Caught in Germany vs. Canada conundrum? Which is the better country to pursue higher studies in? Both Canada and Germany are amongst the fastest growing global economies and they are both ideal higher education destinations for global students including those from India. Both countries offer a superlative quality of life along with diverse career opportunities and rewarding experiences. Being top-rated destinations for international students, it is hard to choose between these two study abroad destinations. However, there are several parameters that might help you make an informed choice in this regard.
Read More: Cost of Studying in Canada | Cost of Living in Germany
Germany vs. Canada as a Study Abroad Destination: Highlights
Factors | Germany | Canada |
Language of instruction | English, German | English, French |
Average cost of study | Public universities: €500-€700/year
Private universities: €25,000 – €40,000/year | CAD 25,000/ year |
Average cost of living | €10,500/year | CAD 15,000/ year |
Exams required | IELTS/TOEFL, Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)/DSH, GMAT/GRE | IELTS/TOEFL/PTE and GMAT/GRE |
Intakes | Two intakes in a year – Summer and Winter | Three intakes in a year – Fall, Spring, and Summer |
Funding sources | The German government aids the education of students at public universities. Still, there are part-time jobs and scholarships to provide extra support to the students. | Part-time jobs, scholarships, bursaries, grants, fellowships |
Types of degrees | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, Diplom or Magister, Work-study degrees | Associate Degree, Undergraduate Degree, Graduate Degree, Doctorate Degree |
Top courses | Engineering, Business Management, Humanities, Maths and Computer Science | Computer Science and IT Engineering, MBA, Business and Finance, Media and Journalism |
Best student cities | Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Aachen, Stuttgart | Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Quebec, Calgary, Waterloo |
Popular Study Abroad Programs in Germany and Canada
Germany vs. Canada Education System
Before understanding which country is better in Germany vs Canada, it is essential to understand the education system of both the countries. Germany is well-known for its high reputation around the globe. The higher education system in the country is offered by three types of universities – Universities, University of Applied Sciences, University of Music and Art. Most public universities offer a degree free of cost at a minimal semester fee. This makes it one of the most popular study abroad destinations.
On the other hand, Canada has two types of educational systems offering high-quality education – university and colleges, both private and public. The Canadian education system offers more than 10,000 graduate and undergraduate programs across 213 public colleges and 223 public and private universities.
Study in Germany
Type of University | Characteristics |
Academic universities | These are research-driven institutions offering a degree in all types of disciplines. These universities focus on developing theoretical rather than practical ones. |
Universities of Art/Science | Students with artistic talents in photography, architecture, design, etc. are deemed fit to be a part of this institution. |
Universities of Applied Sciences | Students are required to conduct research on projects in association with companies. The curriculum also includes teachings from industry experts and mandatory internships. |
Study in Canada
Type of Institution | Key points |
Colleges | Also known as Institutes of Technology or Science, Community Colleges, or Colleges of Applied Arts or Applied Technology, these colleges offer training in applied fields of work. |
Universities | Most universities offer undergraduate and graduate programs. However, some also train students to excel in applied fields of work. |
Top Universities: Germany vs Canada for Indian students
There are many popular universities both in Germany and Canada that excel in several aspects of teaching and research. Listed below are the top institutions in both the countries as per QS World Rankings 2022 and their average tuition fees.
Germany | Canada | ||
Universities | Average annual tuition fees | Universities | Average annual tuition fees |
Technical University of Munich | No tuition fee | University of Toronto | CAD 30,000 – 58,000 |
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg | International students are exempt from tuition fees | McGill University | CAD 21,000 – 56,000 |
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | No tuition fee | University of British Columbia | CAD 32,000 – 55,000 |
Freie University of Berlin | No tuition fee | University of Montreal | CAD 18,000 – 36,000 |
Humboldt University of Berlin | No tuition fee | University of Alberta | CAD 13,000 – 49,000 |
KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | €3,000 | McMaster University | CAD 25,000 – 60,000 |
Technical University of Berlin | No tuition fee | University of Waterloo | CAD 30,000 – 62,000 |
RWTH Aachen University | No tuition fee | Western University | CAD 21,000 – 52,000 |
Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg | €3,000 | University of Ottawa | CAD 16,000 – 32,000 |
Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen | €3,000 | University of Calgary | CAD 18,000 – 36,000 |
Read More:
Popular Courses in Canada vs Popular Courses in Germany
In the tussle between Germany vs Canada which is better, it depends on the students the courses they want to pursue. Both the countries offer a host of courses in engineering, business management, and medicine which are widely opted by students across the globe.
Popular Courses in Germany
Popular courses | Duration | Average annual tuition fees |
BSc Mechanical Engineering | 3 years | €10,000 |
Bachelor of Medicine | 5+1 year of internship | €3,000 |
BBA | 3-3.5 years | €6,000 |
MBA | 1 year | €35,000 |
MSc Computer Science | 2 year | €12,000 |
M.Eng | 1-2 years | €12,500 |
MSc Economics | 2 years | €5,000 |
MS Data Analytics | 1-1.5 years | €1,500 |
Popular Courses in Canada
Popular courses | Duration | Average annual tuition fee |
BSc Nursing | 2-4 years | CAD 33,000/ year |
LLM | 1-2 years | CAD 20,000/ year |
MSc Nursing | 2 years | CAD 44,000/ year |
MEng Aerospace and Engineering | 3 years | CAD 38,000/ year |
MEng Industrial Systems and Engineering | 2 years | CAD 45,000/ year |
MBA | 1-2 years | CAD 38,000/ year |
MSc Business Management | 1 year | CAD 29,000/ year |
MA Media Studies | 2 years | CAD 35,000/ year |
Academic Requirements/Eligibility Criteria: Germany vs Canada
Germany | Canada | |
Undergraduate/bachelor’s degree |
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Masters degree |
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Academic Cycles/Intakes: Germany vs Canada
Australia | Canada |
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Read More: Reduce the master’s cost abroad by 20 lakhs
Cost of Studying: Germany vs Canada
In the battle between Canada or Germany, which is better, Germany is definitely a winner here providing the lowest cost of study to aid students from all financial backgrounds. The German government funds its state universities. Therefore, students get an opportunity to study free of cost or at a very nominal tuition fee at public universities. However, they need to pay some semester contribution fees of € 150 to €200 per semester for the other facilities available at the universities. Private universities do charge tuition fees that can amount to €20,000 per year.
On the other hand, education in Canada for international students is much higher than for local students. They are also required to pay for student services and other school-related activities. The average annual cost for a bachelor’s degree in Canada can range from CAD 8,000 – 35,000 and CAD 10,000 – 52,000 for a master’s degree.
Living in Germany vs. Canada- Which is better?
The cost of living in Germany and Canada for international students depends on the life of the students. Students wanting to know if Germany is better than Canada in terms of living expenses can refer to the table below.
Expenses | Average cost per year in Germany | Average cost per year in Canada |
Rent | €2,400 – €13,200 | On-campus accommodation: CAD 8,000
Shared Apartment Off-campus: CAD 9,000 |
Food and expenses incurred on dine-out | €600 – €1,800 | CAD 6,000 |
Transportation | €360 – €1,080 | CAD 1,200 |
Shopping | Above €600 | CAD 4,500 |
Medical Expenses | Above €840 | CAD 12,935 |
Study in Germany | |
MBA in Germany | MIM in Germany |
MS in Data Science in Germany | MS in Computer Science in Germany |
Germany vs Canada: Annual Salary in Top Job Sectors
Area of specialization in Germany | Average annual salary | Area of specialization in Canada | Average annual salary |
Healthcare | €1,02,036 | Healthcare | CAD 68,611 |
Data Science & IT | €62,658 | Statistics/Data Science | CAD 87,248 |
Engineering | €74,888 | Chemical Engineering | CAD 75,768 |
Finance | €64,372 | Management | CAD 86,733 |
Research | €56,703 | Electrical & Electronics Engineering | CAD 56,794 |
Germany vs. Canada- Which one is Better for Education?
Canada is recognized for its expertise in educational fields like business management, engineering, media, nursing, medicine, hospitality, and computer science. Whereas, Germany is known for its educational expertise in computer engineering, civil engineering, business management, chemical engineering, finance, data science, life sciences, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Canada
UG courses require completion of 12 years of schooling in Canada and SAT examination scores. 4-year degree courses are available along with 2-3 year diploma courses. PG courses require GMAT scores if applying for management programs and GRE scores for engineering admissions. Students have to appear for language tests including IELTS or TOEFL irrespective of their degree.
Germany
Every university regulates its own cut-off and eligibility criteria. UG courses necessitate students to clear the 12th standard and either one of JEE Advanced or a year of bachelor’s degree education from a recognized university in India. They should also clear the entrance examination for various universities or the Feststellungsprüfung. Some universities may seek 90% and higher in secondary school examination results although clearing JEE Advanced means this cut-off is relaxed to 50%. PG courses necessitate a bachelor’s degree in relevant subjects along with GRE/GMAT scores for some universities. Some may require TOEFL/IELTS scores and working knowledge of German. For programs taught in German, TestDAF or DSH are required.
Read More: Start Studying from home country and earn credits in COVID
Germany vs Canada: Best Student Cities
Both Germany and Canada are well-known for offering amazing landscapes, best universities, and a highly developed economy. Tabulated below is a list of the best student cities in both countries.
Germany | Average cost of living per year | Canada | Average cost of living per year |
Berlin | €10,248 | Toronto | CAD 22,000 |
Munich | €10,800 | Montreal | CAD 15,000 |
Frankfurt | €11,400 | Vancouver | CAD 17,000 |
Hamburg | €10,200 | Ottawa | CAD 15,000 |
Aachen | €13,200 | Quebec | CAD 20,000 |
Germany vs Canada: Permanent Residency Opportunities
Many students want to stay back and get a PR in the country they are pursuing their studies. Here’s a comparative look at the PR process in Canada vs Germany for international students.
PR in Germany | PR in Canada |
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Study Abroad with upGrad Abroad
Students wanting to study in Germany or Canada can choose from a variety of universities and courses from upGrad Abroad. They get to study for the first year at a partner university in India and then move abroad to study on-campus at an institution of their choice.
Important Scholarships to Study Abroad:
State Scholarship | Fulbright Scholarship | Vidya Lakshmi Portal | Narotam Sekhsaria
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has lower cost of living- Germany or Canada?
Germany has slightly lower cost of living owing to its comparatively lower tuition and accommodation fees. Canada is cheaper by way of utilities and food among other costs
Which country is better for Indian students- Germany or Canada?
Germany offers higher employment opportunities, slightly lower cost of living and high quality of life while Canada offers high quality of life, slightly cheaper utility and miscellaneous costs and a more competitive job market. However, attaining permanent residency is easier in Canada than in Germany.
Living in Germany or Canada- Which is better
Quality of life is superlative in both Germany and Canada. The former slightly outranks Canada as per global studies on this count. Germany offers superior public education, better weather, good healthcare, lower costs of living and higher employment opportunities. Canada offers a robust system of healthcare, easier permanent residency applications and good public facilities.
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