Quick answer
Trent's BScN annual tuition for international students is approximately CAD 28,000–34,000. Total 4-year tuition is approximately CAD 112,000–136,000. Confirm the exact BScN-specific fee with Trent for your intake year — fees are revised annually.
The 2026 Canada study permit requires a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) of CAD 22,895 as proof of living funds. This is not a fee — it is your own money returned to you in monthly instalments after you arrive in Canada. It is separate from tuition.
Total 4-year cost including tuition, fees, insurance, living, GIC, and study permit: approximately CAD 210,000–235,000 (₹1.3–1.6 crore at current exchange rates). A new-graduate Ontario RN earns approximately CAD 72,000–80,000 in year one — the investment is typically recoverable within the first few years of registered practice.
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Tuition and mandatory fees at Trent
Annual tuition (international BScN)
Approximately CAD 28,000–34,000 per year. Paid per semester (two payments per year). Confirm the exact BScN-specific international fee from Trent's official fee schedule for your intake year — fees are revised annually and the nursing program may differ from general arts/science tuition.
Mandatory ancillary fees
Approximately CAD 1,500–2,500 per year — student services, athletics, health and dental, campus infrastructure. These are charged on top of tuition and are non-negotiable.
University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)
Approximately CAD 750–1,000 per year. Mandatory for international students in Ontario. Covers basic health services while you are in Canada. Renewable annually.
Total 4-year tuition + fees + insurance
Approximately CAD 121,000–151,200 for the four-year program. This is the university-side cost before living expenses, GIC, or study permit.
Application fee
CAD 92 (non-refundable) via OUAC 105 or Trent's direct international application. Tuition deposit is due after accepting the offer of admission — amount specified in the offer letter.
Monthly living costs in Peterborough, Ontario
Peterborough is significantly more affordable than Toronto, Vancouver, or other major Canadian cities. This is a meaningful cost advantage for a 4-year program. Winter clothing is a one-time first-year cost that Indian students should budget for specifically.
Accommodation
CAD 700–1,400 per month. On-campus residences at Trent are available for Year 1 (often with a mandatory dining plan) and simplify the initial transition. Off-campus shared apartments in Peterborough are more affordable from Year 2 onward. Students Traffic provides a Peterborough accommodation guide to all enrolled students.
Food and groceries
CAD 300–450 per month for self-cooking and groceries. Indian grocery items are available in Peterborough, and the GTA (90 minutes by road) has extensive Indian grocery stores and restaurants accessible at weekends.
Transport
CAD 60–100 per month for Peterborough city bus and student transit pass. Many students use the university shuttle between campus and the city. A car is useful but not essential in the first two years.
Phone and internet
CAD 50–80 per month. Major providers: Rogers, Bell, Telus. Budget options: Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile. A Canadian SIM with data is available from the airport or any phone store on arrival.
Books, supplies, and personal
CAD 150–300 per month. Nursing program textbooks can be expensive in Year 1–2; upper-year students often resell or lend texts. Digital editions and library access reduce costs.
Total monthly (estimated)
CAD 1,400–3,000 per month including all living expenses. Annual living cost: CAD 15,000–20,000 (universities typically estimate CAD 16,800 per year for a 12-month period). 4-year total living: approximately CAD 60,000–80,000.
The GIC — what it is and how it works
The Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is frequently misunderstood as an additional cost of studying in Canada. It is not a fee — it is your own money, held in a Canadian bank and returned to you after you arrive.
The 2026 study permit requirement is a GIC of CAD 22,895, purchased from a participating Canadian financial institution (ICICI Bank Canada, SBI Canada, Scotiabank, and others offer GIC products designed for Indian students, with online account opening in 1–3 business days from India). After you arrive in Canada, the GIC is released to you in instalments — typically an initial lump sum plus monthly disbursements — to fund your first-year living costs. The CAD 22,895 is not lost; it funds your living expenses.
GIC amount (2026): CAD 22,895.
This is separate from tuition payment and from any bank statement balance shown to immigration.
A GIC from an approved Canadian bank is the strongest form of financial proof for the study permit — stronger than a bank statement alone.
After arriving in Canada, activate the GIC at the issuing bank within the first week — it releases the initial disbursement and sets up monthly payments.
Students Traffic guides you through selecting and opening the right GIC product and ensures the confirmation letter is correctly formatted for the study permit application.
Study permit and visa costs
IRCC study permit application fee: CAD 150.
Biometrics fee: CAD 85 (fingerprints and photo at VFS Global in India).
Immigration Medical Examination (upfront medical with IRCC-approved panel physician): approximately INR 4,000–8,000 in India.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) / entry visa: included in the study permit fee for most applicants.
VFS Global service charges (for document submission and biometrics collection): approximately INR 2,500–5,000.
Total study permit cost: approximately CAD 235–250 plus medical exam.
Total 4-year estimated cost for Indian students
The complete 4-year cost — tuition, ancillary fees, insurance, living, GIC (one-time), study permit, and travel — lands at approximately CAD 210,000–235,000. At current exchange rates (CAD 1 = INR 62–69), this is approximately ₹1.3–1.6 crore.
This is a major investment. Students Traffic never minimises it. The correct way to evaluate it is against the outcome: a new-graduate Ontario RN earns approximately CAD 72,000–80,000 (₹45–55 lakhs) per year, with a 3-year PGWP and a direct PR pathway. For families who can fund it — typically through education loans — the investment is recoverable within the first few years of registered practice, while building a permanent life in Canada.
Year 1: CAD 28,000–34,000 tuition + CAD 2,250–3,500 fees/insurance + CAD 15,000–20,000 living + CAD 22,895 GIC (one-time, returned) + CAD 235 study permit = approximately CAD 68,000–80,000.
Years 2–4: CAD 28,000–34,000 tuition + CAD 2,250–3,500 fees/insurance + CAD 15,000–20,000 living = approximately CAD 45,000–58,000 per year.
4-year total (all-in including GIC): approximately CAD 203,000–254,000. GIC is returned to you — effective cost excluding GIC: approximately CAD 180,000–231,000.
Flight costs (India–Canada, approximately 3 round trips): CAD 3,000–7,000 additional over 4 years.
Education loan repayment: at a CAD 75,000 first-year RN salary, a ₹1.2 crore (approximately CAD 20,000) annual EMI is approximately 27% of gross income — manageable given Canada's strong post-tax income.
Scholarships and financial support
Merit-based entrance scholarships: Trent offers automatic entrance scholarships to international students based on admission average. Higher Class 12 marks qualify for larger scholarships — another reason strong prerequisite grades matter.
International student awards: Trent offers a range of international entrance awards. Amounts and eligibility vary by year — some are automatic, others by application. Students Traffic confirms the scholarships you qualify for based on your admission average before you commit.
On-campus work: international students can work up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks (summer, winter). Typical student on-campus roles: CAD 15–18/hour. Part-time work during 8 months of classes: approximately CAD 4,000–5,500/year toward living costs.
Education loans: most Indian families use loans from nationalised banks (SBI, Bank of Baroda), private banks (HDFC, ICICI, Axis), or NBFCs. Canada-targeted education loans are available with nursing as a declared purpose — the strong post-graduation earning potential improves loan approval odds.
Ontario incentive: Ontario has offered grants of up to CAD 45,000 for nurses who commit to working in Northern Ontario after graduation — real additional financial support during settlement.
The return on investment
The 4-year BScN at Trent is among the more expensive study-abroad investments for Indian students. The return is also among the clearest: Canada has a documented nursing shortage, nursing is on the long-term in-demand occupation list, the PGWP and Express Entry pathway are defined and operating, and the Ontario RN salary is consistent and high.
A new-graduate RN in Ontario earns approximately CAD 72,000–80,000 (₹45–55 lakhs) per year. By Year 3–5 of practice, experienced RN salaries reach CAD 95,000–125,000+ (₹59–77 lakhs). Combined with the permanent residency pathway and eventual Canadian citizenship, the investment case is strong for families who can access financing and are committed to a Canada-based nursing career.
Frequently asked questions
What is the annual tuition for BScN at Trent University for international students?
Approximately CAD 28,000–34,000 per year. Confirm the exact BScN-specific international fee with Trent's official fee schedule for your intake year — fees are revised annually.
What is the total 4-year cost of BSc Nursing in Canada for Indian students?
Approximately CAD 210,000–235,000 all-in over four years, including tuition, ancillary fees, health insurance, living costs, GIC, study permit, and travel. At current exchange rates (CAD 1 = INR 62–69), this is approximately ₹1.3–1.6 crore.
What is the GIC and how much is it?
The Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is a study permit requirement — proof that you have CAD 22,895 for first-year living expenses. It is not a fee. It is your own money, purchased from a participating Canadian bank before the visa application and released to you in monthly instalments after you arrive in Canada. Students Traffic guides you through opening the right GIC product.
Are scholarships available for Indian students at Trent?
Yes. Trent offers automatic merit-based entrance scholarships to international students based on admission average. Higher Class 12 marks qualify for larger scholarships. Additional international student awards are available — some automatic, some by application. Students Traffic confirms the scholarships you qualify for based on your actual marks.
Can I work part-time to offset costs?
Yes. International students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. At CAD 15–18/hour, part-time work during the academic year can contribute approximately CAD 4,000–6,000 per year toward living expenses. Students Traffic includes realistic part-time income estimates in the budget planning.
Is Peterborough more affordable than Toronto for students?
Yes, significantly. Peterborough monthly living costs are approximately CAD 1,400–3,000. Toronto equivalent would be CAD 2,000–4,000+. Over four years, studying in Peterborough can save CAD 30,000–50,000 in living costs compared to a Toronto-based program.
How do most Indian families fund this investment?
Most use education loans from Indian banks (SBI, Bank of Baroda, HDFC, ICICI, Axis) or NBFCs. The strong post-graduation RN earning potential (CAD 72,000+ from Year 1) makes nursing one of the more loan-serviceable study-abroad options. A ₹1–1.2 crore education loan at typical terms requires approximately CAD 18,000–22,000/year in EMI — manageable on an Ontario RN salary.