In today’s environment, getting a post-graduate degree has become an essential component of a student’s scholastic goals. A master’s degree will undoubtedly aid students in achieving academic proficiency and subject understanding mastery. Pursuing a master’s degree abroad provides students with not just a high-quality education but also worldwide exposure. Canada, like many other popular countries, has steadily emerged as a top choice for higher education abroad. International students, like students from other countries, face both advantages and disadvantages while studying in Canada.

In this blog, we will explore the Disadvantages Of Studying In Canada For International Students in detail. Get more information regarding pros and cons of going to college in Canada, can a poor student study in Canada, why uk is better than canada for study, is studying in canada worth it? & disadvantages of studying in australia for international students

is studying in Canada worth it?

Advantages of Studying in Canada	Disadvantages of Studying in Canada
World-class universities and colleges	Tuition fees
Earn while you learn	Living expense in Canada
Demand for a younger workforce	Health care system
Post-graduate Work Permit (PGWP)	Low Acceptance Rate of international students to Canadian medical schools
A pathway to Canadian permanent residence	Climate

Advantages of Studying in Canada
World-Class Universities
World-Class Canadian Universities
Source : ST Media

There are plenty of reasons why international students choose studying in Canada as an option for their higher education. The most important one is the quality of education and training provided by the Canadian universities. Plus, a degree from these universities is recognized globally. The thoroughly experienced research faculties also provide students with ample pedagogic exposure and research opportunities.

You will never feel like an outsider in the country or in the campus, as Canada is one of the most friendly and hospitable nations in the world. Besides this, you will always be occupied by events, fest and other extracurricular activities along with your academic programs, which will help you increase your social circle and keep you from becoming homesick.

Safe Environment
Safe Study Environment
Source : Pexels

When it comes to the peace, calm and friendliness, Canada ranks 6th among 172 countries on the Global Peace Index. Canadians are very culturally and racially welcoming in nature. The Canadian universities give utmost priority to the safety of all the students, especially international students. Hence if you have parents who are impossibly good at creating scary scenarios about what could happen to you, you should go for studying in Canada.

Earn While You Learn
Earn while you study in Canada
Source : easyshishiksha

International students studying in Canada have the benefit of taking up part time jobs too. This helps them earn enough money to manage their monthly expenses and pay their student debts. International students on a study permit are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week and for unlimited hours during major holidays and break.

For off-campus part-time jobs students must fulfill the following prerequisites:

Should have a valid study permit
Should be a full-time student, enrolled in a registered university.
Should apply to a program that needs more than six months to complete.
In addition, students can also choose to work on-campus or do internships with an organization.

Demand For A Younger Workforce
There is a huge demand for young educated students in Canada, as they are considered to be essential for building the future of the nation. In other words, Canada wants international students to not only come to the country and study but also be a permanent citizen who can contribute to the nation’s development.

Disadvantages of Studying in Canada
Tuition Fees
Although the Canadian Universities provide a lot of financial benefits to the students , studying in Canada can still be an expensive affair given the strong value of the Canadian dollar.

There are however, scholarships for students from other Commonwealth countries, such as the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program which can make studying in Canada slightly more affordable.

Cost Of Living
Cost of Living in Canada
Source : TechLum

The primary factor determining the cost of living of an international student in Canada is the city that they choose to live in. While major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are very expensive, cities like Montreal, Calgary and Halifax are quite affordable.

Living expenses may also vary depending on your lifestyle. Planning your expenses, part-time jobs, sensible spending will definitely help you in leading a comfortable life while you study.

Healthcare System
Canada is one of the countries with universal healthcare; however, it isn’t completely free. You have to pay monthly or yearly premiums to avail the benefits of the healthcare system. However, International students are eligible for free health insurance or the Medical Care Plan (MCP), provided they are enrolled for a course that has a duration of at least 12 months.

The only drawback here is the long wait time for some elective services, especially in big cities.

Low Acceptance Rate Of International Students To Canadian Medical Schools
Medical Education in Canada
Source : socasma

There is a reason why you don’t see many international students applying to medical school in Canada. Canadian medical schools do not accept international students and even prohibit them unless there is a special arrangement made by the government.

Canadian universities do not offer a bachelor degree in Medicine or Surgery; instead, you will have to directly apply to Doctor of Medicine program with the 60 credit hours you collect from an undergraduate degree. The program is distributed into two parts called the rotation, which is two years of pre-clinical courses and two years of clinical training.

Climate
Winter in Canada
Canada is spread over a large geographical area; the climatic condition of the region depends on the location. As the average temperature in summer is 35° C and winter is -25° C, students from warm countries might find it difficult to adjust during the winters.

At times, the winter may last for six months and the temperature may sometimes even drop down to -30° C. However, as mentioned earlier, it depends on your location and your ability to adapt to a new environment. Cities like Vancouver, Halifax and Toronto are some cities with warmer winters in Canada.

Extreme weather conditions can definitely be handled by dressing appropriately, by wearing layered warm clothing. Over time, with proper gear and winter clothing, cold conditions will become bearable for international students coming from tropical climates.

Canada Vs Uk For International Students

How does higher education differ between Canada and the UK?

The UK has over 100 public universities, and 11 are ranked in the top 100 universities in the world, according to the Times Higher Education, with the University of Oxford being the world’s best university.

Canada has 90 universities of which 30 appear in world-rankings including the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. Though many are high quality, they aren’t as prestigious as some British universities. The highest ranked university in Canada, the University of Toronto, is ranked 18th in the world, according to Times Higher Education.

How long do undergraduate and postgraduate degrees take?

An undergraduate degree in the UK is normally three years long. If you’re in Scotland, it’ll likely be four and most postgraduate programs take one year wherever you are in the UK.

Undergraduate degrees in Canada are usually four years long while postgraduate master’s degrees are a year or two, so you’re likely to be studying longer in Canada vs the UK.

What are the costs of studying in the UK vs Canada?

The average tuition cost in the UK is £12,705 and that excludes your accommodation and living costs. In order to get a better understanding of the total cost of studying in the UK, it is recommended that you research all the additional costs. 

Tuition for international students in Canada is much cheaper than the UK at around £5,855 a year. Your housing plan at a Canadian university might also include a meal plan. Overall, it is typically much cheaper to study in Canada compared to the UK.

How are courses structured?

Courses in the UK are mostly lecture-based, and a lot of your grade will come from exams and assignments. However, science and math students will spend more time in the lab or clinical classes while students in art-based degree programs will be in more discussion-based classes and will be busy creating!

Similarly, Canadian university grades also come from exams and assignments. However, there may be more research-based learning and projects. There are workshops, group projects, and assignments that will all factor into your final grade.

How does the grading differ between Canada and the UK?

The UK grading system uses honours in grades. The highest is first-class honours, which represents 70% or above. But, the lowest is without honours, usually 40% or lower. It’s known as a pass.

Similar to the US, Canada uses letter grades and GPA, or Grade Point Average. GPA is usually on 4.0 scale or sometimes a 9.0 scale. 9.0 represents a perfect grade, and on the 4.0 scale, 4.33 represents a perfect grade.

Can I work whilst I study?

You can work up to 20 hours a week, during term time and an unlimited number of hours outside term time, as an international student in the UK. Once you graduate, you can stay for up to two years working or searching for employment after earning a Post Study Work Visa.

With your visa, you can work 20 hours a week on campus or off campus in Canada. Canada grants post-graduation work permits, which can be between eight months to three years, depending on the length of your studies.  If you earn a higher degree, the length of your work permit is typically longer.

What are the differences in living costs?

One big difference between the UK and Canada is that you will get access to free healthcare in the UK after you pay a surcharge of £150 for each academic year. This payment covers general practitioner visits, emergency treatment, family planning services, compulsory psychiatric treatment and diagnosis and treatment of some diseases, and your medicines will be subsidized by the government. 

Accommodation wise the average cost in the UK is around £1,250 a month and around £1,750 in Canada. You should budget around £150 to £200 for food and groceries in the UK and around £350 to £585 a month in the Ontario area in Canada. Like everywhere the main cities in both countries are the most expensive.

What salary can I expect after graduation?

The average annual salary after graduation in the UK is about £26,345. However, your salary will depend on your degree. In late 2020, the unemployment rate for college graduates in the UK was about 4.6%.

Canada is slightly better, with many graduates earing around $40,000 a year on average. Canada also has better rate of graduate employment and in 2020, the employment rate for Canadians with a Bachelor’s degree was around 70%.

What is there to see, do and visit?

The UK has a maritime climate, so there are plenty of outdoor activities in all seasons and you’re never more than 75 miles from the sea! It’s also pretty easy to travel to other European countries. The UK is a diverse place and each region has its attractions, so whether you like the buzz of cities, picturesque countryside or fancy seeing a castle or two you’ll be catered for!

In addition, the UK is home to 15 national parks, seven natural wonders and a whopping 32 World Heritage sites.

If you love outdoor pursuits then Canada will suit you. In fact, Canada is one of the most popular ski destinations in the world. You may want to check out Whistler Blackcomb, one of the most popular ski resorts in the world and one of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games venues.

The country has amazing countryside, lakes and over 45 national parks. One of Canada’s most famous areas, the Niagara Falls State Park, is perfect for a getaway to shop, watch live performances, golf or even go on a cruise.

Canadian cities also offer lots of fun, especially Old Quebec, one of the first European settlements in North America. Quebec is home to lots of history and art, and you can also visit Château Frontenac, one of the world’s most famous and flashy hotels. You might also travel to Toronto for some museum action, live theatre, and hitting some thrift stores. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame while you’re there to get a better sense of what Canada’s favourite sport is all about.