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Finding an opportunity to study abroad is no longer an issue today. But what worries most international students from Canada is the costs of study in a foreign country.
Some of the education expenses that an international student would incur include tuition fees, airfares, insurance cover, and living costs. These expenses vary by country.
It’s no doubt that the costs of education have been rising over the last decade, making it difficult for some Canadians to study oversees. But how much will it cost you to take your post-secondary education in a foreign country?
Costs of Education in Different Countries
Tuition fees for post-secondary education vary widely between colleges and universities in different countries. Other expenses, like living and insurance costs, also vary by region. Here are some of the best destinations for Canadian international students.
- United States of America
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Australia
Tuition Fees for International Students in the United States
The US government has not set standard fees for education in the country. They get set by an institution based on the program of study. The table below summarizes the average costs of tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate international students per year.
| Program | Public Universities | Private Universities |
| Undergraduate | US $25,000 | US $34,740 |
| Postgraduate | US $20,000-$35,000 | US $40,000 |
Notably, these estimated tuition fees vary immensely depending on various factors such as the program of study. For instance, professional study programs like the MBA will be more expensive than a master’s degree program.
The average living cost ranges between the US $10,000 and $15,000 in a year. That includes the costs of expenses such as food, accommodation, utilities, and local transportation.
Tuition Fees for International Students in the United Kingdom
It is no surprise that the best countries to study overseas are the most expensive when it comes to post-secondary education. For instance, studying in London would cost you much money. In a week you will spend about £300 on other expenses, including rent.
Generally, the tuition fees for international students in the UK range between £4,000 and £21,000. The cost of living, on the other hand, ranges between £9,000 and £12,000. In a semester, you will spend about £5,500 for living expenses.
As an international student, you’ll pay more tuition fees than UK students, depending on the level of study. The tuition fees for an undergraduate program starts at £10,000 for a lecture-based course up to around £38,000 for top courses like a medical degree.
At the postgraduate level, the tuition fees range between £11,000 and £32,000 for classroom-based courses. For laboratory-based programs, the tuition fees for international students lies between £12,000 and £27,500 in a year.
Tuition Fees for International Students in Germany
In 2014, when Germany abolished the undergraduate tuition fees, the costs of education for both domestic and international students reduced immensely. International students paid only the administrative fees and living costs to take care of their expenses.
However, the south-west state of Baden-Württemberg is planning to reintroduce tuition fees for non-EU students to take care of the state’s deficit. As a Canadian, you will spend about €3,000 on tuition fees in a year.
While it is true that some states don’t charge tuition fees, the fact remains that the costs of living in Germany are high for international students. Studying in cities like Munich can be very expensive. You’ll need around €12,000 to take care of your living expenses.
Even though you’ll not pay any tuition fee in a public university as an undergraduate, you will spend about €250 every semester for administrative costs. Some private universities, on the other hand, charge tuition fees of about €20,000 every year.
If applying for a master’s degree or any other postgraduate degree in a German public university, you’ll pay between €20,000 and €30,000 as tuition fees. But if your bachelor’s degree is consecutive, you’ll only pay a small fee for enrolment and administration.
Tuition Fees for International Students in Australia
The costs of education in Australia depends on the level of study and the institution of choice. The tuition fees for international students starts at AU $20,000 up to AU $30,000 per study year. The payable fees depend on the number of units you will study in a year.
Most Australian universities offer shorter degree courses compared to other countries, reducing the costs of study. If you cannot afford to pay for the tuition fees, you can as well apply for Australian scholarship opportunities to fund your education.
Final Words
If you are Canadian planning to study in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, or Australia, there is no doubt you will need foreign currency. To avoid inconveniences, you should exchange money before traveling to one of these countries. As a Torontonian, you can get the best currency exchange in Toronto at Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange.
