Best Cities In Canada For Students 2024

Studying abroad, in many ways is an eye-opening experience. It exposes you to a unique culture, introduces you to different kinds of people, and nudges you to embrace diversity.

Canada has emerged as a popular destination for international students. Canada has much to offer in terms of education, lifestyle, recreation facilities, and more.

The majority of the cities are very cosmopolitan and welcoming towards foreign students. We understand that setting to a new destination and finding the right place and right university that fits you can be extremely arduous. So in this blog, we bring to you a list of the best cities in Canada that are extremely student-friendly.

List of Best Cities in Canada for students

1. Toronto
2. Montreal
3. Vancouver
4. Ottawa
5. Quebec
6. Edmonton
7. Calgary
8. Winnipeg
9. Waterloo
10. Halifax

 

Toronto 

Toronto is an eminent destination for students and hosts many prominent universities in Canada. The capital city of Ontario, Toronto is one of the finest cities internationally and ranks high among the best cities in Canada. The city is also extremely diverse with about 50% of the people belonging to a minority community.

This is indicative of the fact that Toronto is welcoming of people from different parts of the world, be it Asia, Africa, or Europe. A staggering 160 languages are spoken in Toronto which makes it extremely popular among migrants. As per QS World Rankings 2020, Toronto was ranked the 11th best student city in the world. Additionally, Toronto has numerous tourist destinations for students to explore.

Cost of Studying: The tentative tuition fees in Toronto university are 11,000 CAD – 60,000 CAD. the rent facilities can range from 500 CAD – 4000 CAD.

Some of the popular universities in Toronto include:

• University of Toronto
• Ryerson University
• Humber college
• York University
• Trent University
• George – Brown college
• Seneca college
• Centennial college
• OCAD University

Montreal 

With a barrage of esteemed universities, Montreal is another popular choice for students who wish to pursue their higher studies in Canada. In the year 2019, Montreal was ranked 6th as per QS World Rankings 2019 in the best student cities in the world list.

It was also ranked 2nd in the list of “student view rank” by the QS world rankings. This shows that students are inclined towards Montreal over any other city for studying. Montreal may not be the most affordable city but has an excellent standard of living. Montreal is a beautiful blend of various cultures, renowned for its warm hospitality and kind people. For the students, there are incredible destinations to visit like the Mont-Royal, Notre-Dame Basilica, Jardin Botanique to name a few.

Cost of Studying: The tuition fee is around 11,000 CAD – 60,000 CAD (INR 6,60,840- 36,03,991) and the rent services may cost as much as 1500 CAD (INR 90,094).

Some of the universities in Montreal include:

• McGill University
• Universite de Montreal
• Concordia University
• Polytechnique Montreal
• Vanier College
• Rosemont College
• HEC Montreal
• Saint Laurent Cegep

Vancouver

Next on the list of the best cities in Canada is Vancouver which is renowned for its quality education and peaceful life. Vancouver is located in the province of British Columbia.

It was ranked by the Economist as “one of the most well-living places around the world. The city is home to about 50% of minorities in that region, therefore, making it an ideal location for international students. The languages predominantly spoken in Vancouver is English and French. Vancouver also hosts giant tech organizations like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc. A land of breathtaking landscapes, Vancouver has been ranked 16th by the QS world ranking 2019 in the best student cities list.

Cost of Studying: The housing rent in Vancouver lies anywhere between 600 CAD to 900 CAD (INR 36,037- 54,055) and the tuition fees range from 11,000 CAD – 60,000 CAD (INR 6,60,840- 36,03,991).

The list of famous universities includes:

• University of British Columbia
• Simon Fraser University
• University of Canada west
• Vancouver Island University
• Columbia College
• Langara college
• Regent college
• Eton College Canada
• Ashton’s College
• St John’s College

Ottawa 

Ottawa is renowned for world-class educational institutions and top-notch faculty members. In 2019 Ottawa was ranked 45th in the list of Best student cities buy the QS World Rankings. Ottawa is yet another diverse city with people hailing from different parts of the world.

Warm and friendly towards international students hosts immigrants from Africa, Asia, and Europe and is a preferred destination by students all over the world. With the myriad of job opportunities, affordable transportation, and living, Ottawa is truly an ideal student destination.

Cost of Studying: The monthly expense of living in Canada is 110 CAD (INR 6,610) and tuition fees are about 11,000 CAD TO 50,000 CAD(INR 6,60,840- 30,04,787).

Here is a list of top colleges in Ottawa:

• University of Ottawa
• Carleton university
• Algonquin College
• Saint Paul University
• Augustine College
• Dominican University College
• Norman Paterson School Of International Affairs
• Ottawa Ladies College

Quebec City 

Renowned for its architecture and European feel, Quebec is a French-speaking province and is listed among the best cities in Canada. Quebec is a city of endless celebration festivals and the country rejoices the infamous winter carnival many winter sports are organized. . After Montreal, Quebec is the 2nd largest metropolitan city with a very high percentage of minorities inhabiting the city.

Cost of Studying: The monthly rental cost of living in Quebec comes up to  CAD 525-700 (INR 31,530- 42,040) and the average tuition fee is 10,000 CAD -40,000 CAD (INR 6,60,840- 24,02,317).

Some of the popular institutions in Quebec are:

• Laval University
• Bart college
• Champlain College, St Lawrence
• Morrin College
• TELUQ university
• Morrin college
• Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS)
• École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP)
• FSA ULaval
• Cégep de Sainte-Foy

Winnipeg

Winnipeg is Manitoba’s capital and largest and one of the best cities in Canada, as well as a key regional centre in the Canadian Prairies. It is a well-rounded metropolis with a sound economic foundation. Architecture, rivers, history, money, arts, and museums make it a popular tourist destination. Winnipeg’s retail industry has something for everyone, from boutiques to low-cost discount stores, and it’s a fantastic place to try out new ideas. This metropolis, formerly known as the “Bulls Eye of the Dominion,” boasts a diverse cultural blend. The Royal Canadian Mint, the Exchange District’s ancient skyscrapers, and the bustling Forks are all located in Winnipeg.

Cost of Studying: The tuition fee is around 11,000 CAD – 60,000 CAD (INR 6,60,840- 36,03,991) and the rent services may cost between 800 CAD – 1500 CAD (INR 48,586 – INR 90,094).

Some of the popular universities in Winnipeg include:

• University of Manitoba
• University of Winnipeg
• Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
• Red River College of Applied Arts, Science & Technology
• Canadian Mennonite University
• Assiniboine Community College
• International College of Manitoba

Calgary

This city in Alberta is known for its western flavour and, most famously, the world-famous Calgary Stampede, a massive ten-day rodeo billed as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Calgary, Alberta’s largest city, is also known as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and is frequently used as a starting point for trips to two of the country’s most famous parks, Banff and Jasper. Despite the fact that it gets very chilly in the winter, the residents of Calgary are always smiling – perhaps because the city receives the most sunshine of any city in Canada.

Cost of Studying: The tuition fee is around 4,000 CAD – 30,000 CAD (INR 2,42,931 – INR 18,21,983) and the rent services may cost up to CAD 2,000 (INR 1,21,465).

Some of the popular universities in Calgary include:

• University of Calgary
• Bow Valley College
• The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
• Mount Royal University
• Huron University College
• Bay River College
• St Mary’s University
• Brescia University College
• King’s University College

Halifax

Halifax is the largest city in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada and the capital of Nova Scotia. A strategic location and one of the world’s finest natural harbours are responsible for the city’s origins and rich nautical history. Halifax was the main entry point for European immigrants to Canada in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Halifax is now a bustling Atlantic seaport, Eastern Canada’s economic and cultural centre, and one of the top towns in the country for international students. Halifax, which has the world’s second-largest natural harbour, is steeped in history, including colonial buildings. The city is tiny and walkable, so most amenities are within walking distance.

Cost of Studying: The tuition fee is around INR 4,30,000 – INR 25,30,000 and the rent services may cost around CAD 1,200 – CAD 1,600 (INR 72,879 – CAD 97,172).

Some of the popular universities in Halifax include:

• Dalhousie University
• Saint Mary’s University
• Mount Saint Vincent University