India vs. Canada: Which Country is Best for You!

Are you planning to pursue higher education? Indian institutes have been gaining value year over year by offering high placements and quality education. While a majority of Indian students end up pursuing higher education in India, those planning to study abroad always keep Canada in mind. Home to nearly 1.8 million Canadians with Indian heritage, the country has easily become one of the most popular destinations for anyone planning to study or even settle down from India. So, in this detailed comparison between India vs. Canada, let’s see which country wins. 

Study in India vs. Canada

India

Education in India is taking a new turn with modern reforms. After independence, resources to learn were less compared to now. A strict, theoretical and comprehensive education system has made Indian students disciplined, multi-taskers, knowledgeable and able to handle pressure.

Top 10 universities in India that you can look forward to getting the best education are:-

• University of Delhi
• Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
• Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
• Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
• Indian Institute of Science
• Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Savitribai Phule University 
• Vellore Institute of Technology 

Myths about Indian Education System

Canada 

In India vs. Canada, studying in Canada definitely wins by a significant gap. Top ranking universities, student-friendly cities and a flexible education system make Canada an ideal country for education. 

Top universities in Canada which rank highest in terms of quality education are:- 

• University of Toronto
• McGill University 
• University of British Columbia
• University of Montreal 
• University of Alberta
• McMaster University
• University of Waterloo
• Western University
• Queen’s University
• University of Calgary

Read about the Canada Education System

Top Courses in India vs. Canada

India 

India has one of the widest ranges of courses globally. Home to one of the oldest universities in the world, you will find programs for Sanskrit, Religion and History like in no other international university. India has a stronghold over technology and sciences with some of the IITs ranking higher than universities in Canada.

Top courses in India are:-

• Business Administration 
• Computer Application
• Engineering
• Fashion, web and interior designing
• Mass Communication or Journalism
• Medicine
• Pharmacy 
• Education 
• Commerce

Canada

Some of the globally ranking universities in Canada are popular for the quality of courses they offer. Most of the courses are of a co-op nature in Canada which means that you can study and work at the same time in the industry related to your course. 

Top courses in Canada are:- 

• Business and Finance
• Information Technology
• Engineering 
• Medicine
• Media
• Journalism 
• Actuarial Science
• Data Analytics
• Agricultural Studies

Eligibility Criteria in India vs. Canada

India 

You need a foundation education and good grades to make it to the merit list. In some private universities, an entrance exam followed by an interview is also possible. Since the eligibility criteria are fewer, the application process automatically becomes easy.

Eligibility for Bachelor’s degree in India	Eligibility for Master’s Degree in India
Completion of class 12th from a recognised institution with at least 50%	A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
Passing the minimum cutoff for the entrance exam (depending on the university)	Entrance exams like CAT, AMUEE, JNUEE, etc
	Personal Interview or Group Discussions (depending upon university)

Learn how to ace the Online Interview?
How to answer “Tell me about yourself” in a college interview?

Canada

Indians complete our basic 10+2 education in India. After high school, you choose whether to study in Canada for undergraduate and graduate education. Shifting to a new education system requires you to be eligible for a lot of criteria before the application process. 

Eligibility for Bachelor’s degree in Canada	Eligibility for Master’s degree in Canada
Completion of class 12th with minimum 65%	Minimum 16 years of education with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in bachelor.
Proof of English Proficiency- IELTS (6.5 or more)	Proof of English Proficiency- IELTS (6.5 or more)
English and PCM (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) in 12th for certain courses	GMAT/GRE scores (the minimum depends upon university)
Proof of financial support	Proof of financial support
Eligible for the Canadian student permit	Eligible for the Canadian student permit

What are the Requirements to Study in Canada?

Student Culture in India vs. Canada

India

Student culture in India depends upon the city you are studying in. While the easy accessibility to any college is an advantage, how comfortable a student is in the university is very important. If you are studying in the same city as you live, you find it easier to adjust.

An essential factor in a rare conversation is the startup culture in India. All universities and colleges have seen a large number of startups being born on campus. Groups of like-minded students come together to create startups that go on to reach unicorn status. So if innovation and entrepreneurship excite you, India is where you should study!

Canada

Studying in India will comfort you but studying in Canada will excite you. Canada’s vibrant community with expert faculty forces you to take initiatives. You have a better relationship with your classmates which is a great chance to network. Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are amongst the top 20 student-friendly cities in the world.

Cost of Living in India vs. Canada

The value of one Canadian dollar is Rs.59.14. Keeping this in mind, Canada turns out to be far more expensive to study in if we compare India vs. Canada. 

India

Category	Average Expense
Tuition fee (varies course to course)	Rs.2 lakhs-5 lakhs/year
Accommodation	Rs.1.38 lakh-2.5 lakhs/year
Food	Rs.1500-5000/week
Travel	Rs.300-1000/week
Utilities	Rs.300-1000/week
Study material	Rs.700-3000/year
Sports and leisure	Rs.500-2000/week

Canada

Category	Average Expense
Tuition fee (varies course to course)	Rs.15-30 lakhs/ year
Student permit	Rs.8868
Accomodation	Rs. 2.67 lakhs-5.39 lakhs/ year
Food	Rs.17,000-20,000/ month
Travel	Rs.4300-6000/ month
Study material	Rs.35,493/ year
Sports and leisure	Rs.4000/ month

Work While Study- India vs. Canada

India 

In India, you require no permit from the university to do an internship or work during your university hours. You should be able to juggle work and college together without your work affecting your grades.

Canada

Both India and Canada win in this category of work while studying in India vs. Canada. You are allowed to work on-campus or off-campus in Canada on a Canadian student permit. However, if you are on a scholarship that requires a minimum grade from you every semester, ensure you are good at managing both before starting work. 

Part-time Jobs in Canada

Return on Investment in India vs. Canada

Return on Investment in the case of education means the salary/ stipend you receive after the investment in your education. 

India 

A fresher’s average salary in India is at Rs.20,000/month or Rs.2,40,000/year in India and the average cost of education ranges from Rs.2-5 lakhs/year. Keeping this in mind, you will be able to earn back what you invested in your college education in less than 2 years. 

Cheapest Medical Colleges in India

Canada

The national average salary for freshers in Canada is $54,368 or Rs.32,22,324 per year and the average cost of education is Rs.15-30 lakhs/year. As an Indian student, it will take approximately 5 years to earn back what is invested in a college education. 

India stands in a better position for the ROI factor in India vs. Canada because the average starting salary, even though lower than Canada, is more than the cost of education. 

Cheap Universities in Canada

Employability in India vs. Canada

How likely a graduate is to be employed based on his skills and education is called employability.

India 

The latest statistics as of 2021 say that the employability rate of men after studying in Indian universities is 38.91% while for women it is 41.25%. These figures are a result of the decline in job opportunities during the pandemic.

Canada

The Canadian employment statistics tell us that an average of 89% of students can find a job right after their graduation owing to the strong education system that makes them work-ready while they are studying.

Unemployment vs. Underemployment? What’s worse!

Job Opportunities in India vs. Canada

India

India has the second-highest population and the world’s largest youth population. Every year India produces over 85 lakh graduates. While educated Indians are of the quantity, students often find themselves settling for an underpaying job or doing small business instead of a job. Job opportunities for youth are lower in India compared to Canada. 

50 Highest Paying Government Jobs in India

Canada

Indian graduates in Canada are not allowed to apply for government jobs. However, this limitation is non-existable as the private sector provides ample jobs to Canadian university graduates. 

Jobs in Canada with Work Permit

We have listed down the pros and cons of studying in India vs. Canada. Canada’s environment, student and work culture and co-op education system put the argument in favour of Canada. Still, confused? Let Leverage Edu help you out and ease your stress! Book a 30-minute free counselling session now and leave your doubts solved!