Canada vs. UK vs. USA, which is the best option for international students? (Part 1)

Studying abroad is an amazing experience, especially if you are planning to go abroad after your grade XII. It helps you to study in some of the top-ranked institutions and get an education along with some of the smartest and most intelligent people across the globe. Studying abroad can shape your career and help you gain international exposure as well. It gives you a lifelong experience and not only assists in shaping your professional life but also helps to build personal traits such as time management, adaptability, fund management, independence etc.

English-speaking countries such as Canada, the UK, and the USA are always the favourite study destinations for international students. These are always dominating the international student market not only for quality education and recognised degrees but also for lots of other factors such as post-study work opportunities, scholarship options, part-time work opportunities, safety and security, multiculturalism, high standard of living, and so on. But which one to choose while selecting the study destination?

There are multiple factors that make the reasoning to understand which country can be the best option for you? we will understand one by one the different factors which can assist you in taking the right decision

• Quality education
• Fee structure
• Entry requirements and documentation
• Post-study work opportunities
• Immigration norms 
• Scholarship opportunities
• Immigration opportunities
• Part-time work opportunities
• Economy
• Safety and security
• Living cost

1) Quality Education 

Canada: Canada has always been known for its quality education. There are some of the reputed universities, such as McGill University, University of Toronto, and University of British Columbia, that always find their rank in the top tally of the 100 best universities in the world. The education system of Canada in higher studies can be bifurcated into colleges and universities; colleges do provide diplomas, advanced diplomas, and post graduate certifications, whereas universities do grant bachelors, masters degrees, and PhDs. Canadian institutions do focus on practical learning, small class sizes, and fostering personalised learning. Canada has its program forte such as business, healthcare, IT, and hospitality programs.

UK: The UK has its own forte when it comes to quality education; it has a long history of institutions and is home to some of the world’s most prominent institutions, such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London. UK degrees are worldwide recognised and renowned for excellence in humanities, arts, business, and technology-related programs.

USA – USA We all know is superpower in academics, so all the top-ranked universities belong to US soil. IVY League such Harvard University, Yale University, Brown University, Cornell University are pretty much dominant in the global ranking. The USA has its own specialization in science, technology, engineering, and medicine or STEM programs. It has the highest number of Nobel laureates (413) till 2023. The USA education system emphasises totally on research and innovation.

Quality Education ranking: USA > UK > Canada

Winner : USA 

2) Fee Structure

Canada: Canada is known as one of the best countries for affordable education. There are public and private institutions, but the fee structure is almost similar. The average tuition fee ranges from CAD 10,000 to CAD 40,000 per year, depending on the program, location, and many other factors. 

UK: The tuition fee is quite hefty in the UK, especially when compared to Canada, Germany and other developed nations of the world. It ranges between £10,000 and £30,000 per year. It is also depends on program and location.

USA: The fee structure of US universities is very expensive. As mentioned above, the US is more into innovation and research, so the average tuition fee for bachelors and masters costs you up to $20,000–$45,000 and $20,000–$50,000, respectively.  

Fee Structure Ranking : USA > UK > Canada

Winner: Canada (lowest fee structure)

3) Entry requirements and documentation

Canada: When it comes to entry requirements, Canadian institutions are a little bit flexible. Private institutions are very flexible and do not give more weightage to study gaps, backlogs, open schooling, and offer conditional admission, whereas public colleges and universities are rigid towards the entry requirements. Documentation parts for Canadian institutions are also very simple; only academics, IELTS, and passports are required for application submissions. GMAT and GRE is also not common in Canada. MBA can also be pursued without work experience. It is mandatory to appear for IELTS or any other English proficiency to study in Canada.

UK: The UK has the most flexible entry requirements. The backlog, study gaps, and open schooling theories are acceptable in the UK. some universities do provide IELTS waivers, which means the students do not have to appear for IELTS or any other exam to prove English proficiency. Getting an offer letter from your chosen universities is very simple, plus if the student is not meeting the eligibility criteria on an academic basis, admission can also be done via a professional work experience. 

USA: Getting enrolled in US universities is a dream for many students. US universities are rigid when it comes to academic percentiles, backlogs and GMAT, GRE exam. There are some universities that accept mediums of instruction, but those are not very reputed. Even the universities do not release the program offer letter until the student provides the English proficiency result. Statement of purpose and letter of references are also common practices for admission in US universities. 

Entry requirements and documentation: UK > Canada > USA

Winner: UK  (Lowest entry requirements)

4) Post-study work opportunities

Canada: Canada lures the international students with attractive post-study work opportunities. The student can avail up to three years of post-study work permit (PSWP) If the duration of the program is eight months and less than two years, the duration of the PSWP would be equal to study duration. If the study duration is for two or more than two years, then the post-study work permit would be for three years. 

UK: The UK provides up to two years of post-study work permit. There is no study duration criteria, which means with a one year master’s degree, you can also avail two years of a post-study work permit option.

USA: The USA has bifurcated post-study work visas in two categories: normal OPT and STEM OPT. OPT stands for optional practical training. Normal OPT allows the international students to stay for one year after completion of the program, whereas STEM OPT allows the international students to extend the total 24 months after completion of the program. STEM OPT offered for science, technology, engineering and medicine-related programs 

Post-study work opportunities: Canada > UK > USA

Winner: Canada 

5) Visa rules and process

Canada: Canada do not have many strict rules when it applies to international students, though recently Canada has made a lot of changes in international student visa policies, such as increasing the GIC amount from $10,000 to 20,635, putting the cap on international students, scrapping off students direct stream visa(SDS) category etc. yet Canada student visa can be avail only with the help of paying 1st semester fee and showing living cost. Since Canada is struggling with the ageing population, the visa refusal rate is also low when compared to other hot destinations such as the USA, UK, and Australia.

UK: The UK is a little bit rigid when it comes to visa documentation. 28 days of funds are required to show for getting a Tier-4 graduate visa, and the living cost is also higher in the London area. The UK is also facing a low recession, so the intake of international students is limited for a while. 

USA: The USA is totally strict, and the biggest bottleneck is the interview. For getting an F-1 visa, you will have to appear for the interview, though it will be very short, yet you will have to be present in front of a federal officer. Taking interview dates is also a cumbersome task, as sometimes it reaches the maximum limit and the students have to bear with the waiting period. Visa refusal is also quite high since US primary focus is to get smart minds and STEM-related students. 

Visa rules and process – USA>UK>Canada

Winner: Canada

6) Scholarship opportunities  

Canada: Since the fee structure is quite affordable and mostly students get enrolled in public colleges where the fee structure does not get much higher, scholarship opportunities are very limited except for the top-notch universities. 

UK: UK institutions are pretty much popular amongst international students for scholarships and bursaries such as Commonwealth scholarships, Chevening scholarships, Gates Cambridge scholarships, and so many others. The main aim of these scholarships is to assist the needy to get a quality education and assist their homeland in progress and development.

USA: As mentioned above, the US fee structure is very expensive, and definitely most of the institutions in the US do provide scholarships and bursaries, even though there are some of the reputed universities that not only cover the full tuition fee but also provide assistance in living costs, airfare, and do provide stipends also. Some of these scholarships are Fulbright fellowship, Knight-Hennessy Scholars, AAUW international Fellowships, etc. 

Scholarship opportunities: USA > UK > Canada

Winner: USA

For making the right decision, Please check the part -2 of Canada vs. UK vs. USA, which is the best option for international students?

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