For parents & families
Supporting your student's Canadian education decision
Answers to the questions families most commonly ask — costs, safety, advisers, work rights, and what to expect at each stage of the process.
What does it actually cost for a year in Canada?
Total annual costs for an international student typically range from $26,000 to $108,000 CAD, depending on the institution, city, and program. The biggest variables are tuition (which varies significantly between institutions and faculties) and accommodation (which varies by city). Montréal is substantially cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver.
Detailed cost breakdown →How do education advisers work and should we use one?
Education advisers help students identify suitable schools, prepare applications, and in some cases, navigate visa and study permit processes. They are paid in three ways: a fee paid by the student, a commission paid by schools they partner with, or a combination. Commission-based advisers may have a financial incentive to recommend specific schools. We require all advisers on this platform to disclose their compensation model before a student contacts them.
How advisers are paid →Are Canadian universities safe places for our child?
Canadian universities are generally considered very safe by international standards. Canada consistently ranks among the top five most politically stable countries globally. Campus security, health services, and student support offices are well-funded at major universities. That said, safety varies by city and neighbourhood — our city guides include context on student life.
City guides →What is a co-op program and why does it matter?
Co-operative education (co-op) programs integrate paid work terms into a degree. Students alternate between study semesters and full-time employment in their field — typically earning $20,000–$40,000 per work term. This reduces the net cost of education, provides professional experience, and significantly improves graduate employment rates. The University of Waterloo runs the world's largest co-op program.
Schools with co-op →What happens after graduation — can our child work in Canada?
International graduates from eligible Canadian post-secondary programs can apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), allowing them to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. This is a pathway to permanent residency for many graduates. Immigration matters must be handled by a regulated immigration consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer — not by education advisers.
Red flags when working with education advisers
- ⚠Guarantees admission to a specific university — no one can guarantee this.
- ⚠Refuses to disclose how they are paid or denies receiving school commissions.
- ⚠Pressures you to commit to a specific school quickly, especially one you haven't researched.
- ⚠Asks for a large upfront fee with no service agreement or refund terms.
- ⚠Offers to help with immigration or visa paperwork without being a regulated immigration consultant (RCIC).
- ⚠Claims to have 'special relationships' that give students priority placement.
Advisers on Vianorr Education are screened and required to disclose their fee model. How we screen advisers →
Ready to find a screened adviser?
Every listing shows their fee model — student-paid, commission, or hybrid — before you contact them.
Browse screened advisers