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Canada vs UK vs Australia - Which Country is the Best for International Students

Canada vs UK vs Australia – Which Country is the Best for International Students?

Canada, the UK and Australia are three popular study destinations for students looking to study internationally. But, Canada vs the UK vs Australia – which country is the best for international students?

Canada hosts three universities ranked in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings – Toronto University, McGill University and the University of British Columbia. Seven Australian universities feature in the top 100, including the Australian University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney. Meanwhile, the UK has a whopping 18 universities in the top 100! These include Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and the University of Bristol.

Each of these countries has something quite different to offer. The beautiful mountains of Canada, stunning beaches of Australia and exciting cities of the UK may all appeal to you – but which country really does offer the best university experience? Read this article to find out more.

Climate

Weather in the UK is, unfortunately, generally mild and rainy. Although the summer and winter seasons offer extremes of warm summer days and snowfall, rain is the more commonly found weather from throughout the year. In the summertime, temperatures generally sit between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, whereas winters are much cooler at around 0 to 7 degrees Celsius.

The weather in Canada varies across the country, depending on the location at which you choose to study. The country stretches across five time zones from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and its weather is just as broad ranging. Toronto offers a cold and snowy winter with an average temperature of -4.6 degrees Celsius. It can get as low as -20 sometimes!

And take note, this is considered a milder winter temperature than found in other Ontario towns and cities. The summers in Toronto tend to be hotter than the UK with temperatures averaging 20 to 35-degree Celsius.

One reason for Australia being such a popular study destination is the amazing weather it offers year round. In contrast to the often cold weather found in Canada and the UK, Australia offers much more sunny climes, and beautiful beaches to enjoy it on, too!

Canada vs UK vs Australia - Which Country is the Best for International Students

Tuition Fee Costs

Tuition fees for an undergraduate course in the UK average US$10,000 – US$19,000 per year. For postgraduate courses, tuition fees average at a higher cost of US$12,500 – US$25,000 per year.

Average fees in Canada are broader and offer both cheaper and more expensive options than the UK, dependent on your programme of study and choice of institution. The bottom end of the average in Canada is lower than the UK, with average undergraduate fees starting at US$7,500. However, the average tuition fee cost in Canada goes up to US$22,000. Postgraduate fees average at a similar price to those in the UK, ranging from US$11,000 to US$26,000.

Tuition fees in Australia average higher than those in the UK and Canada. In 2018, the cost of tuition fees for international undergraduate students was estimated to be US$22,100 per year, whilst for international postgraduate students, the average was US$22,700.

Cost of Living

In addition to tuition fees, other costs need to be considered when thinking about studying abroad. The average cost of living that includes the cost of rent and living expenses for the duration of the course is important.

In the UK, rent and living costs are estimated at between US$12,000 and US$15,000 per year. Most undergraduate degrees (except for languages and medicine related programmes) tend to last for three years in the UK. That makes a total cost of living of $36,000 – $45,000 for the duration of a UK undergraduate degree programme. This price is likely to increase if you choose to study in one of the more expensive cities, such as London.

The cost of living in Canada for international students is cheaper than in the UK. It is estimated that US$7,500 to US$9,000 is needed for rent and living expenses each year. Again, this will of course increase if you are living in one of the more pricier cities, such as Vancouver. However, it is important to note that degree programmes in Canada are four years long.

So, although the yearly cost is cheaper, over the course of study you will need US$30,000 to US$36,000 in total, making it only slightly less expensive than the UK.

As part of the visa application process, potential international students for Australia must prove that they have access to US$14,000 per year to cover the costs of living. Australia is known to be a very expensive country. For residents there, wages are much higher than for people in other countries, and so the high cost of rent and consumables does not cause them any problems.

However, for students, it will mean that you must carefully budget. Undergraduate degree programmes in Australia are generally three years in length, the same as the UK, meaning that a total of US$42,000 is required in total to cover the cost of studying for a degree in Australia.

Postgraduate study is 1-2 years in all three countries.

Canada vs UK vs Australia - Which Country is the Best for International Students

Opportunities for Permanent Residency

It has become increasingly difficult for international students to remain in the UK and seek employment upon graduation over the past seven years. In 2012, then Home Secretary Theresa May, changed the law so that students could only stay in the UK for two months after the end of their studies.

The government later recognised this as unfair and extended it to two years. University organisations and some politicians are now lobbying for this to be further extended to two years. However, it is still stuck at six months at this current time.

In contrast, Canada has a low population and is often seeking individuals to take on highly skilled workers. It, therefore, offers many more opportunities to international students to remain in the country upon graduation. It’s a visa program, the PGWP (Post-Graduate Work Permit) allows students to stay and work in the country for three years if the application is successful. Once this visa has been approved, students are then able to apply for permanent residency.

Australia is also more open to international students remaining at the end of their studies. It offers a Skilled-Graduate Temporary visa that allows international students to stay in Australia for 18 months after graduation. This can be to gain additional work experience or even travel around the country! The Skilled-Independent (Resident) Visa can be applied for to give permanent residency to those who have completed two years of study in Australia.

33 comments

  1. Emmanuel Onwubuariri says:

    I see Canada as the most Affordable and Relaxed Country for all Average applicant from any part of the World….

  2. Lemma Diriba says:

    This is really a very good and important information, I’m graduated student and I am seeing Canada a good country to study in due to its slightly less expensive tuitions and cost of living than UK and Australia.

  3. Tesfu mebrahtom berhe says:

    this is actually good pages we learn so money interesting things, If I gate the Apportunity I prefer Canada ???

  4. Mfon Okon says:

    thanks for this piece of information, it really helps with choosing where to study considering expenses. I think I will go for a Canadian University.

  5. Fuseini says:

    Really, this information is very indicative my postgraduate admission is under process in Australia.

  6. Dakena D.Raynes says:

    wonderful information.
    I love to study in Canada,but the process of getting there is difficult.Can anyone provide assistance for me?

  7. gizachew says:

    It is an important information. Can you please, share more information about scholarship opportunities?

  8. Aruai says:

    This is really a very good and important information, am seeing Canada a good country to study in due to its slightly less expensive tuitions and cost of living than UK and Australia.

  9. Kofi Temeng says:

    These information is very helpful. I will however entreat the author to include these fields if possible:
    i. Financial Support for International Students
    ii. Employment Opportunities after successful graduation.

  10. Agum Joseph Anyong says:

    Thanks to the initiator of this info.
    I prefer Canada to Australia and UK because of the cost of living, work opportunities and steps to getting a permanent Visa. Thanks

  11. Njei Synthia says:

    Wow!
    This is very very interesting.
    Thank you very much for this analysis, it actually makes budgeting easier.
    Well, I think if I was to be given the opportunity to study there I won’t hesitate to choose Canada

  12. Thanks says:

    I prefer studying in canada to others coz of its cost of living and the beautiful sceneries!

  13. Dr M Jasim says:

    Good review, but if it gives more information on quality of education among these thre countries then it would be more fruitful.

  14. Nicholaus says:

    Ooh!! This information is wonderful and so fascinating. It makes me to have rational decision to which country is the best destination for my future study overseas.
    Nicholas Edward Chundwa
    Tanzania

  15. Cosmos Koomson says:

    This piece is very helpful in decision making as to what country is best for education abroad.
    Thanks very much.

  16. Ayesha Zaheer says:

    I would prefer doing a course for senior citizens in Sheridan in TORONTO as both my daughters reside there and are Canadian citizens by birth

  17. Andreas Nditi says:

    I prefer studying in Canada to Australia and UK,because of their difference in the costs of living.

  18. Nja Zai Du says:

    HELLO SIR, actually this web is really a helpful thing. I’m improving my English skills and i hope i can be able to continue my Education. I’m a graduated student. Thank you sir.

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