Not only is the quality of Canadian education amongst the best in the world, it is also one of the most cost-effective. The tuition fees, as well as the overall costs of living, are generally lower in Canada than in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.

According to a 2014 HSBC report, The Value of Education: Springboard for Success, the average cost (tuition and living expenses) of a university undergraduate education for an international student in Canada is approximately $30,000 USD per year. By comparison, the United States ($36,564 USD), Australia ($42,093 USD) and the United Kingdom ($35,045 USD) are all considerably higher.

Work During Study
The option to work while studying is one of the decision-making criteria for prospective international students finalizing their education destination. International students enrolled in a full-time post-secondary program at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms and full-time (30+ hours/week) during scheduled breaks, such as the summer holidays. Most students don’t need a work permit to work while they study, whether their job is on-campus or off-campus.

Pro-Immigration Policies

When travelling abroad to study, students usually get temporary status in the country they’re studying in. That status often expires when their program ends, so they have to return home after graduation. Canada, on the other hand, has programs designed to help international students gain Canadian work experience after graduation and if they wish, subsequently transition to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), for example, lets students who have graduated from a 2+ year PGWP-eligible program stay and work in Canada for up to three years. Students can also use this work experience to qualify for permanent
residency in Canada.