List of Cheap universities in Canada 2023
Hi! Today, I’ll be presenting you a list of Cheap Universities In Canada For International Students 2022; if you’ve been looking for the cheapest or most economical University in Canada 2026/2027, then keep reading! In reality, studying in Canada is far less expensive than in many other countries.
Cheapest Universities In Canada For International Students 2026/2027
1. Newfoundland and Labrador’s University
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: $9,035 per year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: $5,245 per year
University link https://www.universitystudy.ca/canadian-universities/memorial-university-of-newfoundland/
For international students, Newfoundland and Labrador Institution, usually known as Memorial University of Newfoundland or MUN, is the cheapest university in Canada. It was established in 1925 to honor veterans of World War I. It is now one of Atlantic Canada’s largest universities – and the only one that serves Newfoundland and Labrador.
Arts, Education, Medicine, Engineering, Business, Nursing, and Science are among MUN’s seven faculties. Pharmacy, Music, Human Kinetics, Social Work, Recreation, and Graduate Studies are among the six schools.
MUN has experienced an influx of students from all over the world because to its low tuition. To far, 20% of its students have hailed from more than 100 nations.
2. University of Manitoba
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: $12,455 per year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: $9,220) per year
University Link https://umanitoba.ca
The Institution of Manitoba, also known as U of M, is a public research university in Fort Garry and Bannatyne. It was the first educational institution in Western Canada, having opened in 1877.
Agriculture, Rehabilitation Science, Architecture, Art, Environment, Education, Engineering, Science, Kinesiology, Social Work, Human Ecology, Music, Business, and Graduate Studies are among the many programs offered by the University of Manitoba.
While the majority of the students are indigenous, 18% of the population is classified as foreign immigrants.
3. Concordia University
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: $15,620 per year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: $12,190 per year
University link https://www.concordia.ca
Concordia University is next on our list of affordable universities in Canada for overseas students. It is a comprehensive public educational institution in Montreal, Quebec’s French-speaking region. Even if this is the case, English is the primary medium of instruction.
Concordia University is divided into the faculties of Fine Arts, Engineering & Computer Science, Arts & Science, Business, and Graduate Studies, as a result of a merger between Loyola College and George Williams University.
Concordia University is well-known for its excellent John Molson School of Business, which is ranked among Canada’s finest universities.
Studying in Canada on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in Canada. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: Canada requires a student visa or study permit obtained after admission. Expect an interview at the embassy or consulate for some countries, proof that you can fund the full programme, and evidence of ties to Nigeria. Visa refusal rates for Nigerian applicants can be high, so prepare your financial documentation carefully and honestly.
Language of instruction: English is an official or primary language of instruction in Canada, so you will not face a language barrier in the classroom. Many institutions also waive IELTS or TOEFL where your previous degree was taught in English — and Nigerian universities teach in English. Ask the admissions office directly whether your Nigerian certificate qualifies for a waiver before you pay for a test.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in Canada, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from Canada itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in Canada?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in Canada subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in Canada and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in Canada?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for Canada shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- Full list of universities in Canada
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for Canada before you apply or pay anything.