Canada ranks among the top education systems in the world, but for many international students, including Nigerians, the appeal now goes far beyond a degree; it is about what happens after the degree.
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The attraction is that Canada is also closely tied to long-term migration opportunities, its post-study work pathways, particularly the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), offering international students a clear route to gain local work experience, and, eventually, permanent residency through programmes like Express Entry.
In 2023 alone, Canada issued a record 37,630 study permits to Nigerians, a 133% surge from the previous year.
By 2024, over 58,000 Nigerian students were already studying in Canada, making it the fourth-largest source country for international students.
Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the country plans to admit about 380,000 new immigrants annually to support its economy and labour market needs.
They also plan to fast-track permanent residence for 33,000 skilled temporary workers over 2026 and 2027, focusing on those already working in communities, especially in rural areas and in in-demand sectors
Methodology: In this article, affordability is defined based on postgraduate study costs, focusing on universities that offer master’s programmes with annual international tuition fees below $10,000
Here are the top 10 most affordable universities in Canada for international students.
University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)- $9,391 per year
The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is a university focused on environmental studies, health sciences, and community-based research. It is located in Prince George, British Columbia.
International postgraduate tuition varies by programme. For most master’s programmes, total fees are approximately CAD 3,328.17 per semester, including tuition and mandatory charges.
More specialised programmes cost more, with the Master of Social Work at about CAD 3,781.44 per semester, while programmes such as the Master of Education can reach approximately CAD 4,298.82 per semester.
The MBA programme is significantly higher, with total costs of about CAD 10,164.94 per semester. UNBC offers a range of postgraduate programmes across key disciplines. These include programmes in business administration (MBA), education, social work, health sciences, nursing, engineering, and environmental studies.
The estimated monthly cost of living is about CAD 1,559, including rent, utilities, transportation, and basic daily expenses, making it relatively affordable compared to larger cities in British Columbia.
University of Saskatchewan- $8,907 per year
The University of Saskatchewan is a public research university known for its strengths in agriculture, health sciences, engineering, and environmental research. It is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
For international students, postgraduate tuition varies depending on the programme structure. Standard master’s programmes with a thesis or project component are priced at approximately CAD 4,077 per term, which translates to about CAD 12,231 per year based on three academic terms.
Course-based programmes are charged at about CAD 659.20 per credit unit, applied to certain programmes such as Master of Music (Music Education), MA Philosophy, MMath, as well as postgraduate diploma and non-degree programmes.
The university offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes across MEng and MSc degrees across fields like mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. In the sciences, programmes span areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Statistics, while health-related options include Health Sciences, Public Health (MPH), and Nursing.
Monthly living expenses in Saskatoon for a single person are about CAD 1,482.5 excluding rent, while renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre averages around CAD 1,170.89 per month.
Mount Saint Vincent University- $8,907 per year
Mount Saint Vincent University is a public university known for its strong focus on liberal arts, education, and community-based research.
It is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a coastal city that offers a balance between urban opportunities and a relatively moderate cost of living compared to larger Canadian cities.
For international students, postgraduate tuition and fees for new graduate students are approximately CAD 14,832 per year.
In addition to tuition, students who choose to live on campus should budget for room and board of about CAD 12,061 annually, which significantly increases total study costs.
The university offers postgraduate programmes across disciplines such as education, public relations, applied human nutrition, and family studies. It is particularly recognised for its strengths in social sciences and professional programmes that combine academic learning with practical application.
University of New Brunswick – $7,535 per year
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is one of Canada’s oldest public universities, known for its strong emphasis on research, innovation, and professional programmes.
The university operates across two main campuses in Fredericton and Saint John. For international students in Fredericton, postgraduate tuition is structured across academic terms and varies by programme. For instance, the Master of Nursing programme includes term-based fees of approximately CAD 7,480.50- CAD 10,348
The university offers a diverse range of postgraduate programmes across multiple disciplines. These include the Master of Applied Health Services Research, Master of Arts, and Master of Business Administration (including online options and specialised tracks such as MBA.SRM and C-CGM).
In technology and engineering, students can pursue the Master of Computer Science, Master of Engineering, and the Master of Engineering in Leadership in Design Innovation, among others.
In terms of living expenses, the estimated monthly cost for a single person is about CAD 1,368.8 excluding rent, while renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre averages around CAD 1,137.50 per month.
University of Regina-$ 7,300 per year
The University of Regina is a public university located in Regina, Saskatchewan. For international students, postgraduate tuition remains relatively low.
A standard master’s degree based on 18 credit hours costs CAD 6,138, calculated on full-time enrolment across three semesters. More specialised programmes, such as the Master of Engineering, are priced higher at approximately CAD 10,039.50 for the full programme.
The University of Regina offers a broad range of postgraduate programmes across disciplines, including engineering, business, social sciences, and environmental studies. It is particularly known for its co-operative education model, which allows students to gain paid work experience while studying, strengthening employability after graduation.
In terms of living expenses, the university provides structured estimates that help students plan ahead. On-campus accommodation starts from about CAD 7,185 per year, while a standard campus meal plan costs around CAD 9,600 annually.
Saint Paul University $7,201 per year
Saint Paul University is a public, bilingual institution located in Ottawa, Ontario, known for its focus on social sciences, ethics, philosophy, and human development.
International students, graduate tuition full-time fee is approximately CAD 9,888.19. In addition, applicants are required to pay an application fee of CAD 105 for graduate admission.
Beyond tuition, students should note that the total cost includes auxiliary and incidental fees, which are mandatory and cover services such as student associations, campus facilities, and other administrative charges.
The university offers postgraduate programmes mainly in areas such as social sciences, theology, counselling, public ethics, and conflict studies, reflecting its specialised academic focus. Many of these programmes are designed to combine theoretical knowledge with practical application in fields linked to public service and community development.
In Ottawa, the estimated monthly living expenses for a single person is about CAD 1,450.1 excluding rent, while renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages around CAD 2,056.55 per month.
University of Calgary – $7,141
The University of Calgary is located in Calgary, Alberta. International students’ postgraduate tuition is typically charged per term or per course, depending on whether the programme is thesis-based or course-based.
For thesis-based programmes, international tuition is approximately CAD 2,858.55 per term, translating to about CAD 8,500–9,000 annually. For course-based programmes, tuition varies widely depending on the programme, with international fees ranging from about CAD 2,034 to over CAD 7,141 per 3-unit course, depending on the field of study.
The university offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes across multiple disciplines such as the Master of Management, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, and graduate certificates in Management Analytics and Business Intelligence, Master of Engineering, Master of Data Science and Analytics, Master of Information Security and Privacy, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, graduate certificates in advanced nursing practice, and education-focused programmes amongst others.
Brandon University- $6,744 per year
Brandon University is a public university located in Brandon, Manitoba, a quiet and more affordable city that appeals to international students looking to reduce both tuition and living costs compared to larger Canadian cities.
For international students, postgraduate tuition typically ranges from CAD 2,327.03 to CAD 9,261.18, depending on the programme and course load.
The university offers a focused range of postgraduate programmes across key fields. In Arts, students can pursue the Master of Arts in Rural Development as well as a Graduate Diploma in Rural Development. The Faculty of Education offers a Master of Education, while Health Studies includes a Master of Psychiatric Nursing. In the creative field, the university offers a Master of Music, and in the sciences, students can enrol in the Master of Science in Environmental and Life Sciences.
In terms of living expenses, Brandon’s location in Manitoba is about CAD 1892 per month. This amount covers essential expenses, including approximately CAD 730 for renting a single bedroom, CAD 652 for monthly food costs, and roughly CAD 75.40 for transportation.
University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)- $6,583
The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is a public university located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
International students’ postgraduate standard graduate tuition at UPEI includes a full-time international fee of CAD 9,040 per year. The Master of Nursing programme costs approximately CAD 10,310 for the full two-year programme.
The university offers a range of postgraduate programmes across disciplines such as nursing, business administration, education, and applied health sciences. UPEI is particularly recognised for its programmes in healthcare and its growing research focus in areas such as public health and sustainable development.
The estimated monthly living cost for a single person is about CAD 1,351.6 excluding rent, while renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre averages around CAD 1,192.25 per month.
Simon Fraser University (SFU)- $ 4,660 per year
Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a leading public research university known for its strong focus on innovation and interdisciplinary studies. It is located in Burnaby, British Columbia, with campuses in Vancouver and Surrey.
For international students, postgraduate tuition at SFU is charged per term. The full-time graduate fee is approximately CAD 2,149.58 per term, while a reduced continuing fee of CAD 1,074.79 per term applies after a set number of completed terms. This means that over a typical academic year of three terms, tuition can range from roughly CAD 6,400, depending on programme duration and stage.
SFU offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes across its faculties, including Applied Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Business (Beedie School of Business), Communication, Art and Technology, Education, Environment, Health Sciences, and Science.
In terms of living expenses, the estimated monthly cost for a single person is about CAD 1,474 (excluding rent), while renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre averages around CAD 2,148 per month.
