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Students worldwide frequently choose Spain and Canada as their study destinations due to their world-class education system. Both nations are excellent in terms of education and career advancement. So, you might need clarification about whether you should go to Spain or Canada for your studies. Hence, in this blog, we will remove all your confusion regarding Spain vs Canada. We will compare both countries based on numerous aspects and award +2 points to the one which is better in a particular aspect. We will finally tally the total scores of each nation and deem the one with the higher score a better study-abroad destination.
| Parameters | Spain | Canada |
| Area | 506,030 KM² | 9.985 Million KM² |
| Currency | Euro (€) | Canadian Dollar (CA$) |
| Capital | Madrid | Ottawa |
| Total Higher Education Providers | 86 | 100+ |
| Total Indian Students Studying | 1,500 | 319,130 |
| Average Cost of Living | €689.4 – €2,430.9 | CA$15,000 – CA$20,000 Per Year |
| Average Cost of Studying | €800 to €1,200 Per Year | CA$7,000 – CA$35,000 Per Year |
| Popular Job Sectors | Law, Data Science, Real Estate, Food Industry, Clothing Industry, Information and Communications Technology, and Business Development | Healthcare, Information Technology, Finance, and Education |
| Permitted Part-Time Working Hours | 20 Hours Per Week / 4 Hours Per Day | 20 Hours Per Week. |
This Blog Includes:
Top-Ranked Universities: Spain vs Canada
Choosing the right university is very crucial for a secure and bright future. So, let’s compare Spain and Canada based on their highest-ranked universities:
Universities in Spain
Here are some of the highest-ranked Spanish universities:
| Top Universities in Spain | QS World University Rankings 2024 | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 |
| Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona | =149 | 201–250 |
| Universitat de Barcelona | =164 | =152 |
| Complutense University of Madrid | =171 | 501–600 |
| Universidad Autónoma de Madrid | =199 | 351–400 |
| University of Navarra | 280 | 301–350 |
| Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona) | =310 | 201–250 |
| Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) | =319 | 801–1000 |
| Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) | 354 | 601–800 |
| University of Granada | 403 | 501–600 |
| IE University | 428 | 201–300 |
Universities in Canada
Take a look at the top-ranked universities in Canada:
| Top Universities in Canada | QS World University Rankings 2024 | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 |
| University of Toronto | 21 | 18 |
| McGill University | 30 | 46 |
| University of British Columbia | 34 | 40 |
| University of Montreal | 141 | 111 |
| University of Alberta | 111 | 118 |
| McMaster University | 189 | 85 |
| University of Waterloo | 112 | 201–250 |
| Western University | 114 | 201–250 |
| University of Ottawa | 203 | 137 |
| University of Calgary | 182 | 201–250 |
Which Country is Better?
The tables given above show that the universities in Canada are ranked higher than the universities in Spain. Hence, we will grant +2 points to Canada in this round of Spain vs Canada.
Also Read: Spain Study Visa
Admission Requirements: Spain vs Canada
Before jumping on to the application process for your desired university, make sure you meet its admission criteria. So, in this section, we will look at the eligibility criteria for the universities in Spain and Canada.
Admission Requirements for Spain
Here are the admission requirements for Spanish universities:
- You need to complete your high school level of education before you apply for a bachelor’s program. In case you are applying for a postgraduate course, you must hold an undergraduate degree.
- You should have a minimum grade of 5 in the general core subject in the PCE examinations you appear for.
- You are also required to score at least 6.5 on IELTS and 90-100 on TOEFL.
- Moreover, you will have to provide the following documents during your admission process:
- A valid passport,
- Medical insurance,
- A valid student visa,
- Travel insurance, and
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover your living expenses during your studies.
Admission Requirements for Canada
The eligibility criteria to study at a university in Canada are written below:
- The students must have a minimum of 70% marks in their class 12 examination.
- They also have to provide their English language proficiency test scores like IELTS (6.5 overall with no bands less than 6).
- Moreover, the applicants have to hold a 4-year bachelor’s degree, with at least 70% marks when applying for postgraduation.
- The students need to provide the documents listed below:
- Letter of recommendation (LOR),
- Statement of purpose (SOP), and
- Some universities can demand written samples/copies of published work/Portfolio
- When applying for a postgraduation program, students must have up to 3 years of full-time work experience and score at least 580-600 on the GMAT.
- Based on their citizenship, the students may require an eTA or a visitor visa, along with a study permit.
Which Country is Better?
The above comparison shows that both Spain and Canada have straightforward admission criteria. As a result, both countries will receive +2 points in this round of Spain vs Canada.
Tuition Fees: Spain vs Canada
You need to be aware of tuition fees for the university you are applying for so that you can plan your study budget. So, we have given below the average tuition fees in Spain and Canada.
Tuition Fees in Spain
The average annual tuition fees in the universities in Spain as per their websites are as follows:
| Study Program | Average Annual Tuition Fee |
| Undergraduate | €750 to €2,500 |
| Postgraduate | €1,000 to €3,500 |
| Doctoral | €3,300 |
Tuition Fees in Canada
As per the websites of the Canadian universities, the average tuition expenses in the country are as follows:
| Study Program | Average Annual Tuition Fee |
| Undergraduate | CA$36,100 |
| Postgraduate | CA$21,100 |
| Doctoral | CA$4,000 – CA$8,000 |
Which Country is Better?
The tuition costs are lower in Spain than in Canada, and hence, we will award +2 points to Spain in this round of Spain vs Canada.
Living Expenses: Spain vs Canada
Another important consideration you need to factor in before choosing a study destination is the cost of living. So, let’s compare Spain and Canada based on their living expenses.
Cost of Living in Spain
As per Numbeo, the average living costs in Spain are as follows:
| Monthly Rent | €694.44 to €1,538.34 |
| Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre) | €1,995.84 to €3,390.71 |
| Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal | €12.00 |
| Average Transportation Cost (Monthly) | €31.30 |
| Average Cost of Utility (Monthly) | €177.31 |
Cost of Living in Canada
This is what the living fees look like in Canada as per Numbeo:
| Monthly Rent | CA$1,455.77 – CA$2,733.47 |
| Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre) | CA$6,594.63 – CA$9,209.58 |
| Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal | CA$22 |
| Average Transportation Cost (Monthly) | CA$100 |
| Average Cost of Utility (Monthly) | CA$342.39 |
Which Country is Better?
The above comparison demonstrates that living in Canada is more expensive than living in Spain. Hence, we will award +2 points to Spain in this round of Spain vs Canada.
Work Permit and PR: Spain vs Canada
Most often, international students seek work permits and permanent residency after graduating.
So, let’s compare Spain and Canada based on which one grants the work permit and PR more easily.
Work Permit in Spain
Have a look at the process of obtaining a work permit in Spain:
Eligibility Requirements for a Work Permit in Spain:
The requirements for receiving a work permit in Spain are given below:
- Original work permit/training permit received by the employer based in Spain,
- Two recent passport-sized coloured photographs on a white background with 80% face,
- Original Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) issued by the Regional,
- cover on a matt or semi-matt finished paper (35mm x 45mm),
- Original Passport with a validity of more than six months and a minimum of three blank pages for visa stamp (Attach all your old passports if any),
- Personal ITR for the last 3 years,
- Bank Statement for the last six months,
- Pay slips,
- Passport Office, and
- Travel insurance.
Process for a Spain Work Permit:
You must have obtained a job in Spain before applying for a Spanish work visa as your employer does a majority of the Work Visa Application Process on your behalf. They also have to apply for approval from the Single Desk for Immigration at their local Prefettura.
PR in Spain
To obtain the Spanish Permanent Residency, you are required to have stayed lawfully in Spain for at least five years.
Work Permit in Canada
Let’s look at the process of receiving a Canadian work permit:
Eligibility Criteria to Get a Work Permit in Canada
To be considered eligible for a Canadian work permit, the applicant must have:
- 67 points in Canada points calculator,
- Minimum of 2 years of work experience,
- ECA report,
- Academic credentials,
- Valid job offer letter issued by a Canadian employer with a positive LMIA, and
- CLB score 5/ IELTS – 6.5.
Steps to Apply for a Canadian Work Permit
Follow the steps shown below to apply for a Canadian work permit:
Step 1: Get your ECA and ensure to prepare the checklist of requirements.
Step 2: Visit the official website of the Canadian government, and apply for the work visa.
Step 3: Now, work and settle in Canada after you receive your permit.
The Canada Work Permit processing time can range from 5 to 6 months.
PR in Canada
You need to be physically present in Canada for a minimum of 1,095 days during the five years before applying for a PR. The Canadian PR visa typically takes around 6 to 8 months to process. However, the processing period is based on the program via which need to submit your application. For instance, in case you apply for a PR visa through the CEC program, it will be processed in about 3 to 4 months.
Which Country is Better?
The process of obtaining a work permit and PR is straightforward in the case of both Spain and Canada. Hence, we will grant +2 points to both countries in this round of Spain vs Canada.
Average Salaries: Spain vs Canada
The average yearly salary in Spain was €29,113 in 2022 as reported by Statista. On the other hand, it was CA$64,850 in Canada in 2023 according to the Labour Force Survey (LFS).
Which Country is Better?
The average salary in Canada is more than in Spain. Hence, we will give +2 points to Canada in this round of Spain vs Canada.
Other Major Elements
There are some other factors that you need to consider before moving to Spain or Canada. Let’s look at these major elements before you choose between these nations:
Climate
The climate of Spain is Mediterranean and the country normally experiences hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Coming to Canada, the weather here varies greatly as per the location. For instance, winter in Toronto is warmer than in most Canadian cities. On the other hand, winter in Montreal is snowy and chilly. Summers in this country are usually pleasant and cool.
Safety
Spain is renowned for providing its residents and internationals with a safe and secure environment. Similarly, Canada is one of the safest destinations in the world, and crime rates are low, police are easy to contact, trusted, and quick to respond.
Culture for International Students
Spain boasts a very rich cultural heritage, with various museums, galleries, and historical places you can explore. In Canada, the culture is largely influenced by Europe and the United States. Being an immigrant-friendly nation, Canada welcomes an impression of numerous cultures around the globe.
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Conclusion
After calculating the total scores, we find that both Spain and Canada have received 8 points, making this Spain vs Canada contest a draw. Both countries have a long track record of offering world-class education and extensive career opportunities. At the end of the day, your choice depends on various elements like your budget and goals.
FAQs
Both Spain and Canada are mutual members of NATO, the United Nations, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Both Spain and Canada are considered to be excellent study destinations. They both have top-ranked universities and offer a wide range of job opportunities to graduates.
No, the average yearly salary in Spain was €29,113 in 2022 as reported by Statista.
So, this was all about Spain vs Canada. 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.
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