6 Cheapest Universities in Vancouver for International Students

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In Vancouver, British Columbia, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Canada without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Vancouver, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 7 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Vancouver, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Vancouver for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Vancouver ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
North Island College 7,932 CAD 65%
Emily Carr University of Art and Design 14,800 CAD - 21,900 CAD 34%
LaSalle College Vancouver 16,500 CAD - 18,600 CAD 26%
Langara College 18,800 CAD 16%
University Canada West 32,100 CAD - 73,100 CAD -45%
University of British Columbia 42,600 CAD - 58,700 CAD -92%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 22,100 CAD for universities in Vancouver.

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1. North Island College

North Island College (NIC) is a community college in Canada designed to provide accessible and affordable education to communities in northern Vancouver Island and the coast of British Columbia. It is among the few comprehensive community colleges in Canada and delivers transformational education through its four campuses, spread across various locations on Vancouver Island.
The College has a unique history, starting in 1975 as a portable college comprising a mobile trailer and some converted school buses. As a result of this history, NIC has built a reputation for delivering outstanding distance education.

2. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

Emily Carr University (ECU) is a global leader in art, media, and design. It is one of the few universities in North America that focuses solely on art and design. The university merges practice, research, and theory, ensuring students receive a comprehensive art education that enables them to thrive in a competitive environment. Furthermore, the faculty of ECU comprises award-winning creators and industry experts with tons of experience in the art and design field.

3. LaSalle College Vancouver

LaSalle College, a leading art and design college in Vancouver, is a member of the LCI Education network, comprising 23 campuses across five continents. LaSalle offers diplomas, certificates, and undergraduate degree programs in applied arts and design. Students benefit from small classes with opportunities for individual attention, access to advanced technology, and leading experts as teachers. The institute has the vision to become one of the best creative arts providers in the country. LaSalle College Vancouver is particularly renowned for its program in video game design, which is considered one of the best in the country.

4. Langara College

Langara College was opened in 1965 as a part of Vancouver Community College. Five years later, Langara started offering classes at its West 49th Avenue campus, which remains its main campus even today. The institute expanded its offerings over the years and became an independent public college in 1994. Primarily seen as a pathways college, the university provides programs to help students continue their education, start their careers, and grow professionally. About half of the students studying at its Vancouver campus are enrolled in university transfer courses.

5. University Canada West

University Canada West is a relatively young private university located in Vancouver, specializing in business and technology. It designs its programs to reflect the latest knowledge, trends, and practices in the fields of business, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The programs are focused on building students’ careers and are available at its two campuses in Vancouver, as well as online, to cater to students who need some flexibility.

6. University of British Columbia

Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is the oldest and most prestigious university in British Columbia. It has distinguished itself as a global centre for research and learning. Over its century-long history, UBC has produced numerous outstanding individuals, including Nobel laureates, prime ministers, and prominent world leaders and artists. In addition, the university is home to several research institutes and world-class facilities, including the world’s largest particle accelerator and the first Max Planck Institute in North America.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Vancouver for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Vancouver ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
University of British Columbia 9,313 CAD - 67,600 CAD 62%
Emily Carr University of Art and Design 15,300 CAD - 26,300 CAD 38%
New York Institute of Technology Vancouver 36,700 CAD - 54,500 CAD -49%
University Canada West 36,900 CAD -50%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 24,600 CAD for universities in Vancouver.

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1. University of British Columbia

Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is the oldest and most prestigious university in British Columbia. It has distinguished itself as a global centre for research and learning. Over its century-long history, UBC has produced numerous outstanding individuals, including Nobel laureates, prime ministers, and prominent world leaders and artists. In addition, the university is home to several research institutes and world-class facilities, including the world’s largest particle accelerator and the first Max Planck Institute in North America.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, University of British Columbia should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 9,313 CAD to 67,541 CAD annually for their master's degree.

2. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Emily Carr University of Art and Design is 15,245 CAD to 26,278 CAD.

Emily Carr University (ECU) is a global leader in art, media, and design. It is one of the few universities in North America that focuses solely on art and design. The university merges practice, research, and theory, ensuring students receive a comprehensive art education that enables them to thrive in a competitive environment. Furthermore, the faculty of ECU comprises award-winning creators and industry experts with tons of experience in the art and design field.

3. New York Institute of Technology Vancouver

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) is a private research institute originating in New York but with multiple campuses around the globe. Due to the high demand for NYIT courses by Canadians, a Vancouver campus was created to provide Canadians with easy access to some of the institute’s courses and programs. As a result, the New York Institute of Technology Vancouver is the Vancouver campus of the New York Institute of Technology and its official Canadian branch.

The tuition fee at New York Institute of Technology Vancouver for incoming international master’s students is 36,608 CAD to 54,458 CAD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University Canada West

Another affordable university to consider in Vancouver is University Canada West.

University Canada West is a relatively young private university located in Vancouver, specializing in business and technology. It designs its programs to reflect the latest knowledge, trends, and practices in the fields of business, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The programs are focused on building students’ careers and are available at its two campuses in Vancouver, as well as online, to cater to students who need some flexibility.

The tuition fee in University Canada West for master’s program for foreign students starts from 36,840 CAD.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Vancouver, British Columbia?

Applying to cheap universities in Vancouver requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Canada for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Vancouver?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Vancouver. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Vancouver is the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, which offers 2D + Experimental Animation, 3D + Computer Animation, and Art + Text to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Emily Carr University of Art and Design offers Fine Arts, and Design.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Vancouver, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Vancouver as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Vancouver for international students was helpful!