You've seen agents on Facebook saying "Study in Canada for only BDT 15 lakh!" Let's be brutally honest about whether that number is real, what it covers, and what it leaves out.
1. Where Does "BDT 15 Lakh" Come From?
The number roughly matches the GIC requirement: CAD 20,635 ≈ BDT 17–18 lakh at current rates. Some agents round down to 15 lakh and present it as the total cost. That's misleading because the GIC is only your living cost deposit — it doesn't include tuition, visa fees, flights, IELTS or insurance.
2. GIC — Your Living Cost Deposit
| Item | CAD | BDT (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| GIC deposit | CAD 20,635 | ৳17.5 lakh |
| GIC bank processing fee | CAD 150–200 | ৳12,000–17,000 |
| GIC total | CAD 20,835 | ৳17.7 lakh |
This money is yours — the bank releases it monthly (CAD ~1,700/month) after you arrive in Canada. It's not a fee, it's your living allowance held in trust.
3. First-Year Tuition — The Part Agents Skip
| Programme Type | Tuition Range (CAD/year) | BDT (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| College Diploma | CAD 14,000–20,000 | ৳11.9–17 lakh |
| Bachelor's (state university) | CAD 20,000–35,000 | ৳17–29.7 lakh |
| Bachelor's (top university) | CAD 35,000–55,000 | ৳29.7–46.7 lakh |
| Master's | CAD 18,000–45,000 | ৳15.3–38.2 lakh |
For SDS applications, you must pay the entire first year's tuition upfront before applying. This is in addition to the GIC.
4. Total Real Cost — BDT Breakdown
| Item | College Diploma (cheapest) | Master's (mid-range) |
|---|---|---|
| GIC | ৳17.7 lakh | ৳17.7 lakh |
| First-year tuition | ৳12–17 lakh | ৳15–25 lakh |
| IELTS | ৳22,500 | ৳22,500 |
| Visa fee + biometrics | ৳15,000 | ৳15,000 |
| Medical exam | ৳8,000 | ৳8,000 |
| Flight (one-way) | ৳70,000–1,00,000 | ৳70,000–1,00,000 |
| TOTAL to start | ৳31–36 lakh | ৳35–45 lakh |
5. The Cheapest Realistic Path
If your budget is genuinely tight, here's how to minimise costs:
- Choose a public college (not university) — tuition CAD 14,000–18,000 vs CAD 25,000+ at universities
- Choose a smaller province: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia have lower tuition AND lower living costs
- Choose a 2-year diploma — still qualifies for 3-year PGWP (same as a 4-year degree)
- Apply for scholarships — some colleges offer CAD 1,000–5,000 entrance awards
6. How Much You Can Earn in Canada
- Off-campus during semester: 24 hours/week × CAD 16–17/hr = ~CAD 1,600–1,700/month (~৳1.36–1.45 lakh)
- During breaks: Full-time = ~CAD 2,800–3,400/month (~৳2.4–2.9 lakh)
- Annual part-time earnings: CAD 18,000–25,000 (~৳15–21 lakh)
Part-time earnings in Canada are strong enough to cover most of Year 2 living costs — meaning the heavy financial burden is Year 1.
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