Canada has made significant strides in higher education in recent times. The North American country has been on the choice list of many prospective students looking to pursue their graduation and/or postgraduation in a foreign country. And it's rightly so. The country houses 28 of the top QS-ranked universities in the world. But the cost of studies and accommodation plays a huge factor in choosing a university. So, what are the best cheapest universities in Canada? And are they the right choice for you? Let’s find out.

Why choose Canada for higher studies?

According to the global index of the ‘Best Country’ to live in the world, Canada came first in 2021. The country had a good track record coming in at number 2 in 2020 and number 3 in 2019. The high standard of living combined with the security and warmth of the Canadian people easy makes it a top choice for aspiring immigrants.

In addition to its living standards, education is also top-notch in the country. Canada has some of the cheapest higher education costs among the developed countries. You’ll be surprised to know that education is much more affordable in Canada than in its neighboring country, the US. There are also ample job opportunities both as part times while studying and after graduation. Considering all these aspects, Canada easily ranks as a top choice for higher studies in a foreign country.

Read: How to Pick a College or University Abroad for Higher Education

Top 10 Best Affordable Universities in Canada for International Students in 2021

Simon Fraser University

Located in British Columbia, Simon Fraser University is a public research university founded in 1965. Since its inception, the university has focused on the development and patronage of science. It also happens to be the only research university accredited by the US Northwest commission.

The university offers undergraduate and post-graduate opportunities for foreign students. The application fee is $125. You will need a minimum of IELTS 7 with 6.5 in each of the bands. The TOEFL requirement is 93 and PTE is set at 65 with a minimum band score of 60. The tuition fee is also quite affordable at $5300 per year.

Simon Fraser University is situated in British Columbia which has the BC provincial nominee program. The program allows for easy PR with just over 2 years of work experience after graduation.

Read: Studying Abroad: Major Pros and Cons You Need to Consider

University of Saskatchewan

Founded in 1907, the University of Saskatchewan is a premier public university located in the Saskatchewan province. The university is known for its affordable tuition fees and a host of scholarship opportunities for international students.

The application fee for the university is $90. You will need a minimum of 6.5 in IELTS to be eligible for admission. This is also one of the lowest entry requirements among the top universities in Canada. The TOEFL requirement stands at 86 with a minimum of 19 in each band. The tuition fee is also reasonable at $6536 per year. On top of that, you will have access to different on-campus and provincial scholarships.

The living cost in Saskatchewan is a bit on the upper side. However, the province offers the easiest PR option in all of Canada. Fluency in English with a permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer will make you eligible for PR in just 6 months.

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Carleton University

Ranked 19th in North America, Carleton University is one of the leading and first private universities in Canada. Even though the university is a private one, it still has an affordable tuition structure compared to its counterparts. The university also offers the highest range of computer sciences, social sciences, and mathematics disciplines.

You will need to score IELTS 6.5 to be eligible for admission. Other denomination includes a TOEFL 86 and PTE 60. The application fee is standard at $100. The tuition fee is a bit more compared to the public universities at $7397 per year. However, you will have access to various on-campus opportunities.

The living cost in Ontario can be covered with part-time jobs if you spend wisely. The province is the IT hub of Canada. So if you are majoring in computer sciences, you will have easy access to PR.

Dalhousie University

Situated in Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University is a leading public university in Canada. The university was ranked 279th in the world QS ranking due to its high infrastructure world-class teaching.

You will need a minimum IELTS of 7 to be eligible for admission. The TOEFL requirement is a bit higher at 92 and the PTE requirement is at 65 with 54 in each band. The tuition fee is $9192 per year.

The PR opportunity in Nova scotia is quite easy thanks to the Nova Scotia Express Entry Experience stream. You can expect to be eligible for PR within 12 months of work experience in the province.

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Memorial University of Newfoundland

The Memorial University of Newfoundland is known for its high teaching standard and research opportunities. The university has several campuses across Canada and it happens to be the only university in the Newfoundland and Labrador province.

The application fee is $120. The University has an easier IELTS requirement of 6.5 compared to the TOEFL of 90. You can also get in through a minimum PTE score of 65. The tuition fee is $9666 per year. Considering the access to research and educational facilities, the cost is pretty cheap.

You will need to have a Post-Graduation work permit (PGWP) to be eligible for PR. Newfoundland. Conventionally, you can take the Canadian Express Entry system as well.

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University of Alberta

If you are from a Humanities and Arts background, the University of Alberta can be a great choice for you. It’s one of the top 5 universities in Canada with a cheap tuition structure along with several scholarship opportunities.

You will need a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or PTE 59 to be eligible for admission. The PTE requirement is one of the lowest in Canada for this university. However, they don’t accept TOEFL scores. The application fee is $110 and the tuition fee is $10260 per year.

There are two different PR schemes available in Alberta. You can either apply through the Canadian Express Entry system or sign up with the Alberta Immigration Nominee Program.

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University of Manitoba

In recent years, a good number of Bangladeshi students got themselves admitted into the University of Manitoba. The premier public university is ranked as one of the top 25 universities in Canada.

The application fee for the university is $110. You need a minimum IELTS requirement of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 86. You can also get in through PTE with a score of 52. The tuition fee is $10519 per year with multiple scholarship opportunities.

Manitoba has a robust Bangladeshi community. You can be assured that it will feel just like home there. As for PR, you can apply through the Provincial Nominee Program of Manitoba. Manitoba has one of the highest job opportunities in all of Canada.

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University of Regina

If you are set on settling in Canada after your higher education, there isn’t a better university than the University of Regina. The university offers a cheap tuition structure combined with experiential learning. You will get a different internship and placement opportunities from the university. The University has one of the highest international student placement records in all of Canada.

The IELTS requirement for application is 6.5. You can also get in with a TOEFL score of 80 and a PTE score of 59. The tuition fee is $13034 per year with a one-time application fee of $100.

The University of Regina is situated in Saskatchewan. As we have mentioned already, Saskatchewan is a leading province when it comes to PR and immigration. You can easily choose this university if you want to build a career in Canada.

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The Canadian Mennonite University

Founded in 1999, the Canadian Mennonite University is a relatively new one on the list. However, the university has proven itself as. A leading destination for undergraduate studies across the discipline.

The admission requirement of the university is quite moderate. You can get in with an IELTS score of 6.5. If you opt for TOEFL, you’ll need a base band of 60 and for PTE, it's set at 86 with specifically 22 or above needed in the writing section. The tuition fee stands at $15500 per year which is a pretty good structure considering the facilities.

We’ve already covered why Manitoba is a great option for Bangladeshi students. The Mennonite University is situated at the heart of Winnipeg in Manitoba. So, students won’t have a hard time blending in with the environment.

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University of Ottawa

The last one on our list is the University of Ottawa. It’s a premier public university located in Ontario. There are 10 faculties within the university which covers a diverse range of discipline. The university is known to be a choice destination for UG students across the globe.

You will need a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. If you want to go through the TOEFL route, you’ll need a minimum of 60 and for the PTE, the cutoff point is 86. You will also need a 22 in the writing section of the PTE. The tuition fee is $15500 per year. The amount varies faculty-wise.

You can check out the Carleton University review above to know more about the PR opportunity in Ontario.

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Bottom Line

There are a a lot of prospective universities in Canada where you won’t have to break your bank to study. By virtue of world-class education combined with easy PR opportunities, Canada has become one of the top choices for international students in 2021. You can check out these universities to find the right one for you. However, the above-mention application fees and tuition fees of these Canadian universities are subjected to change depending upon the respective institution's policy.