Canada vs UK: Which Is Better for Indian Students in 2025?
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Table of Contents
2025 Education Systems Compared
Canada
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Degree Structure:
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Bachelor’s (4 years), Master’s (1–2 years), PhD (4–6 years)
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Colleges offer diplomas (1–2 years; job-focused)
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Grading: GPA-based (flexible credit system)
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Advantage: Co-op programs integrated into degrees.
UK
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Degree Structure:
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Bachelor’s (3 years), Master’s (1 year), PhD (3–4 years)
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Colleges provide foundation courses (pre-university prep)
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Grading: Letter-based (rigorous classification system)
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Advantage: Accelerated 1-year master’s programs.
2025 Immigration Routes
|
Aspect |
Canada |
UK |
|
Work Visa Requirements |
PGWP → CEC/PNP (no employer sponsorship needed initially) |
Graduate Route → Skilled Worker Visa (job offer + £26,200 salary) |
|
PR Timeline |
6–12 months via Express Entry |
5 years minimum for ILR |
|
Family Inclusion |
Spouses get open work permits |
Dependents allowed only if main applicant earns ≥£29,000 |
Winner: Canada (more options for diplomas & degrees)
Also Read: Complete Guide to Canada Visa Processing Time 2025
2025 Tuition & Living Costs Comparison: Canada vs UK
Before you pack your bags to leave for any of the cities, understand the real expenses. While Canada offers lower tuition averages (₹ 8- 24L), London's elite institutions command premium fees (up to ₹45L for PG).
|
Expense |
Canada |
UK |
|
Tuition (Yearly) |
₹8–24 lakhs (UG: ₹8–15L; PG: ₹7–20L) |
₹8–40 lakhs (UG: ₹8–38L; PG: ₹9–45L) |
|
Rent (Monthly) |
₹40,000–80,000 (Cities: Toronto/Vancouver at higher end) |
₹60,000–1.5 lakhs (London: ₹1.2–1.8L; regional: ₹50–90K) |
|
Food (Monthly) |
₹15,000–25,000 (Groceries: ₹10–15K; meals out: ₹5–10K) |
₹20,000–35,000 (Supermarkets: ₹15–25K; dining: ₹5–10K) |
|
Transport (Monthly) |
₹3,000–6,000 (Public transit pass: ₹3–6K; occasional rideshares) |
₹5,000–10,000 (London Oyster card: ₹8–12K; regional buses: ₹4–6K) |
|
Healthcare |
Included in provincial plans after a 3-month wait |
£776/year (₹82K) Immigration Health Surcharge mandatory |
|
Pre-Arrival Costs |
₹1.6–22L (IELTS: ₹16K; visa: ₹9K; GIC: ₹12.4L) |
₹1.3–18.5L (SELT: ₹18K; visa: ₹35K; IHS: ₹47K) |
Winner: Canada (lower living costs + healthcare benefits)
Work Opportunities & PR Pathways in 2025: Canada vs UK
Here are the work opportunities & PR pathways for Canada and UK in 2025
Core Work Opportunities
|
Aspect |
Canada |
UK |
|
Post-Study Work Visa |
PGWP: Up to 3 years (open work permit) |
Graduate Route: 2 years (no job restrictions) |
|
Part-Time Work |
24 hrs/week off-campus (effective Nov 2024) + full-time during breaks |
20 hrs/week during term + full-time in holidays |
|
Work Permit Flexibility |
Open work permits for spouses |
Dependents require separate sponsorship (minimum salary: £29,000) |
|
Internships/Co-op |
Co-op permits integrated into study programs |
Limited to Tier 4 visa restrictions (employer-specific) |
PR Route
|
Aspect |
Canada |
UK |
|
Primary Route |
Express Entry: CRS score-based (470+ score target) |
Skilled Worker Visa: Job offer + £26,200+ salary |
|
Processing Time |
6–12 months via Express Entry |
5 years minimum for ILR |
|
Key Requirements |
Canadian work experience (PGWP) + language proficiency |
5-year residency + salary thresholds (rising in 2025) |
|
Additional Streams |
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for regional demand |
Shortage Occupation List roles (e.g., healthcare, engineering) |
Winner: Canada (faster PR, no job offer needed initially)
Top Universities & Courses in 2025: Canada vs UK
Here are the top universities & courses in 2025 for both Canada and the U.K., along with their QS world university ranking:
|
Country |
University |
Q.S World University Ranking (2025) |
Top Courses |
|
Canada |
University of Toronto |
25 |
Computer Science, Business (Global MBA #39), Nursing (#5 globally) |
|
University of British Columbia (UBC) |
38 |
Engineering (#25 globally), Environmental Science, Data Science |
|
|
McGill University |
29 |
Medicine (#29 globally), Law (#33 globally), Psychology (#21 globally) |
|
|
UK |
University of Oxford |
3 |
MBA (#16 globally), Humanities, Law (#2 globally) |
|
University of Cambridge |
5 |
STEM (Maths #2 globally), Law (#3 globally) |
|
|
Imperial College London |
2 |
Engineering (#9 in Chemical Eng), Data Science, Medicine (#Top 10 globally) |
Winner: UK
Also Read: Top 10 Universities in Ireland for Masters in 2025
Visa Process & Requirements in 2025: Canada vs UK
From biometric appointments to interviews, visa approvals make or break dreams. Here are the processing times (4 vs 3 weeks), 2025 policy changes, and pro tips to avoid refusals in either system.
|
Factor |
Canada |
UK |
|
Visa Fee |
₹16,000 (approx.) + biometrics fee (₹5,300) |
₹35,000 (approx.) + Immigration Health Surcharge (₹82,000/year) |
|
Processing Time |
4–6 weeks (subject to biometrics delays) |
3–4 weeks (priority service available for faster processing) |
|
Interview |
Sometimes required (case-specific) |
Usually required for high-risk applicants |
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IELTS Requirement |
6.0+ (most universities; DLI-specific) |
6.5+ (most universities; UKVI-approved test mandatory) |
|
Financial Proof |
CAD 20,635/year (₹12.4L GIC recommended) |
£29,000/year (₹30L+) for London-based courses |
|
Key Document |
Letter of Acceptance (DLI), GIC proof, study plan |
CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), TB test |
|
Post-Study Work Rights |
PGWP (up to 3 years; no job offer needed) |
Graduate Route (2 years; extendable via Skilled Worker Visa) |
|
2025 Policy Updates |
Cap of 364,000 study permits (-10% from 2024); PAL/TAL required |
Graduate Route unchanged; Skilled Worker salary thresholds rising |
Winner: Canada (lower visa fees, slightly faster processing)
Also Read: Top Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada (2025)
Final Judgement: Canada or UK in 2025
Why Choose Canada?
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Canada has affordable education + living costs.
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If you are planning to work and settle abroad, Canada is the best place.
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Canada offers a mix of diplomas & degrees.
Why Choose the UK?
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The UK has prestigious, shorter degrees.
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Choose UK if you are aiming for global networking.
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If you can manage higher expenses.
Also Read: Scholarships to Study in UK for Indian Students
Useful Links:
Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main advantage of studying in Canada?
Do I need a study permit for short-term courses in Canada?
How long can I stay in the UK after completing my studies?
Are scholarships available for Indian students in the UK?
Can I work part-time in the UK with a Tier 4 student visa?
