In regulated professions such as medicine, law, education and social work, an internship is generally required for a licence to practise. Classes can be taught in person, online or at a distance.

Admission and recognition

Each university sets its own admission requirements, so the university's own website is the first source. To start a bachelor's degree you need a completed secondary school diploma; students from Quebec enter after the two-year cégep programme. English-language universities may ask for TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English or CAEL results, while French-language universities assess applicants individually.

Each university also has its own system for assessing foreign credentials, and may ask for transcripts translated into English or French. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC), set up by CMEC, advises institutions on assessing foreign qualifications.

Study permit

Most foreign nationals need a study permit, which allows them to study at a designated learning institution (DLI). The fee is CAN$150. The application needs a letter of acceptance from the university and, in most cases, a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), which is usually issued after you accept the offer and pay part or all of the tuition. Students going to Quebec need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) instead.

You also have to prove that you can pay tuition, living costs and travel without working. For applications from 1 September 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires CAN$23,448 a year for living expenses for a single student outside Quebec, on top of tuition and transport. Eligible full-time students may work off campus up to 24 hours a week during term and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, and graduates may be able to stay and work with a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

Costs and scholarships

Tuition varies by province, programme and university. EduCanada, citing Statistics Canada (2026), gives an average of CAN$41,746 a year for international undergraduate students and CAN$24,028 a year for international graduate students. Government of Canada scholarships include the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program, for short-term study or research by students from Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Organization of American States Academic Scholarships Program for graduate study or research. Many universities offer their own scholarships.

How to choose

• Language: English, French or a bilingual university
• Size: a large research university or a small undergraduate university
• Province: fees, the attestation letter (or CAQ in Quebec) and living costs depend on it
• Study mode: on campus or online
• Work and career plans: check whether the programme leads to a post-graduation work permit

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a study permit to study at a Canadian university?

Most foreign nationals do. The permit costs CAN$150 and requires a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, in most cases a provincial or territorial attestation letter, and proof of funds.

How much does a Canadian university cost for international students?

According to EduCanada, average tuition is CAN$41,746 a year at undergraduate level and CAN$24,028 a year at graduate level (Statistics Canada, 2026). IRCC also asks for proof of CAN$23,448 a year for living costs outside Quebec.

Can I study in French in Canada?

Yes. Canadian universities teach in English or French, and some are bilingual. French-language universities assess language skills individually.

Can I work while studying in Canada?

Eligible full-time students can work off campus up to 24 hours a week during term and without a limit during scheduled breaks, if their study permit allows it.