A lot may have changed for international students wanting to study in Canada in recent times. However, Canada still remains one of the most sought after study abroad destinations for Indian students. There may be some speculation against recent changes in Canadian immigration policies but students’ enthusiasm is far from over.
Having said that, we must surely not downplay the recent changes and policies concerning international students in Canada. Changes in post study work permit norms in Canada and the introduction of Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) are well known. These changes account for the most important changes in Canada’s immigration norms for overseas students.
Besides, one more thing that has changed in Canada is the scope that Canadian cities have to offer. In recent years, Canadian cities have become saturated with immigrants’ influx hence leading to a space, inflation and employment crisis. Therefore, the cities considered the best to study in Canada a few years back may not be as promising today.
Now the question is, why does it matter as to which city you should move to as an international student? Why not go to any city where it is easy to get admission to a good university or college? Let’s find out in the next section.
Choice of City to Study in Canada - Why Does It Matter?
If you are actually serious about your career ambitions, the choice of city matters. Of course, the approach should be to first find the best fit university and the best fit course. However, I reiterate that the choice of city is of utmost importance too for international students.
An ideal city to study in Canada will be where top universities in Canada are present. Besides, the city should have abundant opportunities in terms of part-time work, internships and co-ops. Furthermore, the city should be safe for international students and hence conducive to academic development, exploration and experiential learning. Lastly, the city should not have grim or extreme weather conditions as it may be an indirect roadblock.
What would you do in a city where there are neither any top universities nor opportunities for work and sustenance? This is why it is important to compare the top cities in Canada for international students and then make an informed decision. You need to be doubly sure while choosing a study abroad destination after all!
Top Cities to Study in Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is one of the prettiest cities in Canada. However, it isn’t just about its beauty. Vancouver is also home to some of the top ranked universities in Canada. The University of British Columbia is 40th on the list of the World QS Rankings for 2026.
Besides, Simon Fraser University and Vancouver Island University are other notable universities in the city. In addition, Vancouver also has some great colleges to study in Canada. These include Langara College and Columbia College.
Speaking of the cost of living, it can range between CAD 1500 and CAD 2500 per month. The odds of finding employment here are high and some of the booming sectors include tech, tourism and sustainability.
Montreal, Quebec
If you are aiming to study at one of the top universities in Canada, Montreal should certainly be on your list. The city features prestigious institutions such as McGill University, the University of Montreal and Concordia University, among others.
Montreal is known to be a huge student city in Canada and offers great opportunities and exposure across various sectors. Some of the top sectors in Montreal in terms of opportunities include aerospace, AI and pharma.
Lastly, Montreal is a cost effective city in comparison to other student cities in Canada. The average cost of living here ranges between CAD 1000 and CAD 2000.
Toronto, Ontario
Maybe 5 years back, Toronto would have topped the list. But today, the odds aren’t in favour of Toronto. Toronto has seen the maximum influx of international students over the last few decades and now it is saturated.
Although most of the top ranked Canadian universities and industries are in Toronto, the overcrowding problem is for real. Nevertheless, it still remains the most popular city in Canada for international students.
Canada’s top university on the global list, the University of Toronto, is here. Besides, the vibrant city features Toronto Metropolitan University and York University.
Toronto certainly has a wide spectrum of the best courses in Canada for international students. If we take out the overcrowding aspect, the city has a host of industries offering opportunities to international students.
Lastly, the average cost of living in Toronto is CAD 1500 to CAD 2500 per month for students.
Edmonton, Alberta
There’s barely an international student wanting to study in Canada who has not heard of the University of Alberta. The University of Alberta is not only among the top ranked institutions in Canada but globally.
Another interesting reason why Edmonton can be a great choice is its low cost of living. As an international student, you will need to spend CAD 1200 to CAD 1600 per month. The top sectors here include health, research and Energy.
Calgary, Alberta
Next on the list is another beautiful city in Alberta. Speaking of top universities in Calgary, the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University are the popular names. Moreover, Calgary is also known to be an affordable city for students when compared to the likes of Toronto and Vancouver.
The key industries in Calgary include engineering, oil, gas and clean technology. The average cost of living in Calgary for students varies between CAD 1300 and CAD 1800.
Ottawa, Ontario
Next on the list is the capital city of Canada. Ottawa is known for its excellent study abroad programs that come with great co-ops. The city is popular for its cybersecurity and data science courses as well as careers.
Ottawa is a four-hour drive from Toronto and has a host of top universities. The best institutions in Ottawa include the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
Speaking of the average cost of living, it can range from CAD 1500 to CAD 2500.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Last on the list is Halifax in the province of Nova Scotia. The city has a warm culture to go with absolutely beautiful coastal views that one cannot get enough of. Speaking of top institutions, this is where Dalhousie University and Saint Mary’s University are located.
Another favorable thing about the city is its affordable cost of living. The average monthly cost of living in Halifax is roughly CAD 1500. Another thing we should be considerate of is, of course, the industries and opportunities available.
Halifax has a moderate job market and the key sectors include nursing and healthcare.
In conclusion, despite the list above, you need to ensure that your choice of city is best aligned with your academic and career goals. Canada is undeniably a great choice for overseas education, given its progressive education system and globally celebrated universities.
The recent changes do not take away anything from students who want to go for serious degree programs. Lastly, I am sure the list above will help you to make an informed choice when it comes to studying in Canada.
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Author Bio : Mr. Almasto Kapoor
I believe that wisdom and information amplify when shared with others. With more than 14 years of vast experience in tertiary education and having assisted a plethora of students in accomplishing their higher education dreams, I’d like to believe that my knowledge is substantial. To make this knowledge count, I love sharing it with students to apprise them of the intricacies of overseas education and to go with that, my keen interest in writing makes it an even more fulfilling thing to do!
almastokapoor3@gmail.com
