Both Canada and Germany are one of those countries which are gaining a lot of popularity among Indian students who want to study abroad. Located in different continents and time zones, they have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, both countries have great education systems with a lot of their universities getting ranks among the best universities in the world. They offer world-class learning experiences and offer an amazing opportunity to get international reach. So, why wouldn’t students want to study there? Let’s find out what would be the difference when you study in Canada vs Germany so that you can make an informed choice. Let’s begin.
STUDY IN CANADA VS GERMANY: Main Difference
The number of Indian students wanting to go study abroad is increasing by the day. And there are so many great options. Germany and Canada feature among the top choices to study abroad, for Indian students. In such circumstances, it can get confusing for students to choose from two awesome options Germany and Canada for their studies. Let us read through some points of differences. This will help you gain clarity.
VISA AND WORK PERMIT: Study in Canada vs Germany
In both Germany and Canada, you won’t be able to study without a student visa. The requirements for student visas, for when you want to go to study in Germany or Canada, are similar to a large extent in both countries. You will just be required to be ready with certain supplementary documents like proof of education, health insurance, proof of finances, university acceptance letter, etc.
Permits for study in Canada
If you want to study in Canada, you will not be able to study there unless you have a valid study permit. The study permit is provided by the Immigration Officials of Canada. While you are studying, the allowed work limit is 20 hours per week but this gets extended to 40 hours in holidays. After your studies end, you would then be required to apply for a post-graduation work permit within 90 days of completion of your course. With the post-graduation work permit, you will become eligible to stay in Canada for 3 more years after graduation and look for a job.
Permits for study in Germany
If you want to study in Germany, you will be required to get a residence permit if you want to stay and study for more than 90 days. And while you are there, you can do part-time work. The acceptable limit for that is 180 days half-time and 90 days full-time in one academic year. This permit remains applicable for 2 years, after which you will have to get it renewed. After your studies end, you would be required to apply for another residency permit for 18 months. This will give you time to look for jobs and help in employment. However, if you have a job offer in your hand before you finish your studies, you can directly apply for a residence permit.
COST OF STUDY IN CANADA VS GERMANY
One of the major differences, when you want to go study in Canada vs Germany, is the cost involved in it. And the biggest contributor to that cost is the tuition fee that is paid to the institutions. Let us take a look at the differences.
Cost of Study in Germany
In Germany, Public Universities don’t charge any tuition fees at all. This applies to both local and international students. Therefore, public education in Germany is more affordable. All you would be required to pay would be the semester fee, health insurance, etc. However, this is only limited to public universities and not to private universities. And things don’t end there, you can also apply for scholarships to get financial aid.
Cost of Study in Canada
In Canada, there are no such exemptions. Paying tuition fees is mandatory for all universities. However, the picture is not all that grim. You can always work part-time or even apply for scholarships and bursaries for financial aid. The tuition fee requirement for a university in Canada for an undergraduate course will range between $10,000 and $30,000 per year. Whereas, if you study at a public university in Germany, it will cost you around 200 Euros to 500 Euros per semester.
For getting to know the exact amount, you will have to visit the website of the respective university you are interested in and get your finances straight.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Study in Canada vs Germany
The eligibility requirements are different for study in Canada vs Germany and will differ from one university to another. However, the following are some broad guidelines of eligibility that you would be required to fulfil in each country.
Requirements For Canada
In Canada, you will be required to have completed a study duration of 12 years along with having to appear in the SAT exam, to be eligible to get admitted to an undergraduate program. The undergraduate program in Canada is of 4 years and Diplomas can be of 2 to 3 years. To get admission in engineering and management courses, you will have to have appeared in GMAT and GRE for the respective categories. The eligibility criteria are however relaxed for postgraduate programs.
Requirements For Germany
Even though different universities have different requirements, there are some broad eligibility guidelines that you can follow to study in Germany. For admission to an undergraduate degree, you will be required to have a 90 per cent score in the secondary/class 12th level. However, if you have completed one year of study in a bachelor’s program at any recognized university in India, you would also be eligible. If you are a student who has cleared the JEE advanced exam, the cut-off for that is 50 per cent.
For admission to a postgraduate degree, you will be required to have a German equivalent bachelor’s degree. Based on your choice of discipline, you may be required to have appeared in GMAT or GRE.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Study in Canada vs Germany
For studying in any of the foreign countries, you would be required to know their language. The same applies to studying in Canada vs Germany. In Canada’s case, you would be required to have English proficiency, and in Germany’s case, you would also be required to have proficiency in the German language. The better your score on the respective tests, the better your chances of admission get.
Requirements For Canada
Along with all the other qualifications, you will also be required to have English proficiency proof to study in Canada. For that, you can either appear in TOEFL, IELTS, or DET. Nevertheless, it is always advisable that you check the official websites of the universities of your choice. This is to get you acquainted with the latest requirements.
Requirements For Germany
Along with all those qualifications, you will be required to have language proficiency proof. You will be required to have not only proficiency in English but also knowledge of German. You will have to give tests like TOEFL/IELTS/GET along with TestDAF/DSH for German proficiency.
STUDY AND ADMISSION PATTERNS: Study in Canada vs Germany
The admission and evaluation patterns of both Canada and Germany have a slight difference. In Canada, you are tested throughout the semester by various assessments. Therefore, there is not a lot of burden to score well in the final exam to clear the semester. However, in Germany, a lot of stress is given to the final exams. You will be required to take them seriously and perform well to move forward in your studies. Hence, there is a serious difference. You will have to get your priorities fixed before comparing the benefits of studying in Canada vs Germany.
Regarding admissions, the intake generally happens in Fall, Spring, and Summer for Canadian universities while they happen in Summer and Winter for German universities.
SOME LEADING UNIVERSITIES in Germany & Canada
Following are some of the best universities in Canada and Germany. You can think of getting an admission and try your luck in any of these and many more while you research about studying in Canada vs Germany.
| Canada | Germany |
| University of Toronto | Heidelberg University |
| University of Montreal | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
| University of British Columbia | Technical University of Munich |
| McGill University | University of Berlin |
| University of Alberta | RWTH Aachen University |
| University of Waterloo | Humboldt University of Berlin |
| McMaster University | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology |
If you have any other doubts, do consult our experts at Admissify! Our team will provide you with personalized solutions to all your doubts and problems.
CONCLUSION
When you start to think to study in Canada vs Germany, you must keep into consideration the study cost, visa requirements, whether you’ll be able to get work or not, etc. In Germany, the public universities don’t charge tuition fees and in Canada, you get exposure to multiple cultures like no other country. Both countries offer a lot of opportunities but have differences in permit requirements and study patterns. So it would be helpful if you do thorough research about the courses you want to take and universities you want to study in.
EXTRACT-
“When you start to think to study in Canada vs Germany, you must keep into consideration the study cost, visa requirements, whether you’ll be able to get work or not, etc. In Germany, the public universities don’t charge tuition fees and in Canada, you get exposure to multiple cultures like no other country.”
FAQ
What is the time duration for a postgraduate degree when you study in Canada vs Germany?
If you want to pursue a postgraduate degree, the time duration is relatively the same in both Canada and Germany. The time duration is around 1 to 2 years.
What is the admission rate when you study in Canada vs Germany?
The admission rate is different for studying in Germany or Canada. If you want to study in Germany, the acceptance rate is about 30% for public universities and about 60% for private universities. For Canada, the acceptance rate ranges from 40% to 60% for all universities.
How can I get a scholarship to study in Germany?
The DAAD or the German Academic Exchange Service are the formal organizations that help you get funding for your studies in Germany. However, there are also other independent options you can apply to for scholarships.
How can I get a PR in Germany?
You can apply for PR (Permanent Residence) in Germany if you have been living in Germany for a period of five years on a residency permit.
When do universities in Canada and Germany take intakes?
The intake pattern is a little different for Canada and Germany. For Germany, the intakes happen in Summer and Winter. For Canada, the intakes happen in Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Avinash Singh is a study abroad consultant with over 10 years of experience helping students achieve their academic goals. He is an expert in the US, Australian, German, and Canadian education systems and has helped hundreds of students secure admission to top universities around the world. In his spare time, Avinash enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family. He is also an avid reader and loves to learn new things.
