Study in Canada vs Australia: Where Should Be the Better Opportunity?

Study in Canada vs Australia:- Studying abroad is the dream of thousands of international students. The process to move to a different country for higher studies is very tedious. You have to go through university applications, visa applications, accommodation booking, and many other tasks. However, one of the most crucial tasks is to choose a country. There are a lot of developed countries that offer high-quality education and better job opportunities, but choosing one of these countries is a difficult task. Canada and Australia are two of the most preferred countries by international students for higher studies. Both these countries are best for education and offer a high standard of living. They both also have some advantages and disadvantages. To help you choose between Canada and Australia we have come up with a detailed analysis on which is better for you. 

In this blog, we will discuss the question, Which is better studying in Canada or Australia?

Admission Requirements for Study in Canada Vs Australia

Admission requirements are the minimum eligibility criteria for a given course. These requirements are more or less similar for all bachelor’s and master’s courses. However, these requirements may differ from country to country. Let us check which country has easier or less strict admission requirements. 

Canada admission requirements

The requirements for pursuing an undergraduate and postgraduate degree are different in Canada. To pursue an undergraduate degree in Canada you will need:

• 12 years of schooling. This refers to the general schooling till the 12th standard. If you choose a course related to the science stream then you may be required to have completed your 12th in science stream. If you choose a commerce stream you may require a commerce background in 12th. If you took a different stream in 12th and you want to shift fields in your undergrad then you should mention your reason in your statement of purpose. 
• Some courses may require an SAT score. The Scholastic Assessment Test is a general test given by high school pass outs to get admission in some of the top undergraduate courses. This will apply if you have chosen a course like Aeronautical engineering, or any other such course in which the applications received are way more than the seats available. 
• To get admission into a diploma you may need 10 years schooling or 12 years. This depends on your course. Diploma courses generally do not require any test like the SAT. 

To pursue a postgraduate degree in Canada you will need:

• If you want to pursue a vocational course then the admission criteria are relaxed and you can get admission directly by your bachelor’s marks.
• For management courses, you need a good GMAT score.
• For engineering courses, you will need a GRE score. 
• For other courses, admission is directly through the bachelor’s score. 

Australia Admission Requirements

Going further in the comparison of study in Canada vs Australia let us understand the admission requirements for UG and PG courses in Australia. 

For UG courses in Australia, you need:

• 12 years of schooling. The stream of your 12th should be the same as your chosen course. Mostly you will not need to give any aptitude test for admission. Admission to Australian universities is slightly easier than Canadian universities. 
• If you are applying for a diploma course then admission is even more easier. 
• The SAT doesn’t apply to Australian universities. This is a major benefit for Australia in comparison to study in Canada vs Australia.

For PG courses:

• In Australia, a 3 years bachelor is accepted for a master’s program. In case you are pursuing engineering, you will need a 4-year bachelor. 
• GRE scores are less popular in Austria, however, you may need a good GMAT score. 

Apart from the individual requirements, both Canada and Australia require you to give an English proficiency test to make sure that you are capable of studying in English. Some universities in Canada and Australia may exempt you from giving the English tests, but you should still give the test to ensure a smooth visa procedure.

For undergraduate programs, both countries do not expect any work experience, but if you are applying for a master’s program then work experience may be a prerequisite ins some courses. In research courses, you may also need some publications in leading journals. 

If you do not have these then you may state your motivation for applying to the program. If your reason for not having any work experience is valid, the universities may give you admission. 

Cost of Study in Canada vs Australia

The cost is a major parameter that deifies your stay in the country abroad. If you do not have sufficient funds then you may choose a cheaper country. The cost for UG and PG courses varies in Canada and Australia. Let us look at the detailed comparison of costs for both courses:

Note that the living cost given here is an average cost. The actual living cost depends on your particular location in a country. It also depends on your personal needs. You can search for the average living expense in the city in which your preferred university is located. Scholarships are available for all kinds of courses in both countries. You can look for scholarships available for your course. If any country has higher scholarship opportunities in your field then choose that among study in Canada vs Australia. 

Student visa in Canada vs Australia- Which is easier to get?

Many students are concerned about their visa applications getting rejected or taking more time than expected. The visa process depends from country to country and the processing time may depend. This section compares the visa procedures in Canada and Australia. This will give you more clarity in your study in Canada vs Australia.  

Features of a Student Visa in Canada

The features of a Canada study visa are as below:

• After completion of your PG studies if you wish to work, then you will have to apply for a Postgraduate work permit within 90 days.
• You should have a medical test done in India for the visa procedure.
• If your spouse is coming with you then they can work full time in Canada. This applies if they are coming for one year or more. 
• The cost of a visa application is CAD 150, which is around INR 9,400.
• With a Canada student visa, you can work part-time for 20 hours a week. During your semester breaks this limit can be exceeded to 40 hours a week. 

Features of an Australian student visa

The features of the Australian student visa are as below:

• The Australia study visa also requires you to submit a medical test result.
• The cost for an Australian student visa is AUD 650 for UG courses and AUD 680 for PG courses. This amounts to INR 35,920 and INR 37,600 respectively. The general requirements for a student visa in Canada and Australia are the same. The only differentiating feature in the study in Canada vs Australia study visa is the cost. The Australian study visa costs much higher than the Canadian study visa. 
• If you are a Master’s or a Ph.D. student in Australia then your spouse can work unlimited hours.
• With a student visa, you can work for 48 hours a fortnight in Australia. This limit can be exceeded during summer breaks and holidays. 

Read More: PTE Score for Australia

Working after PG study in Canada vs Australia

Many students wish to work in the country in which they choose to pursue their higher education. The work regulations after PG varies in Canada and Australia.

Canada PG work visa

To obtain a PG work visa in Canada, you should have graduated from a post-secondary institute in Canada. The validity of the work visa may depend on your course and profile but the maximum limit is 3 years. There is no restriction to work in the same field of your study. You can work in any field of industry with a post-graduation work visa in Canada.

Australia PG work visa

All students who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from an Australian university are eligible to apply for a post-graduation work visa in Australia. You can extend your stay up to 2 years. If you have a high level of study and an in-demand job then you may extend your stay up to a maximum of 6 years. This makes Australia a better option in the comparison of study in Canada vs Australia if you want to work for more years.  

Conclusion (Study in Canada vs Australia)

Choosing a country to pursue higher studies is the most difficult task in the study abroad journey. When deciding whether to choose Canada or Australia, you should keep several parameters in mind to compare both. Some of the important parameters like admission requirements, costs, study visas, and post-work visas are discussed in this blog. You must identify what parameters matter the most to you. For example, if you have very good academic scores, then you might not be much concerned about which country has easier university requirements.

 If you have low English scores then you should be concerned about which country has easier student visa requirements. In this way identify which country will be the best for you. Australia is cheaper than Canada, but Canadian universities have an excellent international reputation. Choose the country that suits you the best. All the best for your application! For more IELTS PTE related information follow Course Mentor.

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