International students

Memorial University is one of the best places in Canada for international students to pursue a graduate degree.

Ranked among the top 3% universities in the world, Memorial University is one of Canada’s leading teaching and research universities. We are ranked as one of Canada’s top 20 research universities and among the top three universities in Canada in corporate-sponsored research income proportion, generating approximately $160 million in research income each year. Memorial is currently ranked #7 in Canada in the Macleans Magazine’s Comprehensive University Category.

Graduate tuition at Memorial University is among the most affordable in Canada for international students. Tuition for a typical 2-year master’s degree can be as low as $4,833 per year. We also offer competitive funding packages to our graduate students in research-intensive programs.

About 40% of our talented graduate students at Memorial are international students coming from over 100 countries. Committed to providing the best graduate student experience, Memorial offers graduate students a broad range of nationally recognized academic and professional support programs. In the 2019 International Student Barometer survey, Memorial ranked third in Canada and among the top 25 in the world in student satisfaction with support offered by the graduate school.

Below are some reasons why you might choose to live and learn at Memorial University:

World-class teaching and research

Memorial University ranks 7th in the comprehensive category of Maclean's 2025 University Rankings.
Memorial offers a diverse list of over 185 graduate programs designed to meet your expectations for academic excellence and your desire for intellectual challenges.
Graduate students get a chance to work with world-renowned researchers at Memorial. Whether you want to become an expert in population dynamics or folksongs, oil and gas, or mergers and acquisitions, you'll find your match here.
Memorial's Enhanced Development of the Graduate Experience (EDGE) program offers high-quality workshops and training sessions to support professional skills development among graduate students.
Memorial has several English as a Second Language programs and courses designed to help you improve your language skills as a graduate student.

Some of the lowest tuition fees in Canada

Living here won’t break your bank account. From food to rent, we are one of the most affordable places to live in North America.
We have some of the lowest tuition rates in Canada and a commitment to affordable education for all.
Memorial offers very competitive funding packages for international graduate students in eligible programs.

Expert immigration advising

Please refer to the Study Permit page on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website or the Internationalization Office website for detailed instructions and advice on how to submit an initial study permit application.
For a list of Canadian Embassies and Consulates abroad and to find out where you should send your application, please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.
For information on study permit processing times, please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.
Our experienced Immigration Advisors at Memorial provide immigration advice and support at no cost, making the process of applying for a study permit smooth and stress-free.

A friendly and welcoming place to belong

“From the first moment I arrived in Newfoundland, I completely fell in love with it. The kindness of the people, the peaceful atmosphere, and the sense of safety made me feel at home almost immediately.”

Trevena Nabil Youssef, PhD, Biochemistry

Our Internationalization Office gives you a warm welcome and all the support you need to settle into life at Memorial.
We offer you an international community, where students from Argentina to Zimbabwe come to pursue advanced degrees. Feel free to connect with some of the International Student Groups at Memorial.
Our St. John’s campus is in the heart of the city. You’ll find yourself minutes from shopping centres, restaurants, accommodations, and the airport.

Build your future in Canada

The Government of Canada allows international students who are graduates of Canadian universities to stay in country and work after graduation. There is also the possibility of immigrating to Canada after completing your program.
For more information on applying for a postgraduation work permit (PGWP) and immigration advising offered by Memorial, please visit the Internationalization Office website.

External resources

There are many resources available to help international students find their way here. Please take a look at the following pages:

Join thousands of international graduate students at Memorial for its academic excellence, affordable tuition and supportive community. Connect with us today. Apply now and take the first step towards your Canadian graduate degree.