Mastering PTE Academic: A guide to the "Respond to a Situation" task

Canada is one of the most educated countries in the world. In fact, 63% of people aged 24-34 have completed their post-secondary education; only South Korea ranks higher among OECD countries.  

It comes as no surprise, then, that Canada is also home to some of the best universities in the world. From coast to coast, Canadian universities excel at innovation and research - and they work hard to support international students who’ve chosen to call the country home.  

So, which institutions should you have on your radar? Here are seven top international universities in Canada:  

1. University of British Columbia  

Founded in 1908, the University of British Columbia boasts some of the most beautiful campuses in Canada. It's largest

is in Vancouver and sits against a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Its second campus a few hours away is nestled in the unique Okanagan wine region.

But, the University of British Columbia doesn’t make our list just for its incredible locations. The university is also one of the world’s best research universities - it’s ranked 45th globally by the QS World University Rankings, and number three in Canada.  It’s also home to a top subatomic physics research lab, which possesses the world’s biggest cyclotron (a particle accelerator).  

And guess what? The University of British Columbia is also ranked North America’s most international university. Students from 166 countries are enrolled there, and the university also has a regional office in Hong Kong.  

Cost of living: Vancouver is the most expensive city in Canada. A one-bedroom apartment in downtown Vancouver costs about $2,050 CAD/month. Learn more about how much on-campus housing costs here.  

Tuition: Read more about the university’s fees here.  

You might like: How to apply for a Canadian student visa. 

2. University of Ottawa  

What better place to study than in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada? Sat on the border between Ontario and Quebec, the University of Ottawa is the largest bilingual university in the world. It was founded in 1848, and today offers more than 450 programs in French and English.  

The University of Ottawa campus features historic buildings, is close to the famous Rideau Canal, and was named number 6 in Canada for sustainability in 2020, according to the UI Greenmetric World University Rankings.  

In recent years, the university has also invested in five new state-of-the-art facilities and research labs - including a black box theatre and an innovative STEM complex. You can take a virtual tour of the whole campus here. 

Cost of living: A one-bedroom apartment downtown costs $1,618 CAD/month on average. Check out how much on-campus housing costs here.  

Tuition: Learn more about tuition fees with the University of Ottawa’s fee calculator. 

3. University of Alberta 

The University of Alberta is located in and around Edmonton, which is the capital city of the province of Alberta. It was also founded in 1908 and boasts 18 faculties stretched across five campuses - where students from 156 countries are enrolled.  

According to QS University Rankings, the University of Alberta is ranked 6th in Canada. It’s also ranked among the best in the world by the Centre for World University Rankings for a range of subjects - including forestry (5), geology (5), as well as - this one is cool -  paleontology (3)! In fact, a few hours from the University of Alberta is Dinosaur Provincial Park, which has been recognized by UNESCO for containing many of the most important fossils discovered from the “Age of the Dinosaurs.” 

Cost of living: A one-bedroom apartment in downtown Edmonton costs $1,171/month on average. Learn more about University of Alberta on-campus housing here.  

Tuition: Learn more about tuition fees at the University of Alberta here.  

4. Dalhousie University   

Dalhousie University is a research-intensive university in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was founded in 1818, and offers students more than 190 undergraduate and graduate programs. Like a few other universities on our list, Dalhousie University is part of the U15 - a group of 15 leading Canadian research universities. Nearly 20% of students at the school are international. 

Dalhousie boasts four campuses - three in Halifax and one a couple of hours away in a town called Truro. And, the province of Nova Scotia is an excellent place for international students to call home. It’s located in the heart of the Atlantic maritime, and students here will enjoy beautiful ocean views, vibrant nightlife, great live music, and friendly people. In fact, Canadian magazine Maclean’s named Halifax the best city in Canada to live and work remotely in 2021.  

Cost of living: Halifax is an affordable city in Canada. For example, a one-bedroom apartment downtown costs about $1,415/month. Check out how much on-campus housing at Dalhousie University costs here.  

Tuition: Learn more about tuition fees at Dalhousie University here.  

5. York University  

Founded in 1959, York University is the third-largest university in Canada. It’s located in Toronto - a great student city - and is home to 11 faculties. York excels in a range of courses - from education to psychology, to business. In fact, its executive master of business administration (EMBA) program was ranked first in Canada and number 21 in the world by Financial Times in 2020.  

York University has one main campus in Toronto, as well as a smaller bilingual campus closeby. It also boasts a Hyberbad campus, where students have the opportunity to split their two-year master of business administration (MBA) course between Canada and India, as well as Las Nubes EcoCampus, located on 414 acres of protected land in Costa Rica!  

Cost of living: A one-bedroom apartment in downtown Toronto costs about $2,100/month on average. But since York University is located outside the city center, rent may be cheaper. You can also find out more about on-campus housing at York University here.  

Tuition: Learn more about tuition fees at York University here.  

6. University of Manitoba  

The University of Manitoba is located in Winnipeg, right in the center of Canada. It was founded in 1877 - making it the oldest university in Western Canada! The university offers more than 100 programs, and more than 20% of students are international. The University of Manitoba also has one of the largest Indigenous student populations in the country.  

The university has two campuses; the largest one features 60+ buildings spread out through 692 acres, and the second is a world-class health sciences center located downtown Winnipeg. It’s also home to the Smartpark Research and Technology Park, an innovative hub that’s home to 10 buildings and 20 companies working in areas like ICT, engineering, and health and biotechnology.  

Cost of living: Winnipeg is very affordable. A one-bedroom apartment downtown costs just $1,077/month on average. Learn more about on-campus housing at the university here.  

Tuition: Learn more about tuition fees at University of Manitoba here. 

7. McGill University  

McGill University is based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1821, it’s one of the most prestigious universities in Canada - and ranked 2nd in the country by QS University Rankings (31st in the world).  

For the last 16 years, McGill’s also been ranked by Maclean’s Magazine as the best medical school in Canada. The university also has a global research focus - for example, they have international research partners in 99 countries. If you’re interested in the research they do, you can read about the 7 themes they focus most on here. 

One of the best parts of enrolling at McGill? You get to live in Montreal! McGill University boasts two campuses; the main downtown campus is filled with green space and historic buildings, while the second sits on 1606 acres about 45 minutes from the city. And with its incredible arts, culture, and diversity, Montreal was named the world’s best student city for international students this year.  

Check out our blog: 6 reasons to study in Quebec 

Cost of living: Montreal is also one of the most affordable big cities in Canada. It costs about 1,300 CAD/month on average to rent a one-bedroom apartment. Learn more about student residence costs here.  

Tuition: Learn more about tuition fees at McGill University here.  

Canada is home to many world-class universities - and we can help you earn a spot. Our computer-based, unbiased English language exam PTE Academic is accepted by the majority of Canadian universities and colleges. 

Discover more about PTE English tests for Canada.

Studying abroad is the experience of a lifetime. You’ll have an untold number of opportunities,  make friends, grow your network and broaden your horizons. But there are nerves too – and lots of questions before you start packing your bags.  

So, if you’re considering moving to the UK to study for a pre-sessional English language course, a degree, or even a Ph.D., we have some top tips.  

Read on to explore our short guide to studying in the UK for international students. 

1. Setting up a bank account 

Unless you plan to stuff your money in your mattress (not recommended), you’ll probably need to open a bank account in the UK. The process is usually completed in one or two days and is much simpler if you do it once you’re living in the country.   

If you’re a student and come from abroad, you’ll need to show the bank a number of things before you can open your account, including: 

• A valid passport and visa; 

• Proof you are studying in the UK (your student ID or a letter from your university); 

• Recent proof of address in the form of a utility bill that’s less than three months old (e.g. electricity bill); 

• A bank or credit card statement that’s less than three months old. 

Note that the requirements may differ from bank to bank and you may also need to show proof of employment. Some banks, like HSBC, also allow you to set up your account in your own country before leaving for the UK.  

2. Student accommodation in the UK 

You have two main options when it comes to student accommodation in the UK:  

On-campus accommodation 

In the UK, on-campus student accommodation is often referred to as living in halls. When you apply to live in halls, you are given a room in shared accommodation. Your room is usually private, however you will often share bathrooms, kitchen, and other communal areas with other students.  

Living in halls is recommended if you’re coming from abroad. Not only does the university manage the housing, but it will be easier for you to find a place with other students.  

Shared student accommodation 

You can also opt to go through the university and find a place in privately rented accommodation. Second and third year students usually choose this option and move in with friends. Generally, this type of housing has been approved by the university, but you will be responsible for paying rent to a private landlord.  

Ask your university admissions department or student services about the right option for you.  

Alternatively, you may wish to rent privately, through a real estate agent. However, this is likely to be a far more expensive option and you won’t necessarily have university support. 

Average student rental prices 

The cost of living in the UK varies from region to region. According to a Save the Student survey in 2021, the average rent for students in the UK is £146 per week.  

Here’s the breakdown of costs: 

• Scotland: £127 per week 

• Northern England: £122  

• Wales and the Midlands: £119 to £129 per week 

• East Anglia: £132 per week 

• Southwest: £147 per week 

• Southeast:  £146 per week 

• London:  £152 per week 

Living cost in the UK for international students 

On top of rent, you also have to consider how much food, leisure, transport, and other expenses will be. Our handy guide to living expenses in the UK for international students, outlines the following, and also compares costs in different cities: 

• Groceries – £100 per month  

• Going out – £46 per month  

• Transportation– £46 per month  

• Household bills (like electricity and water) – £37 per month 

• University tuition fees for international students – £10,000–£38,000 per year (Reddin survey of university tuition fees) 

3. Health care systems in the UK 

UK culture and traditions are rich and diverse – and it’s not all about drinking tea at 5 o’clock, we promise. There are lots of British festivals and events, and you’ll never find yourself stuck for things to see and do. If you’re studying at a British university, you’ll definitely want to make your time as memorable as possible.  

That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best cultural events and festivals in the UK. You can take a break from your studies and go exploring at weekends throughout the academic year.  

With everything from flower shows to fashion shows - you’re sure to find a UK festival that suits you.  

Read on to discover the best 10 British cultural events for international students. 

1. London Fashion Week