University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan (USask), founded in 1907 as an agricultural college, sits on the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon. It’s a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities (joined 2011) and hosts 3,000+ international students from 130 countries.

USask combines serious research infrastructure with prairie-city affordability — a combination that matters a lot for Nepali students weighing cost against academic reputation.

USask is organized into 13 colleges and 3 graduate schools, offering 200–300 programs across Agriculture & Bioresources, Arts & Science, the Edwards School of Business, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Kinesiology, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy & Nutrition, and Veterinary Medicine.

Its research profile is genuinely distinctive: USask hosts the Canadian Light Source (Canada’s only synchrotron), the VIDO vaccine research centre, and is the only Canadian university to hold two Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) awards — in food security and water security. Cobalt-60 cancer therapy was developed here, and USask researchers have released 400+ crop varieties used across the prairies.

Interested in Engineering or Medicine? See our guides to a Bachelor of Engineering in Canada and studying Medicine in Canada.

USask ranks #378 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and #16 among Canadian universities. U15 membership and its distinctive research facilities are the stronger story for Nepali applicants than the raw global number — few universities of USask’s size operate a national synchrotron facility.

Undergraduate applicants need a qualification recognized as equivalent to Canadian high school completion, plus the specific subjects required by their chosen program. Graduate applicants need a four-year degree in a relevant discipline.

English proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0, for most programs — some programs set higher minimums, so check your specific program’s requirements. A CAD 1,000 deposit is typically required to confirm your admission offer, applied toward your first term’s tuition.

Check the full IELTS requirements for a Canada student visa before you book your test.

USask’s tuition spans a genuinely wide range depending on program level: roughly CAD 12,200 for some graduate research programs, around CAD 43,700 for a typical undergraduate program, and up to CAD 73,500 for professional programs like the MBA. Because the spread is this wide, always check the official tuition page for your specific program rather than budgeting off a single average. Estimated annual living costs run around CAD 17,600.

Scholarships: International Excellence Awards — CAD 10,000; IB Excellence Award — CAD 20,000; Canadian Curriculum Award — CAD 15,000; graduate funding up to CAD 25,000 (master’s) or CAD 30,000 (PhD).

On-campus options include Voyageur Place (dorm-style halls with a meal plan, connected to classes via tunnels and skywalks — useful in Saskatoon’s winters), McEown Park (upper-year suites and apartments, including family units), and Graduate House (the newest residence, for graduate and professional students). Saskatoon housing overall is very affordable by Canadian standards, and a U-Pass transit pass is included in student fees.

Saskatoon is a river city with festivals and live music running year-round, plus a genuinely strong multicultural food scene. USask’s riverside campus, built in a grey-stone “collegiate gothic” style, is regularly cited among the most beautiful in Canada.

Faculty-in-Residence programs and peer tutoring built into residence life give students extra academic support without leaving their building — a useful safety net in your first year abroad.

The University of Saskatchewan pairs U15 research pedigree with prairie affordability — a standout choice for Nepali students aiming at agriculture, engineering, or health sciences careers.

Goreto Educational Consultancy can help you confirm tuition for your specific program, apply for scholarships, and prepare your study permit documents. Book a free consultation with Goreto to start your University of Saskatchewan application.

Comparing fellow U15 prairie universities? See our profiles of University of Regina and University of Manitoba.