Which country is better to study international degree? Australia or Canada

You may have got admissions from Universities of  Australia and Canada or, looking forward to apply in these two countries. Decision to study overseas is a big decision in life and needs more clarity.

But sometimes make you ambiguous to understand which country is better to study and why? 

You may be unable to decide the best option. These two countries are in demand currently for overseas students because of their generous student visa process. 

Don’t you worry? this is for you to understand and make your mind up to study. 

I have brought some comparison between two countries and the opportunities available. 

1. Eligibility requirements:

Canada: Most of the universities in Canada prefer 16 years of education for post graduate courses and 12 years of education for undergraduate courses. However, there is an option that the students with 15 years education can study a qualifying year in Canada.

Australia: The universities in Australia minimum 15 years of education for Post graduate course and +12 for undergraduate courses.

2. Student work permit:

Canada: As soon as you enrol in your study program, you need to apply for work-permit. The work-permit enables you to work 20 hours a week during course is in session and 40 hours when the course is not in session.  The hourly work rate in Canada varies depending on the location of your study. The hourly rate is different in each province. It ranges from $11 Canadian Dollars to $14 Canadian Dollars in retail area and can be more if you work in other sectors like Accounting, book-keeping, hospitality etc

Australia: The hourly work rate is same in all the states of Australia. The hourly rate ranges from $15.00 AUD to $30.00 AUD depending on your job you have secured.

The student visa in Australia is granted  with work permit. This means there is no need for a student again to apply for work permit separately. In Australia, you can work 20 hours a week during course in session and 40 hours or more when course is not in session.

3. Off campus and on campus jobs

Canada: From my research, Canada has option of working off campus and on campus jobs. You can work in both places at the same time like 10 hours on campus and 10 hours off campus. Jobs are available in Retail, Hospitality and many more depending on your skills and knowledge.

Australia: There are very few or no jobs offered on campus. Students should seek jobs independently off campus. There are many jobs available for students in various fields like retail, hospitality and many more. Read my article here.

4.Cost of Education and Living:

Undergraduate Courses:

Expense type	Estimated costs in Canada ($CAD) yearly	Estimated costs in Australia ($AUD) yearly
Tuition Fee	$17,000 – $32,000	$20,000 – $42,000
Accommodation, living and Misc. Expenses	$7,200 – $19,200	$8,880 – 18,960
Transport	$960 – $1320	$1,440 – $2,400
Total	$25,860 – $52,520	$30,320 – $63,360

Graduate Courses: 

Expense type	Estimated costs in Canada ($CAD) yearly	Estimated costs in Australia ($AUD) yearly
Tuition Fee	$10,000 – $25,000	$25,000 – $40,000
Accommodation, living and Misc. Expenses	$7,200 – $19,200	$8,880 – 18,960
Transport	$960 – $1320	$1,440 – $2,400
Total	$18,160 – $45,520	$35,320 – $61,360

The above exclude the Medicine courses fee.

5. Scholarships:

Canada: There are number of scholarships available in Canada. They are offered to various programs like Phd, Graduate or post graduate courses. Check out here if you are eligible for any.

Australia: There are few scholarships available for international students in Australia. You can find about them here

6. Post Study work visa:

Canada: You can become eligible for post-graduation work visa for the length of the study you have completed. For example, if you have completed two year study, you get 2 years work permit visa.  However, you may not eligible for this visa if you enrol in a course that is less than 8 months in duration.

You should apply for work visa within 90 days after you have completed your study.

Australia: After completing undergraduate or graduate courses in Australia, you can apply for 485 visa which is called Temporary Graduate visa. The duration of this visa is for 18 months with full time working rights.

7. Permanent Residency opportunities:

Canada: Currently Canadian government is liberal in attracting highly skilled people for migration purposes. As part of these migration programs, they have family sponsorships, generous language requirements etc. As per Canadian immigration website, it says the eligible candidates should attain 67 points for successful migration. There was a total of 86,022 invitation were issued during the year 2017. See how you can score 67 points here.

Australia: I see a gradual change in Australian Migration requirements since I became Permanent Residency of this country. As per immigration website HomeAffairs.gov.au, 65 points are required for migration purposes. Practically, invitation is issued (on merit basis) to candidates who score more than 75 points. Read here how can you score points.

Refer the half yearly (Jul 2017 and Jan 2018) invitations issued in the year 2017. There were total invitations of only 27,031 for the year 2017. Australian immigration is competitive in the recent years.

8. Weather:

Canada: Canada is the second largest country on the earth. The weather in winter is very cold in most of the places with temperatures below zero degree Celsius. Snow covers the ground from December to March or April.

Summer starts from June to September and the weather can reach from warm to hot. The temperatures are between 20 and 30 degree Celsius. Spring starts from March to May and Fall is between October to November.

Australia: The winter temperatures during the day ranges from 5 degree Celsius to 18 degree Celsius. There is a frost in some areas but snow is only in few places.

Summer temperatures can range from 30 degree Celsius to 45 degree Celsius during peak times.

The winter starts in the months of May to August and the summer from November to January. Autumn and spring are transition seasons with ranging temperatures from 15 degree Celsius to 25 degree Celsius. These seasons start from colder to warmer and vice – versa.

9. Language:

English is the only official language in Australia.  Canada has English and French as their official languages. If you are planning to study in Canada, try to add French to your curriculum. This adds extra points towards your permanent residency.

10. Courses on demand:

Canada: The courses in demand for Canada is MBA, hospitality, Accounting, Medical, Agriculture and Information Technology

Australia: The courses in demand are Information Technology, Accounting, Medical, Agriculture, teaching and hospitality.

11. Culture:

Canada and Australia are multi-cultural. You find students and immigrants from all over the world. 

Conclusion:

After reading the above, you may be confused more as both countries are too good  for education purposes. However, two tips from my end:

Objective 1 :

 If your goal is to study, work and go back to your country you can choose any country to study.

The next step to consider is the fees, if you are bit concerned about fee then choose the country that has less fee and offering good education.

Objective 2:

If your objective is to study, work and permanently settle down overseas. Then I believe Canada has got more prospects in this regard.

Recently, Australia has made its immigration rules bit rigid. And also increased the tuition fee considerably. Although it is a lovely place to study and work. 

Take your decision based on your motive.  All the best my friend!