Canada vs India: Which Country is Better for Higher Education for Indian Students?

Which is better between Canada and India? Canada is one of the tops most popular for Indian students wishing to study abroad. According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Indians make up the majority of international students studying in Canada. However, students often want an answer to the question, “Is Canada a better study destination than India?” It is obvious that Canada's education system has a better reputation than ours.

Canadian universities are in the list of top 100 universities in the world, while the best ranking of Indian institute is 118. This article explores various aspects of life in Canada as compared to India, especially from the perspective of international students.

All this information will help you compare both the countries and choose the best country for yourself. Both Canada and India offer excellent higher education opportunities, but the choice depends on several factors such as quality of education, cost, job opportunities, immigration prospects, and personal preferences. Let’s compare them:

1. Quality of education

+ Canada: Home to globally ranked universities such as the University of Toronto, UBC and McGill. The education system focuses on research, practical learning and global exposure.

+ India: The IITs, IIMs and AIIMS are world-renowned, but the overall education system is often criticised for being more theoretical than practical.

+ The result: Canada has a more practical, research-driven approach, while India has some world-class institutes, but with a more theoretical focus.

2. Cost of education

+ Canada: Tuition fees range from ₹10-30 lakh per year, depending on the course and university. Living expenses add another ₹7-12 lakh per year.

+ India: Fees are very low, ranging from ₹1-5 lakh per year in government institutions and up to ₹20-30 lakh in private universities.

+ Verdict: India is more affordable while Canada is expensive but gives good returns if job prospects are considered.

3. Job opportunities and ROI

+ Canada: Higher chances of getting a high paying job after graduation, where salaries for technical and vocational graduates are ₹40-70 lakh per annum.

+ India: Jobs are available but salaries are low and there is a lot of competition.

+ Verdict: Canada offers better job opportunities with higher salary range.

4. Immigration and PR opportunities

+ Canada: After studying in Canada, students can apply for postgraduate work permit (PGWP) and later permanent residency (PR).

+ India: No special immigration benefits for foreign graduates.

+ Verdict: Canada is better for those looking to settle abroad.

5. Research and innovation

+ Canada: More investment in research and development, AI, healthcare and technology.

+ India: Research is improving, but faces funding and infrastructure challenges.

+ Verdict: Canada is better for research-oriented students.

6. Cultural and living experience

+ Canada: More diverse, safer, and offers better work-life balance.

+ India: Affordable but can be challenging in terms of infrastructure, traffic, and pollution.

+ Verdict: Living experience is better in Canada.

Final verdict:

If you want global exposure, job opportunities, and PR, Canada is the better choice.

If you prefer cost-effective education with strong local industry connections, India is a good choice.

Since you are considering pursuing an MBA, tier-1 Indian B-schools like ISB/IIMs can give you a career boost in India, while an MBA from Canada can help with global career opportunities and immigration.

Life in Canada vs India

When we talk about life in Canada vs India, we can see that both are very different in many ways. For its high standard of living, strong social security system, and multicultural society, Canada is famous. Canada offers its citizens a well-developed infrastructure, an effective healthcare system, and availability of the best education. On the other hand, India is a dynamic and culturally rich country, with beautiful cities, rich history, and cohesive communities.

Moreover, India also has the best universities and colleges that offer high-quality education. Despite these differences, each nation has its own unique beauty and opportunities. Let us now take a deeper look at the various aspects of life in India vs Canada from the perspective of international students: