UK vs Canada - Which is Better for Indian Students?

Are you looking forward to studying abroad and extremely confused between UK and Canada as your ideal destination? Both these destinations fall amongst the top study abroad places for students and if you are unable to decided on which one to go for, then, give a complete read to this blog. This blog will provide you with the prominent factors to consider while determining UK or Canada which is better as per your career objectives and academic aspirations.

Studying in the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada are both excellent choices owing to the presence of top-ranked universities and good quality education. Further, the UK, as well as Canada share similarities such as free healthcare access, enticing employment opportunities, cultural richness, and beautiful landscapes. However, it is vital to consider factors such as top universities, best courses, eligibility, cost of study, scholarship availability, and living expenses in the UK and Canada for making the right decision concerning UK or Canada which is better.

This blog covers all these crucial aspects to equip you in selecting the correct destination in line with your study requirements, thereby allowing you to leverage several benefits as an Indian student studying in the UK or Canada.

In this section, we will dive deep into the main factors that Indian students can consider when choosing between UK or Canada to study.

This section offers brief insights into education system, top universities, best courses, eligibility and admission criterion, cost of study and cost of living and scholarship opportunities availabile for Indian students in the UK.

The main highlights and unique features of study in UK for Indian students are as follows:

• A highly stratified class system where grades are valued to a large extent.

• The educational system of Canada gives high priority to students' performance.

• Education system in UK is known as the bureaucratic education system.

• It is home to some top-class universities with marvellous infrastructure and high-quality education.

• The facility of extracurricular activities for international students demonstrates excellent performance in that activity.

• It offers networking opportunities and exposure to the multicultural society to students which functions internationally across all industries.

We have developed a list of the top universities to study in UK for Indian students with reference to QS World University Rankings 2023. Hence, it becomes easier for them to select the right university and course as per their goals.

In this series, the list of top courses in UK for Indian students is given below. It will help you to increase your awareness of the best courses offered by UK universities:

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

• UG degree with a minimum of 75% for enrolment in PG courses.

• GMAT or GRE scores for admission into particular management courses. 

• IELTS, PTE and TOFEL scores are accepted in UK universities where most of the universities consider the overall 6.5 IELTS score encompassing 6 in every band.

• Proof of funds and medical insurance.

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

• Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) Letter.
   

Note - Some universities can enrol without GMAT or GRE scores through their own interview rounds and entrance exams.

On average, living expenses or accommodation in UK for Indian students for any course inside London is approximately 12,006 GBP, while outside London is around 9,207 GBP. Further, the average tuition fee to study in UK for Indian students varies from £10,000 to £38,000.

Several scholarship opportunities are available in UK for Indian students that can serve as financial aid and help fund their higher education.

We have listed some of the top scholarships available to international students for you to decide which UK or Canada is better for your study-abroad dreams.

• Sri Ratan Tata Fellowship for South Asian Students at LSE

• Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship

• British Council, Great Scholarships for Indian Students

• Cardiff Business School of Scholarships

• Scholarship, Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship 

• Oxford and Cambridge Society of India scholarships

• Government-funded scholarships like Scotland’s Saltire

This section describes education system, cost of study and living expensess for Indian students, admission and eligibility provisions, schoalrships and top courses and universities available in Canada so student can decide UK vs Canada for study.

There are numerous advantages linked to Study in Canada for Indian students, and the main highlights of Canada’s education system are mentioned as follows.

• It focuses on providing holistic education instead of solely focusing on grades.

• The relatively stress-free educational system of Canada creates ease for Indian students.

• It ensures holistic growth for students due to prioritisation of extracurricular activities. 

• Less living expenses and cost of study in Canada in comparison to the UK.

• The cost of living and education is significantly lower than that of UK universities.

• Global job opportunities, high-quality teaching, and excellent infrastructure increase the appeal of Canada for Indian students.

We have prepared a list of the some topmost universities for study in Canada for Indian students in the light of QS World University Rankings 2023. Hence, you decide as per your academic ambitions and expectations. 

In this sequence, the list of best courses in Canada for Indian students is mentioned below, which can help students decide UK vs Canada for study

• Original copies of previous qualifications.

• 10+2 education for undergraduate courses. 

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

• GMAT or GRE scores for master program courses, including MBA. 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, and C1 Advanced.

• Legal evidence concerning fund sources.

• Updated resume.

An idea about the living expenses and cost of study can help Indian students in deciding UK or Canada which is better as per their budget. Therefore, here in this section, we are giving you precise information on the cost of study and living in Canada. 

The cost of living in Canada for Indian students is 10,000 CAD annually. Further, the cost of study varies as per master's, diploma and bachelor's courses in Canadian universities. However, the basic fee range of diploma courses is around 15 to 20k CAD, while master's and bachelor's courses cost about 20 to 50k CAD depending on the university or college.

Regardless of the course or program you opt for, lucrative scholarships in Canada are available for Indian students. Here, we have compiled a list of some prominent scholarships offered in Canada for Indian students so students can make mindful decisions about the UK or Canada which is better from scholarship aspects. 

• Canadian Government scholarship, namely, Vanier

• Canada Graduate scholarship

• Canada Memorial Scholarship for Indian students

• International Research Linkages

• For Masters Programs- Ontario Graduate Scholarship

• India First year Excellence Scholarship - University of Alberta

Q. Which is better UK or Canada for students?

A. The United Kingdom boasts some of the most excellent universities in the world and is expanding its efforts to support overseas students once they graduate. In contrast, Canada has cheaper study and living costs and has historically provided many international students with flexible post-study work prospects. Canada has a 23% lower crime rate than the UK and ranks in the top ten safe countries.

Q. Is IELTS compulsory for Indian students in UK and Canada both?

A. Yes, you have to give 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 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 mandates greater score than the government's standard minimum score.

Q. Is it better for students to live in the UK or Canada?

A. The United Kingdom ranked similarly to Canada in terms of free healthcare, education, and cultural diversity. According to Numbeo's cost of living index, the United Kingdom has a higher cost of living than Canada. On the other side, Canada offers good opportunities for job and career progression as well as a simple visa application process.

Q. Which of UK and Canada has better universities?

A. Canada and the United Kingdom both boast top-notch universities that are well-known internationally. The UK has an advantage in terms of university rankings thanks to the four institutions that appear in the top 10 in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Some of the leading UK institutions in terms of instruction and research include the institutions of Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, and others. High-quality education is provided in both nations.

As a whole, it is summarised from the elaborated analysis of UK vs Canada to examine UK and Canada which is better for students is that the UK and Canada both have some top universities, excellent infrastructure and research opportunities and high-quality education in addition to scholarship opportunities. However, the UK's education system is well-established compared to Canada's. It is home to world-class universities, yet International students prefer to study in Canada due to low living expenses and cost of study compared to the UK. Moreover, Indian students can decide between the UK or Canada which is better on the basis of the information provided in the blog regarding the key highlights of the education system, best courses, top universities, admissions and eligibility and scholarship opportunities.

Hope we provided you with insightful information about studying in the UK and Canada by explaining key factors that must be considered before moving abroad for study. The blog information can be useful in deciding which destination is better for you in terms of your academic objectives, career aspirations and financial status.

Moreover, if you are confused between UK vs Canada as your ideal foreign study destination and looking for proper guidance, you can contact our expert counsellors at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance regarding selecting an appropriate abroad destination from the UK and Canada as per your needs. For more information or any queries, you can mail us at application02@meridean.org or call us at our toll-free no. 1800-1230-00011.