Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's): Tuition, Scholarships & Co-op Guide for International Students

Memorial University of Newfoundland, known as Memorial or MUN, is a public university whose main campus is in St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, on Canada's Atlantic coast. It was founded in 1925 and is known for marine and ocean sciences, engineering, business, education, medicine, and co-operative education, with a friendly campus in a historic port city. This guide covers what Memorial University international students should know: official 2026-27 undergraduate tuition, required fees, residence costs, English requirements, entrance scholarships, co-op, its QS position, and Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Memorial University of Newfoundland, a public university with its St. John's campus in the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, founded in 1925
• QS World University Rankings 2026: reported at #660
• 2026-27 international undergraduate tuition: about C$11,250 per semester for five courses, or about C$22,500 a year for two semesters
• Required fees: about C$472.50 per semester, including a health insurance charge of C$274 for international students
• Residence examples (fall 2026, including a mandatory meal plan): Paton College double room C$5,237 and Macpherson College single room C$6,195
• Graduate and MBA fees (third-party): graduate about C$4,833 to C$9,958 a year, and MBA about C$18,746
• English requirement: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 83, PTE 60, or Duolingo 115
• Scholarships: an International Entrance Scholarship of up to C$6,000, one-time and non-renewable, with automatic consideration
• Tuition policy: per-credit rates for 2026-27 are frozen at 2025-26 levels under the provincial government's decision

Rankings and reputation

Memorial's QS 2026 rank of about 660 is modest, so it is not a top-ranked global brand, but it has notable strengths in ocean and marine sciences, engineering, and education, and it is a comprehensive university with medicine and a wide range of programmes. Judge it on your programme, its co-op record, and the cost, and compare it with other Atlantic Canadian universities and larger Ontario institutions.

Academics and signature programs

Memorial teaches in faculties including engineering and applied science, business, science, humanities and social sciences, education, medicine, nursing, and the Marine Institute for ocean and technology programmes. It offers a wide range of co-operative education programmes at undergraduate and graduate levels, alternating study terms with paid work terms. Professional programmes such as engineering, nursing, and education have accreditation conditions that affect practice outside Canada.

Admissions and international eligibility

Memorial admits students on academic results, with entry standards that vary by faculty, and reports show a relatively high acceptance rate in third-party listings, though I could not verify it. After admission, students apply for a Canadian study permit, and many undergraduate applicants may need a provincial attestation letter, so ask Memorial how the process works. Confirm deadlines for your intake.

English language requirements

• IELTS 6.5 overall is required, according to Memorial's listed options
• Alternatives include TOEFL 83, PTE Academic 60, and Duolingo 115
• Some programmes, especially graduate and professional ones, may set higher scores
• Confirm the requirement for your programme before booking a test

Application checklist

A typical application includes secondary school or university transcripts, English results, and passport details, plus programme-specific materials for graduate study. Ask about the deposit, the attestation-letter process, and any application deadlines.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Memorial's undergraduate page states 2026-27 international tuition at about C$11,250 per semester for five courses, roughly C$22,500 a year, and lists required fees of about C$472.50 per semester, including C$274 for international student health insurance. Tuition per credit for 2026-27 is frozen at 2025-26 rates under a provincial decision. Third-party sources put graduate fees at about C$4,833 to C$9,958 and the MBA at about C$18,746 a year. Ask for a written estimate for your programme and whether a co-op fee applies.

Estimated living costs

• St. John's is one of Canada's more affordable cities for housing compared with Toronto or Vancouver
• Residence rates include a mandatory meal plan, with fall 2026 examples of C$5,237 for a double room and C$6,195 for a single
• Study-permit applicants must show funds for tuition, travel, and living costs, and the required amount is updated periodically
• Winters are long, windy, and snowy, so budget for warm clothing
• International students can generally work a limited number of hours per week off campus during term under current rules

Scholarships

Memorial offers international students opportunities for scholarships as funding allows, with automatic consideration for an entrance scholarship if you meet the criteria, and the International Entrance Scholarship awards up to C$6,000 as a one-time, non-renewable payment for the first year. Ask what else is available for continuing students, graduate students, and co-op participants.

Campus life and student support

Memorial's St. John's campus offers residences, sports facilities, and a friendly community in a colourful port city known for its music, seafood, and hiking. Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook is a separate campus, so make sure your offer names St. John's. Ask about international student advising, immigration support, and how orientation works.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Newfoundland and Labrador's economy includes offshore oil and gas, ocean technology, fisheries, health, and public services, and Memorial's co-op programmes connect students to employers. Ask for co-op placement rates for international students and typical employers, and check whether provincial pathways to permanent residence apply.

Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit

Graduates of eligible programs at designated learning institutions can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, whose length generally depends on the program length up to three years. Canada has tightened rules, including language requirements and, for some program types, field-of-study conditions, and it caps new study permits, so confirm the current rules with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and ask the institution whether your program qualifies.

Why Memorial can cost less

Newfoundland and Labrador's government has frozen tuition rates, and living costs in St. John's are below those in Toronto or Vancouver. That makes Memorial one of the more affordable options for international students, though a smaller job market and a remote location mean you should think about your career plan before choosing.

Living in St. John's

St. John's is a compact, colourful city with a maritime climate, fog, wind, and heavy snow in winter. It offers a strong music and arts scene, hiking, and a friendly community, but flights are longer and pricier. Plan travel for holidays and consider how far you are willing to be from home.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

International students need health coverage, which may be through a provincial plan after a waiting period or a university plan, so ask what applies. Budget for the study permit fee, flights, winter clothing, and a housing deposit, and arrange housing early.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, registration, and adapting to Canadian classroom culture, which values participation and regular assignments. Students who use tutoring, writing support, and co-op advising early tend to settle faster.

A realistic budget

At about C$22,500 a year in tuition, four years cost about C$90,000 before required fees, housing, and living costs, and a one-time entrance award of up to C$6,000 helps modestly. This is significantly cheaper than many Canadian universities, but confirm the numbers in writing.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What is the exact tuition and fees for my programme, and is it frozen?
• Do I need a provincial attestation letter, and does Memorial help arrange it?
• Does my programme offer co-op, and what does it cost?
• Which scholarships are automatic, and what are the amounts?
• Does my programme qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit?
• What residence and housing options are available at St. John's?

Who Memorial suits best

Memorial suits students who want a lower-cost Canadian university, a friendly campus, co-op options, and strengths in ocean sciences, engineering, and business. It may suit less well students who want a globally ranked brand, a large-city job market, or milder winters.

Memorial compared with other Canadian universities

Memorial offers lower tuition and living costs than many Canadian universities, but a lower QS position and a smaller local job market. Compare the programme, the total cost, the co-op record, and the location.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and confirm entry requirements.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer and obtain the documents needed for your study permit.
5. Apply for your study permit and arrange insurance.
6. Book housing and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, English results, and proof of funds, and start the study-permit process early because processing times vary. Keep written confirmation of fees and scholarships.

Co-op at Memorial

Memorial's co-operative education programmes alternate study terms with paid work terms, which can build experience and reduce net costs. International students need a co-op work permit, and some programmes charge co-op fees, so ask which programmes offer co-op, how placements are found, and what support exists for international students.

Frequently asked questions