Study in Canada: Guide for 2026-27
A guide for students from India and Pakistan. It covers universities and fees in Canadian dollars (CAD), what each degree needs, English tests, the study permit, proof you have enough money, and work during and after study.
Canada Study Guide
Why Canada Stands Out
Education
Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees
Funding
Research degrees where the school pays you money
Work
Work while you study, then a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to work after you finish
Health insurance
Given by your province or by your school
223
Public and private universities
CAD 23,448 a year
Money to show for living costs, 1 person
24 hours a week
Off-campus work while classes run
Why Choose Canada for Your Studies?
Strong Universities
223 public and private universities that set their own admission rules.
Key Benefits
Clear Entry Rules
Each university publishes its rules for degrees from India and Pakistan.
Key Benefits
Work Rights
Work during your studies and apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), a work permit after you finish.
Key Benefits
Plan Your Money
When you apply for the study permit, you must show you have money for tuition, living costs and travel.
Key Benefits
Canada at a Glance
Essential information about Canada to help you get oriented for your study abroad journey.
Languages
English and French (official languages)
Currency
Canadian dollar (CAD)
Academic year
UBC's school year has two parts, called terms. Term 1 started on 8 September 2026. Term 2 starts on 5 January 2027.
Living costs for the study permit
CAD 23,448 a year for one person outside Quebec
223
Public and private universities
213
Public colleges and institutes
CAD 150
Study permit fee
CAD 85
Biometrics fee (fingerprints and a photo)
Top Universities in Canada for International Students
Bachelor's degree
Three or four years of full-time study.
- Depends on the province and the program.
Master's degree
Usually two years after a bachelor's.
- Research and course-based programs.
Doctoral degree
Three to five more years of study and research, ending with a long research paper (dissertation).
Master's Degrees in Canada
What students from India and Pakistan should know about master's study in Canada in the 2026-27 school year.
Key Advantages of MS in Canada:
Post-study work
A master's of at least 8 months can lead to a 3-year PGWP.
Work while you study
Up to 24 hours a week off campus while classes run.
One less paper to get
No PAL/TAL for master's at a public DLI.
Program Duration
Usually two years
Language Requirements
U of T: IELTS 7.0 overall, 6.5 in each part
Academic Structure
Coursework, or coursework with a thesis
Winter (January)
McGill, international: 1 August
• Some programs only.
Application Tips:
- • Each department can set an earlier deadline.
- • No PAL/TAL for master's at a public DLI since 1 January 2026.
Course-based master's
Mostly classes. Often higher fees.
- • U of T Master of Engineering (MEng): CAD 72,850 for 2026-27.
- • Waterloo course-based: CAD 7,696.00 a term (Fall 2026).
Research (thesis) master's
Research with a teacher who guides you (a supervisor). Often lower fees and funding.
- • U of T Master of Applied Science (MASc), a research degree: CAD 33,460 for 2026-27.
- • U of T engineering MASc students get at least CAD 20,000 a year for two years, after tuition and fees are paid.
Admission Requirements for Studying in Canada
Everything you need to know about eligibility criteria, required documents, and application processes for Canada universities.
| Course Level | Academic Requirements | Language Requirements | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's (U of T) | Final school results (Class 12 in India); engineering needs Mathematics with Calculus, Physics, Chemistry and English | IELTS 6.5 overall, at least 6.0 in each part | - |
| Master's (U of T) | India: 4-year degree, or a 3-year bachelor's plus a master's | IELTS 7.0 overall, 6.5 in each part | Departments may set higher minimums |
| Master's (UBC) | India: 4-year degree, or a 3-year degree with First Class marks from a college rated A by NAAC (India's college rating body) | - | At least two references |
Choose programs
Check what each university asks for your degree.
Take an English test
Take an English test (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo). Each university picks which ones it takes.
Apply
Ontario bachelor's: use OUAC, the Ontario application website. UBC: use EducationPlannerBC, the British Columbia application website. Graduate study: use the university's own website.
Get your PAL/TAL or CAQ
After you accept your offer. The PAL/TAL is a letter from your province. Most students need one. The questions below say who does not. In Quebec, you need a CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate) instead.
Apply for your study permit
Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada's immigration office. India: at least three months before you travel. IRCC puts your visitor visa in your passport when it approves your study permit.
Summer intake
Special Programs
Tip: Check each university’s website for application dates and processing times.
Academic Documents
- Transcripts for all college or university study
- Degree certificates
Personal Documents
- Statement of interest
- At least two reference letters (UBC graduate)
- English test result
Document Preparation Tips for Canada
- • Papers not in English or French need a certified translation for the study permit.
Costs and Scholarships for Studying in Canada
Get a comprehensive overview of tuition fees, living expenses, and scholarship opportunities for international students in Canada.
| Program Level | Public Universities |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's, U of T, arts and science (2026-27) | CAD 66,110 |
| Bachelor's, U of T, engineering (2026-27) | CAD 72,860 |
| Bachelor's, UBC, arts, first-year full course load (2026/27) | CAD 51,530.40 |
| Master of Engineering (MEng), U of T (2026-27) | CAD 72,850 |
| Master's, Waterloo research, per term (Fall 2026) | CAD 7,696.00 |
| Master's, U of A, thesis (research) program, per year | CAD 10,518.72 |
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship, doctoral
Value:
CAD 40,000 a year for 36 months
Eligibility:
Doctoral (PhD) students only. Up to 15% of these awards can go to international students already signed up for a PhD at a Canadian university.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
Value:
Pays for tuition, books, other school fees and a dorm room (residence) for four years
Eligibility:
Your high school must choose you and send your name
UBC Vancouver PhD funding
Value:
At least CAD 40,000 a year for four years
Eligibility:
Full-time PhD students. This rule started in September 2026.
Financial Aid Tips for Canada
- Plan the money proof early: For the study permit you must show money for first-year tuition, a year of living costs and travel.
- Check how fees are counted: Some universities charge once a year. Others charge each term (part of the school year) or in smaller payments (instalments).
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about studying in Canada as an international student.
Each university sets its own fees. For 2026-27, U of T (University of Toronto) charges international bachelor's students CAD 66,110 in arts and science and CAD 72,860 in engineering. For a study permit you must also show CAD 23,448 a year of living costs for one person outside Quebec.
Yes, for study of more than 6 months. A study permit is the paper that lets you study in Canada. The border officer gives it to you at the airport. It costs CAD 150, plus CAD 85 for biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). Students from India and Pakistan also need a visitor visa to enter Canada.
Most students need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), a letter from the province that you need to apply for a study permit. Since 1 January 2026, master's and PhD students at a public designated learning institution (DLI), a school the government approves, do not.
This answer is for degrees from India. U of T asks for a 4-year degree, or a 3-year bachelor's plus a master's. UBC accepts a 3-year degree with First Class marks from a college rated A by NAAC (India's college rating body). For degrees from Pakistan, ask the university.
Yes, if your study permit says you can work. Off campus (a job outside your school), you can work up to 24 hours a week while classes run, and any hours in scheduled school breaks. On campus there is no hour limit. You cannot start before your program starts.
You may get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), a work permit after you finish. A master's of at least 8 months can lead to a 3-year PGWP. Degree graduates need CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmarks, Canada's language levels) in English.
For a September 2027 start: UBC 15 January 2027. Waterloo 1 February 2027, or 15 January 2027 for engineering. McGill, for international graduate students: 15 January.
U of T bachelor's: IELTS 6.5 overall, and at least 6.0 in each part. U of T graduate: IELTS 7.0 overall, and at least 6.5 in each part. IELTS is an English test.
Still have questions?
Our education counselors are here to answer all your queries about studying in Canada.
Your Complete Canada Study Guide
Navigate through our comprehensive resources to guide your educational journey in Canada from start to finish.
Universities, education system and start months.
What universities ask for, English tests and deadlines.
Tuition, living costs, proof of money and scholarships.
Study permit, insurance and housing.
Your first weeks, your SIN (Social Insurance Number, your number for work and taxes) and permit rules.
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