Toronto – the capital of Ontario – is Canada’s most populous city. As the center of arts, culture, and finance, it offers a cosmopolitan flair comparable to other famous cities. It is also an assortment of ethnicities, thus making it an ideal location for students who wish to study abroad. There are about 150,000 international students in Ontario, most of whom are studying in Toronto.
Many international students choose this city as it is home to exceptional Canadian universities. However, living in Ontario can be quite expensive. The cost of living, tuition fees, and other expenses are much higher compared to other cities in Canada. As an aspiring international student, you must prepare for it, but if you need more budget, consider applying to an affordable university in the country.
Cheap tuition does not entail low-quality education. In fact, the universities we’ve listed below offer affordable costs and deliver top-quality learning. Read more below!
Affordable Schools in Toronto for International Students
1. Tyndale University
Tyndale University is a private, evangelical Christian institution located in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1894 as the Toronto Bible School, it serves as the second home of more than 1,300 students from over 40 Christian denominations.
Given its history, the school is well-known for undergraduate programs such as Christian ministry, biblical studies and theology programs, music (Worship Arts or Performance), and intercultural studies (Missions). On the other hand, it also offers ‘conventional’ courses such as biology, business administration, English, French, and human services.
Tyndale is a leading provider of theological graduate programs, some of the courses it offers include biblical language, biblical studies, pastoral ministry, and spiritual formation.
2. Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University, is one of Toronto’s renowned public and affordable institutions. According to its previous name, this higher education provider was named after the former Canadian Minister Egerton Ryerson. It was established in 1948 as the Ryerson Institute of Technology.
Presently, the institution has eight faculties, including one graduate school, and a student population of over 48,000. Despite the large number, the university has a low international admissions rate. However, figures are expected to grow as the university constantly develops new programs and approaches to cater to wider and more diverse students.
3. OCAD University
Ontario College of Arts & Design University, commonly known as OCAD University, is one of the cheapest universities in Toronto and Canada’s biggest and oldest school for art and design. Based in Grange Park, the former Ontario School of Art has come a long way since its establishment in 1876.
OCADU has three faculties: the Faculty of Art, the Faculty of Design, and the Faculty of Arts & Science. These departments oversee the university’s unique specializations in undergraduate programs, including advertising, creative writing, digital futures, and more. For graduate studies, the institution offers design for health, inclusive design, and criticism and curatorial practice.
4. York University
Founded in 1959, York University is Canada’s third-largest institution. It has more than 53,400 students, including over 9,600 international students. This cheap school in Toronto has multiple campuses, including the main Keele Campus, which houses the faculties of fine arts, law, liberal arts, business, environmental studies, health, education, and science and engineering.
The other is the Glendon Campus, which houses Glendon College and the Leslie Frost Library. Apart from the up-and-coming Markham Center Campus, York University has branches at the Toronto-Dominion and Toronto-Eaton centers. Both are satellite campuses for the Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business.
FAQs: Studying in Canada as an International Student
What Are the General Requirements to Study in Toronto?
The essential requirement for undergraduate applicants is a high school leaving certificate or equivalent, while those seeking postgraduate studies require a bachelor’s degree. Students from non-English-speaking countries are required to provide an English language proficiency result to prove that they can understand and communicate in English.
Additional documents, such as recommendation letters, creative portfolios, ACT, GMAT, etc., may be asked, but this will depend highly on the program, degree level, and university.
What Is the Most Affordable University in Toronto?
Tyndale University is the cheapest university in Toronto for international students. The undergraduate tuition fee is approximately CA$17,700 for one academic year, while graduate studies cost roughly around CA$7,596 for its doctorate programs and seminary courses for CA$13,608.
However, this is only a fraction of the total annual academic costs. Students must also pay miscellaneous fees, such as student activity, resources, and international student fees. These additional expenses vary per program and year level. Also, note that the institution may decide to increase or not increase its tuition fees.
In conclusion, Toronto has many well-known universities in Canada, but their programs can be costly. That’s why this article listed some of the cheapest higher institutions you can choose from in the city if you want to pay lower tuition fees with the same quality of education. Consider the schools above and look at the links for more information.
We hope you make use of this article once you plan to apply to one of Toronto’s affordable universities. For more information about studying in this country, check out the Guide to Studying in Canada article and check out the Open Courses for International Students for more study options!
