How do McGill and UBC tuition compare for international students?

McGill is often a bit less expensive than UBC for international students, especially on tuition alone, though the gap depends a lot on your program. At both schools, international tuition is charged by faculty or degree, so Arts and Science can look very different from Engineering, Commerce, or specialized programs. You should also expect mandatory student fees, health insurance, and living costs on top of tuition at either university.

The second big factor is cost of living. UBC’s Vancouver location usually makes total cost higher because housing and day-to-day expenses in Vancouver tend to be very expensive. McGill is in Montreal, where rent and general living costs are often more manageable, so even if tuition were similar for a specific major, overall yearly cost may still favor McGill.

Extra fees exist at both schools and can add up. UBC and McGill both charge student society fees, transit or campus service fees, and health coverage costs for international students, but these are usually much smaller than the difference created by tuition and housing.