Canada vs UK: Which Country is Better for Indian Students in 2025?

The table here highlights all the major aspects concerning the opportunities and factors required to consider before choosing a study abroad destination. Check out the differentiation below.

We want to help you make an informed decision about where to continue your higher education. How about learning about the best colleges there? The universities in the UK and Canada are listed in the following section:

Canadian universities are not ranked as high as UK universities but still offer top-quality education and are getting better every year. The table below shows the top universities in Canada, along with their QS world ranking in 2024.

Here is a list of top universities in the UK with a QS world ranking of 2024, making it easier to choose the right university per your goals and aspirations.

We have already highlighted the top universities in the aforementioned sections. Now, let's get to know some popular courses in Canada and the UK. Check out the list below.

Eligibility standards are essential to consider when determining whether to study in Canada or the UK. Here are some admission standards and criteria for individual courses in each nation.

See the admission requirements and eligibility below if you plan to study in Canada.

• Original copies of previous qualifications.

• 10+2 education for undergraduate courses.

• Math requirement in class 12th for IT, Medical, and Management programs for UG.

• UG degree with a minimum of 60% for enrolment in PG courses.

• SAT exam, wherein the degree program is 4 years long, and the diploma program takes 2 to 3 years.

• GMAT or GRE scores for master program courses, including MBA. (not mandatory).  Moreover, Canadian universities accept average scores of specific courses on their website and do not have cut-off limits.

• Letter of recommendation (LOR) and Statement of Purpose (SOP).

• English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and C1 Advanced.

• Legal evidence concerning fund sources.

• Updated resume.

Check out the admission requirements and eligibility below if you are also an aspirant to study in the UK.

• 10+2 certification from a recognised board or institution.

• UG degree with a minimum of 50% for enrolment in PG courses.

• GMAT or GRE scores for admission into particular management courses (not mandatory).

• IELTS, PTE, and TOFEL scores are accepted in UK universities, where most consider the 6.0  IELTS score to encompass 5.5 in every band.

• Proof of funds and TB certificate.

• Letter of Recommendation and a Statement of Purpose (SOP).

Note- Some universities have the provision of enrolling without GMAT or GRE scores through their own interview rounds and entrance exams.  

There are some differences between the visa requirements and processes of the two countries, i.e., Canada vs UK. Let's dive into the details.

Canada:

A Canadian student visa is subject to the following restrictions and regulations:

• A post-study work permit application will be filed within 90 days after the course's completion.

• All Indian and overseas students must take a medical test.

• The visa and Biometric (Need to be paid together) cost is roughly 16,000 INR.

• You can work 20 hours per week in an academic program.

• It can be increased to 40 hours per week during the vacations and summer sessions.

• If the visa is valid for more than a year, spouses can work full-time.

• When applying for a visa in Canada, you must have IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE scores.

• Personal interviews are usually necessary as part of the visa application procedure. (No interviews are needed in Visa or application in Canada)

UK:

Full-time students in the UK can get student visas from institutions they are studying in. In addition to this visa, the UK government has started offering UK Post-Study Work Visas to overseas students.Some rules and regulations related to visa application and process are:

• Only full-time student programs will be eligible for a visa.

• The Student Visa costs around 55,000 (INR).

• An international health charge of 776 GBP per year would be required to secure the student visa.

• International students with study visas can work up to 20 hours per week part-time and full-time (40 Hrs per week) on holidays. The course prerequisites define full-time employment opportunities.

Canada:

Canada traditionally welcomes students who want to return to work after graduation or advance their education. Thus, Indian and other international students can apply for a three-year post-graduation work permit, which permits them to remain in the country and work in any sector or industry. A work permit may help students apply for permanent residence.

UK:

In 2020, the UK had rigid policies regarding post-study work opportunities, but now the policies have become a little more flexible for international students. The visa is valid for 5 years, and the new rule allows students to stay in the UK to work for two years under PSW.

After the Post-Study Work visa expires, persons wishing to remain in Canada or the UK must apply for a skilled work visa. Check out the permanent residence opportunities for both countries.

Canada:

Obtaining PR in Canada is relatively flexible and straightforward. During their stay on a Canadian post-graduate visa, international students can seek permanent residency under the Canadian Experience Class. Because of its small population and skilled labour need, Canada is promoting its PR program to attract more foreigners to study, work, and reside in the nation.

UK:

You can permanently remain and work in the UK without restrictions or time limits by applying for Permanent Residence (PR), also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The odds of the PR application being accepted are higher if

• You've been residing in the UK for the last five years on work visa.

• If one of your dependant relatives or family members is a British citizen or permanent resident.

• You may be eligible for permanent residency if you have been on a Tier 2 (General) work visa for the past 5 years. However, your employer should sponsor you.

Other ways to get PR:

• Being a refugee, having humanitarian protection, or Discretionary Leave.

• Returning to the UK with prior indefinite leave.

• Having served in the military. 

Knowing about the cost of study and living expenses in both countries is vital. We all know that Canadian universities have significantly lower tuition fees than the universities in the UK. However, before making a decision, you must compare the cost of study in Canada with the cost of study in UK.

Several scholarships are available to Indian students studying in Canada and the UK, which are:

Scholarships in Canada are categorised into three different types:

• Government scholarships,

• Non-Government scholarships,

• Institutional scholarships.

The Canadian government offers scholarships that help students ease their financial burden by covering all the travel and other significant expenses they must incur in Canada.

Here are some well-known scholarships offered by the Canadian Government.

• Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship: Indian candidates must be accepted at their preferred Canadian university to be considered for this two-year grant. The grantees will retain their fellowships and have their applications approved by the relevant university officials.

• Vanier Graduate Scholarships- It helps Canadian students pursuing natural scientific courses, engineering research, health research, or social science and humanities research.

• Canada-ASEAN SEED: The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development programme offers short-term exchange opportunities for students from ASEAN member countries to study and conduct research at a Canadian post-secondary institution at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Non-governmental groups in Canada provide scholarships to Indian students wishing to study a particular field. These scholarships include tuition, travel costs, health insurance, accommodation, and monthly allowances. The following are the non-governmental scholarships:

• Canada Memorial Scholarship: This fully financed fellowship is open to Indian students pursuing higher education in Canada. Students applying for courses lasting more than a year may be asked to present statements indicating they have additional money to complete the course.

• Anne Vallee Ecological Fund: Students planning to pursue a master's or PhD program in animal research at the University of Quebec or the University of British Columbia are eligible for the Anne Vallee Ecological Fund. The fund will support field studies on animal ecology and the environmental effects of human activities such as agriculture, forestry, industry, and fishing.

• Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships: These scholarships and fellowships are offered to international doctorate candidates at certain Canadian universities. Doctoral candidates researching one or more of the Foundation's four themes are eligible to apply: human rights and dignity, people and the natural environment, responsible citizenship, and Canada and the world.

Obtaining an institutional scholarship to study in Canada entails multiple steps, and overseas students must confirm they are qualified and fulfil the deadline before applying for any awards. Here are some examples of institutional scholarships:

• York University International Student Scholarship: This scholarship offers Rs 8,253,434. However, you must be academically sound and have a minimum CGPA of 7.80 to be eligible.

• The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships: Regarding scholarship awards, a master's degree is valued at 8,25,343 (INR), while a doctorate is worth 10,61,155. Students must have a minimum entrance GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for this grant.

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship: Students can compete for 37 scholarships. The scholarships pay for tuition, living expenses in Canada, and books and incidentals.

The scholarship programs to study in the UK are classified into three broad categories based on funding sources.

• Government scholarships,

• Non-Government scholarships,

• Institutional scholarships.

Here are some government-funded scholarships offered in UK for international students. Check your eligibility before applying.

• Scotland’s Saltire Scholarship: In the UK, the Scottish government collaboratively offers master's scholarships with Scottish universities. Only students from India, Japan, the USA, Canada, China and Pakistan can apply for this scholarship. 

•  Chevening Scholarships: This is one of the best master's scholarships in the UK for Indian students. The UK government gives these fully funded scholarships to excellent students from Chevening-eligible nations worldwide.

Here is a list of non-government scholarships in the UK for Indian students to cater to your financial needs and fund your higher education.

• Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship: There are only 30 scholarships available for overseas students pursuing a PhD at the University of Edinburgh. This scholarship only covers a fraction of your tuition.

• Kingston University London Scholarship: The scholarship is open to all overseas undergraduate and postgraduate students at Kingston University. This 5,000,000 (INR) award is available to students starting their first year in September or January.

Here is a list of scholarships offered by specific universities. The amount will depend on the program you choose.

• Castle Smart Scholarship: Castle Smart Estate offers undergraduate scholarships to overseas students studying in the UK. It covers roughly 6,00,000 (INR) in tuition expenses. This scholarship is available through video rather than an essay. Before applying, students must create a film covering all the essential criteria for their selected subject.

• Royal Society Grants: The Royal Society, the world's oldest and most autonomous scientific society, offers several scholarships. Both undergraduate and graduate students can use these. The type of this award influences eligibility and benefits for these scholarships. 

In conclusion, both nations provide outstanding educational possibilities for Indian and foreign students. It is up to the student to pick between Canada and the UK for higher education. Both Canada and UK are highly ranked and provide excellent educational and living possibilities for Indian students. The United Kingdom boasts some of the world's most significant institutions, but Canada outperforms due to lower study prices, living expenses, and more flexible post-study work options.

We hope you found the blog informative. However, If you want more information about studying in Canada vs. UK as an international student? You can contact our expert counsellors at any Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC) branch. You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide the best support and guidance regarding selecting an appropriate destination abroad from the UK and Canada that fits your needs. For more information or any queries, mail us at application02@meridean.org or call us at our toll-free no. 1800-1230-00011.

1. Which is better Canada vs UK, for students? 

The UK boasts some of the world's most outstanding universities and is expanding its efforts to help overseas students after graduation. In contrast, Canada has historically provided many international students with flexible post-study job prospects and cheaper study and living costs. Canada has a 23% lower crime rate than the UK and is ranked in the top ten safest countries.

2. Which country has better universities, Canada vs UK? 

The UK and Canada both have excellent universities with global reputations. The UK has an advantage in university rankings because four of its universities are among the top ten in the QS World University Rankings 2024. The University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and other UK institutions are well-known for their education and research. Both nations provide high-quality education.

3. Is IELTS compulsory for Indian students in the UK and Canada?

Yes, you have to provide proof of English proficiency via IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL if you belong to a country in which English is not a native language. You should take the IELTS exam to study in the UK or Canada. The minimum mandatory score is 6.5 in the UK overall, with a minimum of 6 in all four components. However, the IELTS score in Canada varies from 6 to 6.5. Still, there are exceptions in some Canadian universities that mandate more outstanding scores than the government's standard minimum score.

4. Will I be able to afford living costs in these countries?

Living costs vary according to the city and your lifestyle. Still, Canada's living costs are typically lower than the UK's. However, it is essential to consider tuition fees, which may be greater in Canada. Both nations provide students with financial assistance through scholarships and part-time work options. To determine your ability to meet living expenses, you should construct a budget and look into potential scholarships and grants.

5. Can I work part-time while I study?

Yes, international students can work part-time in Canada and UK. In Canada, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during specified breaks. The UK also allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during the summer. These possibilities will enable you to obtain practical experience, earn money, and augment your funds.

6. Will I be eligible for financial help or scholarships?

Both Canada and the UK provide scholarships and financial help to overseas students. Many Canadian institutions offer merit-based and need-based scholarships. Similarly, UK colleges offer a variety of scholarships, grants, and bursaries to international students. Check the qualifying criteria, application dates, and prerequisites to improve your chances of receiving financial aid.

7. Can I extend my stay in these countries after I graduate?

Both Canada and UK offer opportunities to prolong your stay after graduation. In Canada, you can apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit, which will enable you to work for up to three years, depending on the length of your program. In 2021, the UK implemented the Graduate Route, which provides overseas students with two years of post-study employment permits while finishing their degrees in the UK. These visa choices allow you to expand your professional experience and stay permanently.

8. Why should I study in the United Kingdom rather than in Canada?

While Canada provides cheaper overall study and living costs and has long given flexible post-study work possibilities to international students, the UK has some of the most excellent colleges in the world and is stepping up its game to aid international students after graduation.

9. Is the UK an appealing destination for international students?

The world's best colleges have the highest academic requirements. According to the QS World Ranking 2024, the UK has four top ten institutions. When studying in the UK, practical and helpful information is valued more than theoretical knowledge.

10. What are the top courses offered in the United Kingdom and Canada?

It is difficult to compare the courses provided in the UK and Canada because both countries offer various degrees in several subjects. The UK frequently provides more specialist courses, such as those focused on particular disciplines such as business, law, or engineering. However, the course selection in Canada is more diverse, with more broad undergraduate and graduate programs accessible. Canadian institutions usually provide more flexible study alternatives, such as part-time, online, and distance learning. Universities in Canada are frequently less costly than those in the United Kingdom. Finally, students should study the programs offered at universities in the UK and Canada to determine the best fit.