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Germany vs Canada which is right for international students? GyanDhan brings you a comparative guide on best universities in Germany vs Canada, requirements, cost, scholarships, job opportunities and more.
As globalization continues to bring the world closer together, more and more students are considering studying abroad to gain valuable skills and experiences. Two countries that have become increasingly popular among international students are Germany and Canada. In Germany, the number of international students is on the rise, with over 330,000 enrolled in universities in 2021 alone, which was a 5% increase from 2022, according to DAAD (German academic exchange service). Meanwhile, according to StatCan, a government agency, Canada has seen a significant increase in the number of international students, with over 380,000 enrolled in colleges and universities in 2021, a 14% increase annually.
In this blog post, we'll compare Germany and Canada as study destinations for international students, taking into account factors such as the quality of education, cost of living, job prospects, and cultural experiences.
According to DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) there are a total of 422 higher education institutions in Germany, including 108 universities, 210 universities of applied sciences, 52 colleges of art and music, 30 colleges of public administration, 16 theological universities and 6 colleges of education.
Tabulated below are some of the best German universities, recognised globally and a point of attraction for international students:
Top Universities in Germany | QS World University Ranking 2023 |
---|---|
Technical University of Munich |
49 |
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
59 |
Heidelberg University |
65 |
Free University of Berlin |
118 |
Humboldt University of Berlin |
131 |
KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology |
141 |
RWTH Aachen University |
147 |
Technical University of Berlin |
158 |
Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen |
169 |
Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg |
189 |
Read more about: Public Universities in Germany
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The public universities in Germany have an admission rate of less than 30%, while it ranges between 40% to 58.7% in Canada. Private universities in Germany have a relatively higher admission rate of around 60%.
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The Council of Ministers of Education stated that Canada has 223 public and private universities, and 213 public colleges and institutes. According to QS ranking 2023, the following are the top Canadian universities for higher education, popular among international students:
Top Universities in Canada | QS World University Ranking 2023 |
---|---|
31 |
|
34 |
|
47 |
|
110 |
|
University of Montreal |
116 |
152 |
|
154 |
|
172 |
|
237 |
|
242 |
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Around 180 universities in Germany use the Berlin-based national service provider Uni-assist portal for the application process. One of the benefits of using uni-assist is that you only have to submit one application to uni-assist even if you are applying to multiple study programs.
The uni-assist application process can be broken down into six easy steps:
It is also important to know that some universities in Germany have their own application process and only use uni-assist to verify the documents required to apply. In this case, students receive a Vorprüfungsdokumentation (VPD) (don't get scared of these German terms, this simply translates to "Pre-Review Documentation" in English) from uni-assist once their documents have been verified. Students must then send the VPD, along with their application and required documents, directly to the university.
The application timeline for German universities varies depending on the program and the university, but here is a general timeline:
Generally, the fees range from 33 to 82 USD per application. Uni-Assist charges a processing fee of 82 USD for the first application and 33 USD for each additional application.
To be eligible for admission to a Canadian university, the following are the general criteria:
For Post-Graduate/Masters Courses:
For Undergraduate/Bachelor’s Level:
The application process for studying in Canada can vary slightly depending on the institution you are applying to, but generally, there are a few key steps you need to follow. First, you should research the universities you are interested in attending and their specific admission requirements. Once you have selected the universities, you need to apply through their respective portals. The most commonly used portals include the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC), the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS), and the Study in Canada portal.
The application timeline for Canadian universities vary depending on the program and the university, but here is a general timeline:
The application fees for Canadian universities vary depending on the program and the university. Generally, the fees range from 37 to 111 USD per application.
The cost of studying in Germany and Canada can vary depending on a number of factors such as the type of program, location, and lifestyle choices. However, in general, studying in Germany can be more affordable than studying in Canada for international students.
In Germany, public universities do not charge tuition fees for both domestic and international students, except for a few states that recently introduced minimal tuition fees for non-European Union (EU) students. In 2017, the state of Baden-Württemberg decided to reintroduce tuition fees for students from non-EU countries, requiring them to pay around 1,654.1 USD/semester. However, students are required to pay for administrative fees, health insurance, and living expenses which can range from 937 to 1,323 USD per month, depending on the location.
In contrast to public universities in Germany, private universities do take tuition fees, which can range from 27,574 USD/year to 44,111 USD/year, depending on the degree level and study program. Generally, bachelor’s degrees require lower tuition fees than master’s degree programs.
On the other hand, studying in Canada can be more expensive for international students, with tuition fees varying depending on the institution and program. In general, tuition fees for international students are higher than those for domestic students. The average tuition fee for international undergraduate students in Canada is about 22,215 USD per year, while the average tuition fee for international graduate students is about 14,810 USD per year.
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International students in Canada are required to file taxes if they have been living in the country for more than 183 days, even if they have no income. However, in Germany, the tax system is more flexible for international students. If your monthly earnings are below €450, you are exempt from paying taxes. If you earn more than that, you can still claim refunds on various expenses such as moving, home repairs, work clothes, and training.
Cost of living must be your concern in selecting a country, and the living costs in Canada and Germany parallel each other. The average monthly living costs in Germany can be 956 USD, which could be roughly 1,110 - 1,481 USD for international students in Canada.
The table below compares the essential cost of living in Germany and Canada:
Living cost category | Germany | Canada |
---|---|---|
Room rent |
441 - 662 USD |
741 - 2000 USD |
Travel |
66 - 110 USD |
95 USD |
Food |
221 - 276 USD |
148 - 333 USD |
Electricity |
44 - 88 USD |
37 USD |
Internet charges |
20 - 50 USD |
37- 126 USD |
Medical consultancy charges |
33 - 66 USD |
40 USD |
Clothing |
46 USD |
18 - 59 USD |
Entertainments |
66 - 72 USD |
52 - 111 USD |
Now you are aware of the cost you need to invest to study at both countries, but what are the suitable options to finance your education, Scholarships are one of the ways which have been discussed in detail below, but taking an education loan is a feasible option to fund your studies, and you can check your loan eligibility on Gyandhan.
Scholarship name | Eligibility | Benefits |
---|---|---|
DAAD scholarships |
Students of graduate, doctoral, and postdoc studies. |
1,030 - 1,323 USD per month Health insurance |
Erasmus scholarship |
Enrollment in Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters program. |
Fully funded One-year expenses are covered |
Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship |
Undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. TestDaf level B2 proficiency. |
937 USD per month. Can be extended to one more semester |
DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Programme |
Academic excellence Social commitment |
331 USD per month Mentoring programs Networking events Internships |
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship |
Graduate or postgraduate courses in all subjects except postgraduate in medicine. Excellent proficiency in German. |
1,030 - 1,323 USD per month 304 USD as family allowance An aid to health-related costs |
Read more about: Scholarship for Indian Students to Study Abroad
There are general and college/course-specific scholarships a student can think about in Canada, some of which you can find in the table below:
Scholarship name | Eligibility | Benefits |
---|---|---|
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships |
Doctoral students. |
37,042 USD per annum for 3 years. |
IDRC Research Awards |
Doctoral study on prescribed subjects. |
31,147 - 36,057 USD per year for 2 years. |
Merit Scholarship Program by the Quebec provincial government |
Doctoral and postdoctoral studies. |
18,526 USD for doctoral studies and 25,935 USD for postdoctoral studies. |
Ontario Graduate Scholarship, University of Toronto |
Graduate student of the University of Toronto. |
7,410 - 11,115 USD per year. |
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships |
Master’s or doctoral student at the University of Manitoba. |
Annually 10,374 USD for graduate and 13,333 USD for doctoral studies. |
Must Read: Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in Canada
In Germany two visa options are there for international students: If you have received an acceptance letter from a higher education institution, you may apply for a German student visa. However, if you are still waiting for the acceptance letter or need to take an entrance exam, you can apply for a prospective student visa instead. The validity of prospective student visas is three months, and it can be extended by an additional six months if you are accepted into a higher education institution, or if you enroll in a foundation course or preparatory German language course within this period.
Note: To obtain a study visa for Germany, you must provide evidence of your financial means. This ensures that you are capable of covering the expenses associated with studying in Germany. As of January 2023, you are required to show that you have 1,030 USD per month or 12,361 USD per year in funds available.
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To study in Canada as an international student, you will typically need to obtain a Canada study permit, which is a type of student visa. To be eligible for a study permit, you must have been accepted by a designated learning institution in Canada and provide proof of sufficient financial resources to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation. You will also need to provide a valid passport, a letter of explanation, and any other documents required by the Canadian embassy or consulate in your home country.
Once you have submitted your application, you may also be required to attend an interview or provide biometric information. If your application is approved, you will be issued a study permit that will allow you to study in Canada for the duration of your program. It is important to note that study permits do have expiration dates and may need to be renewed or extended, depending on the length of your program.
Germany and Canada accommodate an expanding job market for various fields. Once you complete your studies, you have better chances to obtain a job with a good salary.
The table below presents an estimated range of salaries for jobs in diverse fields:
Career Prospects | Average annual salary in Germany | Average annual salary in Canada |
---|---|---|
Healthcare Professional: (Physicians, Pharmaceutical Researchers, Nurses, Administrative Assistant) |
88,208 USD |
64,368 USD |
Engineer: (Project Manager, Technician, Mechanical Engineer, Chemical Engineer) |
50,708 USD |
62,875 USD |
Business and Finance: (Financial Analyst, Financial Advisor, Business Analyst) |
67,243 USD |
72,212 USD |
IT Professional: (IT Specialist, Software Developer, Data Analyst, App Developer) |
66,141 USD |
54,269 USD |
If you want to be a permanent resident to Germany or Canada, the rules are convenient to accept the international population. In Germany, students can extend their residence permit up to 18 months after their studies to find a job. Eventually, you will get an EU Blue card for working in Germany, and then you can apply for PR after studying in Germany and working for two years.
Permanent residence in Canada means that you must get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and work there for four years. You can extend the study permit till your passport expires.
This was all about the key aspects one should take into account while comparing both countries. You should also in what cases these countries may not be the right fit for you.
While Germany offers many great opportunities for international students, there are also some reasons why it may not be the best fit for everyone.
On the other hand, there are various reasons to study in Canada but there are some potential drawbacks to consider.
To summarize, choosing between Germany and Canada for studying abroad can be a tough decision, but weighing the pros and cons of each country can make it easier. Take the time to carefully research both countries and their education systems to make an informed decision that will lead you towards your academic and career aspirations.
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