Key takeaways
- Top fields in 2023/2024: business (22.7% of international university enrolments), engineering (15.5%), mathematics and computer science (14.5%)
- Bachelor’s: business leads (25.6%); master’s and doctoral: engineering leads (28.6% and 29.8%)
- 71% of all master’s students in engineering were international in 2023/2024
- Average 2026/2027 international undergraduate tuition: $40,203 in business, $42,163 in computing, $47,386 in engineering
- Degree programs do not need an eligible field for a post-graduation work permit
What do international students study at Canadian universities?
Statistics Canada (StatCan) counts students by field each fall. This table covers all levels at public universities in 2023/2024. That is the latest year with field data.
| Field | International enrolments | Share of international university enrolments | International share of all students in the field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business and administration | 64,374 | 22.7% | 27.9% |
| Engineering and engineering technology | 44,151 | 15.5% | 31.0% |
| Mathematics and computer and information sciences | 41,256 | 14.5% | 38.4% |
| Science and science technology | 36,087 | 12.7% | 18.1% |
| Social and behavioural sciences | 35,325 | 12.4% | 16.2% |
| Arts and humanities | 30,324 | 10.7% | 16.5% |
| Trades, services, natural resources and conservation | 10,539 | 3.7% | 11.6% |
| Health care | 10,311 | 3.6% | 7.5% |
| Education and teaching | 4,113 | 1.4% | 4.7% |
| Legal professions and studies | 1,992 | 0.7% | 8.1% |
| Unclassified | 5,658 | 2.0% | 34.6% |
| Total | 284,133 | 100% | 19.8% |
Source: StatCan table 37-10-0163-01 (as revised). We worked out the shares. Health care and teaching have the lowest share of students from abroad.
Top fields by level of study
The mix changes a lot between bachelor’s and graduate programs.
| Rank | Bachelor’s (175,521) | Master’s (63,684) | Doctoral (25,317) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business: 25.6% | Engineering: 28.6% | Engineering: 29.8% |
| 2 | Mathematics and computer science: 16.2% | Business: 21.6% | Science: 27.5% |
| 3 | Social and behavioural sciences: 15.7% | Mathematics and computer science: 14.5% | Social and behavioural sciences: 10.7% |
| 4 | Science: 14.0% | Social and behavioural sciences: 7.4% | Mathematics and computer science: 9.6% |
| 5 | Arts and humanities: 11.1% | Science: 6.4% | Arts and humanities: 7.5% |
Students from abroad at universities by level, fall 2023, from StatCan table 37-10-0163-01. We did the math.
Fields where international students are a large share
In some graduate fields, most students come from abroad. In 2023/2024:
- Master’s in engineering: 71.1% of students were international.
- PhD in engineering: 63.8%.
- Master’s in math and computer science: 59.7%.
- PhD in math and computer science: 55.8%.
- All PhD programs: 39.9%.
At bachelor’s level, math and computer science had the top share of the named fields, at 33.1%. Overall, 16.5% of bachelor’s students came from abroad.
How the field mix changed over 10 years
| Field | 2014/2015 | 2023/2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business and administration | 36,918 | 64,374 | +74% |
| Engineering and engineering technology | 26,622 | 44,151 | +66% |
| Mathematics and computer and information sciences | 12,957 | 41,256 | +218% |
| Science and science technology | 18,270 | 36,087 | +98% |
| Social and behavioural sciences | 20,628 | 35,325 | +71% |
| Arts and humanities | 23,262 | 30,324 | +30% |
| Health care | 4,890 | 10,311 | +111% |
| All fields | 159,264 | 284,133 | +78% |
Students from abroad at public universities, from table 37-10-0163-01. Computing grew fastest. Its share rose from 8.1% to 14.5% of these students.
In 2023/2024 alone, business rose 12.1% (6,939 more) and computing rose 11.6% (4,305 more), StatCan said.
What changed after 2023/2024?
Field data for later years is not out yet. StatCan’s early estimates show that full-time international students at universities fell 17% from 2023/2024 to 2025/2026. Bachelor’s and master’s students each fell 18%. PhD students fell 11%. See international student numbers for details.
How much does each field cost?
StatCan also shows average tuition by field for students from abroad. Its fee fields are grouped a little differently from the fields above.
| Field (Statistics Canada fee grouping) | International undergraduate, 2026/2027 | International graduate, 2026/2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Business, management and public administration | $40,203 | $29,412 |
| Engineering | $47,386 | $27,473 |
| Mathematics, computer and information sciences | $42,163 | $24,068 |
| Physical and life sciences and technologies | $43,868 | $20,285 |
| Social and behavioural sciences, and legal studies | $41,536 | $20,174 |
| Humanities | $47,443 | $18,160 |
| Regular MBA | – | $48,222 |
| All fields | $42,062 | $24,693 |
Canada-wide averages, weighted by the number of students, tuition only. Sources: tables 37-10-0005-01 and 37-10-0006-01. Fees at your school can be much higher or lower. Compare engineering schools in engineering tuition compared.
Study permit and work permit rules by level
- Work permit after you finish: bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees do not need an eligible field of study for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). University grads need Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four skills.
- Letter from the province: since January 1, 2026, master’s and PhD students at public schools do not need a provincial attestation letter (PAL). Bachelor’s students usually do. See PAL rules.
- Short programs: university programs that do not lead to a degree, such as some certificates, must meet the field rule. Check with the PGWP eligibility checker.
Using this data to choose a field
Popular fields show where students from abroad go. They cannot tell you which field will suit you or lead to a job. Some ways to use the data:
- If you want many classmates from abroad, try business, engineering and computing, especially at master’s level.
- If you want classes with mostly Canadian students, fields like health care and teaching have few students from abroad.
- If cost matters most, compare the tuition table and your school’s own fees. For students from abroad, grad fees are often lower than bachelor’s fees.
How to compare university programs in the same field
- Compare total program cost. Multiply yearly tuition by the number of years, and add compulsory fees. Ask if the school limits yearly increases. See why international tuition keeps rising.
- Check the length. Program length changes your total cost. For some programs, it also changes how long a post-graduation work permit can be. Check with the PGWP eligibility checker.
- Check the language level. University graduates need CLB 7 in all four skills for a PGWP. Plan your English or French test early.
- Ask about funding. Ask the department if it offers scholarships, assistantships or other funding to international students, and what the conditions are.
- Check admission rules. Some fields, such as medicine and nursing, have very few seats for international students. Read the program page carefully.
- Check the school. Confirm the school is on IRCC’s designated learning institutions list.
About this data
- Student counts: StatCan table 37-10-0163-01 (Postsecondary Student Information System), fall snapshot, public universities, as revised. Programs are grouped into broad fields. A student in two programs counts twice.
- Latest year: 2023/2024. StatCan estimates that international students at universities fell 17% by 2025/2026. It has not yet put out field data for those years.
- Tuition: tables 37-10-0005-01 and 37-10-0006-01, average tuition for full-time students in 2026/2027, weighted by the number of students. Extra fees you must pay are not included.
- Last checked: October 10, 2026.
More on choosing a university: official counts of international students by university, how university rankings work and nursing programs for international students.
Common questions
What is the most popular university field for international students in Canada?
Which field has the most international master’s students?
Is computer science popular with international students?
Do I need an eligible field of study for a PGWP after a university degree?
Which field is most expensive for international undergraduates?
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Table 37-10-0163-01, postsecondary enrolments by field of study and student status
- Statistics Canada: Canadian postsecondary enrolments and graduates, 2023/2024 (November 20, 2025)
- Statistics Canada: Estimating the international student population in Canada, 2025/2026
- Statistics Canada: Table 37-10-0005-01, international undergraduate tuition by field of study
- Statistics Canada: Table 37-10-0006-01, international graduate tuition by field of study
- IRCC: Post-graduation work permit eligibility
- IRCC: PGWP field of study requirements