Quebec is a province in Canada where French is the official and common language. However, at the university level, instruction may be offered in French or English, depending on the institution and program. Quebec also has English-language and bilingual study options for students who want to pursue higher education outside a fully French-language setting.
Tuition in Quebec varies by university, program, level of study, course load, and residency status. Quebec residents generally pay lower tuition than Canadian students from outside Quebec and international students.
International students may also be able to apply for scholarships, tuition exemptions, or other financial aid through the university’s official website or through scholarship databases such as ours. These options, if granted, can significantly reduce study costs.
Choosing a university with comparatively lower tuition can help international students manage the cost of studying abroad. Here, we will be looking at affordable universities in Quebec for international students. All tuition amounts below are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change, so always confirm the latest fees on the university’s official tuition page before applying.
Affordable Schools in Quebec for International Students
1. École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS Montréal)
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from CAD 36,370/year (Bachelor’s) | from CAD 20,500/year (Master’s with thesis) | from CAD 4,670/year (Doctoral, after the doctoral exemption bursary)
ÉTS is an engineering-focused university in downtown Montréal and part of the Université du Québec network. It emphasizes applied engineering, co-op experience, industry partnerships, and research in fields such as sustainable development, built infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, software, multimedia, and cybersecurity. Many programs are offered in French, while some graduate research programs may include both French and English components.
For international students, ÉTS estimates annual Bachelor’s tuition at about CAD 36,370 for a typical year. Master’s tuition depends on the profile: the annual estimate is about CAD 26,990 for a Master’s with project and CAD 20,500 for a Master’s with thesis. Doctoral tuition is listed at about CAD 4,670 per year after the doctoral exemption bursary, which ÉTS says is applied automatically for eligible doctoral students who are not already receiving another MEES scholarship.
2. Université de Sherbrooke
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from CAD 11,595 per 15-credit term (Bachelor’s) | from CAD 10,830 per 15-credit term (Research Master’s) | from CAD 1,980 per 15-credit term (Research Doctorate)
Université de Sherbrooke is a francophone university with programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels in fields such as business, law, arts and music, education and physical activity, computer science, engineering, medicine and health sciences, pure sciences, and the humanities. Many of its programs include co-op or internship opportunities.
Université de Sherbrooke publishes international tuition by term rather than as one single annual amount. A full-time 15-credit undergraduate term ranges from CAD 11,595 to CAD 15,615, depending on field and whether the program includes co-op terms. Course-based master’s programs range from CAD 11,970 to CAD 14,115 per 15-credit term, while research-based master’s programs are listed at CAD 10,830 per 15-credit term. Research doctoral students are listed at CAD 1,980 per 15-credit term during coursework, with higher-tuition exemptions available under stated conditions.
3. Université du Québec à Montréal
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from CAD 29,415/year (Undergraduate) | from CAD 21,181/year (Course-based Master’s, first year) | from CAD 4,526/year (Doctoral, first two years)
The Université du Québec network has a presence in nearly 40 municipalities across Quebec and has awarded more than 800,000 diplomas since 1968. The Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) is a public, primarily French-language university in Montréal. It has seven faculties and one school, including Arts, Communication, Education, Management, Political Science and Law, Science, Social Sciences, and Health Sciences in development.
UQAM estimates annual tuition for full-time international students at CAD 29,415 for certificates and bachelor’s programs. Graduate tuition varies by program type: a DESS is estimated at CAD 26,366, a first-year course-based master’s program at CAD 21,181, and a first-year research master’s program at CAD 25,036. Doctoral tuition is estimated at CAD 4,526 for each of the first two years, CAD 3,218 for the third year, and CAD 602 for the fourth year.
4. Université Laval
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from CAD 27,414/year (Undergraduate) | from CAD 17,603/year (Research Master’s) | from CAD 3,443/year (Doctorate with exemption scholarship)
Université Laval traces its roots to 1663 and became a university in 1852. It is a major French-language teaching and research university in Quebec City, with 17 faculties and 600 programs. Its campus includes extensive green space, and it is associated with Forêt Montmorency, described by the university as the largest teaching and research forest in the world.
Université Laval lists international undergraduate tuition at CAD 27,414.12 for a 30-credit academic year. Graduate tuition is estimated at CAD 17,602.56 per year for a research master’s program and CAD 22,065.60 per year for a non-research master’s program. Doctoral tuition is CAD 15,905.04 per year at the regular international rate, but CAD 3,442.56 per year for doctoral students who receive the international doctoral exemption scholarship.
5. Bishop’s University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from CAD 32,221/year (Undergraduate, including compulsory fees) | from CAD 24,059/year (Thesis-based graduate program, including compulsory fees) | from CAD 21,874/year (Postgraduate Doctorate Psychology, including compulsory fees)
Founded in 1843, Bishop’s University, or Université Bishop’s, is located in Sherbrooke, Quebec. It is a primarily undergraduate, English-language university, but it also offers selected graduate programs. Bishop’s offers more than 100 programs across 25 departments, organized through three faculties and two schools.
Bishop’s is more expensive at the undergraduate level than several other schools on this list, but it remains a notable Quebec option for international students who want an English-language university environment. Bishop’s lists international undergraduate tuition and compulsory fees for 30 credits at CAD 32,221.28. International course-based graduate programs are also listed at CAD 32,221.28 for 30 credits, while thesis-based graduate programs are listed at CAD 24,059.45. The listed postgraduate Doctorate Psychology rate is CAD 21,873.65 for 30 credits, including compulsory fees.
Quebec has many lower-cost institutions in the country, including the options above and more. However, tuition can change each year and may differ by program, number of credits, residency status, exemption eligibility, and whether the student is in coursework, research, internship, or thesis-writing status. Always consult the official university tuition page for the most accurate estimate for your program and application year.
We hope this article on cheap universities in Quebec was helpful. Make sure also to explore our Canada Page and check out the Available Courses for International Students!
