University of New Brunswick at a glance
- City
- Fredericton
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- unb.ca
Key takeaways
- UNB Fredericton international tuition for 2026/27 is CAD 20,903 for Arts and CAD 25,871 for Engineering (full-time, both terms).
- With mandatory fees, health insurance and a bus pass, the totals are CAD 22,754 (Arts) and CAD 27,722 (Engineering).
- The fall 2027 undergraduate deadline is 31 March; scholarship applications are due 1 March.
- Applicants from Afghanistan need a Grade 12 Graduation Certificate with a minimum grade of 55% plus an English test.
- Graduate programs ask for IELTS 7.0 and accept no English waivers, except after more than two years at an English-speaking institution.
On this page
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) charges international students CAD 20,903 per year for a full-time Arts degree at its Fredericton campus in 2026/27. Engineering costs CAD 25,871. With mandatory fees, health insurance and a bus pass, the totals are CAD 22,754 and CAD 27,722.
That puts UNB among the cheapest comprehensive universities in Canada for international students, with engineering, computer science, business and graduate research on offer. Here is what you need to know for 2027/28.
Why UNB is good value
New Brunswick has one of the lowest average international undergraduate tuitions in Canada: CAD 20,029 in 2026/27, against a national average of CAD 42,062 (Statistics Canada). UNB is a public university with campuses in Fredericton and Saint John.
- Engineering at a moderate price: CAD 25,871 a year for international students, compared with much higher engineering fees in Ontario and British Columbia.
- Two campuses: Fredericton (the provincial capital) and Saint John, each with its own program mix.
- Late applications: fall applications are accepted after the deadline while seats remain.
- English pathway: conditional admission through UNB's English Language Programme (PAEP).
Tuition and fees for international students
| Item | Arts (CAD) | Engineering (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (two terms) | 20,903.00 | 25,871.00 |
| University fees | 831.50 | 831.50 |
| Student union health and dental | 375.00 | 375.00 |
| Bus pass and international health plans | 644.50 | 644.50 |
| Total for international students | 22,754.00 | 27,722.00 |
Rates are effective from 1 September 2026 and differ by faculty and campus. Computer Science, Science, Business and other programs have their own fee sheets on the UNB Fredericton fees page. Housing, food and books are extra, and IRCC expects you to show CAD 23,448 for living costs on top of tuition.
English-taught programs
Our data lists 126 bachelor's, 44 master's and 23 doctoral programs across both campuses. Examples:
- Bachelor of Applied Management (Accounting, General Business)
- BA majors including Economics, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Creative Writing, Communication Studies and History
- Engineering, Computer Science and Science degrees (Fredericton)
- MSc in Biology (Saint John) and PhD in Biology (Fredericton)
- Graduate programs with published deadlines such as Civil Engineering, Computer Science (MCS and PhD), Economics and the MBA
Deadlines for 2026/27 and 2027/28
| Intake | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2027 (January), undergraduate | 15 Nov 2026 | Yearly deadline; closes when the term starts |
| Fall 2027, undergraduate | 31 Mar 2027 | Later applications considered while seats remain |
| Fall 2027, BEd / Social Work / Nursing | 1 Dec / 31 Jan / 15 Feb | Earlier program deadlines |
| Fall 2027, scholarships | 1 Mar 2027 | Undergraduate scholarship applications |
| Fall 2027, graduate | Varies | e.g. Civil Eng 1 Feb, Computer Science 28 Feb, MBA Fredericton 31 Mar |
Offers must be accepted with a deposit by 15 May. For graduate programs, UNB advises applying at least six months before the start date. Many research programs have open (rolling) deadlines but need a confirmed supervisor.
Admission requirements
Bachelor's
- Secondary school graduation with the program's subjects. Most programs want an overall B average (C for most Arts programs) in the required subjects.
- English: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 85 (or 4.5 on the new scale), Duolingo 115, PTE 59 or CAEL 60. Nursing, Education and Arts at Fredericton need IELTS 7.0.
- Official or notarized transcripts with certified English translations, mailed in hard copy to the Registrar.
- A WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation if you studied at university level outside Canada or the US.
Master's and PhD
You usually need a four-year bachelor's with at least a B (3.0 out of 4.3); Computer Science asks for B+. You also need three references, a CV, a statement of interest and IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 94 (online IELTS is not accepted). Research master's and most PhDs need a confirmed supervisor.
Applying from Afghanistan
UNB's country page lists the Afghan Grade 12 Graduation Certificate with a minimum grade of 55%. Afghanistan is not on the English-exemption list, so take a test or apply for conditional admission through PAEP. Afghan documents cannot be apostilled. Read our documents and translation guide.
Scholarships and funding
Undergraduate scholarship applications are due on 1 March, a month before the general fall deadline. Graduate students are funded through departments, for example with teaching assistantships and merit awards. Apply early to be considered for funding. More ideas are in our Canada scholarships guide.
Budget, work and life after graduation
For the study permit you must show first-year tuition, CAD 23,448 for living costs (one person, applications from 1 September 2026) and return travel. For an Arts student at Fredericton, that means first-year tuition and fees of CAD 22,754 plus the living-cost amount, before flights. IRCC accepts proof such as a GIC from a Canadian bank, six months of bank statements, scholarship letters or education loans.
Once you study full-time in a degree program, you may work off campus up to 24 hours per week during classes and without a limit in scheduled breaks, if your permit allows it and you have a Social Insurance Number. After graduating you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 180 days; bachelor's and master's graduates need CLB 7 English results. Details are in our work and stay in Canada guide.
Honest pros and cons
Benefits
- Arts tuition just over CAD 20,900 a year
- Engineering and computer science at moderate international fees
- Late fall applications accepted while seats remain
- Doctoral applicants from outside Canada get 14-day study permit processing, according to UNB
Difficulties
- Small city (Fredericton) with fewer part-time jobs than big metros
- High English bar for graduate study (IELTS 7.0, no waivers)
- Only one New Brunswick PAL per student: a PAL from another NB school blocks one from UNB
- Hard-copy documents must be mailed, which costs time from countries with slow post
How to apply step by step
- 1
Pick a campus and program
Browse UNB programs and check the subject requirements.
- 2
Prepare English and translations
Book IELTS or another test and get certified English translations of your transcripts.
- 3
Apply online
Apply at apply.unb.ca and pay the CAD 125 international fee.
- 4
Apply for scholarships by 1 March
Submit the scholarship application before the 31 March admission deadline.
- 5
Accept and pay the deposit by 15 May
UNB then requests your New Brunswick PAL (undergraduates only).
- 6
Apply for the study permit
Follow our Canada student visa guide and the how to apply timeline.
Also in New Brunswick: Mount Allison University. See every Canada article on the Canada hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much is UNB tuition for international students?
For 2026/27 at Fredericton, Arts tuition is CAD 20,903 and Engineering CAD 25,871 per year. With mandatory fees and insurance, the totals are CAD 22,754 and CAD 27,722.
What is the UNB application deadline for fall 2027?
The general undergraduate deadline is 31 March, and later applications are considered while seats remain. Scholarship applications are due on 1 March.
What IELTS score does UNB require?
Most undergraduate programs need IELTS 6.5. Nursing, Education and Arts at Fredericton need 7.0, and graduate programs require IELTS 7.0.
Does UNB accept students from Afghanistan?
Yes. UNB lists the Afghan Grade 12 Graduation Certificate with a minimum grade of 55%, plus an English test or conditional admission through PAEP.
Does UNB have a January intake?
Yes. The winter 2027 undergraduate deadline is 15 November 2026. Only some graduate programs admit in January.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.UNB Financial Services: Fredericton undergraduate tuition 2026/27
- 2.UNB: Important admission dates
- 3.UNB: International admission
- 4.UNB: Country-specific admission requirements
- 5.UNB Graduate Studies: International applicants
- 6.Statistics Canada: Tuition fees by level of study (table 37-10-0045-01)
- 7.IRCC: Work off campus as an international student