Study in Canada from Kenya: funds, fees and the work permit that follows
From 1 September 2026 one applicant for a Canadian study permit must show CAD 23,448 for living costs, plus the first year's tuition and travel. In shillings that is about KSh 2,173,379 at today's rate. Many web pages still carry the old, lower figure.
Last checked 26 October 2026. Rates read 27 Oct 2026. Planning figures, not offers.
A year's cost, in shillings
These bands add tuition to living costs and convert at C$1 = KSh 92.69, the rate read today. A university sets its own fees, so treat the figures as planning ranges.
| Level | Per year | Made up of |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | KSh 3,058,747 to KSh 4,634,465 | Tuition C$18,000 to C$35,000 plus living C$15,000 |
| Master's | KSh 3,058,747 to KSh 4,634,465 | Tuition C$18,000 to C$35,000 plus living C$15,000 |
| Funds the visa asks for | about KSh 3,790,529 | C$22,895 for living plus the first year's undergraduate tuition |
Show the data behind Figure 1
| Level | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | KSh 3,058,747 | KSh 4,634,465 |
| Master's | KSh 3,058,747 | KSh 4,634,465 |
Source: SchoolRegistry Pathways catalogue, rates read 27 Oct 2026.
How the shilling has moved against the CAD
Kenyan families pay foreign fees in shillings, so the exchange rate sits inside every quote. One CAD was KSh 84.58 in 2012 and KSh 87.44 in 2021. It is KSh 92.69 now, 1.06 times the 2021 level and 1.10 times the 2012 level. Take a first-year bill of 10,000 CAD: KSh 874,400 in 2021, KSh 926,893 today. The high point in this series was 2023, at KSh 103.60.
Show the data behind Figure 2
| Year | KES per CAD |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 84.58 |
| 2013 | 83.60 |
| 2014 | 79.59 |
| 2015 | 76.77 |
| 2016 | 76.57 |
| 2017 | 79.67 |
| 2018 | 78.18 |
| 2019 | 76.87 |
| 2020 | 79.37 |
| 2021 | 87.44 |
| 2022 | 90.56 |
| 2023 | 103.60 |
| 2024 | 98.46 |
| 2025 | 92.48 |
| Today | 92.69 |
Source: World Bank, official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average), Kenya and United Kingdom; today's rate from the Pathways catalogue.
- English
- IELTS 6.0 to 6.5
- Intakes
- September, January, May
- After graduation
- Post-graduation work permit, tied to the programme and institution type.
- Bringing family
- Restricted since 2024; spousal permits mainly for master's and doctoral students.
The living-cost figure in shillings
CAD 23,448 is the amount for one person, which is KSh 2,173,379 today. Bringing family raises it: CAD 29,192 for two people, CAD 35,888 for three and CAD 43,572 for four. Tuition and travel come on top, so the balance you need is this figure plus the first year's fees.
What it costs before you have an offer
Almost every Canadian school charges to apply, typically around CAD 100, which is about KSh 9,269 each. Five applications cost KSh 46,345 before an offer exists. Build a short list first and apply to fewer schools.
The work permit is the part to check
A study permit lets you work 24 hours a week in term and full time in scheduled breaks. What makes a Canadian degree pay back is the post-graduation work permit, and whether you qualify depends on the programme and the institution you choose. Confirm it for the exact course before paying any deposit.
Entry with KCSE
Canadian colleges and universities set their own admission rules for KCSE results, and many ask for an English test. A counsellor checks whether you can enter directly or need a pathway year before an application is made.
No one can promise you admission or a visa.
Our job is to match your profile to universities it suits, prepare a complete and truthful file, and tell you what the visa will ask before you spend money. Governments decide visas. Pathways costs a family nothing, because our partner schools pay SchoolRegistry when a student we place enrols.
Keep going
Questions Kenyan families ask about Canada
- How much money does a Kenyan need to show for Canada in 2026?
- For one person, CAD 23,448 from 1 September 2026, plus the first year's tuition and travel. The living-cost part is KSh 2,173,379 at today's rate.
- Do Canadian universities charge application fees?
- Nearly all do, typically around CAD 100. Only about one course in ten that we can apply to is free to apply to.
- How many hours can an international student work in Canada?
- 24 hours a week during term and full time in scheduled breaks, once the programme has started and you hold a social insurance number.
Source: Government of Canada and World Bank, 2026.