Studying in Canada is an excellent option for many international students. Cities like Vancouver, located in British Columbia, offer a unique appeal because of their diversity and mix of cultures. Students pursuing film, visual arts, design, and media-related degrees may be especially interested in the province.
British Columbia is one of Canada’s major centers for motion picture production, including film, television, visual effects, animation, and post-production. As a result, the province can be especially appealing for students interested in creative industries. While Canadian residents generally pay lower tuition than international students, international tuition varies widely by institution and program.
We have compiled several schools in British Columbia so you can prepare for higher education expenses. In this article, we will examine affordable universities in British Columbia.
Affordable Schools in British Columbia for International Students
1. Emily Carr University of Art + Design
As the name states, Emily Carr University of Art + Design mainly focuses on art, design, and media education. Located in Vancouver, it was founded in 1925. It received degree-granting authority in 1989, became a university in 2008, moved to its Great Northern Way campus in 2017, and expanded into the Centre for Digital Media in 2025.
Undergraduate study includes the Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Design, and Bachelor of Media Arts. Graduate study includes the Master of Fine Arts and Master of Design. Program options include visual arts, media arts, communication design, illustration, and photography, making Emily Carr a strong option for students interested in creative practice and design.
2. Thompson Rivers University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: around CA$7,875 per 9-credit semester, or CA$26,250/year for 30 credits (Undergraduate) | Graduate tuition varies by program
Thompson Rivers University is a public university with its main campus in Kamloops. It has served students since 1970 and now serves more than 25,000 students through campuses in Kamloops and Williams Lake and through distance or online courses and programs via Open Learning. TRU offers over 140 on-campus programs and more than 60 Open Learning programs.
TRU’s campus and online options make it attractive for students who want flexibility. Open Learning allows students to study at a distance, while the university also emphasizes hands-on learning through co-op, field schools, undergraduate research, practicums, and other opportunities. TRU has also invested in sustainability initiatives, including a low-carbon district energy system and a carbon-neutrality goal for 2030.
3. Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and citations in more than 140 programs. Established by the British Columbia government in 1981, KPU has five Metro Vancouver campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley, Cloverdale, and Civic Plaza and serves almost 20,000 students annually.
Programs range from health sciences and horticulture to business, technology, trades, arts, and design. Because tuition is usually charged per credit, international students should use KPU’s tuition estimator and official fee page to confirm costs for their exact course load.
4. University of the Fraser Valley
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: around CA$7,658 per 9-credit semester (Undergraduate) | around CA$833.33/credit for master’s programs, plus applicable fees (Graduate)
The University of the Fraser Valley began as Fraser Valley College in 1974 and has expanded into a university with campuses and locations in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, and Mission. The institution established a permanent campus in Abbotsford in 1983 and became the University of the Fraser Valley in 2008.
UFV started by serving students in several Fraser Valley communities, including Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Hope, and Agassiz. It has a long history of agriculture-related education, with the Agriculture Centre opening in Chilliwack in 1986. Today, UFV offers a range of programs for international students, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
5. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is one of Canada’s leading research universities. It has two main campuses: Vancouver and Okanagan in Kelowna. UBC was established by a provincial University Act in 1908, and today it is a major global center for research and teaching.
Research is very important at UBC: in 2025/26, more than 10,000 research projects were supported with more than CA$923 million in combined funding. UBC Library is also one of Canada’s largest academic research libraries, with more than six million physical and digital volumes. Its campuses, research activity, and wide range of programs make UBC one of the most sought-after institutions in Canada, though its international undergraduate tuition is higher than several other institutions on this list.
6. University of Northern British Columbia
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: around CA$1,040.15/credit hour (Undergraduate) | around CA$2,704.15/semester for many full-time graduate programs (Graduate)
The University of Northern British Columbia is smaller than UBC and is based in Prince George, with regional campuses in Quesnel, Fort St. John, and Terrace, plus a satellite campus in Prince Rupert. Officially created by the UNBC Act in 1990, it opened its Prince George campus in 1994.
UNBC serves northern British Columbia and is known for its regional focus and sustainability work. The university uses the trademark “Canada’s Green University” and supports environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Its smaller size and northern location can appeal to students who want a community-focused academic environment.
7. University of Victoria
This institution has a long history in the province. The origins of the University of Victoria date back to Victoria College, founded in 1903. UVic received degree-granting status in 1963, and Victoria College had originally been affiliated with McGill University.
UVic offers programs across many subjects, ranging from education to engineering. Graduate tuition is assessed as a total degree program fee divided into installments rather than simply by course, so students should confirm current costs through UVic’s official tuition estimator. The university’s strong academic history, research opportunities, and location on Vancouver Island make it a popular option for students in British Columbia.
Studying in British Columbia can benefit many international students, particularly those interested in film, arts, design, and research-rich academic environments. Tuition levels vary significantly by institution, program, credit load, and year of entry, so students should use the official fee links above before applying.
We hope this article on cheap universities in British Columbia was helpful. Make sure also to check out the Canada Page and Available Courses for International Students!
