Becoming a physician in Canada is a long and rewarding journey, but it also involves a significant financial investment. From undergraduate education to medical school and residency training, aspiring doctors often spend many years studying while managing tuition fees and living expenses.
Understanding the overall cost of becoming a doctor in Canada can help students plan their education and finances more effectively.
Undergraduate (Premed) Education Costs
The first step toward becoming a physician in Canada is postsecondary study, often referred to as the premed stage. How much is required depends on the school. The AFMC notes that most provinces require at least two years of postsecondary education, while Quebec residents applying to a Quebec medical school must complete CÉGEP. Some schools ask for more: Memorial University requires a bachelor’s degree at admission. There is no required “premed major”: the AFMC says an applicant’s type of pre-medical undergraduate degree should not deter an application, as long as all academic prerequisites are met (AFMC admission requirements, 2027).
Tuition for undergraduate programs varies depending on the university and whether the student is domestic or international. On average:
- Domestic students pay an average of $8,021 per year in undergraduate tuition (2026/2027, Statistics Canada).
- International students pay an average of $42,062 per year (2026/2027, Statistics Canada), and fees vary by institution.
In addition to tuition, students must also account for living expenses, books, and other academic costs, which vary depending on the city.
Medical School Tuition in Canada
Medical school is one of the largest financial commitments in the journey to becoming a physician.
For Canadian medical schools, the average tuition for domestic students was $16,972 per year in 2026/2027 (Statistics Canada), and fees vary by university.
For international students, options are narrower and fees are higher. In the AFMC’s 2027 guide, 13 of the 19 faculties list visa-student tuition as not applicable, not eligible or not accepted. Where it is listed, the gap is large: McGill lists $69,339 for a visa student’s first MD-CM year, against $6,356 for Quebec residents (AFMC).
Most MD programs last four years. In the AFMC’s 2027 guide, 15 of Canada’s 19 faculties list a four-year program, McMaster and Calgary list three years, Laval lists four or five depending on the path, and Simon Fraser’s new program has no length listed yet. McGill and Université de Montréal also list a one-year preparatory year before the MD (AFMC). For a four-year program, total tuition costs alone can reach:
- about $68,000 for domestic students over four years at the 2026/2027 national average
- considerably more for international students
Additional expenses include clinical equipment, licensing exam fees, and living costs.
Licensing Exams and Application Costs
At the end of medical school, students also write licensing exams. One of the key exams is the MCCQE1 (now called the MCCQE), which assesses critical medical knowledge and clinical decision-making at the level expected of a student completing a medical degree in Canada. A pass is one of the requirements for the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) (MCC).
Costs associated with licensing and applications may include:
- MCCQE1 exam fees ($1,500 application fee, per the MCC fee schedule)
- NAC-OSCE exam fees for international medical graduates ($3,320 application fee)
- Residency application fees through CaRMS
- Study resources and preparation materials
While these costs are smaller compared with tuition, they still represent an important part of the overall financial commitment.
Residency Training and Income
After medical school, graduates enter residency training, where they receive supervised clinical training in their chosen specialty. Unlike medical school, residents receive a salary during this period.
Starting resident salaries in Canada range from $58,728 to $78,578 per year at PGY1, depending on the province (CaRMS salary tables). Salaries increase gradually with each year of residency.
Although residents earn income, they often still manage student loan repayments and living expenses, particularly in cities where rent is higher (see resident salaries against rent by city).
Long-Term Investment in a Medical Career
The path to becoming a physician in Canada requires both time and financial commitment. Between undergraduate education, medical school tuition, and exam costs, the total investment can be substantial.
However, medicine also offers a stable and rewarding career with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on patients and communities. With careful financial planning and preparation for licensing exams such as the MCCQE1, students can successfully navigate the path toward practising medicine in Canada.
For candidates preparing for the MCCQE1, platforms such as mccQbank provide structured practice questions and exam-focused preparation resources designed to support success in this important step of the journey toward residency and medical practice in Canada.
