Canada is one of the most popular study abroad destination choices for higher education. The country houses the world’s top-ranked universities that offer globally-recognised degrees. Additionally, a welcoming environment and student-friendly visa policies are two factors that attract international students to this educational hub.
In Canada, you can easily find a variety of student housing options as per your budget and requirements, but you must plan in advance to find the right accommodation. So, let’s get started to know popular options for accommodation in Canada for international students and more.
- Types of accommodation in Canada for students
- On-campus accommodation
- Off-campus accommodation
- Cost of accommodation in Canada for Indian students
- How to find accommodation in Canada for international students?
- How can Avanse Financial Services help in your academic journey to Canada?
Types of accommodation in Canada for students
On-campus accommodation: On-campus accommodation is living inside or near the university campus. Some benefits of staying on campus are easy access to amenities, proximity to classes, more time to participate in campus activities, and meal facilities. The most popular on-campus accommodation options are:
- University halls: University halls are large living spaces with a common kitchen. These halls accommodate several students and are well-equipped with laundry services, internet facilities, and meal services.
- Townhouses: Townhouses are three or five-bedroom houses where 3-5 students share one room with a common dining area. These living spaces are within the university campus.
- Dormitories: Dormitories are usually large residential areas where students can stay together. If you are looking for a student-friendly environment with easy access to multiple facilities, dorms are for you.
Off-campus accommodation: The off-campus accommodation is living outside the university campus with more privacy and freedom. The most popular off-campus accommodation options are as follows:
- Homestays: In homestays, students stay in a private room offered by Canadian families. These families even offer 2-3 meals to students. It is like staying as a paying guest. This option will give you a chance to socialise with the locals and learn new culture and language.
- Furnished/unfurnished rental apartments: Students can either stay alone or with roommates in rental apartments. The furnished apartments include a bed, table, and other facilities like a refrigerator and stove, whereas unfurnished apartments do not offer basic furnishing.
- Private rooms: These are single rooms that sometimes come with internet facilities and food. However, finding the facilities included before you land in your preferred destination is recommended.
Cost of accommodation in Canada for Indian students
The cost of student accommodation in Canada may vary from one location to another. For instance, Toronto is one of the most expensive cities in Canada. Therefore, the costs of Toronto student accommodation are higher than costs in other cities. Similarly, other factors like the type of accommodation and facilities available also affect the overall housing cost. On average, the monthly rental costs for different types of accommodation in Canada for Indian students are mentioned below:
|
Types of accommodation |
Monthly Rent |
|
Dormitories |
~INR 21,300 to ~INR 38,100 |
|
Townhouses |
~INR 24,400 to ~INR 48,800 |
|
Homestays |
~INR 36,600 to ~INR 67,000 |
|
Shared Apartments |
~INR 42,700 to ~INR 61,000 |
|
Private rooms |
~INR 91,500 to ~INR 1,52,500 |
How to find accommodation in Canada for international students?
Planning and extensive research is essential to find the right accommodation at the right place and within your budget. Hence, select a suitable city for your stay. For instance, you should search for Vancouver student accommodation if you have applied to institutions in Vancouver. The next step is to decide upon the accommodation type based on your preference. You can find student accommodation in Canada in the following ways:
- Take help from the university’s housing department or office to find on-campus housing options. Even consulting with the International Student Committee or Association proves to be helpful.
- Local newspapers, social media groups, accommodation websites and networking are some reliable and effective ways to find off-campus accommodation.
It is advised not to look for rental accommodation at the last minute; instead, start searching for light-on-the-pocket student accommodation options from your home country. Do not finalise the property or transfer any money to the owner before arriving at your study abroad destination and meeting with the property owner face-to-face. Lastly, be careful and beware of scams during this whole process.
Pro-Tip: Start looking for student accommodation as soon as you receive a letter of acceptance from the university.
How can Avanse Financial Services help in your academic journey to Canada?
We offer an education loan to study abroad that covers the holistic cost of education, such as tuition fees, accommodation expenses, travelling expenses, and other education-related expenses. Our student loans come with benefits like 100% finance, quick loan sanctions, and multiple repayment options. Therefore, contact us today to get more details!
