2024 Study Destination: Canada or Australia—Which One to Choose?

As 2023 draws to a close, a lot of people are preparing to relocate in quest of better prospects and a higher standard of living in another nation. Australia and Canada are popular destinations for students because of their hospitable immigration laws, varied landscapes, and strong economies.
Selecting a study abroad location can be difficult, particularly for students from other countries. There are numerous factors that make decision-making difficult, such as the expense of living, cultural variety, new procedures, etc.

Most often, students want to know if studying abroad in Australia or Canada is a better option. It is challenging to decide which of these two countries to attend college in because Indian and other international students strongly prefer both due to their excellent public schools, first-rate educational systems, and excellent standard of living. However, before coming to a final conclusion, students might carefully consider a number of aspects. Let’s look at the key differences between the two countries:

1. Education Systems for International Students: Australia vs. Canada

Let's first examine the distinctions between the educational systems in Australia and Canada before delving further into a comparison of both countries for overseas students:

Canada

The four stages of the Canadian educational system are pre-elementary, elementary or primary, secondary, and post-secondary. The system is overseen by the provinces. In Canada, universities offer bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degree programmes; colleges mostly offer certifications, diplomas, and programmes for vocational training.

Australia

Courses in Australia's three-tiered educational system are divided into elementary, secondary, and tertiary categories. Australia's educational system adheres to the Australian Qualifications Framework's (AQF) requirements. Under the AQF, there are ten levels.

Levels 1-4 are courses leading to certificates; Levels 5 through 10 are diploma programmes. Level 6 is an advanced diploma and associate degree; Level 7 is a bachelor's degree; Level 8 is a bachelor's honours degree; Level 9 is a master's degree; and Level 10 is a doctoral degree.
 
2. Admissions Process: Canada vs. Australia
 
In order to pursue education in Canada or Australia, students need to fulfil specific conditions. These prerequisites are required since they demonstrate students' capacity to attend colleges with excellent teaching and learning standards. In addition to academic prerequisites, language competency is required to persuade university admissions committees that applicants can understand the curriculum and function well in a foreign setting with a different official language.
 
Let's examine the typical prerequisites for admission to Australian and Canadian universities.
 
Canada's Admissions Process

• Students need to get the grades required by Canadian universities in addition to passing an entrance exam.
• They had to have completed 12 years of education and received at least a 70% in Grade 12.
• They must pass any exam measuring their level of English language proficiency.
• Candidates for graduate school require a four-year bachelor's degree, two to three years of professional experience, and documentation of their published work, such as a portfolio.
• A minimum GMAT score of 580 to 600 and two to three years of work experience are prerequisites for MBA candidates.
• Candidates for medical school must have a minimum MCAT score of 124 in each component.
• A minimum LSAT score of 80% is required for those aspiring to the law.
• 1 Statement of Purpose
• Two recommendation letters.
• Evidence of Funds.
• A statement outlining the causes of the employment or education gap.
• A valid passport.

Australia's admissions procedure

• The completion of 12 years of education from an approved school is required.
• In order to pass any English language proficiency exam, students must receive a high score.
• UG candidates must have a 12th board average of at least 70%.
• Candidates for postgraduate programmes must have a bachelor's degree and two to three years of professional experience.
• In order to study medicine at Australian universities, applicants must receive a 92% on the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test).
• To study law, applicants must have an LSAT score of at least 150.
• Applicants for MBA programmes in Australia must have a GMAT score of at least 600 and two to three years of work experience.
• 1 goal declaration.
• Two recommendation letters.
• Evidence of Funds.
• A document outlining the causes of any gaps in education or career.
• a passport that is up-to-date.

3. Eligibility Criteria: Australia vs. Canada for Study

The prerequisites for participation in the Australia vs. Canada study will change depending on the university and course selection. All of them adhere to the same procedure, though. Based on the type of study level selected for both nations, the following summarises the eligibility requirements:

Canada

Bachelor's Degree

• Completed 10+2 with a 70–80% result
• A 6.5 IELTS score is advised, with no band falling below 6.0.
• Maybe a SAT or ACT is needed.

Postgraduate degree

• Obtained a bachelor's degree with honours;
• In Canada, an MBA requires two to three years of minimum job experience.
• A GMAT score of more than 550 is advised for programmes in management.
• Some programmes may need the GRE.
• It is advised to have an IELTS score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0.

Australia

Undergraduate Degree

• Completed a twelve-year pre-university programme.
• It is advised to have a minimum overall IELTS score of 5.5.

Graduate Degree

• Completed a 4-year undergraduate engineering programmeme or a 3-year bachelor's degree ram. GMAT scores are necessary for management programmes.
• GRE results for additional courses
• Many Australian colleges will accept an MBA without any prior work experience.
• 0 on the IELTS, with no band below 5.5.

 4. Canada versus Australia's requirements for student visas

To study in Canada, students need to apply for a study permit. The study permit is valid for the duration of the study term plus an extra ninety days after the course is finished. Simultaneously, students who wish to enrol in a full-time programme in Australia need to apply for the applicable Subclass 500 visa. The maximum duration of this student visa to Australia is five years. International students must take English language proficiency exams such as the IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE in addition to any relevant qualifying exams such as the SAT, GMAT, GRE, etc. before applying to any programme in Australia or Canada.
 
5. Best Courses: Studying in Australia vs. Canada

To find out whether or not your desired programme is well-liked in that nation, it's critical to compare the best courses offered in Canada and Australia. The demand for professionals in that field will determine your academic and career prospects.

The following is a list of the best courses to take in Australia and Canada:

Canada

• Engineering
• Computer Science and IT
• Business and Finance
• Medicine and Healthcare
• Media and journalism

Australia

• Business and Management
• Arts and Design
• Healthcare and Medicine
• Engineering
• Dentistry

 6. Work Options: Australia vs. Canada

Under Canada's student visa regulations, students are permitted to work. During the course, students are permitted to work 20 hours per week at either on-campus or off-campus jobs; however, during the summer, they are permitted to work full-time. When it comes to post-study jobs, international students can work in Canada for a maximum of three years following their graduation from a post-secondary institution there. After graduating, students have 180 days to apply for a work visa.
International students in Australia can also work and study at the same time. They are only allowed to work 48 hours every two weeks while in class, but they are free to work as much as they like during breaks. Those pursuing master's or doctoral degrees are not subject to any restrictions on their working hours. Students are qualified for a work visa that lasts for up to seven years after they graduate.

7. Comparing the Cost of Education for Foreign Students in Australia and Canada

Both Canada and Australia compete with one another in the field of studies in their fight to determine which is superior. The fact that international students pay higher tuition than domestic students is one thing the two nations have in common. In both nations, the cost of tuition varies according to the universities and courses. As a result, we are going to show you the average yearly tuition cost.

Comparative Study of the Cost of Study in Canada and Australia:

Average annual tuition fee in Canada

Bachelors: CAD 8,000–35,000
Masters-CAD 10,000–52,000
The average annual tuition fee in Australia

Bachelors: AUD 30,000–AUD 400,000
Masters: AUD 20,000–AUD 50,000

In conclusion, consider your desired immigration track, financial situation, and career goals when deciding between these two possibilities. Doing extensive research is crucial, and you can get useful information to help you make this decision by networking with students who have already studied abroad and with the help of professionals at MapMyStudy. Contact us today for further assistance!