Canada vs Germany: Which is Better for Indian Students?

Canada or Germany, Which is better for Indian students? Both countries are popular study destinations for Indian students. Germany is popular for offering affordable education with research-oriented programs. On the other hand, Canada is famous for its multicultural environment and easier permanent residency options. 

Germany vs Canada: Canada and Germany are popular destinations for international students who are looking to study abroad. A lot of times, candidates are unable to decide between two destinations universities or courses because they appear similar to one another. Through this article, we have tried to address this very confusion. In this article, we have provided a very unbiased outlook of Germany and Canada to help candidates make the right choice. We have taken into account popular parameters such as popular courses, job availability, cost of studies, visa process and the post-study visa among other factors as the deciding factors. The article will help you in answering the question, "Germany or Canada which is better for study?" and also help you make an informed decision about Canada vs Germany for masters and bachelors.

Latest Happenings

• The Canadian government has announced that the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program is ending, and this change is effective immediately. The SDS program was started in 2018 to help international students get their study visas faster and more easily. It was especially popular with students from India and 13 other countries because it allowed them to receive quicker processing times for their applications.Now that the SDS program is no longer available, students who want to study in Canada will need to go through the regular study permit application process. This may take longer and involve more steps than before. The decision to end the SDS program aims to create fair opportunities for all students and strengthen Canada’s immigration system. This change will affect many students who were hoping to benefit from the faster processing of the SDS for their studies in Canada.
• The Indo-Pacific region announced by Canada will attract a higher number of immigrants from India and other nations. Sean Fraser, Canadian Immigration Minister, stated that the country will be investing $74.6 million over five years with the objective of pacing up the visa application processing capacity in Chandigarh, Delhi, and other regions.
• As per the last announcement by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada, overseas students will now be permitted to work for over 20 hours every week. This decision has been taken as a one-time measure to overcome the scarcity of labourers in the country, especially for jobs that involve students.
• In order to attract more Indian students, universities in Germany have decided to offer more degrees in English. Also, the second largest group of overseas students in the country are from India.

Germany vs Canada Highlights 2025

Factors	Canada	Germany
Total International Students	1,040,985	469,485
Total Indian Students  in early 2024	4,27,000	42,997
Teaching Language	English and French	English and German
Top Courses	MBA, Hospitality Management, Computer Programming, Business & Finance, Engineering, Media & Journalism, Health & Management	Law, Engineering, Dentistry, Architecture, Economics, Business Studies, Philosophy, Earth Science, Historical and Cultural Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical and Computer Science
Top Universities	McGill University, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta, the University of Montreal, McMaster University, the University of Waterloo	Technical University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, Heidelberg University, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, RWTH Aachen University
Cheap Universities	Brandon University, University of Guelph, Simon Fraser University, University of Regina, Athabasca University	Technical University of Berlin, Heidelberg University, University of Cologne, Technical University of Munich, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Stuttgart, Ludwig Maximilians University
Admission Intakes	Winter: September/October Summer: April	Fall: September Winter: January Summer: May
Average Cost of Studying	UG: $10,000 - $30,000 per year PG: $15,000 - $35,000 per year	UG: €150 (public uni) - €20,000 (private uni) per year PG: €2,000 (public uni)  - €30,000 (private uni) per year
Average Cost of Living	C$20,000 to C$30,000	992 Euros monthly
Admission Requirements	SAT/ACT | GMAT/GRE | IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/DTE	GMAT/GRE | TestDaF | IELTS/TOEFL/PTE
Best Student Cities	Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, etc.	Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Münster, etc.

Germany vs Canada Education System

Canada

The education system in Canada consists of the following elements:

• Pre-primary / Kindergarten
• Primary/Elementary Education: From 1st to 6th year.
• Intermediate / Junior High/Secondary / Middle School: From the 7th to the 10th year.
• Senior Secondary / Senior Years / Graduation Programme: From 11th to 12th years.
• In Quebec, students must complete a Pre-University or Technical level that lasts for two to three years. The next step for students from other provinces is the high school diploma.
• High School Graduation Diploma / Diploma of College Studies Quebec
• Higher Education Institutions / Colleges / Institutes of Technology: They offer certificates, associate degrees, diplomas, and bachelor’s degrees.
• Higher Education Institutions: They offer Graduate Diplomas.
• Universities: They offer Master’s degrees and Doctoral degrees.

Germany

The German education system consists of the following elements:

• Elementary Sector: It consists of Kindergarten.
• Primary Sector: It consists of Primary Schools from 1st to 4th grade.
• Secondary Level: It consists of secondary general schools and secondary schools that lead to vocational schools and technical colleges. In addition, it consists of comprehensive schools and academic secondary schools that lead to universities.
• Vocational Schools and Technical Colleges: These lead to the University of Applied Sciences.
• Universities.

Germany vs Canada Top Universities

The table given below provides the top 5 universities in Canada and Germany:

Top Universities in Canada	Top Universities in Germany
The University of Toronto (QS 2025: 25) (Shiksha Grade: A++)	Technical University of München (QS 2025: 28) (Shiksha Grade: A++)
McGill University (QS 2025: 29) (Shiksha Grade: A+)	University of München (QS 2025: 59) (Shiksha Grade: A++)
The University of British Columbia (QS 2025: 38) (Shiksha Grade: A++)	University of Heidelberg (QS 2025: 84) (Shiksha Grade: A++)
The University of Alberta (QS 2025: 96) (Shiksha Grade: A)	Free University of Berlin (QS 2025: 97) (Shiksha Grade: A)
University of Waterloo (QS 2025: 115) (Shiksha Grade: A)	RWTH Aachen University (QS 2025: 99) (Shiksha Grade: A+)

Germany vs Canada Popular Courses

Canada

Popular courses offered at Canadian Universities include:

• MBA
• Computer Science
• Hospitality Management
• Computer Programming
• Finance and Accounts
• Engineering
• Media & Journalism
• Health & Management
• Data Science
• Medical

Germany

Popular courses offered at German Universities include:

• Law
• Engineering
• Dentistry
• Architecture
• Economics,
• Business Studies
• Philosophy
• Natural Sciences
• Mathematical and Computer Science

Germany vs Canada Eligibility Requirements

Canada

For undergraduate (UG) courses, you need to have completed 12 years of schooling. To get admission, you need to appear for the SAT exam. The duration for degree courses is four years, and that of a diploma is two to three years.

In postgraduate (PG) courses, getting admission to vocational courses is easier as the admission criteria are a lot more relaxed. To get admission for management degrees you will have to appear for GMAT, and for engineering degrees, you need to take the GRE exam.

The concept of cutoffs doesn’t apply to Canadian colleges. Colleges provide average scores accepted to different courses on their websites. That will give some idea about what’s considered a good score. You will also need to appear for language exams like TOEFL or IELTS, irrespective of the degree. There are some colleges that may not require language tests for Indian students, but it is advisable you still take either TOEFL or IELTS as they are important for the purpose of getting a visa. If the visa interviewer is not sure of your spoken skills, they may not grant you the visa.

Germany

Universities in Germany are often funded by the state but not necessarily regulated by it. So every university decides its own eligibility criteria and cut-off. Hence, it is advisable to check the university website for the specific program’s eligibility criteria.

To pursue undergraduate courses in Germany you should have completed your 12th class and either one of the below -

• Cleared JEE Advanced
• Completed one year of bachelor's degree education from a recognized university in India
• Cleared the Feststellungsprüfung – the entrance exam for different universities you would take to signify effective completion of Studienkolleg.

A high level of competition at the application stage results in universities asking for as high as 90% in your secondary school examinations. However, in case you have cleared your JEE Advanced, the cut-off is 50%.

For a postgraduate program in Germany, you would need a German equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subjects. Apart from this basic requirement, the universities might also require you to have scored well on your GMAT or GRE tests. For international students, IELTS or TOEFL, along with working knowledge of the German language are required. For German-taught programs, a high level of proficiency in the language is required and you will be required to take either TestDAF or DSH.

The overall cost of studying and living in Canada and Germany is dependent on many factors like university, course, and location.

Germany vs Canada Cost of Studying

Costs for undergraduate courses

Particulars	Undergraduate course in Canada	Undergraduate course in Germany
Tuition	$10,000 - $30,000 per year	€150 (public uni) - €20,000 (private uni) per year
Room and Living expenses	$10,000–$12,000 per year	€8,640 per year
Duration of course	4 years	3-4 years
Total	$20,000-$42,000 per year	€8,790 - €28,640 per year

Costs for postgraduate courses

Particulars	Postgraduate course in Canada	Postgraduate course in Germany
Tuition	$15,000 - $35,000 per year	€2,000 (public uni)  - €30,000 (private uni) per year
Room and Living expenses	$10,000–$12,000 per year	€8,640 per year
Duration of course	1-2 years	1-2 years
Total	$25,000-$47,000 per year	€10,640 - €38,640 per year

Also Read:

• Cost of Studying in Germany
• Cost of Living in Germany

Germany vs Canada Visa Process

Canada

The Canadian student visa has the following regulations -

• You will have to apply for a post-graduation work permit within 90 days of finishing your studies.
• The visa application process to Canada requires a compulsory medical test for Indian applicants.
• Spouses can also work full-time if their stay is for a year or more.
• It costs $150 to apply for this visa.
• You cannot work more than 20 hours per week. During holidays, breaks and summer sessions, the student may work up to 40 hours per week.

Germany

For a German student Visa, these rules apply -

• To stay in Germany for more than 90 days as a student, you are required to get a residence permit.
• You are required to show funds worth €11,904 per year as proof of funds required for the cost of living.
• A residence permit issued to students is valid for a maximum of two years. It needs to be renewed if the duration of the course is longer than the stated two years.
• Students can work 180 days halftime or 90 days full time in an academic year. Presently, Germany is the only country where a student can pursue a part-time technical job in a related industry. Some universities also offer part-time jobs on campus called Hi/wi.

Germany vs Canada Post Study Work Permit

Canada

The Canadian Post Graduation Work Visa allows students graduating from any post-secondary institute to work post-studying for an uptime period depending on the duration of their course to a maximum of three years. Under this work permit, the student can work in any field or industry.

Also Read: All about Post Study Work Permit in Canada

Germany

International students are required to apply for a Residence Permit after completion of their education at a German University. The Immigration Laws permit the students who have completed their degree to apply for a Residence Permit of 18 months duration to look for a job related to their qualifications. This permit is not combined with the Student Visa for Germany and you need to apply for it separately at the foreign nationals’ registration office.

In case you have a job offer that is relevant to your stream of education even before you complete your education, you can directly apply for a Residence Permit or an EU Blue Card.

Also Read: Post Study Work Permits in Germany for Indian Students

Germany vs Canada Employment Opportunities

Canada

Jobs like nurse practitioner, program analyst, teacher, pharmacist, financial manager, construction manager etc. are some of the most sought-after jobs in Canada.

Germany

Jobs in fields like the health sector, mechanical & automotive, electrical and electronics industry, building & construction, information technology & telecommunications etc. are some of the top jobs in Germany.

Related Blogs:

• Average Salary in Canada
• Average Salary in Germany

Germany vs Canada PR Options

Canada

During this period of Post-Graduation Work permit, you can apply for Permanent Residency under the Canadian Experience Class. Since the country is sparsely populated, there is a shortage of highly skilled employees. Compared to most other countries, getting PR in Canada is very easy.

Germany

If you have been living in Germany for five years on a German residence permit, you can apply for a German permanent visa. There are exemptions for shorter stay time requirements. After eight years of living there, you become eligible to apply for German citizenship. In case you marry a German citizen, you can apply for German citizenship immediately.

Germany vs Canada Scholarships

Germany

One of the primary names for funding your study in Germany is the German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD. The organization helps you not merely shortlist a suitable college but also helps you with a variety of scholarship options depending on your chosen discipline or field of research. Apart from DAAD, many independent research institutes also offer scholarships to students or research scholars. For a list of scholarships, visit: Scholarships to Study in Germany

Canada

Candidates have over the years become one of the most sought-after destinations for study abroad among Indian students. The country offers a quality system of healthcare, easier permanent residency applications and a great public health system among many other benefits. Candidates planning to study in Canada can check out the various scholarships available on every 'scholarship & funding' page of Canadian universities and also visit our website to know more about scholarships to study in Canada.

Germany vs Canada Climate

Canada

Weather in Canada varies widely depending on where you are. Canada stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, covering five time zones. In Toronto, winter is milder than in most Canadian cities, yet still cold and snowy. Montreal Weather in winter is cold and snowy. Usually, the country experiences pleasantly cool summers.

Germany

German summers are hot and the winters are cold and snowy, but rains are unpredictable and common during all seasons. The average winter temperature is 3°C and in summer it is 22°C. Maximum temperatures commonly reach -10°C in winter and 35°C in the summer months. The country is divided into 16 states and has an exceedingly varied landscape, so it is difficult to generalise the weather for the whole country.

Impact on Canada vs Germany After the End of the SDS Program for International Students

The recent end of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program in Canada will affect many Indian students who want to study abroad. The SDS program made it easier and faster for international students to get their study visas. Now that it is gone, students may face a longer and more complicated application process. This change could influence their choice between studying in Canada or Germany.

Canada: Challenges Ahead

With the SDS program ending, Canada might seem less attractive to some students because they may have to wait longer for their visas. However, Canada is still known for being friendly to international students. It has many good universities and a diverse culture. Getting accepted into Canadian universities can be easier than in Germany, which is a plus. Also, Canada offers good job opportunities after graduation, which many students find appealing.

Germany: A Growing Choice

Germany is becoming a popular option for Indian students. The country has low or no tuition fees at public universities, making it more affordable. Many German universities also offer programs taught in English, which helps non-German speakers. The cost of living in Germany can be similar to Canada, but overall, it may be cheaper for students.

What Students Might Choose

Because of these changes, more Indian students might choose Germany over Canada for their studies. The combination of lower costs, quality education, and good job opportunities after graduation makes Germany an attractive option now that the SDS program is no longer available.In the end, each student will make their choice based on what matters most to them, like costs, education quality, and cultural experiences. Both Canada and Germany have their own benefits for international students, so understanding these factors is important for making the right decision about where to study.

Read More: Need-Based vs Merit-Based Scholarships: Popularity, Eligibility and Criteria

Now that students have sufficient idea about various aspects of Germany vs Canada, they may make an informed decision regarding the question, “Germany or Canada which is better for study?” For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.