Ryerson International

Planning Your Trip: Costs of Living at Ryerson

Living Costs per Month:
These costs are approximate and intended as a guideline to the cost of being a student at Ryerson. All costs are quoted in Canadian dollars.

Health Insurance:
The Canadian government requires that all incoming students purchase the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) (http://www.uhip.ca). Please check the UHIP website for current costs.  Opting out of this plan is possible, but very rare. Only a few other plans are considered equivalent – visit the UHIP website for a listing of pre-approved plans. UHIP will cover your basic medical and emergency needs, but you may wish to purchase additional travel or medical insurance. UHIP fees for 2009/2010 were $252/per semester.

Textbooks:
Prices vary greatly from program to program. New textbooks can average $75- $150 per book. Check out Ryerson Student Union’s used book room (http://www.ryerson.ca/rsu) for less expensive options.

Athletic Facilities:
Membership to the Ryerson gym costs $30 for one semester or $55 for two semesters.

Cultural Field Trips:
Optional cultural field trips/outings are scheduled throughout the semester. They cost around $50 - $100.

Food:
Most students do their own cooking, spending an average of $250 to $350 per month on food.

Rent:
Expect to pay between $600 - $1000/ month for a room with a shared kitchen and bathroom (utilities may or may not be included).

Clothing:
Warm, waterproof footwear, head and hand covering are necessary for fall/winter/spring.

Transportation:
Local transport is very accessible. One way fares are currently $3.00/ride. Purchase tickets or tokens in multiples of 5 to save money. Daily/weekly/monthly passes are also available.

Telephone:
Expect to pay approximately $30/month for a telephone in your room (allows for free local calls). A variety of phone cards are available for long distance calling.

Cellphone:
Expect to pay $10 for a SIM card and $20-30/monthly for pre-paid phone cards. Not all cellphones work with the networks in Canada, be prepared to pay extra for a new phone.