How to Study in Ontario for International Students
Ontario, one of the states in Canada, should be among your choices if you’re looking to study abroad. This location offers world-class education and opportunities to jump-start your career and engage in character-building adventures. You’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in a rich culture and learn about its nuances compared to the rest of the country.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Ontario currently has 43 universities, from which 41 universities are a part of the public sector and 2 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Ontario you should definitely check out are University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and McMaster University.
Being able to study in Ontario as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Ontario, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Ontario
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Ontario, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 9,987 CAD to 70,100 CAD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 12,000 CAD and 84,200 CAD.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Ontario
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Ontario, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Confederation College | 17,200 CAD - 26,000 CAD | |
| St. Lawrence College | 22,800 CAD - 22,800 CAD | |
| Durham College | 14,900 CAD | |
| Algonquin College | 17,300 CAD - 22,000 CAD | |
| Conestoga College | 16,500 CAD - 24,700 CAD | |
| Algoma University | 21,600 CAD | |
| Canadore College | 15,600 CAD - 29,000 CAD | |
| Loyalist College | 15,300 CAD - 15,900 CAD | |
| Fanshawe College | 13,100 CAD - 26,700 CAD | |
| George Brown College | 16,800 CAD - 31,200 CAD | |
| Georgian College | 14,800 CAD - 16,200 CAD | |
| Cambrian College | 13,200 CAD - 16,000 CAD | |
| Humber College | 17,900 CAD - 23,000 CAD | |
| Centennial College | 20,700 CAD - 36,200 CAD | |
| Mohawk College | 11,400 CAD - 15,400 CAD | |
| Niagara College | 21,000 CAD - 22,700 CAD | 17,900 CAD - 18,600 CAD |
| Fleming College | 18,700 CAD - 21,500 CAD | 16,900 CAD - 33,600 CAD |
| Royal Military College of Canada | 15,500 CAD - 16,700 CAD | |
| University of Guelph | 39,700 CAD - 59,000 CAD | 13,400 CAD - 31,400 CAD |
| University of Ottawa | 42,000 CAD - 65,000 CAD | 20,000 CAD - 56,000 CAD |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | 34,900 CAD - 42,300 CAD | 15,000 CAD - 37,300 CAD |
| York University | 33,800 CAD - 38,900 CAD | 18,900 CAD - 84,200 CAD |
| Carleton University | 37,000 CAD - 69,300 CAD | 19,800 CAD - 46,400 CAD |
| Brock University | 29,300 CAD - 30,700 CAD | 13,500 CAD - 35,500 CAD |
| University of Waterloo | 54,100 CAD - 69,200 CAD | 23,100 CAD - 49,800 CAD |
| University of Windsor | 37,500 CAD - 47,500 CAD | 19,700 CAD - 36,000 CAD |
| Western University – Canada | 46,200 CAD - 64,900 CAD | 19,600 CAD - 54,700 CAD |
| Nipissing University | 12,100 CAD - 18,100 CAD | 12,000 CAD |
| OCAD University | 28,900 CAD - 34,600 CAD | 39,100 CAD |
| Trent University | 33,000 CAD | 25,700 CAD - 55,300 CAD |
| University of Toronto | 63,600 CAD - 70,100 CAD | 40,000 CAD - 56,400 CAD |
| McMaster University | 47,600 CAD - 59,500 CAD | 41,300 CAD - 55,500 CAD |
| Laurentian University | 29,500 CAD | 18,700 CAD - 34,800 CAD |
| Lakehead University | 34,000 CAD | 24,200 CAD - 32,400 CAD |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | 36,900 CAD - 42,500 CAD | 28,100 CAD - 36,000 CAD |
| Queen’s University | 33,400 CAD - 60,900 CAD | 13,000 CAD - 43,000 CAD |
| Ontario Tech University | 33,200 CAD | 20,200 CAD - 52,300 CAD |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Ontario
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tyndale University | 20,200 CAD | 17,000 CAD - 21,100 CAD |
| Redeemer University | 9,987 CAD |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Ontario, check out the Cheap Universities in Ontario!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Ontario for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Ontario, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Ontario, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Ontario may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Ontario are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Ontario and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Confederation College
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 88
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 125
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
St. Lawrence College
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 83
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 120
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Durham College
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 88
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 110
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Ontario
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Ontario have online applications available on their websites, like University of Toronto and University of Waterloo. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Ontario.
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo
McMaster University
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Ontario differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Ontario.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Ontario
If you’re going to study in Ontario, you will need to apply for a student visa in Canada
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Canada. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Study Permit .
To start your student visa application in Ontario, you will need to present the following:
- Valid travel document
- Passport-sized photos
- Proof of financial capacity to fund studies and living expenses
- Letter of acceptance from the university
- Medical exam
- Letter of explanation indicating the reason for studying in Canada
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate issued by the government
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Canada is 150 CAD.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Prepare the required documents.
- Apply online or by paper. The instructions and other forms are available on the Canadian Government website.
- Visit the nearest Visa Application Centre in your home country.
- Pay the visa processing fee.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Ontario. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!