Australia and Canada are both incredible countries to choose for your higher education as they both provide excellent career opportunities, high quality of life, and exceptional public services. While deciding on which country to migrate to, it might be wise to compare the different important aspects of education in each of the two countries, like their education systems, grading systems, cost of education, cost of living, social life, employment rates, job opportunities and future scope. To facilitate students in making this tough decision, we have compiled a comparative guide which lists all the differences between different opportunities for study in Australia vs Canada.
Comparing The Education System
The Education System in Australia is quite impressive because of which Australian universities have earned a well-deserved reputation across the globe for encouraging cutting-edge research and innovative teaching practices, which also increases their appeal to international students. Australia has 39 universities, which include 37 publicly supported institutions and two private institutions. Both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes are available on campus, including courses like certificates, postgraduate diplomas, and master’s and doctoral programmes.
The goal of vocational education in Australia is to educate students with the basic and applied knowledge along with the work experience that they would need to succeed in their future profession. Several institutions here also receive public funding to provide vocational education and effective training to their students. Along with these universities, many community colleges also grant students transfer credit for completing their courses. A major difference is the pattern of postgraduate degrees. In Australia, PG degrees are divided mainly based on coursework, teaching or research as follows –
| Sr. No. | PG Degrees | The Average Duration Of The Course |
| 1. | Master’s Degree (Research) | 2 years |
| 2. | Master’s Degree (Coursework) | 1 – 2 years |
| 3. | Master’s Degree (Extended) | 1 – 2 years |
| 4. | Research Doctorate (PhD) | Up to 4 years |
| 5. | Graduate Diploma | 6 to 14 months |
| 6. | Doctorate | Up to 4 years |
Similarly, Canadian universities strive to provide opportunities to students that will enhance not only their learning experience but also their careers and lives. Besides the traditional ways of teaching and research, the university classes here are a combination of both lectures and tutorials. In Canada, the institutions can be strictly divided into four major types. The first is a university where students can apply for UG degrees, PG degrees, PG certificates, diplomas, doctorates and even professional degrees.
On the other hand, programmes offered by university colleges mainly include diplomas and university transfer programmes. The third type, community colleges, offer their students the opportunity to obtain a certificate, diploma, associate degree, or a UG or PG degree. Lastly, career and technical colleges offer certificates and diplomas specifically for technical education. As aforementioned, PG degrees differ slightly in Australia and Canada. They are divided widely based on duration as follows –
| Sr. No. | PG Degrees | The Average Duration Of The Course |
| 1. | Postgraduate Diplomas | One year |
| 2. | Masters Programmes | Up to 2 years |
| 3. | Doctorate Courses | Up to 6 years |
You can check out each country’s education system while comparing the scope of study in Australia vs Canada in depth by analysing the track records of their top universities.
Top 10 Universities In Australia –
- Australian National University
- University of Sydney
- University of Melbourne
- University of New South Wales
- University of Queensland
- Monash University
- University of Western Australia
- University of Adelaide
- University of Technology Sydney
- University of Wollongong
Top 10 Universities In Canada –
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- Université de Montréal
- University of Alberta
- McMaster University
- University of Waterloo
- Western University
- Queen’s University
- University of Calgary
Visa Requirements
You should always begin your comparison of the scope of study in Australia vs Canada by analysing the visa requirements. To apply for a Student Visa to Australia, the first step is to set up an account on ImmiAccount, the online application system for DIBP. It must be noted that the information required for the visa application may vary depending on your nationality and the course you are pursuing. However, in general, the applicant will need the following –
- Proof of enrolment, which can be any type of Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment
- Health insurance, specifically details of Overseas Student Health Cover Policy
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
- Evidence of English skills, scores of English proficiency tests
- A valid passport
- Visa application fee
- In case the applicant is under 18 years of age, an additional document containing parental consent will also be required
On the other hand, the Canadian Student Visa is commonly referred to as a “study permit.” Since the requirements for a study permit change frequently, it’s important to ensure that you receive the most recent information. The website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the most reliable source to obtain this information. Generally, for applying for a Canadian student visa, some of the important factors are as follows –
- All Indian students are required to undergo a medical test mandatorily.
- An application fee of CAD 150 is charged.
- Students are permitted to work for 20 hours every week along with their studies. During vacations or study breaks, they are allowed 40 hours of work per week.
- Spouses of the applicants are also permitted to work full-time if they have resided in the country for more than a year.
- The application for a post-graduation work permit must be completed within 90 days of finishing your degree.
- The Canadian Post Graduation Work Visa permits students to stay and look for employment for three years after completion of the degree.
Study In Australia Vs Canada: Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for any country vary depending on the university or college, selected course, financial aspects, nationality, eligibility, level of study, and much more. Although for international students, there is a list of basic requirements that will be necessary for applying to any university in either Australia or Canada.
- Completing the application form for the university
- Resume
- Basic education degrees like 10+2 or undergraduate degree credentials
- Transcripts for previous degrees by the respective schools
- Personal essay or statement of purpose (may not be mandatory)
- Letters of recommendation
- GMAT and GRE scores
- Scores of English proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS
Study In Australia Vs Canada: Cost Of Study
The following table compares the various popular courses available in different top universities in Australia and Canada and the average annual tuition fee for the respective courses.
| Programme Level | Average Annual Fee In Australia (AU$) | Average Annual Fee In Canada (CAD) |
| School | $ 7,800 to 30,000 | $ 15,000 to 30,000 |
| English Studies | $ 300/week (depending on the course length) | $ 340 to 425/week (depending on the course length) |
| Vocational Studies | $ 4000 to 22,000 | $ 7,000 to 22,000 |
| Undergraduate degrees | $ 15,000 to 33,000 | $ 13,000 to 20,000 |
| Postgraduate degrees | $ 20,000 to 37,000 | $ 17,000 to 25,000 |
| Doctoral degrees | $ 14,000 to 37,000 | $ 7,000 to 15,000 |
| MBA | $ 45,000 to 67,000 | $ 30,000 to 40,000 |
Cost Of Living
The cost of living is an important aspect to factor in while choosing which country to move to since, in the majority of cases, the expenses of students are funded by a third-party source. The table below compares the cost of living in Australia and Canada in 2023. Although these values are appropriate to give a good enough estimate while analysing the opportunities of study in Australia vs Canada, it is essential to note that this expenditure may vary from city to city depending on its popularity, the quality of education, popular universities and courses, and the standard of living.
| Item | Expenditure per month in Australia (AU$) | Expenditure per month in Canada (CAD) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | AU＄800 | $ 550 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | AU＄1,754 | $ 1,611 |
| Transportation | AU＄150 | $ 100 |
| Food | AU＄780 | $ 720 |
| Utilities | AU＄205 | $ 180 |
| Groceries | AU＄68 | $ 64 |
| Clothes | AU＄153 | $ 133 |
| Entertainment | AU＄80 | $ 60 |
| Total Cost Of Living With Off-Campus Accommodation | AU＄2,236 | $ 1,807 |
| Total Cost Of Living With On-Campus Accommodation | AU＄3,190 | $ 2,868 |
| Annual Cost Of Living | AU＄26,832 | $ 21,684 |
Study In Australia Vs Canada: Job Opportunities
While many students choose to return to their native country for work after completing their degrees, others wish to continue residing abroad and find employment opportunities there. In Australia, a work permit of 18 months is offered, during which students can find work or internships in different fields and explore their areas of interest. Once you acquire employment, obtaining a permanent residency could be a complicated process as several background checks are conducted by the officials. This is done to prevent any chances of fraud or scams. As of 2023, the popular job opportunities for students studying in Australia are in the fields of marketing, management, hospitality, computer engineering, software engineering, design, architecture, and accounting. According to the data acquired in March 2023, Australia has an employment rate of 64.4 per cent.
On the contrary, Canada offers a post-education work permit of around three years, which is more beneficial for students due to the longer duration. Comparatively, getting a permanent residency in Canada is much easier since students can apply under the Canadian Experience Class. Education, healthcare, finance, programme analysis, computer systems, construction management and design are some of the popular employment opportunities in Canada in 2023. Comparatively, Canada has an incredible employment rate of 84.9 per cent.
FAQs
Q1. Is it better to study in Australia or Canada?
Ans: Australia and Canada are two of the best countries for higher education abroad. However, if you wish to continue residing in the host country after completing your degree, Canada might be better since it has a higher employment rate and getting a PR is also easier.
Q2. Can I get a PR in Australia after studying?
Ans: It is possible to gain permanent residency in Australia after your studies, provided you have the required points, since the Australia PR visa is granted on a points-based system. Although it is obtainable, getting a PR is tougher in Australia when compared to other countries.
Q3. In which country is it easy to get a PR?
Ans: Canada is one of the countries on the globe where the process of obtaining a PR is comparatively easier.
Q4. Where can I earn more money – Canada or Australia?
Ans: Based on internationally comparable data, Australia currently enjoys a four percentage-point advantage over Canada in the average income, as measured by per-person gross domestic product, that is, GDP.
Thank you for reading our comparative guide for comparing opportunities for study in Australia vs Canada! Let us know your queries in the comments section below.
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1 thought on “Top PGDM Courses In Canada: Universities, Specialisations & Eligibility”
I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further