Study in VancouverCanada

    Vancouver consistently ranks among the world's most liveable cities, surrounded by mountains and ocean. UBC is a top-40 global university, and the city's tech sector (nicknamed 'Silicon Valley North') provides strong career prospects. The main challenge: it's Canada's most expensive city for housing.

    Monthly Living Costs in Vancouver

    Expense
    ๐Ÿ’ฐ Budget
    โš–๏ธ Standard
    Rent (room in shared flat)CA$1,000โ€“1,300/moCA$1,500โ€“2,000/mo
    Groceries & foodCA$300โ€“400/moCA$450โ€“600/mo
    TransportCA$100โ€“130/moCA$130โ€“170/mo
    Phone & internetCA$50โ€“60/moCA$60โ€“80/mo
    Entertainment & miscCA$100โ€“150/moCA$200โ€“300/mo
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    *Costs vary by neighborhood and lifestyle. Amounts in CAD.

    Top Universities

    University of British Columbia (UBC)

    Top 40 globally. Beautiful Point Grey campus. International: CA$42,000-55,000/yr.

    Simon Fraser University (SFU)

    Strong in computing, business, communications. Burnaby campus.

    British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

    Applied/technical focus. Exceptional graduate employment rate.

    Student Life in Vancouver

    Vancouver students enjoy skiing in the morning and beach in the afternoon โ€” the outdoor lifestyle is unmatched. Student life centres around Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, and Commercial Drive. The city is very walkable and cyclable, with SkyTrain connecting major areas. Vancouver's Asian food scene is world-class (best sushi outside Japan, by many accounts). The mild climate (no extreme winters) is a major draw compared to Toronto or Montreal.

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    Last updated: February 2026 ยท Data refreshed monthly