Studying in Canada
Canada is one of the most popular and secure study destinations for Iranian students. Highly ranked universities, abundant scholarships, student work permits, and high chances of post-graduation residency make this country an ideal choice. On the other hand, the need for a valid language certificate and relatively high costs are considered to be the most important challenges of studying in Canada.
Canada’s cost of living to increase in 2026
Under the implementing regulations finalized in September 2025, all Canadian student visa applicants applying now (in 2026) will be required to provide proof of financial means based on the new cost of living indicators. These amounts are adjusted to ensure the student’s ability to cover basic expenses in Canada’s current inflationary environment.
- 1 person (student): $22,895 equivalent to 100% of the LICO index\
- 2 people (student + one companion): $28,502 plus $5,607 for the first companion
- 3 people (family of three): $35,042 plus $6,540 for second companion
Why Canada? Benefits and Challenges
Canada is an immigrant-friendly country and most cities in Canada are suitable for Iranians to live and settle in. The level of racism in this country is very low and this is an excellent environment for international students. Some of the disadvantages and advantages of studying in Canada are:
Challenges
Benefits
Canada’s education system
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctorate
Schools
Application time: Early November to mid-January (mid-Azar to early Bahman)
Studying in Canadian schools
In high school education immigration to Canada, having a language certificate is not very important, but if a person has a language certificate, it is considered an advantage. For high school education immigration, you should keep in mind that a person will fall behind 1 to 2 years in their academic course. For example, if a person is studying in the 11th grade, after academic immigration, they must start studying in Canadian schools from the 9th grade. As a result, a person who does academic immigration during high school must start from the middle school. To immigrate to Canada through school education, the person must be 12 years old.
There are many international schools in Canada, with very high quality teaching, some of which are boarding schools. Studying at international schools in Canada prepares students for study at top Canadian universities .
Given that the number of Iranian immigrants in Canada is very large, there are both native and Iranian schools in different provinces of the country. To study in Iranian schools in Canada, you need to pay attention to the age of your child.
Bachelor's degree in Canada
Undergraduate students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week and can apply for a PGWP and then permanent residency after graduation. The cost of living for students in Canada is around $20,000 CAD per year, and health insurance for international students is free in some provinces and privately provided in others ($600-800 annually). The high quality of education, social security, low unemployment rate (around 6.5%) and Canada’s welcoming immigration policies have made this country one of the most popular study destinations in the world for international students, especially Iranians.
Studying a Master's Degree in Canada
Tuition fees for international students average between 20,000 and 30,000 Canadian dollars per year, but can reach up to 80,000 dollars depending on the field and university.
Students can work up to 20 hours a week while studying and, after graduation, can apply for a work visa and then permanent residence. Health insurance is free for international students in some provinces, but in provinces such as Ontario, private insurance must be purchased (about 600-900 Canadian dollars per year). The average cost of living for a student is about 1,500 Canadian dollars per month. With a master's degree from a reputable Canadian university, graduates have a high chance of finding a specialized job and obtaining permanent residence, because the Canadian government considers attracting an educated workforce as one of its immigration priorities.
Studying a PhD in Canada
There is no age limit for pursuing a PhD, but a long gap between courses may reduce your chances of getting a visa.
Applicants must provide documents including language proficiency (minimum IELTS 6.5), letters of recommendation, motivation letter (SOP), translated academic records, and academic resume. The admission process involves finding a PhD project, corresponding with a professor, attending an interview, and submitting documents before the university deadline.
PhD students in Canada are usually supported financially through research/teaching assistantships or university scholarships. Student living costs are around CAD$20,000 per year, and there is the possibility of working part-time for up to 20 hours per week.
After graduation, students can apply for a work visa and then permanent residency, as the Canadian government values the presence of international researchers. In addition, students can bring their families with them; spouses can work on work permits, and children can attend public schools for free.
Cost of studying in Canada
The cost of studying in Canada depends on factors such as the field of study, the level of study and the province in which the university is located. The good news is that the cost of studying and living in Canada is generally cheaper than other major destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Although still very high compared to other countries, there are opportunities to receive funding and scholarships for Canadian studies in this country for various degrees.
Studying engineering and medicine in Canada tends to cost more for students. The average cost is C$28,000 (US$21,200) per year. While tuition fees for arts and humanities courses are much lower. Tuition fees for business and management courses are around C$24,000 (US$18,170) per year.
Scholarships in Canada
Scholarships are one of the things that almost all people who plan to study abroad pay attention to. Canadian scholarships are offered at various levels, from undergraduate to doctoral. However, we should note that scholarships vary from university to university and their conditions vary from field to field.
Usually, there is no funding for undergraduate studies and the tuition fee is self-funded . However, it is possible to receive scholarships for undergraduate studies in Canada. There are more opportunities to receive funding and scholarships for master’s and doctoral studies in Canada.
Top Universities in Canada
Canadian universities are generally of high academic quality. A number of Canadian universities are prominent in the list of top universities in the world. Canada is one of the most popular countries to study in, as 11 prestigious universities in the country are among the top 250 universities in the world. 3 universities in Canada, the University of Toronto, McGill and the University of British Columbia, are among the top 50 universities in the world.
Also, most students graduating from these universities (if they do not intend to continue their studies) will be easily attracted to the job market.
Steps for studying in Canada
Required language certificate
Canadian university entrance exam
Student insurance in Canada
If your province of study does not offer a free health insurance program, you will need to get private insurance. Private insurance companies may only offer compulsory insurance for students. However, they may offer a variety of insurance options in Canada with different services and costs. In this case, you can choose the option that best suits your needs.
General documents for all levels
Complete the official form from the desired school or university.
Valid passport
With at least 6 months validity after the date of entry into Canada
Copies of stamped pages of previous visas
Biometric photo
In accordance with international standards and the dimensions required by the institution.
Previous educational qualifications
Diplomas, certificates, transcripts
Official translation into English or French
CV/Academic Resume
Especially for university and postgraduate degrees
Language certificate
IELTS or TOEFL for international university and high school studies
In Canadian schools at the high school level, having a language certificate is not required, but it is considered an advantage.
Certificate of financial means
Proof of ability to cover the cost of studying and living in Canada
Required for international students
Medical or health insurance
For the duration of the study perio
Special certificates for high school and international schools
Proof of appropriate age for each level of education
Be at least 12 years old to study in high school.
Academic records and transcripts
Letters of recommendation from previous teachers (if required by the schoo
Special university and postgraduate education certificates
Diploma with at least 3 years of study
GPA above 15
Obtaining the required score in English language tests (depending on the field you intend to study)
To gain admission and immigrate to Canada through master's and doctoral studies , you need to provide the following documents:
IELTS score above 6.5 or TOEFL or PTE
GRE test score
Equivalent previous qualifications (bachelor's and diploma)
Translated microscores
CV and academic resume
Motivation letter or SOP
Cover letter
Recommendation letter from one or two university professors
Published articles (if available)
Portfolio
Student accommodation and dormitories in New Zealand
International students studying in New Zealand generally have 3 main accommodation options:
- Stay in student residences: These are usually located on or near the university campus. These environments are very social and offer the opportunity to live with many students from all over the world. Rooms are single or double with basic furnishings and in many cases meals are also served in a central dining hall.
- Living with a local family as a “Homestay”: In this case, the student has a room in a suburban house and meals are provided by the host family. Although this option may come with family rules, it provides a rich experience of getting to know the New Zealand culture and lifestyle.
- Renting a private apartment or house with other students: This is usually more cost-effective after you have completed your first semester and are getting to know others, as rental units are often unfurnished and additional costs such as electricity, water and heating are calculated separately. Students can usually find roommates and a place to rent through university notice boards, local newspapers or websites.
Cities suitable for studying in Canada
Below are three Canadian cities that are known for being the best places for international students based on reputable global rankings, along with a brief explanation:
- Montreal :Montreal is recognized as the best student city in Canada and is ranked 18th in the world in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Best Student Cities 2026. It has high scores in the Student View (94.4) and Student Mix (91.5) indices, which indicate the diversity of its student population, satisfaction with life, and general experience in the city. It also has universities such as McGill University and a bilingual culture (English and French).
- Toronto: Ranked 22nd in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2026, Toronto is a great choice for international students. The city scores well in indicators such as ‘Student Mix’ (91.8) and ‘Employer Activity’ (85.6), meaning there are relatively high job opportunities after graduation. Along with prestigious universities such as the University of Toronto, the city’s large urban environment, diverse culture and extensive student facilities are other advantages.
- Vancouver::
One of the most important issues for students when immigrating to Canada for study is student housing or residence. International students can stay in a variety of places. Student housing such as student dormitories in Canada or townhouses, which are either on campus or located close to the university.
Furnished or unfurnished apartments are also one of the most popular accommodation options for students. To rent student accommodation in a dormitory, you should expect to pay an average of around CAD$400-800 (USD$300-600) per month. To stay in a dormitory near the university, you should expect to pay an additional CAD$550-600 (USD$416-454) per month. You can also live in homestays or with a host family. Living with a family will introduce you to Canadian culture.
Student work in Canada
Many students come to Canada to study in the hope that they can cover some or all of their tuition costs by working as a student in Canada . Fortunately, this is possible in Canada. Students who are studying are allowed to work part-time, or in other words, 20 hours a week off-campus. Students can also work full-time during holidays.
To find a decent job outside of university, you need to have a very high level of language skills. There are also generalist jobs for students, such as sales, which can be done with a normal level of language. Generalist jobs in Canada pay between CAD$11 and CAD$50 ($7.63 to $34.70) per hour, which is a good allowance for students.
Requirements for Canadian residency through study
After studying in Canada, you can stay in Canada with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This open-ended work permit is valid for up to 3 years and allows you to work for any employer in Canada. During this period, you can apply for Canadian permanent residence through Canada’s Express Entry program or Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs . If you obtain a Canadian permanent resident card and reside in the country for 3 consecutive years out of 5 years and meet other requirements, you can become a Canadian citizen .
Successful experiences studying in Canada
After studying in Canada, you can stay in Canada with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This open-ended work permit is valid for up to 3 years and allows you to work for any employer in Canada. During this period, you can apply for Canadian permanent residence through Canada’s Express Entry program or Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs . If you obtain a Canadian permanent resident card and reside in the country for 3 consecutive years out of 5 years and meet other requirements, you can become a Canadian citizen .
Comparing Canada to other countries
Canada is an immigration-friendly country with 23% of its population being immigrants and an unemployment rate of 6.5% in 2026. Studying in Canada is a great opportunity compared to other countries in its category. Students can receive Canadian scholarships and cover living expenses for master’s and doctoral degrees. Canada’s advantage over other countries is the possibility of obtaining a Canadian companion visa for the parent of a student who has been accepted to Canadian colleges or high schools in the country. Also, students who wish to work in Canada can apply for a post-graduation work permit in Canada after completing their studies . Canada has also provided conditions for obtaining permanent residence in Canada through education for foreign students.
One of Canada’s advantages over other countries is its relatively low cost of education and living; for example, the average undergraduate tuition in Canada has been lower than many American universities in recent years. On the other hand, compared to Germany (which has very low tuition fees at many public universities), Canada may be more expensive. Also, the multicultural environment, high security, and the possibility of working while studying and obtaining a residence permit after graduation have made this country more attractive to international students. Therefore, to make the most of the opportunity to study in Canada, it is crucial to carefully examine the field, university, budget, and personal financial plan before taking action.
