GENERAL

Bachelor of Arts in Canada 2025: Top Universities, Fees, Eligibility & Career Scope

PG
Pragya Gupta • 10 Mins read • 22 Jul 25
Bachelor of Arts in CanadaBachelor of Arts in Canada

A decision to study in Canada for Indian students provides access to the best education, diverse cultural experience, and career opportunities. 

The total cost of study in Canada for Indian students falls in a range of CAD 69, 000-82, 000 (Rs. 41-49 Lakhs) per annum, so budgeting your finances is crucial, but the cost to study in Canada for Indian students is good to go when compared to other international study destinations. 

Some of the best universities in Canada for international students include; University of Toronto, UBC and McGill, which all feature excellent scholarship packages and strong arts programmes. 

Then, why study in Canada, right? In addition to affordable fees and high academic standards, three years of Post-Graduation Work Permits and easy immigration route provide the graduates with several opportunities leaving Canada as a perfect destination to meet the aspirations of the world in arts.


Bachelor of Arts in Canada Details/Highlights

A Bachelor of Arts in Canada is usually 3-4 years long and offers flexible humanities, social sciences majors. So here is a sum up:

Aspect

Details

Duration

3–4 years

Popular Majors

Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, History

Top Universities

University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, University of Alberta

Average Annual Tuition

₹32,75,130 - 39,05,220

Average Annual Living Cost

₹9,44,811 - 11,33,751

Intake Seasons

Fall (September), Winter (January), Spring (May – limited)

 


The cost to study in Canada for Indian students (tuition + living) is between ₹42,20,076 - 50,38,897 per annum, which is competitive to other famous destinations. Financial assistance is also provided by governments and universities, which lower the total cost of study in Canada for Indian students considerably.


Bachelor of Arts in Canada – Important Dates and Events

Application Start & End Dates for Top Universities

University

Opens

Deadline

University of Toronto

October 1, 2024

January 15, 2025

McGill University (Intl.)

November 1, 2024

January 15, 2025

UBC

Early October 2024

January 31, 2025


Visa Application Timeline

International students should apply for a Canadian study permit as soon as they get accepted. 3–4 months plan:

  • Apply: March–May 2025
  • Receive Permit: By July 2025, for September intake

This guarantees that you meet the why study in Canada timeline and don't face any last-minute hold ups.

Scholarship Deadline for 2025

All merit and entrance scholarships usually close up between December 2024 and March 2025.

  • Lester B. Pearson (U of T): November 30, 2024
  • UBC International Scholars: January 15, 2025
  • McGill Entrance Scholarships: January 21, 2025

The early-application reduces the total cost of study in Canada for Indian students and averts the cost to study in Canada for Indian students.


Bachelor of Arts in Canada Fees

Expense

Annual Cost (CAD)

Approx. INR

Tuition

52,000–62,000

₹32–39 Lakhs

Living (food, rent)

15,000–18,000

₹9–11 Lakhs

Health Insurance

800

₹48,000

Books & Supplies

1,000–1,500

₹60,000–₹90,000


The total cost of study in Canada for Indian students is CAD 69, 000 - 82, 000 (₹42 - 50 Lakh) per year. It is possible to pay a limited number of merit and needs-based scholarships which can cover 25-100 percent of the tuition, which decreases the amount of money required to be spent.


Why Choose a Bachelor of Arts in Canada?

The choice of studying in Canada for Indian students depends upon:

  • International acceptance: Degrees issued by Canadian universities are ranked as some of the best universities in Canada for international students.
  • Post-Graduation work permit (PGWP): A maximum of 3 years to work in Canada.
  • Immigration route: Permanent Residency in the form of Express entry system or the Provincial nominee program.
  • Cultural Diversity: Study with students from more than 150 countries.
  • Research & Facilities: Highly sophisticated libraries and laboratories.

All these factors make studying in Canada one of the best options to study arts and social sciences.


Bachelor of Arts in Canada Qualification

To be considered you will need:

  • Passage of 12th grade (CBSE/ISC or equivalent)
  • Subject total: 70-75 % (depends on the university)
  • Knowledge of the English language: IELTS > = 6.5 or TOEFL > = 90 (no band < 6.0).

Fulfilling these meets you satisfy Fundamental Admission Requirements and supports your pursuit to study in Canada for Indian students.


Bachelor of Arts in Canada Eligibility Criteria – Category‑wise

  1. Freshers: Immediately upon completion of 12th grade.
  2. Gap Year Applicants: These need to have a legitimate excuse (working, volunteering etc.).
  3. Academic Tier:
  • Departure 1 (U of T, McGill): 85 % or more.
  • Mid Tier (Carleton, Waterloo) : ≥ 75 %

Language Test Scores:

Test

Minimum Score

IELTS

6.5 overall (no band < 6.0)

TOEFL

90 overall


Bachelor of Arts in Canada Application Process

  • Select universities and majors Shortlist universities and majors
  • Log in to OUAC (Ontario) or Apply BC (UBC) web-site and create account
  • Scan SOP, LOR, transcripts, scores of tests
  • Tuition payment application fee (₹9,448 - 12,597)
  • Follow up offer portal

SOP, LOR, and Resume

  • SOP ( Statement of Purpose): A personal statement describing your motivations, goals in career and why you have chosen the program.
  • LOR (Letters of Recommendation): Your scores in the letters of recommendations provided by teachers or other colleagues who are capable of endorsing your academic or work potential.
  • Resume: It is not required in case of undergraduate studies, however there might be a need for a resume in specified programs or scholarship.

University‑Specific Admission Steps

  • UofT: Apply U of T through OUAC, fill additional forms in some programs.
  • UBC: Personal Profile (600 words).
  • McGill: Vocational: On-the-job training; course pre-requisites are various.


Top Bachelor of Arts Entrance Exams for Canada

GMAT Preparation Strategy

Although BA programs do not need GMAT, in the case you are planning to study Business Administration program, pay attention to quantitative reasoning and the verbal reasoning part.

IELTS /TOEFL Tips

  • IELTS: Find sample tests and practice listening and writing parts.
  • TOEFL: Reading, listening, writing part should be practiced regularly in order to get good scores.

GMAT Waiver MBA Schools

Business schools allow certain universities to waive the requirement of GMAT depending on the academic record or years of experience stemming in the same industry.


Bachelor of Arts in Canada Cutoff

IELTS/TOEFL Score Cutoffs

University

IELTS

TOEFL iBT

U of T

6.5 (no band < 6.0)

100

UBC

6.5

90

McGill

6.5–7.0

90–100


Completion of these is a guarantee of being admitted into the best universities in Canada for international students.


Bachelor of Arts Seats in Canada

Seats in Public Universities

U of T and UBC and many other large public schools have more than 5,000 BA students every year, and that means there is diversity and a wide range of peers.

Seats in Private Business Schools

There are also smaller cohorts of 300 to 500 students in private institutions (e.g. Yorkville University) which offers closer faculty connections and specialized tracks.


Bachelor of Arts in Canada Syllabus

Core Courses

  • Introduction of Humanities
  • Research Methods of Social Sciences
  • Cultural Studies
  • Writing and composition

Electives & Specializations

  • Indigenous Studies
  • Media & Communications
  • Gender & Sexuality Studies
  • Global Development
  • Environmental Humanities

The choices demonstrate the academic openness that lies behind why study in Canada.


Best Universities/Colleges for Bachelor of Arts in Canada

Public Universities

University

QS Rank 2025

Notable Majors

University of Toronto

25

Political Science, History

UBC

38

Psychology, Anthropology

McGill University

29

English Literature, Sociology


Private B‑Schools

  • Yorkville University (Media Studies)
  • Trinity Western University (Communication)

Global Rankings for Indian Applicants

These institutions have consistently maintained a position in the world top 50 in various humanities, making Canada as the nation with the best universities in Canada for international students.


Bachelor of Arts in Canada vs India (Comparison Table)

Factor

Canada

India

Tuition + Living

CAD 69,000–82,000 (₹43–51 Lakhs)

₹50,000–2 Lakhs

Global Exposure

High (multicultural campuses)

Moderate (domestic peers)

Work Permit

PGWP up to 3 years

N/A

Research Facilities

World-class libraries & labs

Varies by institution

PR Pathways

Express Entry, PNP

No direct benefit


This table highlights the ROI of the cost to study in Canada for Indian students.


Career Scope After Bachelor of Arts in Canada

Management Consulting

With critical thinking skills, BA graduates are recruited into companies such as Deloitte or McKinsey in entry-level analyst positions.

Finance/Banking

Students with majors in political science or economics enter RBC and TD Bank as analysts.

Entrepreneurship

Accelerators and grants are provided by the startup ecosystem in Canada to BA entrepreneurs.


Top Recruiters/Placement Companies

  • Deloitte
  • RBC
  • Scotiabank
  • Accenture
  • Government of Canada
  • NGOs and Think Tanks

These employers emphasize on the wide career opportunities following a Bachelor of Arts in Canada.


Bachelor of Arts in Canada Salary Package

Average Salary in Canada

  • Entry‑level BA graduates: ₹22 - 28 lakhs/year
  • Mid‑level (3–5 years exp.): ₹34 - 40 lakhs/year

Average Salary for Indian Students

Indian graduates begin at ₹25 - 31 lakhs based on city and position, making the total cost of study in Canada for Indian students a worthwhile investment.


Conclusion

To conclude, a Bachelor of Arts in Canada is a moderate combination of quality and price. Although there is an average of ₹43–51 Lakhs in a year as the total cost of study in Canada for Indian students, consisting of the cost of tuition and cost of living, this cost to study in Canada for Indian students is easily tackled through proper planning. The availability of the best universities in Canada for international students, a high rate of scholarships, and work permits post recruitment are some of the reasons why every day more people choose Canada when asked the question why study in Canada. For Indian students pursuing international education, international research facilities and a cheaper immigration process, to make a decision on study in Canada for Indian students is a move that pays back time and again after graduation.


Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. How much is the ‘total cost of study in Canada for Indian students’?

Ans. The annual estimated average total cost of study in Canada for Indian students generally falls between ₹43–51 Lakhs and includes tuition fee, living expenses, insurance and supplies.

Ques. What is the cost to study in Canada as an Indian student?

Ans. You may estimate the cost to study in Canada for Indian students by combining the tuition fee of your preferred university with average living costs (₹9 - 11 lakhs), health insurance and books.

Ques. What are considered the best universities in Canada full of international students which offer BA?

Ans. University of Toronto, UBC, and McGill are some of the top options in the list of the best universities in Canada for international students to pursue a BA degree, as it is related to arts education and scholarships.

Ques. What are the reasons why I should study in Canada as an Indian student rather than other countries?

Ans. By studying in Canada as an Indian student, you get the advantage of getting a world-class education, multicultural campuses, up to 3 years PGWP and easy PR options.

Ques. Why study in Canada as an aspiring arts student is a good choice?

Ans. The accessibility of cost to study in Canada for Indian students, high ranks of universities, and effective post-graduation work cards make Why study in Canada a bragging question.

Ques. Is there any possibility to offer scholarships to reduce the total cost of study in Canada on Indian students investing?

Ans. Now, universities such as U of T and UBC do have merit and need-based awards, which can cover the whole cost of studying in Canada as well as increase or decrease the cost of study in Canada by Indian students by up to 100%.

Ques. Is part-time work compensation for the cost of studying in Canada as an Indian student?

Ans. Definitely - 20 hrs/week at ₹881 - 1,259/hr work will go a long way towards reducing the cost of studying in Canada by the Indian student and towards livelihood needs.

Ques. Do freshers have a chance of doing a program in Canada to Indian students right after finishing Class 12?

Ans. Yes, Indian freshers having min scores of 70-100 percent and the necessary level of English can study in Canada directly in a BA program without any prior working-experience.

Ques. Are IELTS and TOEFL necessary in the best universities in Canada for international students?

Ans. All of the top schools, with the best universities in Canada to study as an international student, require IELTS 6.5 or higher or TOEFL 90 or higher to certify English competence.

Ques. What is the influence of study in Canada to Indian students on work prospects after graduation?

Ans. To study in Canada as an Indian student ensures a Post-Graduation Work Permit of up to 3 years which increases employability and chances of PR.