Many students looking to apply to Canadian medical schools don’t truly appreciate the total costs of going to medical school. Although not as high as most American medical schools, the costs for medical school in Canada are still quite high. Many students forget to include the price of mandatory books, supplies, and equipment in their calculations. These additional costs make a medical degree one of the most expensive university degrees for students in Canada.
The cost of medical schools in Canada is an important factor in deciding which medical school you attend. We’ve compiled the most up-to-date information on the total cost you can expect to pay for each of the 17 medical schools in Canada. Additionally, we’ve included a list of resources and opportunities for students looking to help pay for their medical school journey. If you would like to skip to a specific part of this guide you can click any of the links below:
- Medical School Tuition Fees for In-Province Students
- Medical School Tuition Fees for Out-of-Province Students
- Medical School Tuition Fees for International Students
- Living Expenses
- Additional Expenses (Textbooks, Equipment, Licensure, etc)
- Making Money During Medical School
Medical School Tuition Fees for In-Province Students
For Canadian residents living in the same province as the medical school, the table below summarizes the estimated tuition costs each year. These numbers do not fluctuate much from year to year.
The 3 medical schools in Quebec charge higher tuition to non-Quebec Canadian residents.
| University | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | $23k | $23k | $23k | $23k | $92k |
| McMaster University | $25k | $25k | $25k | - | $75k |
| Western University | $25k | $25k | $25k | $25k | $100k |
| University of Ottawa | $20k | $19k | $18k | $18k | $75k |
| University of British Columbia | $19k | $19k | $19k | $19k | $76k |
| Northern Ontario School of Medicine | $23k | $23k | $23k | $23k | $92k |
| University of Manitoba | $10k | $10k | $10k | $10k | $40k |
| University of Saskatchewan | $18k | $18k | $18k | $18k | $72k |
| University of Alberta | $13k | $13k | $13k | $13k | $52k |
| University of Calgary | $15k | $15k | $15k | - | $45k |
| Memorial University | $12k | $12k | $12k | $12k | $48k |
| Dalhousie University | $21k | $21k | $21k | $21k | $84k |
| McGill University | $5k | $4k | $4k | $3k | $16k |
| Université Laval | $4k | $4k | $4k | $4k | $16k |
| Université de Sherbrooke | $5k | $5k | $6k | $6k | $22k |
| Université de Montréal | $3.5k | $4k | $4.5k | $4.5k | $16.5k |
Medical School Tuition Fees for Out-of-Province Students
The table below summarizes the tuition costs for Canadian residents not residing in the province of Quebec.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Total Tuition Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill University | $20k | $20k | $20k | $20k | $80k |
| Université Laval | $12.5k | $12.5k | $12.5k | $12.5k | $50k |
| Université de Sherbrooke | $13k | $13k | $13k | $13k | $52k |
| Université de Montréal | $11k | $11k | $11k | $11k | $44k |
All the non-Quebec medical schools in Canada charge the same tuition to all Canadian residents.
Medical School Tuition Fees for International Students
The table below summarizes the medical school tuition costs for international students studying in a medical school in Canada. Most medical schools do not accept international applicants. The medical school costs for the universities that have little to no international applicants are not included in this list.
| University | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | $85k | $85k | $85k | $85k | $340k |
| McMaster University | $95k | $95k | $95k | - | $285k |
| Queen's University | $86 | $86 | $86 | $86 | $344k |
| Memorial University | $30k | $30k | $30k | $30k | $120k |
| McGill University | $42k | $33k | $33k | $23k | $131k |
| Université Laval | $28k | $28k | $28k | $28k | $112k |
| Université de Montréal | $32k | $29k | $43k | $43k | $147k |
Living Expenses
In addition to tuition fees, it is important to take into consideration the cost of living in the various cities these universities are located in.
| University | Monthly Living Expenses Without Rent | Monthly Rent for 1 Bedroom Apartment | Total Living Expenses for all Years of Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | $1.2k | $2k | $154k |
| McMaster University | $1.2k | $1.4k | $71k |
| Western Univrsity | $1.1k | $1.3k | $115k |
| University of Ottawa | $1.2k | $1.6k | $134k |
| University of British Columbia | $1.2k | $2k | $128k |
| Norther Ontario School of Medicine | $1.1k | $1k | $101k |
| University of Manitoba | $1.1k | $1k | $101k |
| University of Saskatchewan | $1.2k | $1.2k | $84k |
| University of Alberta | $1.2k | $1.2k | $115k |
| University of Calgary | $1.1k | $1.3k | $115k |
| Memorial University | $1k | $850 | $89k |
| Dalhousie University | $1.2k | $1.4k | $94k |
| McGill University | $1.1k | $1.3k | $115k |
| Université Laval | $1k | $1k | $96k |
| Université de Sherbrooke | $1k | $1k | $96k |
| Université de Montréal | $1.1k | $1.3k | $139k |
Additional Expenses
On top of tuition and living expenses, we have compiled a list of miscellaneous expenses that most medical students will have to pay. These numbers are estimated and may vary between universities depending on what is included in school tuition.
- Textbooks and Equipment: (Approximately $500-$1500 per year) Medical students will be required to purchase textbooks, however, the price may vary depending on the format and condition students choose to buy. Additionally, students may be required to purchase their own equipment including, computers, lab equipment, reflex hammers, tuning forks, and otoscopes.
- Licensure Exam: ($1400) This is a requirement for all medical students. Both the MCCQE I and II must be passed in order for students to obtain Licentiate of Medical Council of Canada (LMCC).
- CaRMS Applications: ($400) The Canadian Residets Matching Service is used by medical school students to apply to various reidency programs.
Making Money During Medical School
Although not as expensive as American medical schools, studying medicine in Canada is still extremely costly. Here are some ways that students can help pay for their medical school costs while studying. Please note that we are not financial experts and this is not expert advice.
- Scholarship and Bursaries: Every medical school in Canada offers scholarships to applicants. These scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic excellence, or community involvement. Additionally, many organizations, such as the College of Family Physicians in Canada, offer awards, bursaries, and grants to medical school students interested in their specializations.
- Paid Internships/Summer Jobs: There are many internships and jobs availible solely to medical school students. Additionally, many students work other part-time jobs not related to the medical field to pay for medical school. Here are a few examples of internships offered to medical school students in each province
- Government Aid: Government aid such as loans and grants are provided to students studyign medicine in Canada. Each province and territory has their own program which can be found here:
- Bank Loans and Lines of Credit: Many students choose to obtain loans and lines of credit from banks to help fund their way through medical school. Fortunately, because of the high salary that doctors make banks are usually more than happy to offer low interest loans to students who are not fully covered by government aid. These loans may also come with certain credit card perks, however, this shouldn’t be the main reason to get a loan.
Medical school costs should only be one aspect of determining which school you apply to. Another key factor in determining which university you want to apply to is the requirements and admission statistics for each medical school. For more information click the link above. Additionally, check out our pages regarding various components of the medical school application process including MCAT, CASPer, and Interview Prep.
FAQ on Medical School Costs in Canada
How much does medical school cost in Canada?
In Canada, for Canadian residents, the total medical school tuition for the 4 years of the program ranges between $40,000 to $100,000 depending on the school. For an international student, the total tuition ranges from $120,000 to $400,000.
Is Medical School 3 or 4 years?
In Canada, most medical schools are 4 years in length. However, some, such as the McMaster Medical School Program, are 3 years in length.
Is dental school more expensive than medical school?
Dental Schools in Canada are about 50% more expensive than medical schools. A dentistry degree is the most expensive degree in university because of the high mandatory costs of the instruments and supplies that students must purchase in order to train.