Canada is a popular destination for students who want to study nursing because of its broad health care system, diverse clinical settings, and post-graduation career pathways. Nursing programs are competitive, and admission policies vary by university and province. International students can still apply to programs at some of the country’s leading schools, but they should review each program’s prerequisites, English-language rules, clinical-placement requirements, and deadlines before applying. Applicants with strong grades, relevant prerequisites, and a well-prepared application are more likely to compete well for limited seats.
Canada continues to rely on nurses trained both domestically and internationally. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, internationally educated nurses represented 12% of new nurses entering the profession in 2022, up from 8% in 2017. However, nurse pay varies by province, employer, experience, overtime, and role. Job Bank’s national wage data for registered nurses lists typical wages at about CAD $30.00 to CAD $54.37 per hour, with a median of CAD $43.27 per hour. Because applications, licensing, clinical-placement documents, and travel requirements can add costs, it is important to plan your budget well in advance.
Steps on How to Apply for a Nursing Program in Canada
Step 1. Know the Basic Structure of Nursing Programs in Canada
Nursing in Canada is regulated by provincial and territorial bodies, and education requirements differ by role and jurisdiction. The three main regulated nursing professions are Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), known as Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario, and Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN). Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced RN role that usually requires graduate education and additional registration.
For many students, the most common route to becoming an RN is a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent approved program, followed by registration with the relevant nursing regulator. There are also accelerated or second-entry programs for applicants who already have university study. For example, the University of Toronto offers an accelerated two-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Applicants must have at least two years of recognized university study, equivalent to 10.0 U of T credits, at least 4.0 credits above first-year level, and at least a B average in their most recent 5.0 credits.
Licensed Practical Nurse programs are usually diploma programs and often take about two years or four semesters, depending on the province and school. LPNs provide nursing care within their regulated scope of practice and work with RNs, physicians, and other health professionals.
Registered Psychiatric Nursing is a distinct nursing profession focused on mental health, addictions, and psychosocial care. It is regulated primarily in the western provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
For the purposes of this summary, we will focus mainly on RN programs, since they are a common pathway for international students who want to study nursing in Canada.
Step 2. Examine Canadian Schools and Different Regions in Canada
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories, and nursing regulation is provincial or territorial. Work authorization and study permits are handled federally by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, while nursing registration requirements are set by the province or territory where you plan to study or work. If you want to stay in Canada after graduation, review both the immigration rules and the nursing regulator’s licensing requirements for your intended province or territory.
Canada also has extreme weather conditions in many areas, and you need to be sure that you can adapt to the local climate and daylight changes. Studying nursing in Canada is demanding, so choosing a city and campus environment that supports your well-being is important. Canada also has French-speaking communities, especially in Quebec, and this may benefit you if you are already fluent in French or want to study in a bilingual environment.
Step 3. Meet English Proficiency Requirements for Nursing in Canada
At the high school or post-secondary level, nursing applicants are usually expected to have completed English, mathematics, and science prerequisites, but exact requirements vary by program. If English is not your first language, you may need IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL, Duolingo, PTE, or another accepted test. Always check the official admissions page for your chosen university because nursing programs sometimes require higher scores than the university-wide minimum.
For example, the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing currently requires IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, with minimum component scores of Reading 6, Listening 6, Speaking 7, and Writing 6. For TOEFL iBT tests taken on the newer 1–6 scale, the requirement is 4.5 overall, with component minimums of Reading 4, Listening 4.5, Speaking 5, and Writing 4. TOEFL scores from tests taken before January 21, 2026, are still accepted for up to two years if they meet the old minimum of 90 overall, with minimum component scores.
Other universities may use different requirements. Dalhousie University’s general undergraduate English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 90 with no band below 20. The University of Ottawa’s direct-entry English requirement is IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing. The University of Toronto’s current undergraduate English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 89 with 22 in Speaking and Writing for tests taken before January 21, 2026; newer TOEFL iBT scores use the 1–6 scale. McMaster University’s undergraduate English requirement is commonly listed as TOEFL iBT 86 with at least 20 in each category, or IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component.
The University of Alberta offers a bilingual Bachelor of Science in Nursing where students study in French and English. Applicants to this program must demonstrate adequate written and spoken proficiency in both languages. Also, if you need any tips regarding English proficiency tests, you can visit either the TOEFL Guide or the IELTS Guide for more information.
Step 4. Prepare to Pay Tuition Fees
The cost of studying and living in Canada can be high, and tuition varies significantly by university, student status, province, and annual fee updates. For international students, a four-year nursing degree can cost well over CAD $100,000 in tuition alone at some universities once all years are added together. Always check the current fee schedule before budgeting.
At McMaster University, 2025-26 international tuition for the standard Nursing program is listed at CAD $1,724.48 per unit, while Accelerated Nursing is listed at CAD $1,570.02 per unit. A typical full course load is 30 units per academic year, and supplemental fees may apply.
At Western University in London, Ontario, the 2025-26 international tuition for Nursing is listed at CAD $58,056 for Years 1 to 3 and CAD $55,905 for Year 4, before some ancillary and program-related fees. Western also lists nursing-related fees such as placement kits, clinical fieldwork training, and eLearning tools. Nursing students should also budget for items such as uniforms, supplies, CPR certification, immunization documentation, police or vulnerable-sector checks, mask fit testing, and transportation to clinical placements, depending on the school and placement site.
Step 5. Prepare Your Application
It is vital to prepare your application carefully. Nursing programs are competitive, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Some programs may use admissions averages, prerequisite courses, interviews, situational judgment tests such as Casper, supplementary applications, or seat-allocation rules.
The University of Toronto’s Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing is highly ranked; its website states that the 2026 QS Rankings place Bloomberg Nursing at No. 1 in Canada and No. 4 in the world. The school also provides application information and deadlines for its two-year BScN program.
Documents vary by school and applicant type. You may need high school or post-secondary transcripts, proof of prerequisite courses, English-language test results, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and additional clinical-placement documents after admission. Review the official checklist for each program before submitting your application.
Step 6. Apply to Nursing Schools
It is important to submit your applications early and avoid last-minute issues. Canadian universities typically begin the fall term in September, but deadlines vary by university, applicant type, and program. Some schools also have separate deadlines for scholarships, supplementary applications, documents, Casper testing, interviews, or deposits.
At the University of Calgary, for example, fall undergraduate applications open on August 15 for international students and October 1 for domestic applicants. For Fall 2026, UCalgary’s main-campus BScN uses a lottery admission process for qualified applicants, so applicants should read the current nursing admissions page carefully.
This process also comes with application fees. McGill University lists a non-refundable undergraduate application fee of CAD $140.16. Graduate application fees for Summer and Fall 2026 are listed at CAD $139.63. Since fees vary by university and change over time, budget for application costs in addition to tuition, immigration, testing, and travel expenses.
Step 7. After Admission, Apply for Student Visa
To study nursing in Canada as an international student, you will usually need a Canadian study permit. After being admitted, you generally need a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) unless you are exempt, and other required documents before submitting your study permit application.
If you plan to study in Quebec, you must first obtain an attestation of issuance of a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). IRCC states that, for Quebec students, the CAQ serves as the PAL/TAL. The Quebec government lists the CAQ application fee for studies at CAD $135 from January 1, 2026, and says a decision is made within 25 business days in 80% of complete applications.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website provides the official study permit instructions. The study permit processing fee is CAD $150, and most applicants must apply online. You may also need to give biometrics, which currently cost CAD $85 for an individual applicant. Processing times vary by country, so start early and keep copies of all documents.
FAQs: Enrolling in a Nursing Program in Canada
How Many Years Does It Take to Become a Nurse in Canada?
For most direct-entry RN students, it usually takes four years to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent approved nursing degree. Accelerated or second-entry RN programs may take about two years for applicants who already meet university-level prerequisite requirements. Practical Nursing diploma programs often take about two years, while Registered Psychiatric Nursing pathways vary by province and school.
International students can study nursing in Canada if they meet the university’s admissions requirements, language requirements, clinical-placement requirements, and immigration requirements. After graduation, working as a nurse requires registration with the appropriate provincial or territorial nursing regulator.
We hope that this article on how to study nursing in Canada was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Courses for International Students to learn more about the open programs around the world!
