4 ways international students can study in Canada for free

Many students are looking for ways to study in Canada for free.

The country is undoubtedly one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for international students – international students made up 21.2% of all college and university enrollments in 2022-2023.

It has world-class education, top institutions, excellent academic programmes and career opportunities post-graduation – at a cost. 

While this sounds like a dream, the financial struggles you face, from the cost of tuition fees and living expenses, may be the thorn in your side. 

And while some countries are known to offer tuition-free universities, Canada is not currently one of them.

But fret not. There are plenty of other ways to study in Canada for free, or at least reduce your financial burden.

Let’s take a look.

Here are four ways international students can study in Canada for free: 

Apply for scholarships from universities in Canada

This goes without saying, but applying for scholarships is your key to studying in Canada for free. 

Here are three institutions you should keep an eye out for: 

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships, University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is the largest university in Canada and is renowned for its research and excellent teaching. If attending the university is a dream of yours, then this is the scholarship for you.

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is awarded to international students based on their academic performance, achievements and creativity. Eligible students can apply to undergraduate studies at the university. 

Each year, 37 recipients are awarded this scholarship by the university. They receive full coverage on tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence for the entire duration of their four-year undergraduate programme. 

The only catch? You’ll have to be nominated by our school to qualify for a chance at being a Pearson Scholar. 

 

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• University of British Columbia scholarships

The University of British Columbia is another university that offers pathways to study in Canada for free.

There are four scholarships available that are awarded based on merit:

• • Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award: Recognises undergraduate students who have achieved academic excellence and showcase exceptional leadership skills. 
  • Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award: Awarded to international students from impoverished or war-torn areas who have achieved academic excellence and need financial aid. 
  • International Impact Award: Offered to exceptional students who have demonstrated leadership, as well as commitment to sustainability and climate change.
  • Vantage One Excellence Award: For academically outstanding international students who do not yet meet the English Language Admission Standard.

• York University Scholarships 

York University has several scholarships to offer international students:

• • Schulich Leader Scholarships: Known as Canada’s most coveted undergraduate STEM scholarships. 100 scholarships are offered each year to entrepreneurial-minded high school graduates for STEM programmes at 20 partner universities across Canada.
  • Tentanda Via Award: Granted to undergraduate students who have either faced significant personal barriers in pursuit of a university education, or are student leaders who have demonstrated commitment to progressive and sustainability development initiatives. 
  • President’s International Scholarship of Excellence: Awarded to academically excellent international high school applicants who have also demonstrated commitment to volunteer work and extracurricular activities, and leadership skills.

If you’re a PhD student, you’re in luck, as several other Canadian universities offer students a free ride by providing fully-funded scholarships.

Apply for scholarships from the government 

Another way to gain a free or cheaper ride to a university in Canada is by applying for scholarships offered by the government. This can either be from the government of Canada or your own country.

Some governments offer scholarships to students who have a good academic track record and are interested in studying abroad. 

Here are some Canadian scholarships for international students to look out for: 

• Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED): This programme offers ASEAN students the opportunity of a short-term exchange for study or research in a Canadian post-secondary institution.
• Study in Canada Scholarships: Provides students in select countries/territories in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: Awarded to world-class doctoral students and supports their graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.

Working while studying 

Even if you don’t qualify for scholarships, there are still ways you can ease the financial burden of studying in Canada.

There are part-time jobs, remote work, and other ways to earn income online without dabbling in shady businesses or investments. 

Thankfully, according to the Canadian student permit, you are able to work part-time during your course – international students can work up to 24 hours per week during their semester and full-time during breaks and holidays. 

Common part-time jobs here include becoming a tutor, barista, bartender, or cashier, or picking up freelance jobs such as writing or web design. Dog-walking is also pretty popular – Rover is an example of a dog-walking business and is one of the most popular in the country. 

Online programmes 

While you will still need to pay your tuition fees when completing an online programme, you can save a significant amount of money. 

Online learning helps you save time and money as you do not need to relocate or commute to university – or at least until your in-person semester, if you have one. 

Pursuing a course virtually is also less expensive as you save on textbooks and other resources by accessing them online. 

The best part is that even if you pursue your degree completely virtually, you can still get a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) once you graduate as long as you have a student permit. 

Here are two universities in Canada offering online courses to international students: 

• Laurentian University 

Laurentian University is one of the best online universities in Canada. Here, students can choose from over 27 degree programmes with more than 350 courses. This includes undergraduate programmes in criminology, sociology, business administration and many more. 

Students have the choice of completing the whole programme virtually or can choose to complement it with a year of on-campus study to get the full international student experience. 

• Queen’s University 

Queen’s University was the first institution in Canada to offer online learning by introducing courses via mail in 1889. 

Currently, it offers more than 140 online courses in the field of engineering, law, arts and science, education, health sciences and applied science. 

Here, students can learn at their own pace as all classes are recorded. However, there are fixed deadlines to complete assignments and coursework. 

A number of courses also incorporate in-person learning to provide students with experiential learning opportunities. 

Frequently asked questions to study in Canada for free:

1. How much money do I need to study in Canada as an international student?

The cost of tuition fees in Canada varies depending on the course and university you choose to study in.

However, when calculating how much money you need to spend to study abroad in Canada, the cost of accommodation, travel, and food need to be taken into consideration as well. 

Fortunately, Canada is among the most affordable study-abroad destinations compared to many other countries. As an international student in Canada, you will likely spend between 20,000 and 30,000 Canadian dollars on your tuition fees annually. 

As for living expenses such as groceries and travel, you can expect to spend around CA$600 to CA$800 a month. 

2. What are the requirements to study in Canada as an international student?

As an international student applying to study in Canada, there are several requirements you have to meet before being accepted. 

Here is a checklist of documents you may be required to provide:

• Letters of recommendation
• Resume 
• Academic transcripts 
• Proof of finances 
• Proof of English proficiency 
• A passport that is valid for at least six months after your course ends

3. How do I apply for my Canadian visa?

The visa application process in Canada can be a little daunting, especially for first-time applicants. Here’s what you should do before applying for your student visa:

• Apply for your university of choice
• Once you receive your acceptance letter, begin applying for your Canadian study permit
• Gather all the required documents needed for your permit and upload it on the online application portal

4. How can I get PR in Canada after graduation?

You’ll need a work permit to live and work in Canada after you graduate. Graduates of certain designated learning institutions are eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

The length of your PGWP depends on the level and duration of your study programme, as well as the expiry date of your passport, whichever comes first.

Students who graduate from master’s degree programmes of less than two years (eight months minimum) may be eligible for a three-year PGWP.

After that, you’ll have to remain in Canada for at least 730 days over the course of five years.

5. Is it hard to get a scholarship in Canada for international students?

Your chances of securing a scholarship in Canada depends on several factors, including the scholarship’s nature and eligibility. However, most scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements.

Your chance of receiving a scholarship increases if you have proof of work or volunteer experience, especially if you’ve done work for sustainability causes or leadership programmes. 

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on February 28, 2025.