Canada offers several nursing programs for international students who want to build a career in healthcare. Depending on your previous education, you may be able to enter a traditional undergraduate nursing degree, an accelerated program, an after-degree program, or a graduate nursing program.
However, choosing the right nursing program in Canada for international students requires more than finding a school that offers nursing. You need to consider admission requirements, program length, tuition, clinical education, international student eligibility and the nursing registration requirements in the province where you eventually want to work.
This guide explains the main nursing programs available in Canada and what international students should know before applying.
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Can International Students Study Nursing in Canada?
Yes. Canadian universities and colleges offer nursing programs that accept international students.
For example, the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Nursing explicitly encourages international students to apply to its nursing programs. Memorial University also welcomes international applicants to its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program.
International students should understand, however, that not every nursing program accepts international applicants.
Before applying, check:
- Whether international students are eligible
- Whether the specific nursing program is open to international applicants
- Academic prerequisites
- English-language requirements
- Application deadlines
- Tuition fees
- Clinical placement requirements
- Provincial nursing registration pathways
The Canadian government’s EduCanada search tool can help students find Canadian programs by subject, institution, province and credential. EduCanada also recommends confirming current program and tuition information directly with the institution.
Types of Nursing Programs in Canada
International students can find several different nursing pathways.
1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
The BScN is one of the most common university-level nursing programs.
It prepares students for professional nursing practice and generally combines:
- Nursing theory
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pharmacology
- Health assessment
- Nursing practice
- Community health
- Clinical education
- Research and evidence-based practice
The length depends on the institution and pathway.
A traditional BScN can take approximately four years, while accelerated options may be shorter for students who already have university education.
2. Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
Some Canadian universities award a Bachelor of Nursing rather than calling the degree a BScN.
The objective is similar: to provide undergraduate nursing education and prepare students for the professional registration process.
For example, the University of Manitoba currently lists its Bachelor of Nursing as the only nursing program at the university accepting international applicants. The program is seven consecutive terms, or approximately 28 months, and has specific prerequisite university courses.
International students should therefore search using both terms:
- BScN
- Bachelor of Nursing
- BN
3. Four-Year Nursing Programs
A four-year nursing program can be appropriate for students coming directly from secondary school.
These programs generally combine academic courses with progressively more advanced nursing and clinical education.
Memorial University’s four-year BScN is an example.
For international applicants entering directly from high school, Memorial currently requires Grade 11 Biology, Grade 12 Biology, Grade 12 Chemistry, Grade 12 Mathematics, Grade 12 English and a Grade 12 social science or modern language course.
Students with previous post-secondary education may also be considered for the four-year option, depending on their qualifications and prerequisite courses.
4. Accelerated Nursing Programs
Accelerated nursing programs are designed for students who already have substantial university education or a previous degree.
They can provide a faster route into nursing than starting a traditional four-year program.
The University of Toronto’s Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, for example, offers an accelerated two-year BScN program. Beginning in September 2026, the program is offered at both the St. George campus and University of Toronto Mississauga.
Accelerated programs are particularly relevant to international students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.
Admission is usually competitive and may require specific university-level prerequisite courses.
5. After-Degree Nursing Programs
An after-degree nursing program is designed for applicants who already have a bachelor’s degree.
Instead of completing another four-year undergraduate degree, eligible students complete the required nursing education over a shorter period.
The University of Alberta offers a BScN After Degree Program and encourages international students to apply. The university assesses previous coursework after the applicant submits the required application and documents.
This pathway can be especially useful for an international student who has already completed university studies but wants to change careers and enter nursing.
6. Practical Nursing Programs
International students may also find practical nursing programs at Canadian colleges.
These programs generally focus on practical nursing education and prepare graduates for the applicable provincial registration pathway.
However, students should carefully investigate international eligibility.
Do not assume that every practical nursing program accepts international students simply because the college accepts international students for other programs.
You should also determine:
- Whether the program is open to international applicants
- Whether the qualification leads to the appropriate provincial licensing pathway
- Whether the program qualifies for a study permit
- Whether the program meets your long-term career objectives
7. Graduate Nursing Programs
Students who already hold nursing qualifications may consider graduate-level programs.
These can include:
- Master of Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Nursing education
- Nursing leadership
- Nursing administration
- Advanced nursing practice
- Nursing research
- Doctoral nursing programs
Graduate nursing programs generally require a previous nursing degree and may have additional requirements such as professional registration, work experience or research experience.
Requirements vary by university.
Nursing Programs for International Students With Previous Nursing Education
If you are already a qualified nurse in your home country, you should not automatically assume that you need another nursing degree.
You may be considered an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN).
For example, the University of Alberta advises internationally educated nurses to have their education assessed by the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta to determine how their education is recognized for nursing registration in Alberta.
Memorial University similarly directs internationally educated nurses toward the National Nursing Assessment Service and the applicable provincial regulator.
Your best pathway may therefore be:
Existing nursing qualification → credential/education assessment → provincial registration process
rather than:
Existing nursing qualification → complete another full nursing degree.
The correct pathway depends on your education, registration history, experience and the province where you intend to practise.
Admission Requirements for Nursing Programs
Requirements differ between institutions, but international undergraduate applicants may need:
- Secondary school certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- English
- Competitive grades
- Proof of English proficiency where required
- Passport
- Other supporting documents
For example, Memorial University requires specific high-school science prerequisites for its four-year BScN.
Students who already have university education may need different prerequisites.
Some accelerated and after-degree programs require university-level courses in areas such as:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Statistics
- Chemistry
- Social sciences
Always check the exact requirements of the program before applying.
English-Language Requirements
English-language requirements vary between Canadian nursing programs.
Some institutions may accept previous education completed in English under specified conditions, while others require an approved English-language examination.
The University of Alberta, for example, requires international applicants to review its English Language Proficiency and Spoken English requirements.
Carleton University also states that international applicants to its undergraduate nursing program must meet the university’s English-language requirements through an accepted pathway.
Do not take an English test simply because another university requires it. First check the policy of your chosen institution.
Nursing Programs and Clinical Education
Nursing cannot be learned entirely in a classroom.
Canadian nursing programs combine academic study with practical and clinical education.
Depending on the program, students may gain experience in settings such as:
- Hospitals
- Community healthcare
- Long-term care
- Mental health services
- Clinics
- Public health
- Other healthcare facilities
When comparing programs, look at how clinical education is structured and whether students are expected to meet particular health, immunization, criminal-record or other placement requirements.
How Much Do Nursing Programs Cost in Canada?
Costs vary considerably.
Statistics Canada’s latest published national data put the average international undergraduate tuition for nursing at approximately CAD $26,627 for 2025/26, with the figure marked preliminary. Individual programs can be substantially higher or lower.
For example, St. Lawrence College lists estimated 2026/27 international tuition and fees of approximately CAD $26,297.34 for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program based on two semesters.
International students should also budget for:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transportation
- Health insurance
- Books
- Nursing supplies
- Student fees
- Personal expenses
- Flights
- Immigration costs
EduCanada advises international students to budget for living costs in addition to tuition and notes that actual costs vary by program, school and location.
Study Permit Requirements
Once you receive admission to a Canadian institution, you may need to apply for a Canadian study permit.
International students should prepare for requirements that can include:
- Letter of Acceptance
- Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter where required
- Proof of financial support
- Valid passport
- Academic documents
- Study plan or letter of explanation
- Biometrics where required
- Medical examination where required
- Other supporting documents
Your admission to a nursing program does not automatically guarantee study-permit approval.
Your application should demonstrate that you have a credible educational plan and sufficient funds for your studies and living expenses.
How to Choose the Right Nursing Program
There is no single nursing program that is best for every international student.
Use these factors when comparing programs.
Your Previous Education
A high-school graduate may need a four-year program, while someone with a bachelor’s degree may qualify for an accelerated or after-degree option.
Program Length
Compare four-year, three-year, two-year and other pathways.
Cost
Calculate total tuition and living expenses.
Admission Requirements
Make sure you have the required Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and other prerequisites.
International Eligibility
Confirm that international applicants can apply to the specific program, not simply the university.
Clinical Training
Review the structure and extent of clinical education.
Provincial Registration
Research the nursing regulator in the province where you want to practise after graduation.
Location
Housing and transportation costs vary considerably between Canadian cities.
Examples of Nursing Programs International Students Can Research
Depending on eligibility, international students can investigate programs such as:
| Institution | Example nursing pathway |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | Accelerated 2-year BScN |
| University of Alberta | BScN Collaborative and After Degree |
| Memorial University | Four-year BScN |
| University of Manitoba | Bachelor of Nursing |
| Carleton University | BScN with RN Prescribing |
| St. Lawrence College | Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
These examples do not mean that every program has the same admission criteria or availability. International students should verify current program status, deadlines, fees and eligibility directly with each institution.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
International students applying for nursing programs should avoid:
- Assuming every Canadian nursing program accepts international students
- Applying without checking science prerequisites
- Confusing a university’s general admission requirements with nursing requirements
- Ignoring English-language requirements
- Choosing a program based only on tuition
- Failing to investigate clinical requirements
- Assuming admission guarantees a study permit
- Assuming graduation automatically provides a nursing licence
- Ignoring provincial registration requirements
- Starting another nursing degree without investigating the IEN pathway
Nursing Programs in Canada: Application Checklist
Before applying, prepare:
- Academic certificates
- Official transcripts
- Biology prerequisite
- Chemistry prerequisite
- Mathematics prerequisite
- English prerequisite
- English-language test if required
- Passport
- Application fee
- Personal statement or supplementary application if required
- Financial plan
- Study-permit documents after admission
Final Thoughts
There are several nursing programs in Canada for international students, but the best option depends on your previous education and career plans.
A student coming directly from secondary school may need a traditional four-year BScN or Bachelor of Nursing. A student who already has a bachelor’s degree may find an accelerated or after-degree program more appropriate. An internationally educated nurse may need to investigate professional credential assessment and provincial registration instead of automatically starting another nursing degree.
Current examples include Memorial University’s four-year BScN, the University of Alberta’s BScN pathways, the University of Toronto’s accelerated two-year BScN, and the University of Manitoba’s Bachelor of Nursing.
The key is to choose a program that matches your academic background, budget, immigration plans and future nursing registration pathway.
If you are ready to explore your options for studying in Canada:
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