Canada vs Ireland: Which Country is Better Suited for Indian Students?

When considering Canada vs Ireland destinations for Indian students, it's important to weigh factors such as education quality, job opportunities, cost of living, and cultural experiences. Both countries offer unique advantages that cater to different preferences and goals of those wishing to study abroad. 

According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education, Canada is ranked 3rd for hosting the highest percentage of international students globally. Similarly, Ireland is now becoming a popular choice for Indian students. 

The range of programs and research opportunities available in the country is vast, with a huge number of top-ranked universities located here. Canada additionally, gives post-graduation work permit, which allows students work permit in post-graduation and further settle in the country. Although it is more expensive to live in big cities like Toronto or Vancouver, smaller cities and towns are more affordable.

Meanwhile, Ireland is becoming increasingly popular as its strong education system supports fast-growing sectors such as tech, as well as business and pharmaceuticals. The Irish university system is world-renowned, and the nation boasts a welcoming and secure environment with an emphasis on research and innovation. 

Ireland also offers a post-study work visa of two years where graduates can live and work in Ireland, giving them the time to secure a job.

Popular Courses

For all the study abroad aspirants, this list of popular courses will keep you covered while applying abroad. 

Popular Courses in Canada and Ireland	Cost of Course in Canada	Cost of Course in Ireland
Business and Management Studies	CAD $136,410 (INR 82.61 lakh)	€21,000 approx (INR 22.61 lakh)
Engineering	CAD 67,370 (INR 40.80 lakh)	€27,000 approx (INR 29.07 lakh)
Computer Science	CAD 61,720 (INR 37.37 lakh)	€27,000 approx (INR 29.07 lakh)
Health Science/ Health and Medicine	CAD 91,760 (INR 55.57 lakh)	€55,000 approx (INR 59.22 lakh)
Data Science	CAD 77,800  (INR 47.11 lakh)	€27,000 approx (INR 29.07 lakh)

Canada or Ireland: Eligibility Criteria

Finding it hard to choose between Canada or Ireland for master’s or undergraduate programs? A lot depends on the average eligibility criteria for students in both countries. 

Canada

• You should have finished twelve years of school education for undergraduate programs. 
• You will have to appear for the SAT examination for four-year degree courses. 
• There are diploma courses available for two years. 
• You will require GMAT scores for management programs, while GRE scores are needed for engineering degrees. 
• Cut-offs are only sometimes applicable to colleges in the country.
• You also require scores in English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.

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Ireland

• A minimum score of 60% or higher is needed in Class XII. 
• Diploma and foundation programs are available for those who have scored 50%. 
• Students should have completed 18 years before enrolling in degree programs. 
• Entry requirements are slightly less stringent at universities in Ireland, although education standards are quite high. 
• Universities take applications for UG courses via the CAO (Central Applications Office) online system. 
• You have to provide your IELTS/TOEFL scores. 
• For postgraduate courses, you will need a diploma or degree at the bachelor’s level and a relevant subject of study. 
• You will have to provide scores on English language proficiency tests, too.

Read More
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Canada or Ireland: Admission Cycle

Here are the admission cycle or intakes for Canada and Ireland:

Admission Cycle for Canadian Universities 

Intake	Course	Admission Cycle
Fall Intake	Undergraduate, Postgraduate and degree programs	September – January
Winter	Degree/diploma programs	January – April
Summer	Diploma/Certificate program	May-August

Admission Cycle for Canadian Universities

Intake	Course	Admission Cycle
Autumn	Undergraduate, Postgraduate and degree programs	June – September
Spring	Undergraduate, Postgraduate and degree programs	September – January

Also Read
Summer Intake in Canada	Best Universities in Canada	Winter Intake in Canada
Spring Intake in Canada	Education System in Canada	Student Visa for Canada

Indian/International Students Acceptance Rate: Canada vs Ireland

Acceptance rates for international students in Canada and Ireland vary significantly. If you want to determine whether Canada vs Ireland, has a higher or lower acceptance rate. Let’s first compare the top-ranking universities of both countries. 

The top-ranking university in Canada is the University of Toronto, while Trinity College Dublin is the top-ranked university in Ireland. According to multiple unofficial sources, the acceptance rate of the University of Toronto is 54%. Compared to that, Trinity College Dublin has an acceptance rate of 52%. 

Based on this, we can conclude that universities in Ireland tend to be more selective about applicants, making it tougher to gain admission without a good academic record.

Top Universities 

University in Canada	QS Global Ranking 2025	Popular Specialization
University of Toronto	25	Nursing, Education, Data Science, Mineral & Mining Engineering.
McGill University	29	Mineral & Mining Engineering, Medicine, Social Sciences & Management and Natural Sciences
The University of British Columbia	38	Clinical Medicine, Social Sciences & Public Health, Plant & Animal Science, Microbiology and Arts & Humanities
University of Alberta	96	Nursing, Petroleum Engineering, Mining & Mineral Engineering, Instruments Science & Technology and Chemistry
University of Waterloo	115	Environmental Science & Engineering, Physics, Computer Science & Engineering and Electrical Engineering.

Here’s a list of top universities in Ireland: 

University in Ireland	QS Global Ranking 2025	Specialization
Trinity College Dublin	87	English Language and Literature, Nursing, Pharmacy & Pharmacology and Performing Arts
University College Dublin	126	English Language & Literature, Library & Information Management, Veterinary Science and Petroleum Engineering
University College Cork	273	Nursing, Law, Agriculture & Forestry, Pharmacy & Pharmacology and Anatomy & Physiology
University of Galway	273	Performing Arts, Nursing, Hospitality & Leisure Management, Law and Medicine
Dublin City University	421	Accounting & Finance, Business & Management, Economics, Sports Science and Education

Read More About Studying in Ireland
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MBA in Finance in Ireland	MBA Jobs in Ireland	Job Opportunities in Ireland After Masters

Canada vs. Ireland for Indian Students- Visa Process

Canada

• Apply for the work permit within 90 days of completing the course after graduation. 
• The application procedure will come with a mandatory medical test. 
• Spouses may take up full-time work if they stay for one year or more. 
• You can work for more than 24 hours each week and up to 40 hours weekly during breaks and holidays.

Ireland

• You can apply for a student visa if you enroll in a course spanning more than three months. 
• You will have to show minimum funds in your bank account while applying, covering costs for one academic year and proving that you or your parents/sponsor will be providing the expenses required for the course. 
• If you have the valid Immigration permission Stamp 2, you will be allowed to work up to 20 hours weekly during the session and up to 40 hours weekly during breaks and vacation periods.

Read More About Student Visa for Canada & Ireland
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Ireland vs Canada: Scholarship

Both Canada and Ireland offer scholarships to international students. Here are the details about the same.

Canada

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount (Approx)
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program	Students with excellent academic records receive this.	Variable Amount
Global Citizen Scholarship	All undergraduate students are eligible	CAD 12,797
University of Buckingham Ondatje Postgraduate Scholarship	Masters students in the University of Buckingham are eligible	CAD 6396
Conestoga College International Degree Entrance Scholarship	All post and undergraduate students are eligible	CAD 1918
Ivey MBA Scholarships	GMAT scores and academic excellence	CAD 12, 813 to half tuition fee

Ireland

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship	Both UG and PG students are eligible	EUR 10,000 stipend Fully-funded tuition and other registration charges
The Walsh Fellowship	Postgraduate students	EUR 22,000 each year
Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2020	Postgraduate student	EUR 22,000 each year

Related Articles
Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland for International Students	Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Canada vs Ireland: Cost of Studying 

Here’s a quick overview of how much will it cost students to study in Canada vs Ireland. 

Tuition Cost for UG	Canada	Ireland
Average Course Fee	CAD $36,100 per year (INR 21.86 lakh)	Up to €50,000 (INR 53.84 lakh)
Application Fee	CAD $100-125 (INR 6,056-7,570)	€55 (INR 5,922)
Books and Material	CAD $1,000–$2,000 (INR 60,563-1.21 lakh)	€75 (INR 8,076)
Living Costs	CAD $15,000 (INR 9.08 lakh)	€800-1,200 (INR 86,146-1.29 lakh)

Tuition Cost for PG	Canada	Ireland
Average Course Fee	CAD $21,100 per year (INR 12.71 lakh)	Up to €50,000 (INR 53.84 lakh)
Application Fee	CAD $100-125 (INR 6,056-7,570)	€55 (INR 5,922)
Books and Material	CAD $1,000–$2,000 (INR 60,563-1.21 lakh)	€75 (INR 8,076)
Living Costs	CAD $15,000 (INR 9.08 lakh)	€800-1,200 (INR 86,146-1.29 lakh)

Post Graduate Study Work Permit 

In Canada, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students to work for up to three years after completing their studies, with eligibility based on the length of the academic program completed. Recent updates require students to be in Canada for the entire duration of their studies starting September 2024. 

Learn More: Post Study Work Visa in Canada

In Ireland, the Third Level Graduate Programme offers a one-year work permit for bachelor's degree holders and a two-year permit for master's degree holders​​. This difference highlights the broader opportunity in Canada for longer work experience post-graduation. 

Related Article: Post Study Work Visa in Ireland 

Important Resources to Read About Study Abroad
How to study abroad from India	Study abroad for free	Study Abroad Checklist
Best countries to study abroad for Indian students	Education loan to study abroad	Packing list for Indian students going abroad
How to study abroad	Difference between scholarship and fellowship	What is a Scholarship

Ireland vs Canada: Cost of Living

The cost of living in Canada and Ireland differ, depending on several factors. Here are some of them for international students.

Average Cost in Canada 

Item	Cost
Housing/Accommodation	CAD800-3,000 per month (INR 48,450-1,81,690)
Phone/Internet	CAD50-100 per month (INR 3,028-6,056)
Personal Expenditure	CAD200 per month (INR 12,112)
Transportation	CAD90-150 per month (INR 5,450-9,084)
Food and Groceries	CAD300-500 per month (INR 18,169-30,281)

Average Cost in Ireland

Housing/Accommodation	€400-1,000 per month (INR 43,073-1.07 lakh)
Food	€70-100 per month
Transportation	€160 per month
Utilities	€30-50
Mobile Phone	€20

Employment Opportunities in Canada vs Ireland 

Here are some of the top employment opportunities in Canada and Ireland.

Job Title	Average Salary in Canada	Average Salary in Ireland
Software Engineer	CAD 82,731 (INR 50.10 lakh)	€48,098 (INR 51.79 lakh)
Registered Nurse	CAD 72,469 (INR 43.88 lakh)	€38,319 (INR 41.26 lakh)
Civil Engineer	CAD 72,300 (INR 43.78 lakh)	€39,837 (INR 42.89 lakh)
Mechanical Engineer	CAD 72,357 (INR 43.82 lakh)	€38,447 (INR 41.40 lakh)
Pharmacist	CAD 95,864 (INR 58.05 lakh)	€59,976 (INR 64.58 lakh)

Canada vs Ireland: Permanent Residency Options 

Canada	Ireland
Express Entry (Skilled Worker Program, Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Family Sponsorship	General Employment Permit, Critical Skills Employment Permit, Dependent/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit, Investor and Entrepreneur Permits

Taxes in Ireland and Canada 

In addition to knowing the job opportunities, one should also know the tax benefits or tax they need to pay. 

Tax Component	Canada	Ireland
Income Tax	15% on the portion of taxable income that is $55,867 (INR 33.83 lakh) or less, plus 20.5% on the portion of taxable income over $55,867 (INR 33.83 lakh) up to $111,733 (INR 67.68 lakh), plus 26% on the portion of taxable income over $111,733 (INR 67.68 lakh) up to $173,205 (INR 1.04 crore), plus 29% on the portion of taxable income over $173,205 (INR 1.04 crore) up to $246,752 (INR 1.49 crore), plus 33% on the portion of taxable income over $246,752 (INR 1.49 crore)	Standard Rate: 20% on income up to €42,000 (INR 45.22 lakh) Higher Rate: 40% on income above €40,000 (INR 43.07 lakh)

Seeking to study in Canada – Apply Now

Conclusion

It is hard to conclude the final decision between Ireland and Canada. Both countries have flourishing economies and highly-ranked institutions. Canada has slightly lower living costs, and getting a permanent residency is more accessible than in other countries. It also has slightly lower taxes. 

However, Ireland has its strengths, including comparatively affordable tuition fees in many cases, available scholarships, and excellent employment prospects. Hence, take a look at your specific needs before deciding to choose between Ireland or Canada. 

Disclaimer: All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.