Canada vs Germany vs Ireland: Which one is Best for STEM / MS in CS?

Choosing the right country for pursuing an MS in Computer Science or any STEM field is one of the biggest decisions that a student can make. With so many top countries and universities offering quality education, it becomes overwhelming to decide the right one for you. Some of the countries that are considered as the favourites for CS or STEM students are Canada, Germany, and Ireland. But how to choose the right one for you? This blog will guide you through all the aspects that you should know about before choosing the best country for STEM/MS in CS among Canada, Germany or Ireland.

Tuition Fees in Canada vs Germany vs Ireland for STEM/MS in CS 

Understanding the prestigious universities along with the tuition costs of each country is very important before moving forward with your decision. Here we have shared a clear description of Canada, Germany, and Ireland tuition fees that are offered to STEM and Computer Science students in 2025.

Canada

Canada is known as the global leading centre for AI, Data Science, Machine Learning and Software Engineering. Many prestigious universities in Canada offer quality education with strong co-op programs. Here is a breakdown of average tuition fees in Canada for STEM or MS in CS students.

Universities	Average Tuition Fees (CAD)
McGill University	CAD 224,000 – 960,000
University of Toronto	CAD 304,000 – 752,000
University of British Columbia	CAD 96,000 – 688,000
University of Alberta	CAD 80,000 – 288,000

Source: Shiksha

Germany

Germany is known as the home to the global engineering and tech giants such as BMW and Bosch. The universities here stand out because of their affordable or even zero tuition fees. Students who want to take engineering programs should opt for this country due to the strong research funding. Look at the average tuition fees of Germany for STEM or MS in CS students.

Universities	Average Tuition Fees (EUR)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München	EUR 85 per semester
Freie Universitaet Berlin	EUR 35,880 per semester
Humboldt University of Berlin	EUR 321 per semester
Public Universities	Free

Ireland

Ireland is a small country in size, but its tech presence is rising rapidly. Its capital, Dublin, is often known as the “Silicon Valley of Europe” with many top giants’ headquarters, like Google, Meta, Amazon Web Services, LinkedIn, and Apple. This environment creates an atmosphere for a young, innovative workforce. Here are the average tuition fees in Ireland for pursuing a STEM or an MS in CS.

Universities	Average Tuition Fees (EUR)
Public universities (Ireland)	EUR 18,000 – EUR 30,000
Trinity College Dublin	EUR 13,600 – EUR 40,000
University College Dublin	EUR 14,700 – EUR 36,800

Also Read: Germany vs Canada: Which is a Better Study-Abroad Destination?

Cost of Living in Canada vs Germany vs Ireland 

Choosing the right country does not only mean choosing the university, but the cost of living also plays a major role in this decision. Understanding your budget in that particular country is as important as any other aspect of studying abroad. Here we have shared the comparison of the cost of living in Canada, Germany and Ireland, with some of their major cities’ data.

Canada

The cost of living in Canada varies according to their cities. Let’s take a look at the average cost of living in Canada.

Expense Category	Cost (CAD)
Accommodation (Shared Apartments)	CAD 400 – CAD 800
Food	CAD 300 – CAD 400
Travel	CAD 80 – CAD 110
Entertainment	CAD 150
Other Utilities (Electricity, Cooling, Water, Heating, Garbage)	CAD 164.64
Internet (60 Mbps or more)	CAD 78.82
Health Insurance (BC MSP Program)	CAD 74

Germany

Germany has an affordable cost of education for international students, but its daily expenses can’t be underestimated. Here, look at the average cost of living in Germany for international students.

Category	Monthly Cost (EUR )
Rent	EUR 300 – EUR 700
Food	EUR 150 – EUR 250
Health Insurance	EUR 80 – EUR 120
Transportation	EUR 20 – EUR 100
Telephone/Internet	EUR 20 – EUR 40
Study Materials	EUR 20 – EUR 50
Leisure Activities	EUR 30 – EUR 100

Ireland 

Here, we have mentioned the cost of living in Ireland for international students.

Category	Single (Not Sharing)	Students (Per Student – Sharing With 2 Others)
Total (w/ Rent)	EUR 1,885 – EUR 3,341	EUR 797 – EUR 1,461
Rent & Utilities	EUR 1,375 – EUR 2,540	EUR 460 – EUR 850
Groceries	EUR 350 – EUR 550	EUR 200 – EUR 400 (shared groceries reduce cost)
Public Transport	EUR 60 – EUR 96	EUR 60 – EUR 96
Internet	EUR 35 – EUR 60	EUR 12 – EUR 20
Leisure/Gym	EUR 50 – EUR 70	EUR 50 – EUR 70
Mobile Phone	EUR 15 – EUR 25	EUR 15 – EUR 25

Admissions Process in Canada vs. Germany vs. Ireland 

After choosing your preferred country and university, your next step should be to proceed with the admission process. Every university has its own admission requirements. Let’s look at the admission process that is common or different among Canada, Germany and Ireland.

GPA / Cut-offs

Look at the required GPA or cut-offs for the admission process, especially in STEM or MS in CS:

• Canada: Most top universities expect 75–80%, whereas competitive programs often require above 80%.
• Germany: Public universities usually expect a minimum 2.5 German GPA, whereas top STEM schools prefer 75–85%, depending on the program.
• Ireland: Universities like TCD and UCD usually require 60–70%, but CS/STEM may require higher scores for competitive programs.

GRE Requirement 

Here is the GRE requirement for the admission process in these countries:

• Canada: GRE is optional for most universities, but beneficial for some programs.
• Germany: GRE is rarely required but beneficial for your application.
• Ireland: GRE is not required.

English Language Requirements 

English proficiency tests are basically categorised into three parts: IELTS, TOEFL and PTE. Let’s understand their requirement for the admission process.

• Canada:
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall 
  • TOEFL iBT: 90–100
    
• Germany:
  • English-taught programs: IELTS 6.0–6.5, TOEFL 80–95
  • German-taught programs: no IELTS required
    
• Ireland:
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall
  • TOEFL iBT: 88–100

Also Read: 5 Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2026

Post-Study Work Options (PSW) in Canada vs Germany vs Ireland 

After your graduation in these countries, you can work under the post-study work permit. They usually have different names in different countries and are commonly known as Post-study work options. Let’s take a look at the Post study work option in Canada, Germany and Ireland.

• You may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) valid for up to 3 years, depending on the length and type of your program. 
• In Germany, many international graduates can apply for a job-seeker or opportunity residence permit after completing their graduation, which lets them stay to look for work (commonly up to 18 months in many cases).
• Ireland’s Third Level Graduate Programme allows non-EEA graduates to stay for 12 to 24 months after graduation.

Employment Opportunities in Canada vs Germany, vs Ireland 

All these countries offer a strong job market for the working population, especially in Tech, Healthcare and Engineering. With all these rising demands, it is very crucial to understand what you can expect to earn after your studies. Here, we have mentioned the average salary comparison of major roles in Canada, Germany and Ireland.

Role	Canada	Germany	Ireland
Software Engineer	CAD 56,500	EUR 62,000–75,000	EUR 45,000–65,000
Data Scientist	CAD 46,000	EUR 50,000–75,000	EUR 40,000–70,000
Cloud Engineer	CAD 60,000–85,000	EUR 65,000–85,000	EUR 55,000–80,000
Cybersecurity Analyst	CAD 55,000–80,000	EUR 50,000–80,000	EUR 45,000–75,000

Which Country Should Students Choose?

Choosing between Canada, Germany, and Ireland becomes easier when you understand the best and limitations of each country. Here, we have mentioned a comparison of each country with its benefits and limitations for students:

Country	Ideal For	Not Ideal For
Canada	Students wanting PR, English-speaking environment, strong CS/AI programs	Students on a tight budget or wanting low tuition
Germany	Students seeking affordable education, engineering-heavy careers, and research roles	Students are unwilling to learn German
Ireland	Students targeting Google/Meta/AWS and high-paying tech jobs	Students concerned about high living costs or limited job openings

FAQs

Related Reads:

Canada vs Ireland: Which is the Better Study Abroad Destination?	Best Universities, Average Tuition Fees and Duration
Why Indian Students Are Turning Away from Canada	Masters in Computer Science in Ireland
Masters in Computer Science	Annual Study Abroad Trends Report 2025

So, this was all about Canada vs Germany vs Ireland: Best for STEM / MS in CS. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.