Studying in Vancouver
British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver is Canada’s west-coast hub, framed by ocean and mountains, with a mild climate, a strong tech and film industry, and excellent universities. Its natural beauty and lifestyle come with some of the highest housing costs in the country.
Universities and major institutes
- University of British Columbia (UBC)
- Simon Fraser University (SFU)
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
- Emily Carr University of Art and Design
- Langara and Douglas colleges
Cost of living
Vancouver rivals Toronto for Canada’s highest rents. Expect CAD $900–$1,500 per month for a room in a shared apartment, with good transit (SkyTrain and bus) connecting the campuses.
Neighbourhoods for students
- Kitsilano / Point Grey — near UBC, beachy and popular.
- Burnaby — SFU’s mountaintop campus, more affordable nearby.
- Downtown / West End — central and walkable, higher rents.
- Metrotown / New Westminster — cheaper and well-connected by SkyTrain.
Institutions in Vancouver
Simon Fraser University
A research-intensive university with a striking hilltop campus in Burnaby, part of the greater Vancouver area.
University of British Columbia
A leading research university on Canada's west coast, with a spectacular main campus overlooking the Pacific in Vancouver.
Explore more: universities in Canada, cost of living, and student visas.