UK vs Canada: Which Country is Best for Study?

For International students, the UK & Canada have always been Study Abroad destinations of their choice. Both the UK & Canada have best globally ranked universities in the world. UK & Canada are not only counted among the best countries to study abroad due to their academic excellence, but also boast of excellent research infrastructure. UK vs Canada: Which Country is Best for Study? becomes a puzzle for international students planning to study abroad to choose among these two countries. In this blog post, we’ll compare Study in Canada vs Study in UK to help students make the decision that is best for them. Let’s find out!

Study in Canada vs Study in UK: Education System

Both Canada & UK offer an excellent education system to students. This education system creates an atmosphere for students for their bright future.

Study in Canada	Study in UK
The Canadian education system provides a more comprehensive education, rather than only depending on grades. The education system provides flexibility.	The UK education system pays a lot of attention to grades and gives importance to the class system in education.
The Canadian education system doesn’t put too much pressure on students and take the stress off students.	This type of education system always puts a lot of pressure on students to perform.
Education system in Canada encourages parents & community to get actively involved.	The UK education system is highly bureaucratic-based.
Canadian universities provide a globally recognized infrastructure & teaching faculty.	However, the UK is also home to some of the top-ranked universities in the world, providing globally-recognized degrees.
High focus on every student’s extra-curricular activities for all-round growth of students.	Extra-curricular activities are focused only on those students, showing a certain level of excellence in some activities or sports only.

UK vs Canada: Eligibility Criteria

Let’s discuss the Eligibility Criteria for Study in Canada vs Study In UK.  In both UK & Canada, eligibility is based on the entrance exam outcomes, where students have to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria.

• Study In UK
  • Students who want to pursue bachelor’s degree from the UK must have passed 10+2 from a recognized Indian board with the minimum qualifying marks as prescribed by the university.
  • For some of the courses & degrees in the UK, students might be asked to submit standardized test scores like GMAT/GRE. Otherwise, students may also have to appear in university-specific entrance tests and interview rounds.
  • Most of the UK universities also accept three years of bachelor’s degrees with a minimum of 65% scored.
  • UK universities also accept English language proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) with a minimum score of 6.5 ( at least 6 in each band also).
• Study in Canada
  • Academic marksheets of your previous degree or diploma
  • GMAT or GRE scores has to be submitted for admission into masters or MBA programs
  • Letters of Recommendations (LORs) if you’ve work experience
  • Statement of Purpose (SOPs)
  • English Proficiency Test Scores (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • Proof of sufficient funds to afford higher education
  • An Updated CV/Resume

Study in Canada vs Study In UK: Cost of Studying

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Degree Program	Study in UK Tuition Fees (Per annum/GBP)	Study in Canada Tuition Fees (Per annum/CAD)
Bachelor’s degree	8,000 to 15,000 (approx.)	5,000 to 20,000 (approx.)
Postgraduate degree	10,000 to 25,000 (approx.)	8,000 to 30,000 (approx.)
MBA	28,000 to 90,000 (approx.)	30,000 to 40,000 (approx.)
PhD degrees	15,000 to 25,000 (approx.)	3,000 to 18,000 (approx.)
MBBS	2,00,000 to 2,20,000 (approx.)	1,00,000 to 1,20,000 CAD (approx.)

Study in Canada vs Study In UK: Cost of Living

• Cost of Living in Canada-The Cost of Living in Canada is relatively cheaper than the Cost of Living in the UK.  Cost of Living in Canada not only depends on the tuition fees of the universities but also its location. Other expenses to take care of is accommodation, entertainment, transportation, & healthcare insurance. One of the benefits of Studying in Canada is that most of the universities are Government-funded. On an average, the cost of living in Canada comes to around 8000 to 12000 CAD (approx.) per year.
• Cost of Living in UK- The Cost of Living in the UK comes to around 15,000 GBP to 20,000 GBP (approx.) per annum. A student while applying for a Tier-4 visa has to prove that he can afford 1000-1200 GBP (approx.) per month (1,00,000 INR approx.) as a Cost of Living in the UK.

UK vs Canada: Visa Details

• Visa for UK- The first step in applying for a Student Visa in the UK is to select the course and university of your choice since you’ll need an acceptance letter from the university. The student should be a minimum of above 16 years of age, and must be able to read, write, speak & understand English. Another important condition to satisfy is that the course applied should be full-time and he has sufficient funds to afford the course. The length of the Student visa is 3 years for a Diploma program and 4 years for a Degree program. Visa fee is around 350 GBP (approx.)
• Visa for Canada- To apply for a Student visa, you’ve to submit an acceptance letter from the university. Also, you’ve to submit a medical record showing your health in perfect condition. Other Student Permit Eligibility factors include no criminal records, sufficient funds proofs, a valid passport & English language proficiency. Visa fees cost around 150 CAD (approx.)

UK vs Canada: Post-Study Work Permit

• Post-Study Work Permit in UK- Post-Study Work Permit in the UK (also known as Post-Study Work Visa) allows students to remain in the UK and search for a job and apply for it 2 years after completion of their graduation. Under the new Visa rule with effect from September 2020, a student has to apply for a Work Permit in the UK before his student visa expires. This new visa rule is applicable for those students who have a Tier-1 visa and are registered with a recognized university.
• Post-Study Work Permit in Canada- Post-Graduate work permit in Canada is also known as Post-Study work visa. Students who have completed their graduation are allowed to work in Canada for a period of maximum 3 years or for a period equivalent to their study course. Only those students who have completed their course from a DLI (Designated Learning Institutions) are eligible to apply for a work permit. After finishing their graduation, they have to apply for a work permit within 180 days.

UK vs Canada: Employment opportunities

• Employment opportunities in UK- The UK is a popular employment destination for international students due to its diverse employment opportunities, numerous job sectors, and favorable working conditions. A student can easily change their permit from student visa to a working visa with the help of the UK’s immigration program. For this, first he has to fulfill the various requirements of UK immigration laws. Students with the right skills, qualifications, and experience can get placement in various sectors such as Retail, Investment banking, Healthcare, Energy etc.
• Employment opportunities in Canada- Canada is a huge country with numerous job opportunities. A Post-Study work visa in Canada helps students to apply for jobs and begin their careers. Most In-demand jobs come from STEM sectors (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math), followed by Healthcare, Telecommunications, and other sectors. Bright students will face no problem in receiving job offers from Canadian organizations.

Why choose the UK to Study?

Studying in the UK is a dream for International Students due to its excellent quality of education, many globally-ranked universities, excellent research infrastructure, & free medical treatment provided by the NHS scheme.

Why choose Canada to Study?

Many International students prefer Canada as the Study Abroad destination due to its affordable quality education, good quality of life, post-study work opportunities, and immigration options. Not to forget the beautiful natural landscapes of Canada.

Conclusion

As this blog has highlighted, both the UK and Canada have their own benefits and opportunities. While Canada has a simpler immigration process, it is easy to apply for PR & Citizenship, whereas immigration laws in the UK are quite tough. However, the UK is also home to some of the greatest universities of the world like Oxford, Cambridge, & Imperial college. Also, the UK is the 2^nd most preferred higher studies international destination after the USA. Hope this blog post UK vs Canada: Which Country is Best for Study? has presented all the pros and cons of Study in Canada vs Study In UK. Please like and share this Blog!