Both Australia and Canada boast world-class universities, excellent quality of life, and vast landscapes to feed your adventurous side. Canada lures with intriguing mountains, and Australia scores with its otherworldly outback and dazzling beaches.
The sceneries aside, which country is better for international students, Canada or Down Under? To help you choose your winner, here’s a guide that compares studying in Canada and Australia – from immigration rules and the quality of education to the best student cities.
An Overview of Top Universities
Here’s a list of top universities in Australia and Canada, according to the QS World University Rankings 2020:
QS Ranking
Australian Universities
QS Rankings
Canadian Universities
29
Australian National
University, Canberra
29
University of Toronto
38
University of Melbourne
35
McGill University,
Montreal
42
University of Sydney
51
University of British
Columbia, Vancouver
43
University of New South Wales, Sydney
113
University of Alberta
47
University of Queensland,
Brisbane
137
University of Montreal
The Cost of Living and Undergraduate Courses – Australia vs Canada for Students
Estimated Cost in Australia
Estimated Cost in Canada
Tuition Fees
Living Costs
$15K to 33K / year
$19K to 20K / year
$10K to 30K / year
$10K to $12K / year
Studying in Canada is far more economical compared to Australia. Note that tuition prices can be different depending on the course of study you choose. Management courses are generally more expensive.
Admission Requirements – Australia vs Canada for Students
If you’re interested in studying in Australia or Canada, you must meet some entrance standards. You’ve got to familiarise yourself with the admissions process for any university in these countries.
Eligibility Requirements for Australia
Most Australian universities require 12 years of pre-university schooling to get accepted for undergraduate studies, making it easier for international students to gain direct admission to the course/degree of their choosing.
Only candidates who have completed a three-year undergraduate degree will be considered for admission to postgraduate programs. In the case of engineering, students will need a four-year engineering graduate degree.
Do you want to join management courses? If so, you’ll need to take the Graduate Management Entrance Test (GMAT) to secure admission. Also, you may need to take the GRE to access science courses. Some Australian educational institutions may not require work experience to join management courses.
Eligibility Requirements for Canada
In Canada, students must have completed 12 years of education before enrolling in undergraduate (UG) programs. A Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is usually not required for admission. In Canada, bachelor’s degrees are typically four years, while undergraduate diplomas usually take students two to three years to complete.
Admission to vocational courses is easier for postgraduate (PG) programs. A GMAT may be required for access to top management programs. Although, in Canada, several of the best MBA programs do not call for the GMAT. Similarly, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is usually necessary for research-based engineering degrees such as an MSc.
No cut-off marks exist in Canadian schools. Colleges publish average scores accepted and grade criteria for specific courses on their websites. This will give you a sense of what constitutes a good score.
You might also need to take language tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS. Even if some schools waive this requirement, taking an English test to get a visa is a smart idea. If the interviewer for a Canadian study visa is unsure about the candidate’s speaking skills, they’re unlikely to issue the visa.
Visa Procedure Australia vs Canada
Both Australia and Canada require a visa. Here’s the process.
Australia
A visa to Australia will set you back about $535. Spouses are only eligible for dependent visas if the candidate is pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree. As a result, your spouse isn’t entitled to a dependent visa if you’re doing an undergraduate degree in Canada. Master’s and PhD candidates’ spouses can work indefinitely. Students on student visas can work up to 40 hours in a fortnight while studying in Australia.
Canada
A Canadian study visa costs some 150 CAD. All student visa applicants, including any accompanying family members, must have a necessary medical examination as part of the visa application process.
Regardless of the degree of education that you intend to pursue in Canada, family members like your husband and children can apply to accompany you. You can work part-time up to 20 hours per week during regular school sessions and up to 40 hours per week full-time during scheduled school breaks such as reading week, summer session, and school holidays as an international student in Canada.
If you bring your spouse or common-law partner to Canada, they have the right to work full-time while you study. Your spouse’s work visa is determined by how long you are studying. If your course of study lasts one year, your spouse will be granted a work permit for the same period.
You’ll be awarded a study visa in the form of a sticker affixed to your passport if your visa application is approved outside Canada. A Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officer will grant you a study and work permit at the point of entry into Canada.
Here are the best student cities in Australia and Canada:
Australia:
Adelaide
Brisbane
Canberra
Gold Coast
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Canada
Montreal
Ottawa
Quebec
Toronto
Vancouver
After finishing your program of study in Canada, you must apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 90 days of graduation. Remember that because immigration regulations are constantly changing, you’ll want to stay updated on the latest Canadian immigration news.
Pro-tip: You can only get a Canadian PGWP once in your life. If you want to continue your education in Canada, it pays to finish your second degree first before applying for a PGWP. That way, you can combine the lengths of your studies to create a PGWP with a more extended validity period.