Canada vs UK vs USA Which is the Best Option to Study? (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 standards of living, and so on. But which one to choose while selecting the study destination?

Canada vs UK vs USA Which is the Best Option to Study?

Multiple factors make the reasoning to understand which country can be the best option for you. We will understand, one by one, the different factors that can assist you in making 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 place 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 postgraduate certifications, whereas universities do grant bachelor’s, master’s 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 it is the superpower in academics, so all the top-ranked universities are located on US soil. IVY League schools such as Harvard University, Yale University, Brown University and 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) as of 2023. The USA education system emphasises a total focus 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 also depends on the 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 a bachelor’s and master’s 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 are also not common in Canada. An 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 university 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 and GRE exams. Some universities accept the medium of instruction, but those are not very reputable. Even the universities do not release the program offer letter until the student provides the English proficiency result. A statement of purpose and letter of reference are also common practices for admission to US universities. 

Entry requirements and documentation: UK > Canada > USA

Winner: UK  (Lowest entry requirements)

4) Post-study work opportunities

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

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

USA: The USA has bifurcated post-study work visas into two categories: normal OPT and STEM OPT. OPT stands for optional practical training. Normal OPT allows international students to stay for one year after completion of the program, whereas STEM OPT allows international students to extend the total of 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 does 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 A Canadian student visa can be availed only with the help of paying the 1st semester fee and showing living costs. 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 costs are 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 the US’s 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 in getting 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 and 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 Part -2 of Canada vs. UK vs. USA, which is the best option for international students?

Canada vs UK vs USA which is the best option to study for International students (part -2)