International student life in Calgary compared to the rest of Canada

On average, Ontario has Canada’s highest international student tuition and Alberta has the lowest (among these four provinces). For illustrative purposes, what follows will outline an example of tuition costs at one Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) in each of the four major cites above. 

Note: An acceptance letter from a Canadian DLI is required in order for international students to receive a Canadian study permit 

At the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus in Vancouver, international student tuition fees for 2023/24 range from $44,000 to $58,000 depending on the program. At Montreal’s McGill University, international student tuition for those enrolled in an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (BA) program during the 2022-23 academic year (the most recent available data) was $31,500.50.  

Meanwhile, in Ontario, undergraduate international students studying in the Arts and Science faculty at the University of Toronto’s downtown campus can expect tuition of $60,510 for the 2023-24 academic year. Finally, annual tuition and fees at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Alberta’s largest city, amount to $21,000.  

Note: This figure from SAIT includes the cost of gym access, health insurance, ancillary fees and a transit pass (more on that later) 

Life as a Canadian international student at SAIT 

Returning quickly to the earlier discussion on housing options for international students, SAIT offers two residence buildings, each with different kinds of amenities. At Begin Tower, students can either reside in studio apartments with a single bedroom or suites with two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. East Hall, meanwhile, offers single-bedroom residence options as well as units with four bedrooms, which include a shared bathroom and common area. 

Note: To learn more about SAIT’s on-campus residence options, click here to learn more about Residence Life and use this link to explore the different Rooms and Rates available.   

Notably, SAIT has welcomed international students from 140 different countries during our more than 105 years in the world of education. Located just five minutes from downtown Calgary’s famous Peace Bridge, the polytechnic college is also one of just fifteen DLIs in Alberta’s most populated city. This means that international students who attend SAIT will be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years upon graduation from an eligible program. For international students who aspire to eventually become Canadian permanent residents, this is crucial because obtaining a PGWP is vital to accumulating the one year of work experience required to be eligible for Canadian permanent residence.  

More about Alberta and Calgary 

Alberta is becoming an increasingly popular location for arts and leisure in Canada.  

In fact, The Last of Us, one of HBO’s most recent global television successes, was filmed in several communities across the province. With shoot locations including Fort McLeod, Canmore, Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta has become a popular backdrop and destination of choice for tv and film producers around the world.  

See: Must-see Blockbusters and TV Productions Filmed in Alberta 

For those looking for leisure, Alberta is also filled with opportunities to experience everything from history to the great outdoors. From sightseeing tours and museums to activities like camping, canoeing or ice fishing, Alberta has plenty to offer with respect to affordable events and experiences no matter what the time of year. Visit Travel Alberta to learn more. 

Contact SAIT to learn more! 

The information provided throughout this article is just a glimpse into the costs and expenses associated with life in these four major Canadian cities as an international student. Still, every international student will have different priorities and choose to weigh certain expenses over others.   

What we hope, however, is that this article has provided prospective international students with a good springboard into understanding the financial reality of coming to Canada in pursuit of higher education.   

Please visit our website to learn more about SAIT and contact us with any concerns or questions about applying to study here, coming to Canada as an international student and more. 

Need support or have questions about applying to SAIT? Contact a regional Recruitment Advisor for more information!