UK vs Canada Cost Comparison for Pakistani Students 2026 — Complete Guide
The UK vs Canada cost comparison for Pakistani students in 2026 is one of the most important factors when planning to study abroad. This guide explains tuition fees, living costs, part-time earnings, and scholarships to help you choose the most affordable option.
UK vs Canada Cost 2026 – Tuition Fees Comparison
The fee charged by universities and colleges is considered to be the biggest financial burden on any international student. Below are your actual expenses in both nations.
Read our Study Abroad Pakistan 2026 Guide to understand the complete application process before choosing your destination.
Tuition Fees by Program Level
| Program Level | UK (Per Year) | Canada (Per Year) |
| Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) | £13,000 – £32,000 | CAD 15,000 – CAD 50,000 |
| Postgraduate (Master’s) | £13,000 – £32,000 | CAD 20,000 – CAD 30,000 |
| PhD / Doctoral Degree | £15,000 – £24,000 | CAD 12,000 – CAD 20,000 |
| MBA Program | £13,000 – £32,000 | CAD 24,000 – CAD 40,000 |
Which Country Is Cheaper for Tuition — UK or Canada?
On the paper, tuition costs for one academic year in the UK look more expensive. However, the primary thing here is the period of studying:
- Three years for Bachelors in the UK
- Four years for Bachelors in Canada
- One year for Masters in the UK
- Two years for Masters in Canada
That is why a Masters course in the UK at £15,000 per year would cost £15,000, whereas a Masters course in Canada at CAD 22,000 would cost CAD 44,000 per year.
UK vs Canada Cost 2026 – Living Expenses
After tuition, living costs are the second biggest concern. Here is a full breakdown.
Monthly Living Cost Comparison
| Expense | UK (Per Month) | Canada (Per Month) |
| Shared Accommodation | £610 – £1,255 | CAD 250 – CAD 700 |
| On-Campus Housing | £664 – £850 | CAD 500 – CAD 1,500 |
| Food & Groceries | £100 – £300 | CAD 300 – CAD 500 |
| Transport | £44 – £100 | CAD 100 – CAD 150 |
| Internet & Phone | £12 – £30 | CAD 50 – CAD 76 |
| Electricity & Gas | £80 | CAD 200 |
| Total Monthly | £900 – £1,800 | CAD 1,500 – CAD 2,500 |
City-by-City Comparison
Cities in UK:
- London: £1,200 – £1,500 per month – Most expensive
- Manchester/Birmingham: £800 – £1,000 per month – Affordable
- Sheffield/Nottingham/Leeds: £700 – £900 per month – Budget-friendly
Cities in Canada:
- Toronto/Vancouver: CAD 1,500 – 2,000 per month – Most expensive
- Ottawa/Calgary: CAD 1,200 – 1,500 per month – Mid-Range
- Halifax/Winnipeg/Edmonton: CAD 1,000 – 1,300 per month – Affordable
Tip for Pakistani students: Do not choose cities such as London and Toronto because they are most expensive for Pakistani students. There are other cities that offer good universities and much less expensive living expenses, such as Manchester in the UK and Halifax in Canada.
UK vs Canada Cost Comparison for Part-Time Earnings — How Much Can Pakistani Students Earn ?
Both countries allow international students to work 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.
Part-Time Work Earnings Comparison 2026
| Factor | UK | Canada |
| Minimum Wage | £11.44 per hour | CAD 16.55 per hour |
| Weekly Earnings (20 hrs) | £228.80 | CAD 331 |
| Monthly Earnings | £915 approx | CAD 1,324 approx |
| In Pakistani Rupees | ~PKR 3.2–3.5 Lakh | ~PKR 2.8–3.0 Lakh |
The difference between Canada’s and the UK’s minimum wage is negligible, but the value of the pound sterling compared to the Pakistani rupee is currently high enough that your monthly income in PKR would be slightly better in the UK. You can earn money for a large part of your expenses from part-time jobs in both countries.
Note: Canada has amended its regulations recently. International students have the opportunity to work up to 24 hours per week during term time.
Total Cost of Study—UK vs Canada Full Comparison for Pakistani Students
Total Cost for a Master’s Degree
| Cost Factor | UK (1 Year) | Canada (2 Years) |
| Tuition | £15,000 | CAD 44,000 |
| Living Expenses | £12,000 | CAD 30,000 |
| Visa Fee | £363 | CAD 150 |
| Health Surcharge (IHS) | £776 | Included in provincial health |
| Total Estimated | ~£28,000 | ~CAD 74,000 |
For a Master’s degree, the UK is significantly cheaper in total because of the 1-year program duration.
Total Cost for a Bachelor’s Degree
| Cost Factor | UK (3 Years) | Canada (4 Years) |
| Tuition | £51,000 | CAD 80,000 |
| Living Expenses | £33,000 | CAD 56,000 |
| Total Estimated | ~£84,000 | ~CAD 136,000 |
For a Bachelor’s degree, the UK is again cheaper overall due to the 3-year program structure.
Post-Study Work Options—UK vs Canada 2026
Post-study jobs are an important aspect of this UK vs Canada cost comparison, as they will determine the time taken for you to break even.
UK Graduate Route Visa
- Reside and work in the UK for 2 years after finishing your studies (3 years for PhD students)
- Job offer not required
- Lowest wage: £11.44 per hour
- Earning ability £25,000 to £35,000 per annum
Canada Postgraduate Work Permit PGWP
- Reside and work in Canada for up to 3 years after finishing your studies
- Job offer not required
- Easy way to gain Permanent Residency through Express Entry
- Earning ability: CAD 45,000 to CAD 65,000 per annum
The median salary in Canada is between CAD 55,000 and CAD 85,000 per year
The winner for a post-study visa in Canada wins by a clear margin.
Scholarships—UK vs Canada for Pakistani Students 2026
Top UK Scholarships for Pakistani Students
| Scholarship | Coverage | Level |
| Chevening Scholarship | Fully funded — tuition, living, flights | Master’s |
| Commonwealth Scholarship | Fully funded | Master’s / PhD |
| GREAT Scholarships Pakistan | £10,000 award | Master’s |
| University of Birmingham Global Masters | £2,000 tuition reduction | Master’s |
| University of Manchester Global Futures | Up to £10,000 per year | Undergraduate |
Top Canadian Scholarships for Pakistani Students
| Scholarship | Coverage | Level |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | CAD 50,000 per year | PhD |
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship | Fully funded at University of Toronto | Undergraduate |
| UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award | Full tuition + living | Undergraduate |
| HEC Pakistan Scholarships | Government funded | Master’s / PhD |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | Up to CAD 15,000 | Master’s / PhD |
UK vs Canada—Full Side-by-Side Comparison for Pakistani Students 2026
| Category | United Kingdom | Canada |
| Study Duration | 3-year Bachelor’s / 1-year Master’s | 4-year Bachelor’s / 2-year Master’s |
| Tuition Per Year | £13,000 – £32,000 | CAD 15,000 – CAD 50,000 |
| Living Cost Per Year | £10,000 – £18,000 | CAD 15,000 – CAD 25,000 |
| Part-Time Work | 20 hrs/week — £11.44/hr | 24 hrs/week — CAD 16.55/hr |
| Post-Study Work Visa | 2 years | Up to 3 years |
| Permanent Residency | Possible but limited | Strong — via Express Entry |
| Visa Fee | £363 | CAD 150 |
| Health Coverage | NHS via IHS surcharge | Provincial health insurance |
| Top Universities | Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, UCL | Toronto, UBC, McGill, Waterloo |
| Climate | Mild, rainy | Cold winters, warm summers |
| Total Master’s Cost | ~£28,000 | ~CAD 74,000 |
Which is better for Pakistani Students—UK or Canada in 2026?
The answer will depend upon what is more important to you
Choose the UK if:
- You want to save money on total program cost
- You prefer a shorter degree—1-year master’s, 3-year Bachelor’s
- You want to be in Europe and travel easily
- You are applying for Chevening or Commonwealth scholarships
Choose Canada if:
- You are thinking long-term and want permanent residency
- You want a longer post-study work permit (3 years vs 2)
- You are okay with higher upfront costs for better long-term returns
- You prefer a warmer, more spacious lifestyle outside cities
Planning everything alone can be difficult.
Check the best consultants in Lahore to get expert help with university selection, SOP, and the visa process.
Frequently Asked Questions — UK vs Canada Cost for Pakistani Students
Q: Is the UK cheaper than Canada for Pakistani students?
For Master’s degrees, the UK is significantly cheaper in total because programs are 1 year instead of 2. For bachelor’s degrees, the UK is also cheaper overall due to 3-year programs vs 4 years in Canada.
Q: How much does a Master’s degree cost in the UK for Pakistani students?
The total cost, including tuition and living expenses, for a 1-year UK Master’s is approximately £28,000 to £35,000.
Q: How much does a Master’s degree cost in Canada for Pakistani students?
The total cost for a 2-year Canadian Master’s including tuition and living expenses, is approximately CAD 60,000 to CAD 80,000.
Q: Can Pakistani students work while studying in Canada and the UK?
Yes. Both countries allow 20 hours per week during term time. Canada recently updated to allow up to 24 hours per week off-campus.
Q: Which country is better for PR after studying—the UK or Canada?
Canada is significantly better for permanent residency. The Express Entry system gives international graduates a clear and achievable pathway to Canadian PR.
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