Which Country Is Better for International Students: Canada Vs Australia?
An international student typically finds it challenging to choose between two countries due to the course offerings and subsequent prospects. This necessitates making a difficult decision when picking a university in the chosen nation. Canada Vs Australia are two of the top English-speaking countries that annually draw more than 50% of international students. According to the QS World University Rankings, 2023, the Australian National University is ranked first nationally and thirty-first globally, while the McGill University of Canada is ranked first nationally and thirty-first globally.
Melbourne, Perth, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, and other major cities in Australia are among the best for higher education. Toronto, Edmonton, Ontario, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, and other Canadian cities are among the best for education.
This article focuses on Canada Vs Australia, the top two nations that compete against one another every academic year. The article will also shed light on the frequently asked question of which country is better for Indian students—Canada or Australia. To assist students in deciding between Canada Vs Australia, there is a thorough section on the most popular courses and admissions at each level in both countries. This section also compares living and tuition costs in both countries.
Highlights of Higher Education in Canada and Australia
| Factors | Canada | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Total International Students | 3,88,782 | 3,70,000 |
| Total Indian Students | 1,80,275 | 96,000 |
| Average 1st Year Tuition Fee | INR 26.45 L | INR 21.94 L |
| Top Universities |
|
|
| Average Cost of Living | C$20,000 to C$30,000 | AUD 1,870 per month |
Popular Courses in Canada Vs Australia
The purpose of this section is to shed light on the popular courses that most international students choose to enroll in in Canada and Australia. To learn more, continue reading
Popular Courses in Canada
The popular courses that are available to international students in Canada are listed below:
- Canadian MBA
- Accommodations Management
- Programming for computers
- Nursing
- Engineering
- Journalism & the Media
- Management & Health
Australia’s Most Popular Courses
Some of the most well-liked courses in Australia that a large number of international students take include the following:
- Australia MBA
- Architecture
- Psychology
- Agronomical Sciences
- Accounting
- Tourism and hospitality management
- Cybersecurity
- Enterprise and Management
Canadian and Australian admission requirements
There are significant differences between Canada’s and Australia’s admission standards. Detailed information about the prerequisites for admission to Canada Vs Australia is provided in the sections that follow.
Canada’s requirements for admission
You must have completed 12 years of education to enroll in undergraduate (UG) courses. You must take the SAT to be admitted. A diploma course lasts two to three years, while a degree course lasts four years.
Admission to vocational programmes is simpler for postgraduate (PG) students because the requirements are much more lenient. You must take the GMAT to be admitted to management programmes, and the GRE to be admitted to engineering programmes.
Universities in Canada do not use the concept of cutoffs. On their websites, colleges list the typical test scores accepted for various courses. That will provide some insight into what a good score is. Regardless of your degree, you must also take language tests like the TOEFL or IELTS. Even though some colleges may not require language tests for Indian students, it is still advised that you take the TOEFL or IELTS because they are crucial for obtaining a visa. The visa interviewer might refuse to issue you a visa if they are unsure of your spoken communication abilities.
Australia’s requirements for admission
- Since almost all Australian universities require 12 years of preparatory coursework for undergraduate programmes, it is simpler for Indian students to be admitted directly to the programme or degree of their choice.
- After completing a three-year UG degree, you can apply for admission to PG courses in Australia. For engineering, you will require a four-year undergraduate degree. You must take the GMAT to be admitted to graduate programmes, whereas Australian universities hardly ever accept the GRE.
Some colleges may not require you to have work experience for their management courses. You must enrol in a graduate certificate or graduate diploma programme if you lack work experience. The university may waive the TOEFL or IELTS, but they are crucial for the admissions process. IELTS dates can be found here.
Numerous variables, including the university, course, and location, affect the overall cost of living and studying in Canada and Australia.
Cost of Undergraduate Courses in Australia and Canada
The following table compares undergraduate study abroad opportunities for various course types between Canada and Australia:
|
Particulars |
Undergraduate courses in Canada |
Undergraduate courses in Australia |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Tuition Fee |
BSc: 19.82 Lakhs INR BTech: 22.08 lakhs INR BBA: 16.37 lakh INR |
BSc: 15,05,000 lakhs INR BTech: 20.74 lakhs INR BBA: 16, 80,000 lakhs INR |
|
Average Living Expense |
INR 5.90 Lakhs |
INR 6.37 Lakhs |
|
Duration |
3-4 Years |
3-4 Years |
|
Exams Accepted |
IELTS, TOEFL |
IELTS, PTE |
Australian vs. Canadian Postgraduate Course Cost
The following table compares the price of postgraduate study in Canada and Australia for a variety of courses:
|
Particulars |
Postgraduate courses in Canada |
Postgraduate courses in Australia |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Tuition Fee |
MA: INR9,50,000 lakhs INR
MBA: 25.89 lakhs INR |
MA: 19.89 lakhs INR MS: 26.18 lakhs INR MBA: 90 lakhs INR |
|
Average Living Expense |
5.90 Lakhs |
INR 6.37 Lakhs |
|
Duration |
1.5-2 Years |
1-2 Years |
|
Exams Accepted |
IELTS, TOEFL |
IELTS, TOEFL |
Australian vs. Canadian student visa
To enroll in courses at Australian and Canadian universities, international applicants must first apply for a student visa. The following information has been broken down by country to serve as a guide for the various student visa requirements:
A student visa for Canada
The following guidelines apply to the Canadian student visa:
- You have 90 days after finishing your studies to apply for a post-graduation work permit.
- For Indian applicants seeking visas to Canada, a medical examination is required.
- If the spouse stays for a year or more, they may also work full-time.
- The application fee for this visa is $150.
- You are only permitted to work 20 hours per week. The student is permitted to work up to 40 hours per week during breaks, vacations, and summer classes.
A Student Visa for Australia
These guidelines apply to this visa:
- The issuance of an Australian student visa does not come with a sticker.
- The application fee for this visa is AUD 680.
- Only if the student is pursuing a PhD or a Master’s degree do spouses become dependents. Master’s and PhD spouses are permitted to work a limitless number of hours.
- While studying in Australia, individuals with student visas are permitted to work up to 40 hours per fortnight.
Post-Graduate Work Permit in Australia and Canada
A post-graduate work visa has a set of requirements that must be met to be granted. The following are the requirements for both Australia and Canada:
Canada Post-Graduate Work Permit
With the Canadian Post-Graduation Work Visa, graduates from any post-secondary institution are able to work while continuing their education for up to three years, depending on the length of their course. The student is allowed to work in any field or industry with this work permit.
Australia Postgraduate Work Permit
Candidates for a post-study work visa must have earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an Australian university and own a valid student visa. Through the graduate work stream in Australia, diploma holders or other qualified graduates may be qualified to apply for an 18-month subclass 485 visa.
Canada’s and Australia’s Most Popular Job Sectors
Many international students apply for courses that could qualify them to find jobs in the following popular sectors of Canada and Australia, which are listed below: There are a few job sectors that are popular in each country, and finding jobs in these areas is easier than usual.
Canada’s Top Job Sectors
Some of the most sought-after positions in Canada are those of nurse practitioner, programme analyst, teacher, chemist, financial manager, construction manager, etc.
Australia’s Top Job Sectors
The top industries in Australia for employment include education, health care, hospitality, computer system design, and accounting.
Note: Foreign universities are not subject to the Indian concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment. Students are expected to conduct their own job and internship searches.
PR in Australia and Canada
Many students have the aspiration to move to a foreign country after completing their education there. Check out the sections below for information on PR in Canada and Australia, respectively:
You may submit an application for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class during this Post-Graduation Work Permit period. There is a dearth of highly qualified workers due to the country’s sparse population. In comparison to most other nations, obtaining PR is very simple in Canada.
| Canada Express Entry | What does SPP stand for? |
| Indians notice a 200% increase in invitations to Canadian PR events | Program for Provincial Nominees and its Benefits |
Although it is a lengthy process, it is possible to obtain a permanent residency permit for Australia. To ensure the applicant is not a fraud, immigration officials thoroughly investigate him or her. Although it may take some time for the PR permit to be approved due to the lengthy process, it is possible to obtain Australian citizenship.
Check:
- Australian PR programmes
- How do I apply for PR in Australia while on a student visa?
Scholarships in Canada and Australia for International Students
The majority of universities abroad offer financial aid. The Department of Financial Aid at your university is where you can learn more about the scholarships it provides. There are many scholarships available to organizations, funds, etc. in addition to universities. Here are a few scholarships available to Indian students who want to study in Australia or Canada.
|
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada funds international research partnerships. |
Indian Students’ Ashok Khurana Scholarship at the University of Adelaide |
|
Canada Vanier Government-funded graduate scholarships in Canada |
Scholarships for Postgraduate Coursework at the University of Queensland |
|
Asia-Pacific Awards for Canada (CAPA) |
University of Queensland BEL Excellence Scholarship for India and Australia |
|
Canada’s federal government provides funding for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. |
Awards for Australian Leadership (ALA) |
|
Programme Sauvé des boursiers de la Jeanne Sauvé Youth Foundation |
Endeavour Prizes |
Canada’s and Australia’s climate
International students must consider the local climate if they intend to stay in a foreign country for an extended period to make their stay comfortable. For reference, the climate details for Australia and Canada are provided below:
Climate in Canada
Wherever you are in Canada, the weather can be very different. Canada covers five time zones as it stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. Toronto experiences a milder winter than the majority of Canadian cities, but it is still chilly and snowy. Montreal’s Winter weather is chilly and snowy. The nation typically experiences summers that are comfortably cool.
Climate in Australia
The south hemisphere is where the nation is situated. Accordingly, summer in Australia begins in December, and winter follows in June. In the tropics, where the average temperature is in the mid-20s Celsius, almost a third of Australia is located. A temperate zone encompasses the southern regions.
