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Detailed comparison of studying in Canada vs. Australia for Indian students. Learn about costs, universities, job opportunities, and cultural experiences
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. Let us start with the overview and then we will explore more comparisons.
Canada and Australia are top destinations for international students, known for their high academic standards and multicultural environments. While Canada and Australia are both English-speaking countries but there are certain comparisons that you must understand before arriving at a final verdict. Let us compare both countries on various factors.
Let us first compare the education system in both the countries:
Aspect | Canada | Australia |
---|---|---|
Governing Body |
Provincial/Territorial Governments |
Australian Government |
Education Levels |
Primary, Secondary, and Post-secondary (Colleges and Universities) |
Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary (Vocational Education and Training, Universities) |
Qualifications Framework |
No unified national framework; varies by province |
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) |
Language of Instruction |
English and French (in certain regions) |
English |
Academic Year |
September to April/May |
February to November |
Credit System |
Varies by the institution; generally semester-based credits |
Credit points system aligned with AQF levels |
Both countries boast universities that are globally recognized. Here are some top institutions in both the countries:
Canada | QS World University Ranking 2025 | Australia |
---|---|---|
University of Toronto |
13 |
University of Melbourne |
McGill University |
18 |
University of Sydney |
University of British Columbia |
19 |
University of New South Wales (UNSW) |
University of Alberta |
30 |
Australian National University (ANU) |
University of Waterloo |
37 |
Monash University |
Let us compare the popular courses among Indian students in Canada and Australia:
Field of Study | Canada | Australia |
---|---|---|
Engineering |
Mechanical, Civil, Computer |
Civil, Mining, Electrical |
Business & Management |
MBA, Finance, International Business |
MBA, Accounting, Business Administration |
Health Sciences |
Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health |
Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy |
Information Technology |
Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity |
Information Systems, Software Engineering, Data Analytics |
Environmental Sciences |
Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Development |
Environmental Management, Marine Biology |
The eligibility criteria vary by course and institution. Here is the comparison:
Criteria | Canada | Australia |
---|---|---|
Undergraduate |
Completion of 12 years of schooling |
Completion of 12 years of schooling. |
IELTS required |
Yes, 6.5 overall, no band less than 6.0 |
Yes, 6.5 overall, no band less than 6.0 |
TOEFL required |
Yes, 90+ |
Yes, 79+ |
Postgraduate |
Relevant bachelor's degree. |
Relevant bachelor's degree |
Tuition fees depend on the course and institution. Please note that these tuition fees are annual and are approximate:
Program | Canada (USD) | Australia (USD) |
---|---|---|
Undergraduate |
USD 7,500 - USD 22,500 |
USD 10,000 - USD 23,000 |
Postgraduate |
USD 11,000 - USD 26,000 |
USD 14,000 - USD 27,000 |
Let us compare visa requirements for international students for both countries:
Aspect | Canada | Australia |
---|---|---|
Visa Type |
Study Permit |
Student Visa (subclass 500) |
Work Rights |
Up to 20 hours per week during semesters. Full-time during breaks. |
Up to 48 hours per fortnight during semesters. Full-time during breaks |
Post-Study Work Permit |
Up to 3 years, depending on the program length |
2 to 4 years, depending on qualification |
Processing Time |
Approximately 4 to 8 weeks |
Approximately 4 to 6 weeks |
Let us compare scholarships of both countries to international students:
Scholarship | Country | Eligibility |
---|---|---|
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships |
Canada |
High academic achievement in doctoral programs |
Ontario Graduate Scholarship |
Canada |
Graduate students in Ontario with excellent academic records |
Australia Awards Scholarships |
Australia |
Students from participating countries pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate programs |
Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards |
Australia |
High-achieving international students for postgraduate study |
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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 us explore Australia vs. Canada job opportunities.
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 that of India, and thus students have to assess the cost of living in their expenses. So let us understand the cost of living in Australia and Canada to help you choose between these two countries.
Cost of Studying (in AUD per annum):
Cost Of Living (in AUD per annum):
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.
Cost of Studying (in CAD per annum):
Cost Of Living (in CAD per annum):
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 when choosing a university in Canada.
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.
After going through all the comparisons between the two countries, choosing one totally depends on the student. For MBA, usually students prefer Australia but for MS in Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Nursing, and other areas, Canada could be a better choice than Australia.
Read Also:
Following is the average cost of studying in Canada and Australia:
Yes, both countries offer various scholarships for international students based on academic merit and other criteria.
Yes, students in both countries can work part-time during semesters and full-time during scheduled breaks.
Both countries have strong job markets with opportunities in sectors like engineering, IT, healthcare, and business.
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