Carleton University in Ottawa — Canada's capital — has done something no other major Canadian university has done: it has frozen its international undergraduate tuition for three academic years. Students entering in fall 2026 pay CAD 39,000, CAD 45,000 or CAD 55,000 a year depending on their programme, and that rate is locked through 2028-29. For a Pakistani family budgeting a four-year degree, that certainty is worth as much as the price itself.
At a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Founded | 1942 |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | About 31,000 |
| World ranking | QS 2026: about 650th (reported) |
| Acceptance rate | About 70–75% overall (reported; competitive programmes are lower) |
| International UG tuition | CAD 39,000 / 45,000 / 55,000 a year, frozen 2026/27–2028/29 |
| Mandatory fees | About CAD 2,500 a year (UHIP insurance, transit pass, athletics) |
Fees — the three-year freeze
Carleton's published international undergraduate tuition for 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 is frozen in three tiers:
- CAD 39,000 a year — Bachelor of Arts, Science, Economics, Health Sciences, Journalism, Public Affairs, Global and International Studies, Mathematics, Music, Social Work and related programmes.
- CAD 45,000 a year — Accounting, Commerce, International Business, Media Production and Design.
- CAD 55,000 a year — Architectural Studies, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Engineering, Industrial Design and Information Technology.
Mandatory fees of about CAD 2,500 a year are added on top — these include the University Health Insurance Plan, the U-Pass city transit pass, on-campus health services and the athletics pass — and they are not frozen, so they may rise slightly each year. Nursing (BScN) is CAD 39,000 in tuition with about CAD 4,300 in mandatory fees. After the freeze ends in 2028, Carleton expects increases of 3–8% a year. A tuition deposit of CAD 2,000 is payable after admission.
Programmes Pakistani students apply for
- Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Data Science — Carleton's strongest draw for Pakistani students, with co-op placements in Ottawa's tech sector and the federal government.
- Engineering — aerospace, software, electrical and civil, with one of Canada's best-known co-op programmes.
- Public Affairs and Policy Management — unique to Carleton, and ideal for students who want to work in government, NGOs or international organisations in the capital.
- Journalism and Communication — one of Canada's oldest journalism schools, in the city where the country's news is made.
- Commerce and International Business (Sprott School of Business) — AACSB-accredited, with international exchange options.
- Architecture — the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism, one of the few in Canada.
Admission and deadlines
International applicants apply directly through Carleton's own Carleton360 portal or through OUAC. The main deadline for students applying from outside Canada and the USA is 1 April 2027 for September 2027 entry, and applications for the September 2027 intake opened at the end of September 2026. English proficiency is required through the IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo English Test; the usual minimum is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0. A study permit costs CAD 150 plus CAD 85 for biometrics, and you must show proof of funds of CAD 23,448 for a single applicant plus your first year's tuition. After the permit, allow 6–12 weeks for processing from Pakistan.
Closing merit guidance
Carleton is accessible: a competitive applicant has 70%+ in Intermediate (FSc/A-Levels) for most programmes, and 80%+ for engineering, computer science and commerce. There is no single published closing merit — admission is by programme, and the competitive programmes close above the minimum. Carleton's co-op programmes are worth applying for even if the entry bar is slightly higher: paid work terms in Ottawa's government and tech sectors are the fastest route to a Canadian career after graduation.
FAQ
Is Carleton's tuition really frozen? Yes — international undergraduate tuition is locked at CAD 39,000, CAD 45,000 or CAD 55,000 for the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years. Mandatory fees of about CAD 2,500 a year are not frozen.
What is Carleton best known for? Public affairs, journalism, computer science and engineering — and its location in Ottawa, Canada's capital, with co-op placements in government and tech.
When should I apply for September 2027? Applications opened at the end of September 2026; the main deadline for international applicants from outside Canada and the USA is 1 April 2027.
Can I work after graduating from Carleton? Yes — Carleton is a designated learning institution, so graduates can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit of up to three years.
Figures checked 2026-11-06: frozen international undergraduate tuition CAD 39,000 / 45,000 / 55,000 for 2026/27–2028/29, mandatory fees about CAD 2,500, application deadline 1 April 2027 for applicants from outside Canada and the USA, tuition deposit CAD 2,000 — from Carleton University's official admissions pages (admissions.carleton.ca). 2025-26 billing totals differ from the frozen tiers; confirm the exact figure for your programme on Carleton's fee pages.
Related guides on Pakunii
Canada Study Permit Guide 2027 · University of Toronto Profile · Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 · UCAS Application Guide 2027
Sources and verification: Carleton University admissions pages (admissions.carleton.ca); Carleton Student Accounts tuition tables.