Study in Canada from Ghana: the funds, the fees and the work permit that follows
From 1 September 2026 a single applicant for a Canadian study permit must show CAD 23,448 for living costs, on top of the first year's tuition and travel. At today's rate that is GH₵194,471. Most pages still quote the old figure.
Last checked 26 October 2026. Rates read 26 Oct 2026. Planning figures, not offers.
What a year costs, in cedis
Tuition plus living costs at today's rate, C$1 = GH₵8.29. Every university sets its own fee, so read these as planning bands.
| Level | Per year | Made up of |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | GH₵273,692 to GH₵414,685 | Tuition C$18,000 to C$35,000 plus living C$15,000 |
| Master's | GH₵273,692 to GH₵414,685 | Tuition C$18,000 to C$35,000 plus living C$15,000 |
| Funds the visa asks for | about GH₵339,171 | C$22,895 for living plus the first year's undergraduate tuition |
Show the data behind Figure 1
| Level | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | GH₵273,692 | GH₵414,685 |
| Master's | GH₵273,692 | GH₵414,685 |
Source: SchoolRegistry Pathways catalogue, rates read 26 Oct 2026.
What the cedi has done to a CAD bill
A bill in CAD is a cedi bill underneath. In 2012 one CAD cost GH₵1.83. In 2021 it cost GH₵4.63, and today it costs GH₵8.29, which is 1.8 times the 2021 price. A first-year bill of 10,000 CAD that needed GH₵46,300 in 2021 needs GH₵82,937 now. The dearest year on record here was 2024, at GH₵10.36; today's rate is 20% below that.
Show the data behind Figure 2
| Year | GHS per CAD |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1.83 |
| 2013 | 1.92 |
| 2014 | 2.62 |
| 2015 | 2.90 |
| 2016 | 2.95 |
| 2017 | 3.35 |
| 2018 | 3.54 |
| 2019 | 3.93 |
| 2020 | 4.17 |
| 2021 | 4.63 |
| 2022 | 6.36 |
| 2023 | 8.16 |
| 2024 | 10.36 |
| 2025 | 8.98 |
| Today | 8.29 |
Source: World Bank, official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average), Ghana and United Kingdom; today's rate from the Pathways catalogue.
- English
- IELTS 6.0 to 6.5
- Intakes
- September, January, May
- After graduation
- Post-graduation work permit, tied to the programme and institution type.
- Bringing family
- Restricted since 2024; spousal permits mainly for master's and doctoral students.
What the figure means for a Ghanaian family
The living-cost figure is CAD 23,448 for one person, GH₵194,471 at today's rate. It grows with family size: CAD 29,192 for two, CAD 35,888 for three and CAD 43,572 for four. It excludes tuition and travel, so the amount that has to be in the account is this figure plus the first year's fees.
Fees to budget before you have an offer
Unlike most of Europe, Canadian schools almost all charge an application fee, typically around CAD 100 each. Applying to five schools is GH₵4,147 before a single offer arrives, so shortlist before you apply widely.
Check the work permit before you pick the course
Studying in Canada lets you work up to 24 hours a week in term and full time in scheduled breaks. The part that decides whether the whole plan pays back is the post-graduation work permit, and it depends on the programme and the institution, not only on your degree. Confirm eligibility for the exact course before paying a deposit.
Entry routes for WASSCE holders
Canadian colleges and universities set their own entry rules for WASSCE results, and many degree programmes ask for an English test as well. Your counsellor checks the route that fits your grades, whether direct entry or a pathway year, before an application is made.
The visa and government fees, read from the official pages, are on our Canada fees page.
We do not promise admission or a visa, to anyone.
What we do is put the right file in front of the right university and tell you honestly what the visa asks for before you spend. The visa decision belongs to the government. Pathways is free to your family: our partner schools pay us when a student we place enrols.
Keep going
Questions Ghanaian families ask about Canada
- How much money does Ghana's applicant need to show for Canada in 2026?
- For one person, CAD 23,448 from 1 September 2026, plus the first year's tuition and travel. That is GH₵194,471 at today's rate for the living-cost part.
- Do Canadian universities charge an application fee?
- Almost all do, typically around CAD 100. Only about one course in ten that we can apply to charges nothing.
- How many hours can a student work in Canada?
- 24 hours a week during term and full time in scheduled breaks, once the programme has started and you hold a social insurance number.
Source: Government of Canada and World Bank, 2026.