Study and find schools in Canada

Studying in Canada

Canada attracts international students with a flexible higher-education system, two official languages, English and French, and the option of working during and after studies. Education is the responsibility of the provinces and territories, so admission rules, fees, health coverage and even the structure of college education vary between, for example, Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec. Only schools approved by a provincial or territorial government as designated learning institutions (DLIs) may host international students on a study permit.

Our directory lists more than 200 Canadian schools, from research universities and colleges to cégeps in Quebec and English and French language schools. Montreal and Toronto have the most, followed by Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Québec City.

The education system

Post-secondary education has two main branches. Universities award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees; colleges and vocational schools offer practical, hands-on training that leads to certificates and diplomas, and some also award applied bachelor's degrees. Colleges go by several names: community colleges, colleges of applied arts and technology, institutes of technology and polytechnics. According to EduCanada, typical durations are:

• bachelor's degree: 3 to 4 years
• master's degree: 1 to 2 years
• PhD or doctorate: 3 to 5 years
• college diploma: 2 to 3 years; certificate: 1 to 2 years

Quebec has its own level between secondary school and university: the cégeps (collèges d'enseignement général et professionnel). They offer pre-university programmes, usually two years long, leading to the diplôme d'études collégiales (DEC), and technical programmes that prepare for the job market. Moving between institutions is common, and students can usually transfer credits for courses already completed. Canada is also a major destination for language study: EduCanada describes it as the fourth most popular destination for learning English and the second for French, and many language schools follow the quality framework of Languages Canada.

Admission and recognition

Students apply directly to each college or university, which sets its own requirements. A secondary school diploma is the basic requirement for college and undergraduate study, a bachelor's degree for a master's, and a master's for most doctoral programmes. Each institution assesses foreign credentials in its own way and may ask for transcripts translated into English or French. Independent assessment services belong to the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada, and the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials advises institutions on recognition. Language programmes usually assess your level on arrival.

Study permit

Most foreign nationals need a study permit, which must be approved before arrival; the fee is CAN$150 and processing times vary by country. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), checked on 7 October 2026, you need:

• a letter of acceptance from a DLI
• in most cases, a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) confirming that there is a place for you; you usually get it from your school after accepting the offer and paying part or all of the tuition. Since 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral programmes at public DLIs are exempt
• for Quebec, a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) instead of a PAL/TAL
• proof of identity and proof of funds, plus a recommended letter explaining why you want to study in Canada
• a medical exam if you will stay more than 6 months or in other specific cases

You must show that you can pay tuition, living costs and travel without working in Canada. For applications from 1 September 2026, the living-cost requirement for a single student outside Quebec is CAN$23,448 a year, excluding tuition and travel; Quebec sets its own amounts. Changing post-secondary institution requires a new study permit. Graduates of eligible programmes may apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), so check whether your school and programme qualify before applying.

Costs

Fees are set by each institution and vary by province and programme. EduCanada, citing Statistics Canada, gives average annual tuition of CAN$41,746 for international undergraduate students and CAN$24,028 for international graduate students in 2026. International tuition for college diploma programmes ranges from about CAN$16,000 to 25,000 a year, and language schools usually charge CAN$340 to 425 per week. EduCanada advises budgeting at least CAN$23,000 a year for living costs. Scholarships are available from the Government of Canada, provinces and territories and many institutions.

Where to study

• Montreal: a bilingual city with English- and French-language universities. Concordia University has around 50,000 students, more than 11,000 of them international; the Université de Montréal, with its affiliated schools HEC Montréal and Polytechnique Montréal, describes itself as the leading hub of higher education in Quebec. Cégeps such as the Cégep du Vieux Montréal teach in French.
• Toronto: Canada's largest concentration of schools in our directory alongside Montreal, including language schools.
• Vancouver and British Columbia: Vancouver Community College has more than 15,000 students, and the University of the Fraser Valley, a public university east of Vancouver, enrols about 15,000 a year.
• Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge): universities, polytechnics and language schools.
• Atlantic Canada: Dalhousie University in Halifax has about 21,000 students.

Practical life

Most post-secondary students in programmes of at least 6 months that lead to a degree, diploma or certificate can work off campus without a work permit: up to 24 hours a week during term and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, starting only once the programme has begun. Students enrolled only in English or French as a second language cannot work off campus. Since 1 April 2026, post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for placements that are part of their programme. Minimum wages range from CAN$15 to 19 an hour depending on the province.

Health coverage depends on the province: some extend public health care to international students, sometimes after a waiting period, while others require private insurance. In Ontario, for example, all international students must have coverage through the University Health Insurance Plan.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need to study in Canada?

For study permit applications from 1 September 2026, you must show CAN$23,448 a year for living costs (single applicant, outside Quebec), plus tuition and travel. Average international undergraduate tuition is CAN$41,746 a year.

What is a PAL and do I need one?

A provincial or territorial attestation letter confirms that there is space for you at your school. Most applicants need one; master's and doctoral students at public institutions are exempt since 1 January 2026, and Quebec uses the CAQ instead.

Can I work while studying in Canada?

Most full-time post-secondary students can work off campus up to 24 hours a week during term and full time during scheduled breaks, if their study permit allows it.

Can I study in French in Canada?

Yes. Quebec has French-language universities and cégeps, such as the Université de Montréal and the Cégep du Vieux Montréal, and there are French-language colleges and universities in other provinces too. Canada is also a popular destination for French language courses.

What is the difference between a college and a university?

Universities award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees; colleges offer practical training leading to certificates, diplomas and sometimes applied bachelor's degrees. Credits can often be transferred between the two.