Study Abroad Cost Calculator
Select a country to see typical living costs instantly. Add a university and programme for a full tuition + living estimate.
Want help making this work?
A Dream Ladder counsellor can guide you on scholarships, financing, and applications, for free.
Estimates only. Tuition varies by programme and year; living costs vary by individual. Exchange rates approximate. Payback period assumes ~35% gross salary recovered annually. View Lakehead University - Orillia Campus →
What this estimate covers
Tuition is the biggest line in a study abroad budget, but it is not the whole picture. The figure above adds your course fee to the everyday cost of living in the university's city, so it lands closer to what you will actually spend in a year.
Two things it does not include yet, and you should plan for both. First, the one-time cost of getting there: the visa fee, your flights, the first accommodation deposit, and health cover. Second, a safety margin. Keep another 10 to 20 percent aside. Students almost always underestimate, and rents and fees tend to creep up between the day you apply and the day you land.
The costs people forget
Before your first lecture you usually pay a visa fee, book international flights, put down a deposit on housing, and buy the health insurance many countries require for the visa. Together these often add up to a month or two of living costs. Each country page lists the proof of funds you must show for the visa, which is a useful sanity check against the total here.
Ways to bring the number down
Scholarships come straight off the total, and more courses offer them than most students realise. In several countries you can also work part time during term to cover living costs, though you should never count on a part-time job to pay tuition. The simplest lever is the city you pick: the same course in a smaller city can cost far less to live in than in a capital.
Common questions
Is the tuition per year or for the whole course?
Per year, unless the course page says otherwise. For a two year master's, double it.
Does this include health insurance?
No. Most countries require it for the student visa, and it sits on top as a yearly cost. We add the right figure for your destination when we plan your budget.
How accurate is the living cost?
It is a typical figure for the city, not a quote. What you actually spend depends on where you live, whether you cook, and how often you fly home. Treat the total as a planning range.
Can I afford it on a budget?
Often, yes, with the right mix of a cheaper city, a scholarship, and part time work for living costs. That mix is different for every student, which is exactly what a counsellor helps you work out.
Want the exact numbers for your profile?
Tell us your course and country, and we will build a real budget with you, including the costs this estimate leaves out.