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Meta title: Bachelor's in Canada 2027: Entry, Tuition, Deadlines
Meta description: Bachelor's degrees in Canada after 11-year school: U of T, UBC, McGill entry, 2026/27 tuition from $36,500, Jan 15, 2027 deadline, PAL, study permit, PGWP.
Last modified: 2026-09-28

# Bachelor's Degree in Canada: Entry After School, Costs and 2026–2027 Rules

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A Canadian bachelor's degree usually takes four years, and outside Quebec most universities admit international students straight from secondary school: the University of Toronto, UBC and McGill all list the Russian certificate of secondary general education (attestat) as an acceptable document. There are no tuition-free places for international students. In 2026/27, first-year tuition runs from $36,340 (CAD 51,530) for Arts at UBC to $46,620 (CAD 66,110) for Arts & Science at the University of Toronto, and immigration authorities expect you to show at least $16,540 (CAD 23,448) a year for living costs on top. Applications for fall 2027 at these three universities close on January 15, 2027.

Undergraduate applicants also need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) before they can apply for a study permit. Applicants from Russia face an extra step: since January 28, 2026, the Embassy of Canada in Moscow no longer provides visa services, and visa application centres in Russia no longer accept passports.

| At a glance | Bachelor's in Canada, fall 2027 intake |
| --- | --- |
| Length | 4 years; co-op programmes (alternating study and paid work terms) about 5 years |
| Entry after 11-year school | yes at U of T, UBC, McGill and most universities outside Quebec |
| First-year tuition, 2026/27 | UBC Arts $36,340 (CAD 51,530); McGill BA $38,080 (CAD 54,000); U of T Arts & Science $46,620 (CAD 66,110) |
| Living-cost minimum for the study permit | $16,540 (CAD 23,448) per year for one person, excluding tuition and travel |
| English | typically IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0 |
| Application deadline | U of T, UBC, McGill: January 15, 2027 |
| Work during studies | up to 24 hours a week in term, unlimited during scheduled breaks |
| After graduation | post-graduation work permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years with CLB 7 language results |

Grant Hall with its clock tower on the campus of Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Photo: Shin / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Granthall.JPG), [Public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Template:PD-self).

## Who a Canadian bachelor's degree suits {#section-1}

Unlike the UK or Germany, where graduates of an 11-year school system usually need a foundation year or some university study at home first, Canada admits them straight from school. Compared with the US, selection is more predictable: most programmes decide on school grades and an English test, without the SAT. Legal part-time work during studies and a post-graduation work permit are the other main draws.

It is worth reconsidering, or choosing another route, if:

- your family cannot document the full first-year cost before departure — from about $53,000 at UBC and more elsewhere;
- your school average is below roughly 4 out of 5 and your grades in subjects related to the programme are weak;
- your main goal is free or nearly free tuition, which does not exist for international students in Canada;
- your English is around B1 and reaching IELTS 6.5 by spring of your final school year is unrealistic — then look at pathway programmes or a college first.

## How the degree is structured {#section-2}

A Canadian bachelor's degree is four academic years of two terms each, running September to April. Students often enter a broad faculty — Arts, Science, Engineering, Commerce — and declare a major in the first or second year.

- Honours degrees are four-year degrees with deeper specialisation and sometimes a thesis; they are the usual basis for graduate study.
- Co-op programmes alternate study terms with paid work terms at Canadian employers. Graduation comes about a year later, but with real work experience. Co-op placements are authorised by a separate co-op work permit and do not count toward the 24-hour limit.
- Applied bachelor's degrees are offered by polytechnic colleges such as Humber or Seneca: full degrees with a practical focus and a narrower choice of academic courses.

### Quebec is different

Quebec students attend a two-year CÉGEP college before university, so many Quebec bachelor's programmes last three years. A French-language Quebec university may offer a graduate of an 11-year school system a preparatory year or ask for CÉGEP studies first; each university publishes its own rules. McGill, the English-language university in Montreal, accepts the Russian attestat directly. Quebec also requires a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) instead of a PAL.

## Can you apply with a Russian or Kazakh school certificate? {#section-3}

Yes. This is what three leading universities publish:

| University | Accepted document | Grade guidance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| University of Toronto | Attestat o Srednem (Polnom) Obshchem Obrazovanii; Engineering has its own requirements | varies by programme and year |
| UBC | the same attestat; copies may be certified by the school principal or counsellor, notarised copies are not accepted | in past years an average of about 4 on the 5-point scale |
| McGill | the same attestat | minimum equivalent of a B+ average, higher for most programmes |

For Kazakhstan, U of T lists the Certificate of Completed Secondary Education; for Uzbekistan, the Academic Lyceum Diploma or Certificate of General Secondary Education. No separate credential evaluation is needed for first-year admission: the admissions office reviews the document itself. Grades from the last two years matter most, and if you apply during your final year, decisions are usually based on interim grades, with the final certificate sent after graduation.

Prerequisite subjects often matter more than the overall average. Engineering, Computer Science and Science typically require advanced mathematics and physics or chemistry; Commerce requires mathematics.

## English requirements and accepted tests {#section-4}

Most programmes ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0. The University of Toronto also accepts:

- TOEFL iBT on the new scale — overall 4.5, Writing 4.5, Speaking 4.0; for tests taken before January 21, 2026, a total of 89 with 22 in Speaking and Writing; the Home Edition is accepted;
- Duolingo English Test — 120 overall and 120 in Production;
- PTE Academic — 65 with no part below 60;
- CAEL — 70 with no part below 60;
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency — 180 with at least 170 in each component.

Scores must come from a single sitting. Remember that the test you use for admission may expire or not be accepted by immigration authorities later: for the PGWP you will need a new result from a test on IRCC's approved list.

## How much a bachelor's degree in Canada costs {#section-5}

### Tuition in 2026/27

According to Statistics Canada, the average international undergraduate tuition in 2026/27 is $29,660 (CAD 42,062), against $5,660 (CAD 8,021) for Canadian students. Provinces differ sharply: Ontario averages $35,320 (CAD 50,088), British Columbia $28,430 (CAD 40,314), Manitoba $16,330 (CAD 23,160) and Newfoundland and Labrador $13,340 (CAD 18,911). The same major at a provincial university can cost half of what it costs in Toronto or Vancouver.

Leading universities sit above these averages. First-year tuition at the three best-known:

| First-year programme, 2026/27 | CAD | $ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| UBC, Arts | 51,530 | 36,500 |
| UBC, Science / Computer Science | 53,082 | 37,600 |
| UBC, Engineering | 66,200 | 46,890 |
| McGill, Bachelor of Arts | 54,000 | 38,250 |
| McGill, Bachelor of Science | 64,786 | 45,890 |
| McGill, Bachelor of Engineering | 65,168 | 46,160 |
| University of Toronto, Arts & Science (incl. Mississauga and Scarborough) | 66,110 | 46,830 |
| University of Toronto, Engineering | 72,860 | 51,610 |

These are tuition only. For fall 2027 entrants, U of T has already published planned 2027/28 fees for information: $48,480 (CAD 68,750) for Arts & Science and $53,440 (CAD 75,770) for Engineering. UBC caps annual increases for international undergraduates starting in 2026/27 at 3% for four years.

### Mandatory fees and health insurance

Universities add student fees for athletics, student societies, IT and administration. At McGill, these add up to at least $2,540 (CAD 3,600) a year for an international BA student, including $855 (CAD 1,212) for mandatory international health insurance. Other universities handle insurance differently: U of T tells international students to budget for the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), and UBC requires basic and extended health coverage for the whole programme as part of student fees. Always check the fees section of your university's website.

### Living costs and travel

For study permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, IRCC requires proof of $16,540 (CAD 23,448) a year for a single applicant, excluding tuition and travel. This is a visa minimum, not a realistic budget for Toronto or Vancouver, where a room in a shared flat takes a large share of that amount.

### Example: what you must show for the first year

| Item | UBC, Arts | U of T, Arts & Science |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tuition 2026/27 | $36,500 | $46,830 |
| IRCC living-cost minimum | $16,610 | $16,610 |
| Total before travel, fees and insurance | about $53,100 | about $63,440 |

Over four years, UBC Arts tuition alone can reach $152,050 (CAD 215,600) if fees rise by the full 3% each year; U of T costs more. IRCC also asks how you will pay for the full programme, not just year one.

## Scholarships: realistic expectations {#section-6}

Full scholarships for international first-year students are rare. What exists:

- UBC International Scholars — for the 2027 intake UBC lists two scholarship deadlines, November 15 and December 1, 2026, six to eight weeks before the main application deadline; which one applies depends on the award. Amounts depend on the award, the competition and, for need-based awards, family finances.
- University of Toronto considers applicants for entrance scholarships automatically, with some requiring an extra profile. The full Lester B. Pearson scholarship requires a school nomination and goes to very few students. According to its 2026/27 tuition report, divisions set aside 6% of international undergraduate tuition for International Scholars awards, so funding exists, but every international first-year competes for it.
- McGill has Major Entrance Scholarships with a separate application; for "other international high schools" the deadline is January 21.

The realistic outcome is a partial merit award in first year. The gap between an expensive and a more affordable university is usually larger than any scholarship you can count on. See also [scholarships in Canada](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-canada) and [the cost of studying in Canada](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-canada).

## Timeline for fall 2027 entry {#section-7}

| When | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Spring–summer 2026 | Shortlist 4–6 programmes, check prerequisite subjects, start IELTS or TOEFL preparation |
| October 2026 | Applications open: UBC in early October, McGill from October 1, U of T through OUAC |
| By November 7, 2026 | Recommended early application date at U of T for first-round consideration |
| November 15 and December 1, 2026 | UBC scholarship deadlines |
| January 15, 2027 | Application deadline at U of T, UBC and McGill |
| February 1 – March 1, 2027 | Supporting documents: U of T by February 1 (Engineering by January 15), McGill by March 1 |
| January – May 2027 | Decisions arrive; accept an offer and pay the deposit |
| Spring – summer 2027 | Obtain the PAL through your university, prepare proof of funds, apply for the study permit |
| August – September 2027 | Arrival and start of classes |

## Application documents {#section-8}

- school certificate or transcript of grades for the last two years if you have not graduated yet, with an English translation;
- English test results sent directly by the test provider;
- passport;
- programme-specific materials: student profile (U of T Engineering), essays, portfolio (architecture, art), activities list;
- application fee: $99 (CAD 140.16) at McGill for the first application, with a second application for the same term free.

In Ontario, university applications go through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC); elsewhere you apply through each university's own portal. For an overview of Canadian study options, see our [Canada country guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-canada).

## Study permit steps after admission {#section-9}

Allow at least three to four months for the immigration stage.

1. Provincial attestation letter (PAL). Required for bachelor's students. Your university requests it after you accept the offer, usually after a deposit. In 2026, 180,000 study permits are planned nationally for applicants who need a PAL, including 70,074 for Ontario and 24,786 for British Columbia. Quebec issues a CAQ instead.
2. Proof of funds. First-year tuition plus $16,540 (CAD 23,448) for living costs and money for travel. If you pay from Russia, see [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia). Acceptable evidence includes bank statements for the past six months showing the source of funds, a tuition receipt, or a sponsor's letter with proof of their income.
3. Online application on the IRCC website: $105 (CAD 150) plus $60 (CAD 85) for biometrics.
4. Biometrics. Visa application centres in Russia still collect fingerprints and photos by appointment.
5. Passport. Since January 28, 2026, VACs in Russia do not accept passports. When IRCC requests your passport, you must submit it at a VAC in another country — plan the trip and its cost.

Documents, processing times and each step of the application are covered in our [Canada study permit guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-canada-study-permit).

Students under 17 must come with a parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; from 17 a custodian is optional but an officer may request one. The age of majority is 18 in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec and 19 in British Columbia and Nova Scotia. See [studying in Canada after 11 years of school](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-canada-after-11-years-of-school).

## Working during and after your degree {#section-10}

Full-time students with a study permit may work off campus up to 24 hours a week during terms and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, once classes have started and they have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

After graduation, the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) can be issued for up to three years for programmes of two years or longer. You must have studied full-time at a PGWP-eligible institution, apply within 180 days of confirmation that you completed the programme, and prove English or French at CLB/NCLC 7 in all four skills. Bachelor's graduates have no field-of-study requirement. Canadian work experience can later count in permanent-residence programmes, but the PGWP itself is not residence. For hour limits, the SIN and the PGWP application, see [working while studying and the PGWP](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-and-pgwp-canada).

## University straight away or college first? {#section-11}

| Criterion | University directly | College, then transfer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Early-year cost | high, from $36,500 a year | usually lower |
| Entry | school certificate, ~4/5 average, IELTS 6.5 | softer grade requirements, IELTS often 6.0 |
| PAL | required | required |
| Risk | competitive admission | not all credits transfer; changing schools means extending your study permit with a new PAL |
| Best for | strong grades and a clear major | weaker grades or English, limited initial budget |

Read more in [colleges in Canada](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-colleges-in-canada) and [universities in Canada](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-canada).

## Common mistakes {#section-12}

- Budgeting for tuition only. The visa officer looks at tuition and living costs together, and at where the money comes from.
- Applying on the last day. U of T reviews early applications in the first round, and scholarship deadlines fall before or after the main one.
- Ignoring prerequisites. A weak maths grade can rule out Engineering even with a high average.
- Planning to hand in your passport in Moscow. This is no longer possible; plan a trip to a VAC abroad.
- Mixing university and IRCC test rules. A university may accept Duolingo, but the PGWP requires a test approved by IRCC.
- Enrolling in a private college programme delivered under licence from a public college. Students who started such curriculum-licensing programmes after May 15, 2024 are not eligible for a PGWP.

## FAQ {#faq}

### How long is a bachelor's degree in Canada?

Usually four years. In Quebec, programmes after CÉGEP take three years, and applicants from 11-year school systems may need a preparatory year first. Co-op programmes take about five years.

### Can I enter a Canadian university after 11 years of school?

Yes. U of T, UBC and McGill accept the Russian attestat without a foundation year. UBC reports that a past average of about 4 out of 5 was required; McGill's minimum is a B+ equivalent.

### How much does a bachelor's degree in Canada cost for international students?

First-year tuition at leading universities in 2026/27 ranges from $36,500 (UBC Arts) to $51,600 (U of T Engineering). IRCC also expects at least $16,610 a year for living costs. Plan on $53,000–$70,000 for the first year.

### Is there free undergraduate study in Canada?

Not for international students. Full scholarships such as Lester B. Pearson at U of T are extremely limited and require a school nomination. Partial merit awards are the realistic option.

### Do I need the SAT?

Most programmes do not require it; selection relies on school grades, English results and supplementary forms. Check the requirements of each programme.

### Can I work while studying?

Yes, up to 24 hours a week off campus during terms and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, after classes start and with a SIN. Co-op placements are covered by a separate permit.

### Where do Russian citizens apply for a Canadian study permit?

Online. Biometrics can be given at a VAC in Russia, but since January 28, 2026 passports must be submitted at a VAC outside Russia.

## Sources {#section-14}

- IRCC: [proof of financial support](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html), [PAL/TAL](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/provincial-attestation-letter.html), [2026 cap allocations](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/2026-provincial-territorial-allocations-under-international-student-cap.html), [off-campus work](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/work-off-campus.html), [PGWP eligibility](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html), [fees](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp)
- IRCC: [minor children](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/minor-children.html), [changing schools](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/change-schools.html)
- Statistics Canada: [average tuition 2026/27, table 37-10-0045-01](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3710004501)
- Government of Canada: [visa services in Russia since January 28, 2026](https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/russia-russie/moscow-moscou-info.aspx?lang=eng)
- University of Toronto: [2027 deadlines](https://future.utoronto.ca/deadlines), [requirements by country](https://future.utoronto.ca/international-high-school-requirements-country), [English requirements](https://future.utoronto.ca/english-language-requirements), [2026/27 tuition report](https://planningandbudget.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-27-Tuition-Fee-Report_FINAL.pdf)
- UBC: [2026/27 tuition](https://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/finances/tuition-fees/undergraduate-tuition-fees), [dates and deadlines](https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/dates-deadlines/), [international requirements](https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/requirements/international-high-schools/)
- McGill: [requirements and deadlines](https://www.mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/apply/requirements/international/other), [how to apply](https://www.mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/apply), [2026/27 fees](https://www.mcgill.ca/student-accounts/tuition-charges/fallwinter-term-tuition-and-fees/undergraduate-fees)
- Exchange rate: ECB reference rate of September 29, 2026 — CAD 1 = $0.7052.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. [Request an initial consultation](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

## Next steps

- [Scholarships in Canada for International Students: What Is Available in 2026/27 and How to Apply](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-canada)
- [Cost of Studying in Canada in 2026/27: Tuition, Living Costs and Study Permit Funds](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-canada)
- [Canada Study Permit in 2026: Documents, PAL, Proof of Funds and How to Apply](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-canada-study-permit)
- [Studying in Canada After 11 Years of School: Five Routes, Requirements and Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-canada-after-11-years-of-school)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)
- [Studying in Canada for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-canada)

Updated: September 2026