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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

What's it like going to uni in Canada? DD 15.....

29 replies

loveyouradvice · 22/10/2017 11:42

Hi... my DD 15 is really clear she wants to go to a Canadian university, probably Toronto... having never been to the country.

Her reasons are fairly cogent - appeal of English-speaking country, ethos more atune to hers than USA, adores wilderness... and good education. ... especially appeal of minoring and majoring, which would suit her (with focus on Psychology).

But what is it really like? And how do costs compare?

And yes, although welcoming her dynamism I'm afraid I may lose her to another country.....

OP posts:

ThePeanutGallery · 22/10/2017 11:46

She won't get much wilderness in Toronto....Costs will be dependent on the university, as she will have to pay international student costs, so cheaper than the US, but more expensive than the UK.

Kez100 · 22/10/2017 12:06

Toronto is like London about 30 years ago. Wonderful city but not wilderness.

I'd imagine you'd have to pay to attend (although I'm only guessing) but I love it there. My daughter loved Vancouver where she spent some time with a uni level institution but, again, said it was an expensive course they were following.

BubblesBuddy · 22/10/2017 20:24

It would be a lot more sensible to do a course here which offers a year abroad at a Canadian university. Exeter used to have links with one and I am sure there will be others who send students to Canada.

Look at the website of Toronto and see what the rules are regarding foreign students. Also going to university isn't a holiday. Would she go into the wilderness on her own? It seems somewhat unrealistic.

Original poster

loveyouradvice · 23/10/2017 20:43

Just seen that Toronto charge foreign students 7.5/8 times what they charge the locals!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't believe they do that... and means thats a definite no no....

And thanks Bubblesbuddy - she'd definitely be wildernessing with mates... She works hard but envisages weekends and holidays would have time to roam....

So think Im going to have one sad daughter... though like the idea of a year in Canada... can't quite imagine why that would be part of a uni course though? Doesn't quite seem like a year in france or germany for language.... what's the rationale???/

She's got to go and chat to her careers dept and hopefully they'll be able to give her some advice... Ive taken one look at the fees, shrieked, fainted, and run....

OP posts:

BubblesBuddy · 23/10/2017 20:53

Very many universities offer a year abroad and they are not just for languages. They widen the study experience for the student. A friend of DDs was studying Politics and went to Canada and another friend studying Mechanical Engineering went to Australia. They are student exchanges and are sought after. There are opportunities in Australia, USA, Canada and no doubt a lot more where teaching is in English. Look at the “Year Abroad” section on the web sites to see what is possible.

Kez100 · 23/10/2017 21:14

A friends daughter spent a year in Australia. Another is going to Canada (Edmonton) for a summer working vacation. My DD worked with a uni in vancouver (10 days).

Get her to do some research! She has plenty of time to find out about these things.

ThePeanutGallery · 24/10/2017 11:09

She works hard but envisages weekends and holidays would have time to roam....

Most Canadian Uni's are located in cities, and most Canadian uni students don't have cars, so getting to proper camping/hiking areas isn't as easy as popping out for the weekend I'm afraid. :)

GoodMorning1 · 24/10/2017 11:15

My uni course offered a year in Canada. I didn't do it but the person in my year who did loved it.

Aftershock15 · 24/10/2017 11:15

I know someone doing a music degree who is currently in Canada for a year. My ds wants to study economics and a couple of his preferred universities have an exchange with UBC which appeals to him. Definitely not just languages but even these exchange years cost more than just a UK year I think.

ThePeanutGallery · 24/10/2017 11:20

even these exchange years cost more than just a UK year I think.

There are options for international student funding and scholarships. Certainly worth a look if she's very keen. Of the international students I went to Uni with only one or two was paying full price.

NecrotisingDisaster · 24/10/2017 11:26

The High Commission of Canada in the UK Facebook page often has information about studying in Canada. Here us one link they provided that may have information you can use: educanada.ca/study-etudes/step-etape.aspx?lang=eng

ElsieMay123 · 24/10/2017 11:59

Loads of outdoorsy friends of mine went to work ski seasons in Canada, before, during and after Uni on working holiday visas. That might be an alternative to committing to study abroad and would allow for a lot more time on the mountain, plus getting to meet people with similar ideas of snowy fun times.

BubblesBuddy · 24/10/2017 14:15

The universities that offer a year abroad that is not Eurasmus do not charge local rates for the year as I understand it. It’s an exchange in every sense of the word. You do have to pay for accommodation, flights, holidays (?) and food etc as you would at home. I think it is important to know that these exchanges can be competitive and not all applicants are guaranteed to go and you have to be doing well on the course in the uk to be considered.

Doing a gap year in Canada might get Canada out of the system though!

Stopyourhavering · 24/10/2017 14:29

My ds is at Uni in Dundee and is considering either a year or semester at Canadian uni for his 2nd or 3rd year (4 yr MA course)....very well organised by uni, would that be a better option?
They have links ( for his subjects) with Alberta, Trent,Northern BC, Guelph, Waterloo

crazycatguy · 24/10/2017 14:35

I attended uni in Canada. Twice - different degrees and different provinces. Education was amazing and the experience was good, however once on campus you pretty much stay there. Public transit in Canada is hideous by UK terms and the cost of auto insurance is prohibitive to students.

Toronto's OK. It's very diverse but very 'sectioned off' into nationality communities which sometimes defeats the purpose.

I'd go for the year overseas thing. I had Canadian nationality so paid domestic rate despite not having lived there forever!

PotteringAlong · 24/10/2017 14:38

Just seen that Toronto charge foreign students 7.5/8 times what they charge the locals!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't believe they do that...

Why can't you believe it? What do you think British universities charge overseas students?

BubblesBuddy · 24/10/2017 17:38

Not 7-8 times as much though! About 3-4 x is the max for medics.

Kez100 · 24/10/2017 18:06

My DDs course was £15000 pa for international students. So double but not 7/8 times.

Kez100 · 24/10/2017 18:08

Ahh I see it's a comparison with their local students not with UK course costs. I don't know what they pay.

BigGreenOlives · 24/10/2017 22:10

A friend's daughter has just spent a year at Queen's as part of her geography degree at Edinburgh. I think the tuition fees are cheaper than those for a year in Scotland (as an English student) but of course accommodation, flights etc still need to be covered. I am not sure what the medical care situation is for international students at Canadian universities.

ThePeanutGallery · 25/10/2017 09:54

I am not sure what the medical care situation is for international students at Canadian universities.

They'll be covered under Universal Healthcare.

spababe · 25/10/2017 13:19

Leicester have links with McGill (Montreal) university on the course we looked at you could spend a year abroad studying there

Timetogetup0630 · 25/10/2017 14:57

You need to plan and budget for this option very carefully as the UK pound will probably plummet dramatically in value before your daughter gets to Canada.

Also the practicalities of getting there and back. You can't just pop over for a weekend visit etc.

And think about the very cold winters..... yes it great for skiing but Inused to live close to Toronto and sometimes it was co cold we didn't go out of the house...

Kez100 · 25/10/2017 15:30

I agree with the cold. Bitter some days we were therenand still no snow to make up for it! We used the PATH a lot which is a challenge to rise to but its far more like being in London than the wilderness. Apparently, in summer, its boiling hot.

If you live near a UK airport though you might be able to see her for a visit. Our trip from Gatwick with Air Transat was really good value and about 8 hours? 6.5 coming back overnight! They must have flown....haha Fair enough, you'd not want to do a weekend but we did 7 nights (inc Niagra) and that was a lovely break. Getting to Gatwick was by far our worst part - so, as I say, depends a bit on where you live.

I still love the city though and would love a year there myself on a course from the UK.

lazydog · 26/10/2017 01:32

Stopyourhavering: "My ds is at Uni in Dundee and is considering either a year or semester at Canadian uni for his 2nd or 3rd year (4 yr MA course)....very well organised by uni, would that be a better option? They have links ( for his subjects) with Alberta, Trent,Northern BC, Guelph, Waterloo"

Oooh! Interesting! DS is at one of the Canadian uni's you mention and he said something about having the option to spend a year at a Scottish uni. Bet it was Dundee! Does your DS like it there?

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