Canada vs Australia for Indian Students: Which is Better?

There used to be a time when most Indian students aimed at going to universities in the US and the UK. However, now the situation is changing, and the credit goes to governments of other countries for making pro-immigrant policies, faster visa processing, equally good educational opportunities, and other factors that have made this shift possible. But lately, there has been a growing debate between Canada vs. Australia among Indian Students for higher studies. Since both provide equally good opportunities, we will discuss all points of comparison & let you decide for yourself.

Quality Of Education

The quality of education is a non-negotiable factor for any student as the sole purpose of going abroad and taking a huge financial burden is to get qualitative education. However, if you have to take a call between Canada and Australia on the quality of education, then read the following:

Australia:

It is one of the most preferred locations for students wanting to pursue courses like MS, LL.M., Medicine, Hospitality, and MBA. One of the perks of choosing these courses at Australian universities is that they have a job market ready for fresh graduates. Students wanting to go for LL.M. can easily find a job where international laws are similar. If you plan to do MS from Australia, its startup ecosystem and well-established businesses will welcome you with good salary packages. The same goes with the Hospitality and MBA courses as global tourist and business hotspots like Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra is ready to offer world-class education with great working opportunities. It's a well-known fact that the rankings speak volumes about Australia's qualitative education; as in the QS World University Rankings 2023, seven Australian universities are in the top 100, and ten universities are in the top 200 of the world.

Read more about: Why Study in Australia?

Canada:

The quality of education is not only incomparable but also it is one of the most welcoming countries for Indians. No wonder India has such a ginormous diaspora in Canada. As far as the quality of education is concerned, Canadian universities have always been at the top. If you plan to do MS, Nursing, Engineering, MBA, Media, or Hospitality, go for Canada. One of their biggest perks is their research ecosystem and the quantum of finance they receive each year. Canada has a relatively simple process to get a PR, its proximity to the US also helps in easily migrating for new job prospects, and a large Indian diaspora is a huge advantage for sure.

Read more about:

• 
  Why study in Canada?
• 
  Letter of Explanation Canada 2024

Admission Criteria

Indian students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to secure admission to Australia or Canada. So, it's better to know the admission-related details before moving ahead with Canada vs. Australia debate.

Australia:

For Undergraduate courses, you must complete a 12-year pre-university education, similar to India. For Postgraduate courses, you are eligible for admission if you were enrolled in a three UG program back home. For engineering, your degree must be of four years. If you are an engineering graduate, most universities offer admission without the GRE test. On the other hand, most Australian universities rely on GMAT scores for students wanting to pursue MBA. Work experience also matters in some colleges for courses like MBA. Students must also take IELTS or TOEFL to secure admission at Australian universities. Some universities might waive IELTS or TOEFL requirements but taking these tests might increase your chances of getting admission.

Canada:

Just like Australia, Canada also follows the same pattern wherein undergraduate students have to complete 12-year pre-university education. You must take the GRE or the GMAT exam for admission to postgraduate courses. For getting into engineering courses, the GRE is mandatory, and for MBA, the GMAT. Most universities also take students on TOEFL or IELTS scores, and you shouldn't miss this even if the university waives it as language skills are necessary for the visa too. Another noteworthy aspect of admission at Canadian universities is that there is no concept of cutoff score per se. Colleges provide the scores that students ought to have to apply for a particular course.

Job Opportunities

As you must know, Australia and Canada are among the most preferred countries where students can have a world-class education and job opportunities. So let’s explore Australia vs. Canada job opportunities.

Australia:

Australia is known to provide world-class job opportunities to graduates from university. The universities in Australia curate their academics in a way that makes students industry-ready. Australia offers the students to apply for a post-study work visa, which helps students in getting work opportunities after completion of the course. Australia has the world's top business hubs where fresh graduates are given a chance to work at the world's biggest organizations. The universities in Australia also offer students campus placement, and that's something that attracts students from across the globe. In Australia, the most high-paying jobs are for professionals in engineering, hospitality, nursing, medicine, finance, and law. Other sectors also have bright prospects, but these are the high-paid ones.

Canada:

Canada is home to some of the biggest corporations in the world. Canada's business ecosystem is well-developed to accommodate fresh graduates into high-paying jobs. The universities in Canada also collaborate with private players to ensure campus placement for students. Canada's Post Graduation Work Program enables fresh graduates to work for durations equal to the duration of their course. It gives students a much-needed impetus to work, and one can even get a visa for extended employment. Canada's PR policy is also conducive when compared to Australia, and it's much easier to get PR in Canada. Another benefit of Canada's PGWP is that it lets you work in any field, irrespective of your area of study. In Canada, the most high-paying jobs are in engineering, nursing, media, teaching, industrial design, metallurgy, etc. Other sectors, too, have brighter prospects because Canada is in North America and shares a border with the US.

Cost Of Living and Studying

Cost of living is yet another factor that students from India or, for that matter, any other country takes into account when choosing a country for higher education. The cost of living in a developed country is way more than in India, and thus students assess the cost of living. So let’s delve into the cost of living in Australia or Canada to help you choose between these two countries.

Australia:

Cost of Studying (in AUD per annum):

• For Undergraduate students - $15000 to $35000
• For Postgraduate students - $20,000 to $39,000

Cost Of Living (in AUD per annum): Approx $25000

Although the cost of studying and living is high in Australia, there are some factors that students must consider before concluding the above-mentioned fees and cost of living. The cost of studying varies from one course to another. Courses like MBA, Law, and Engineering are costlier than others. But the cost of living usually depends on your lifestyle and the city where your university is located.

Canada:

Cost of Studying (in CAD per annum):

• For Undergraduate Students - $10,000 to $30,000
• For Postgraduate Students - $15,000 to $35,000

Cost Of Living (in CAD per annum): $15000 to $24,000

Undoubtedly, Canada is cheaper than Australia for international students. From the cost of living to the cost of studying, Canada provides a cheaper option to students from the international community. Just like in Australia or, for that matter, any other country, the cost of studying varies from one course to another. Similarly, the cost of living also varies from one place to another. So, you can consider this factor too while choosing a university in Canada.

Canada vs Australia - Weather & Climate

Another important factor is Canada vs. Australia weather, as the weather pattern is very different. As far as Indian students are concerned, the Australian weather is more bearable for Indian students than the Canadian weather. Canada has extreme weather, and in winters, they are mostly in the subzero temperature range.

Other Important Aspect

After assessing the study, cost, and future opportunities related aspects, let's see other elements that would help settle the debate of the hour; Australia or Canada which is better for immigration? Well, this is very subjective, and entirely depends on your perspective. From the time difference between Canada and Australia to their Climatic conditions, there are many points of comparison. Starting with one of the most important factors, if you want PR and are in the mood to immediately migrate, Canada is certainly a better choice than Australia. But Australia should be the preferred choice when it comes to working at top organizations and at the center of big financial corporations. Students wanting to go for MBA usually prefer Australia over Canada. In contrast, for those wishing to do MS in Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Nursing, and other areas, Canada could be a better choice than Australia.

Another question that pops up in Student's mind is which country is more beautiful, Canada or Australia? This one question has no right answer as both countries have no dearth of picturesque locations you can enjoy during your stay, and even after your studies.

Read Also:

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• Best Universities in Canada
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• Study Loan Options for Australia
• Scholarship in Australia for Indian students
• Ms in Australia for Indian students requirements
• Best Universities for Bachelors in STEM from Australia