CANADA · KINGSTON
Royal Military College of Canada
public · Founded 1876 · Languages: English, French
In short
The Royal Military College of Canada offers a unique blend of accredited university education and military officer training on a historic lakeside campus. It provides full funding for officer cadets and graduate programmes are available to civilian students.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1876
- Students
- 1,800
- International students
- 100
- Acceptance rate
- 20%
- Tuition (intl)
- €5–7k/yr
- Languages
- ENGLISH, FRENCH
- Location
- Kingston, Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) is Canada's only federal degree-granting military university, founded in 1876 in Kingston, Ontario. It trains officer cadets of the Canadian Armed Forces through a four-pillar programme combining academics, military leadership, physical fitness, and bilingual education. Programmes are offered in arts, sciences, and engineering at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and graduates are commissioned as officers across the Canadian military.
Why study here
- Unique combination of accredited university education and professional military officer training
- Tuition, accommodation, and salary provided to officer cadets by the Canadian Armed Forces
- Bilingual (English and French) environment reflecting Canada's national heritage
- Historic lakeside campus in Kingston, Ontario with rich military tradition dating to 1876
- Graduate programmes open to civilian students in defence studies, engineering, and science
Student life
Life at RMC is structured around the military ethos — cadets live in college dormitories, participate in daily physical training, and follow military protocols alongside their academic studies. Sports teams, cultural clubs, and the famous Cadet Wing parade contribute to a rich extracurricular environment. The Kingston waterfront location offers outdoor recreation opportunities, and the city itself provides off-duty social and cultural outlets.
Fees
InternationalOfficer cadets receive full tuition funding, salary, and subsidised accommodation from the Canadian Armed Forces. Civilian graduate students pay standard Canadian tuition rates of approximately CAD 8,000–12,000 per year.
HomeOfficer cadets incur no tuition fees; they receive pay and benefits as Canadian Armed Forces members. Graduate civilian fees are similar to other Canadian universities.
LivingKingston, Ontario living costs are moderate, estimated at CAD 10,000–13,000 per year for civilian students.
Admission as an officer cadet requires commitment to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces upon graduation. Civilian admission is available for graduate programmes.
Admissions
Canadian citizenship or permanent residencyRequired for officer cadet enrolment
High school diploma with strong academicsRequired for undergraduate entry
Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT)Required for officer cadet applicants
Medical and physical fitness assessmentRequired as part of the Canadian Armed Forces recruitment process
Bachelor's degreeRequired for graduate programme admission
TOEFL iBTMinimum 86 (graduate programmes)
IELTSMinimum 6.5 overall (graduate programmes)
University scholarships
Officer Cadet Salary and BenefitsFull tuition, accommodation, and CAF salary during studies
Graduate ScholarshipsVarious NSERC and departmental awards available for graduate research students
Accreditation
RMC is accredited by provincial and federal authorities as a degree-granting institution. Engineering programmes are accredited by Engineers Canada (CEAB).
For international students
CanadaStudent visa & funds
International students must obtain a study permit from IRCC before arriving. Most college and undergraduate applicants must also include a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) confirming a space under the annual cap; from January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public institutions are exempt from this requirement. Applicants must show living funds of CAD 22,895 (effective September 2025, for a single student, excluding tuition and travel), and Student Direct Stream applicants hold this amount as a GIC.
Working while you study
Full-time students at designated learning institutions whose permits include work authorization may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic terms — a cap in effect since November 2024 that replaced the former 20-hour rule and a temporary 40-hour exception. Students may work unlimited hours during scheduled breaks such as summer and winter holidays. From April 2026, eligible students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for mandatory placements.
After you graduate
Graduates of eligible programs may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 180 days of confirmed completion. The PGWP matches program length up to a maximum of three years, and master’s graduates receive a three-year permit regardless of program length. Since November 2024 most applicants must show a recent language test at CLB 7 (university graduates) or CLB 5 (college graduates); degree graduates are exempt from the field-of-study alignment rule that applies to other applicants.
English tests
- IELTS Academic6.0–6.5 with no band below 6.0; research-intensive universities 6.5–7.0
- TOEFL iBT80–100; top universities (e.g. University of Toronto) 100+
Main intakes
SeptemberJanuaryMay
Typical living cost
€1,250/month
Approximate all-in student budget; major cities run higher.
SourcesIRCC — Study permit: get the right documents · CIC News — Increased fund requirements for study permits (Sept 2025) · CIC News — Off-campus work rules update (May 2026) · IRCC — Post-graduation work permit: who can apply · ETS — Minimum TOEFL score requirements for the USA, UK and Canada · Mastersportal — Living costs & tuition in Canada
Scholarships
for Canada
full fundingUniversity of Toronto
Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship
For international students beginning undergraduate study at the University of Toronto who are first-time entrants from outside Canada. Students must be nominated by their school, then complete the U of T application and scholarship process. Selection recognises exceptional academic achievement and creativity, with a record of leadership and impact at school.
full
Funding
€200k
Max
Nov 30, 2026
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of British Columbia
International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award
For international students entering their first undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC) who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and financial need. Students must be nominated by their school and require financial support to study at UBC; the award is need-based, covering costs the student and family cannot meet.
full
Funding
€70k
Max
Nov 15, 2026
Deadline
full fundingWestern University
Western University National Scholarship Program (Canada)
Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents entering full-time undergraduate study at Western University's main campus, with a minimum academic average of 90% in Grade 12 U/M courses (or equivalent), a school nomination, a reference letter, a transcript and an essay.
full
Funding
€47k
Max
Feb 14, 2027
Deadline
partial fundingUniversity of Ottawa
University of Ottawa International English Scholarships
Open to international undergraduate students who hold a valid Canadian study permit and are newly admitted to an English-language undergraduate programme in Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Social Sciences, or the Telfer School of Management. A minimum admission average of 80 percent is needed for the Admission Scholarship and 90 percent for the Academic Excellence Scholarship. Students in the French immersion or French-language streams are not eligible.
partial
Funding
€46k
Max
Apr 1, 2027
Deadline
full fundingCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Open to Canadian and international students pursuing a doctoral (PhD) degree at a Canadian university. Candidates must be nominated by the Canadian institution, not yet have started the doctoral program beyond defined limits, and demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and leadership.
full
Funding
€34k
Max
Nov 4, 2026
Deadline
full fundingCIHR / NSERC / SSHRC (Tri-Agency), Government of Canada
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS-D)
For doctoral students undertaking a PhD at a Canadian institution, with an outstanding academic record. Awards are made by Canada's tri-agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC); applicants apply through their university, and eligibility (including for international students) follows the current Canada Graduate Scholarships rules.
full
Funding
€27k
Max
Nov 1, 2026
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What is the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC)?
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RMC is Canada's only federal degree-granting military university, established in 1876. It offers a unique four-pillar program combining academics, military leadership, physical fitness, and bilingual education for officer cadets and civilian graduate students.
Are there tuition fees for international students at RMC?
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International students applying to become officer cadets receive full tuition funding, salary, and subsidized accommodation from the Canadian Armed Forces. Civilian graduate students pay standard Canadian tuition rates, approximately CAD 8,000–12,000 per year.
What are the admission requirements for officer cadets?
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Officer cadet applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. They also require a high school diploma with strong academics for undergraduate entry, and must pass the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT), as well as medical and physical fitness assessments.
Can civilian students study at RMC?
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Yes, RMC offers graduate programmes in defence studies, engineering, and science that are open to civilian students. A bachelor's degree is required for admission to these graduate programmes.
What is the cost of living for civilian students at RMC?
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Living costs for civilian students in Kingston, Ontario, are estimated to be moderate, ranging from CAD 10,000 to CAD 13,000 per year.
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