Study abroad › Canada

Studying in Canada

The study-permit money rule changed for the 2026/27 intake – here’s the current figure, checked directly on canada.ca.

Study permit: proof of funds

For study-permit applications submitted on or after 1 September 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show CAD 23,448 for one year of living expenses (up from CAD 22,895) – this is on top of first-year tuition and travel costs, not instead of them. Quebec sets its own, separate figure.

Checked Source: canada.ca (opens the official page)

Universities with published South Africa entry rules

Canada has no single national equivalency rule like the UK’s UCAS – each university sets its own.

Checked on an official page

University of British Columbia (UBC, Vancouver)

Programme-specific course requirements

Needs the National Senior Certificate; past years required around a 75% average (minimum pass 40%). Specific course prerequisites vary by programme, e.g. Applied Science (Engineering) and Science need Pre-Calculus Maths and Physical Sciences; Commerce needs Pre-Calculus Maths; Dental Hygiene needs Life Science, Physical Science, and an interview.

Source: you.ubc.ca (opens the official page)

How to apply: Apply via EducationPlannerBC (CAD 173.25 for study-permit applicants) (opens the official page)

Contact: 604 822 8999 (you.ubc.ca (opens the official page))

Checked on an official page

Western University

Programme-specific course requirements

Needs the Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement; typically admits with the equivalent of a B (3.0) average. Required subjects vary: Medical Sciences needs Biology, Chemistry and Maths; Nursing needs Biology, Chemistry, English and Maths; Arts & Humanities has none.

Source: welcome.uwo.ca (opens the official page)

Contact: international@uwo.ca · (519) 661-2100

Checked on an official page

University of Ottawa

General undergraduate entry

Applicants straight from the NSC need a minimum 75% average (higher for some programmes); applicants with some post-secondary study already need a minimum 70% average.

Source: uottawa.ca (opens the official page)

Checked on an official page

University of Toronto

General undergraduate entry, no published percentage

Requires the National Senior Certificate with matriculation endorsement, but publishes no specific percentage – admission is competitive review on top of meeting the matriculation endorsement.

Source: future.utoronto.ca (opens the official page)

How to apply: Apply via OUAC (Ontario Universities’ Application Centre) (opens the official page)

Contact: international@utoronto.ca · +1 416 946 8828 (international.utoronto.ca (opens the official page))

A handful of examples, not a full list – always check the specific university’s own international-admissions page, since course prerequisites can differ a lot within one university.

Funding

UBC’s Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award is need-and-merit based: it covers significant or full financial need plus tuition, and is renewable for up to 3–4 years, for students who “would be unable to attend university without significant financial assistance.” Fewer than 30 are awarded each year, so it’s highly competitive – but it’s open to all international undergraduate applicants, with no South Africa exclusion on the page.

Checked Source: you.ubc.ca (opens the official page)

Not sure Canada is the right fit?

See every country we’ve checked →