Tuition and fees for MBBS and Medicine-related programs in Canada
Close to 700,000 international students enroll in study programs in Canada each year. Canada has the infrastructural means to provide theoretically and practically advanced education. This has convinced thousands of international students to pursue courses in various academic disciplines, including medicine.
Medicine is among the most sought-after degrees globally. With 17 Canadian institutes ranking within the first 670 medical universities, Canada is one of the best destinations to study medicine. A medical degree in Canada is offered as an MD or Doctor of Medicine. Tuition costs are much more affordable than studying medicine in the UK or the US.
However, an MD is usually open to Canadian citizens. Only five universities offer a few seats to international students. This limited intake often results in international students seeking other medical programs.
This article highlights the tuition costs for international students looking to study MD or other allied degrees in Canada.
MBBS/MD fees in Canada for international students
Each year, a few seats are offered to international students who wish to graduate with an MD degree. Five universities accept international applications:
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- McMaster University
- University of Calgary
- Queen’s University at Kingston
Admissions are based on MCAT scores and a four-year bachelor’s degree, which makes up the pre-med education for an MD.
The average cost of an MD in Canada is approximately USD 69,000. University-wise tuition is listed below
University | Annual Tuition Cost in CAD | Annual Tuition Cost in USD* |
University of Toronto | 91,760 | 71,490 |
McGill University | 55,500 | 43,240 |
McMaster University | 96,000 | 74,790 |
University of Calgary | 80,100 | 62,400 |
Queen’s University at Kingston | 90,500 | 70,500 |
* Tuition fees are converted from CAD to USD at the exchange rate of 1 CAD = 0.78 USD. Exchange rates are subject to change from time to time.
Cost of Canadian MBBS/MD for Indian students
The average tuition cost for Indian students enrolled in the Canadian MD program is approximately INR 54,22,000**.
Cost of Canadian MBBS/MD for UAE students
The annual tuition fee for a Canadian MD program for students from UAE is estimated to be AED 256,380**.
** Tuition costs are converted from USD at the exchange rates of 77.68 INR/USD and 3.67 AED/USD. Exchange rates are subject to change.
Cost of studying medicine-related degrees
Apart from MD, international students have other options to make a career in medicine-related fields.
- Dentistry
- Nursing
- Veterinary Sciences
- Physiology
- Pharmacy
- Nutrition & Dietetics
- Psychology
Only a few universities accept international applications for Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing programs. However, health sciences and therapies-related courses are usually available at more universities.
The table provides course-wise average tuition costs for international students:
Course | Degree offered | Average Annual Tuition Cost in USD* |
Dentistry | BDS, DDS, DMD | $80,900 |
Pharmacy | PharmD | $35,700 |
Nursing | BScN, BSN | $34,120 |
Physiotherapy | BSc, MPT | $38,570 |
Animal Sciences | BSc | $39,200 |
Nutrition & Dietetics | BSc | $43,300 |
Kinesiology | Bachelor of Kinesiology | $33,900 |
Psychology | BSc, BA | $36,000 |
Health Sciences | BSc, BHSc | $36,500 |
* Tuition costs in USD are converted from CAD at the exchange rate of 1 CAD = 0.78 USD. Exchange rates are subject to change.
Cost of living in Canada for international students
According to EduCanada, Canada has been among the top 10 countries in the United Nations Quality of Life Index since 2004. It is quite affordable compared to the US and the UK. But the actual living costs often depend on
- The city of residence,
- On-campus or off-campus accommodation,
- Subscription to meal plans
- Personal expenses
Typical living costs for an international student can be estimated as
Particulars | Estimated Annual Expense in USD |
Accommodation | 6,200-11,800 |
Food | ~3,000 |
Books and Supplies | 430-780 |
Transport | ~400 |
Personal Expenses | 500-600 |
Total | $10,530-16,580 |