Estimated Expenses

The following is a break-down of estimated living costs while on exchange to the University of Alberta. Estimates do not include airfare, travel or preparatory expenses.

 

Approximate Basic Living Costs per semester (in Canadian dollars):

Tuition & Fees

 

Waived 1

On-Campus Housing

(shared room)

 

$1100-$1500/month 2

 

(single room)

 

$1400-$2000/month 2

Off-Campus Housing (shared, unfurnished, NO meals)

 

$1100-$2000/month

Voluntary Meal Plan (on campus)

 

$800/month

Groceries/Meals (off campus)

 

$400-800/month

Mandatory Health Insurance 3 

 

$53/month

Local Transportation

(Mandatory student U-Pass) 4

 

$182.50/semester

Mandatory Course Materials Access fee 5

 

$259.00/semester

Activities

 

$100-$300/month

Other/Personal expenses (phone, laundry, etc.—will vary by individual)

 

 

$100-$300/month

TOTAL per semester 6
(based on 4 months, shared on-campus housing)

 

$7,500 - $12,000/semester

 

1 Based on valid bilateral partnership agreement. Incoming exchange students will pay tuition and fees to their home institution.

2 Please visit U of A Residence Services for a complete price listing of student housing and more information on applying to campus residences. Many residences have both furnished and unfurnished options. Some residences include optional meal plans. 

3 Health Insurance is mandatory for all University of Alberta exchange students. For more information, please see UAHIP (University of Alberta Health Insurance Plan).

4 Local Transportation Student Pass (U-Pass) is mandatory for all University of Alberta exchange students. For more information, please see the University of Alberta U-Pass Homepage.

5 The Course Materials Access program was introduced in Fall 2026 and applies to undergraduate students only. It is automatically assessed based on course registrations. Students may opt out of this program, but it could be advantageous and cheaper than obtaining required textbooks from the University of Alberta Bookstore or other sources. For more information, please see the Course Materials Access page.

6 Travel to/from Canada, visa fees, entertainment, recreation, and other expenses not included.