How to Study in Vancouver for International Students

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Vancouver, one of the beautiful cities in Canada, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Vancouver, British Columbia currently has 7 universities, from which 3 universities are a part of the public sector and 4 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 Vancouver you should definitely check out are University of British Columbia, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and University Canada West.

Being able to study in Vancouver 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 Vancouver, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Vancouver

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Vancouver, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 7,932 CAD to 73,100 CAD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 9,313 CAD and 67,600 CAD.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Vancouver

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Vancouver, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
North Island College 7,932 CAD
University of British Columbia 42,600 CAD - 58,700 CAD 9,313 CAD - 67,600 CAD
Emily Carr University of Art and Design 14,800 CAD - 21,900 CAD 15,300 CAD - 26,300 CAD

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Vancouver

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
New York Institute of Technology Vancouver 36,700 CAD - 54,500 CAD
LaSalle College Vancouver 16,500 CAD - 18,600 CAD
University Canada West 32,100 CAD - 73,100 CAD 36,900 CAD
Langara College 18,800 CAD

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Vancouver, check out the Cheap Universities in Vancouver!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Vancouver for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Vancouver, 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 Vancouver, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver and their required minimum scores for each program level.

North Island College

Bachelor’s degree

New York Institute of Technology Vancouver

Master’s degree

LaSalle College Vancouver

Bachelor’s degree

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 Vancouver

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Vancouver have online applications available on their websites, like University of British Columbia and Emily Carr University of Art and Design. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Vancouver.

University of British Columbia

Emily Carr University of Art and Design

University Canada West

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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver.

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 Vancouver

If you’re going to study in Vancouver, 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 Vancouver, you will need to present the following:

  1. Valid travel document
  2. Passport-sized photos
  3. Proof of financial capacity to fund studies and living expenses
  4. Letter of acceptance from the university
  5. Medical exam
  6. Letter of explanation indicating the reason for studying in Canada
  7. 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:

  1. Prepare the required documents.
  2. Apply online or by paper. The instructions and other forms are available on the Canadian Government website.
  3. Visit the nearest Visa Application Centre in your home country.
  4. 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 Vancouver. 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!