Canada vs New Zealand: Country Comparison for Indian Students
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Which country is best for Indian students, Canada or New Zealand (NZ)? Well, both countries are developed and known for offering top-notch higher education. The number of international students in Canada is more than NZ. Recently, the ranking of universities in New Zealand has improved. Get a detailed country comparison of Canada vs New Zealand for higher education.
Is it better to live in Canada or New Zealand for higher study? How do we compare these two top study destinations? As an Indian student, studying in Canada may be a good option for you. Here, you can get top reputed Canadian universities that offer various study programs. On the other hand, studying in New Zealand can be slightly affordable despite its 3% universities ranking at the top positions globally.
Apart from university ranking, the acceptance rate, student visa process, and cost of study in Canada vs New Zealand are important factors to be compared. Canadian universities are selective in offering admission while the acceptance rates at New Zealand universities cross the 60% mark. Let us look in detail at each of these aspects in this guide curated for those double-minded about choosing Canada or New Zealand as their study abroad destination.
- Canada vs New Zealand Country Highlights
- Popular Courses in Canada vs New Zealand
- Education System in Canada vs New Zealand
- Post-Study Work Visas in Canada & New Zealand
- Jobs in Canada vs New Zealand
- PR in Canada & New Zealand
- Canada vs New Zealand: Scholarships
- Canada vs New Zealand: Climate
Canada vs New Zealand Country Highlights
Check out the country comparison highlights between Canada vs New Zealand below till the year 2024. This table will help you understand New Zealand vs Canada, which is better for you.
| Parameters | Canada | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Total International Students | 1,028,850 | 120,000 |
| Intakes | Fall & Spring | July & February |
| Total Indian Students as of 2024 | 3,70,000 | 2,664 |
| Average 1st Year Tuition Fee | INR 26.45 L | INR 19.85 L |
| Top Universities | ||
| Average Cost of Living Per Year | INR 12.33 Lakhs to INR 18.50 Lakhs | INR 25.33 to INR 30.39 Lakhs |
| Student Visa Processing Time | 6 weeks | 30 weekdays |
| Part-Time Working Hours | 20 hours a week | 20 hours a week |
| Popular Companies Headquarters |
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Popular Courses in Canada vs New Zealand
Universities located in Canada and New Zealand offer a wide range of study programs related to different fields. Business, Law, Engineering, Medical and IT are some of the most popular fields of study. Below, we have mentioned details about the popular courses taken up by international students in Canada and New Zealand.
Top Courses in Canada
Popular courses in Canada include Business Management, Media, Engineering, Nursing, Computer Science, and Hospitality, among others. Candidates get jobs with lucrative salaries after completing these courses from Canadian universities:
Related Blogs
- Top 5 UG courses in Canada
- Top 5 Post Graduate courses in Canada
- Popular Vocational Courses in Canada
Top Courses in New Zealand
No matter in which field you want to study, universities in NZ have something for you. Popular courses in New Zealand include Engineering, Business Studies, IT/Computing, Tourism & Hotel Management, and Visual Communications among others. These courses will not only push you to learn more but also ensure you to get a good-paying job after your study.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Shiksha Poll Insight
We conducted two different polls, where we asked students "What is Your Preferred Level of Study in Canada?" and "What is Your Preferred Level of Study in New Zealand?". The objective of these polls is to understand the students' interests. Here is the breakdown of the poll results and the country-wise votes.
| Options | Total Votes (New Zealand) | Voting % (New Zealand) | Total Votes (Canada) | Voting % (Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Courses | 454 | 55% | 210 | 41% |
| Postgraduate Courses | 264 | 32% | 226 | 44% |
| Diploma Courses | 83 | 10% | 56 | 11% |
| PhD Courses | 24 | 3% | 21 | 4% |
| Total | 825 | 100% | 513 | 100% |
Read: Courses in New Zealand
Education System in Canada vs New Zealand
Education systems vary across various countries abroad. The education systems of Canada and New Zealand is among the best in the world. Let us check out which is the closest to the Indian education system:
Canadian Education System
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.
- 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.
- For 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 appear in GRE exam.
Some colleges 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.
Read: Eligibility Requirements for Studying in Canada
New Zealand Education System
It is easier to get into diploma courses than degree courses in New Zealand, as the level of competitiveness is different for both these qualifications. Higher education in New Zealand has 10 levels of study. Level 1 is for a certificate and level 10 is for a Ph.D.
Here are the levels and their corresponding qualifications -
- Certificates - Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4
- Diplomas - Levels 5 and 6
- Bachelors Degrees/Graduate Diplomas - Level 7
- PG Diploma - Level 8
- Masters Degree - Level 9
- Doctoral Degree - Level 10
For each course, Indian students will have to meet a minimum English language requirement. As a general rule, getting admission to degrees is more difficult as compared to diplomas. Foundations and Diploma programs are available to students who have secured below 60% score in higher secondary education. Along with TOEFL and IELTS, PTE scores are also acceptable for admission to New Zealand Universities.
Read: Best Education System in the World
Cost of Studying UG Courses in Canada vs New Zealand
The following are the average costs for pursuing an undergraduate course in Canada and New Zealand along with the costs of living are mentioned in below given table for international students:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate courses in Canada |
Undergraduate courses in New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition Fee |
BSc: INR 20.00 Lakhs BTech: INR 28.91 Lakhs BBA: INR 19.00 Lakhs |
BSc: INR 12.37 Lakhs BTech: INR 20.48 Lakhs BBA: INR 9.11 Lakhs |
| Average Living Expense Per Year |
INR 12.33 Lakhs to INR 18.50 Lakhs |
INR 25.33 to INR 30.39 Lakhs |
| Duration |
3-4 Years |
3-4 Years |
| Exams Accepted |
IELTS, TOEFL |
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, DET |
Cost of Studying PG Courses in Canada vs New Zealand
For international students looking for postgraduate admissions in Canada or New Zealand, they can consider the following cost of studying and decide accordingly:
| Particulars |
Postgraduate courses in Canada |
Postgraduate courses in New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition Fee |
MA: INR 9.50 Lakhs MS: INR 11.28 Lakhs MBA: INR 25.89 Lakhs |
MA: INR 15.81 Lakhs MS: INR 12.56 Lakhs MBA: INR 27.07 Lakhs |
| Average Living Expense Per Year |
INR 12.33 Lakhs to INR 18.50 Lakhs |
INR 25.33 to INR 30.39 Lakhs |
| Duration |
1.5-2 Years |
1-2 Years |
| Exams Accepted |
IELTS, TOEFL |
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, DET |
Related Blogs:
Student Visa in Canada vs New Zealand
One of the most important aspects of studying in Canada or New Zealand is the student visa being granted to international students, look at the section below for all major details:
Student Visa in Canada
Recently, Canada has changed the policy for student visas and closed the SDS program with immediate effect. Now. students can get their study visa within just 8 weeks if they fulfil eligibility. The Canada 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 his/her stay is for a year or more.
- It costs CAD 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.
Student Visa in New Zealand
For NZ student visas, these rules apply -
- A student visa will cost you Rs 16,000 (approximately).
- The average time taken by the New Zealand High Commission for the visa procedure is anywhere between 8 to 12 weeks depending on the individual’s background. So the students need to apply for their visas at least three months before their course commencement.
- As an international student, you must complete your course within the minimum course duration listed on your acceptance letter. If you do not yet have a job offer, you may apply for a Post-study work visa. Visas granted are valid for up to 12 months and allow you to work in a temporary job while you look for a job in your field.
- In most cases, the spouse and dependent children of a student will be granted a visitor visa for the same duration as their partner or parents' stay. Spouses of the student on a Work Visa can work full-time in NZ. However, the dependents of students on visitor visas have no work rights.
Post-Study Work Visas in Canada & New Zealand
After the applicants finish their courses in Canada and New Zealand they look forward to taking up a full-time job. The following details have been elaborated below for post-study work options and stay-back time period in these two countries:
Post-Study Work Visa in Canada
The Canadian Post Graduation Work Visa allows students who are graduating from any post-secondary institute to work post-studying for up to the time 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.
New Zealand Post Study Work Visa
All international students who have graduated from New Zealand with a valid qualification can apply for a post-study work visa (PSW). It is a visa of varying lengths that lets international students work for any employer in New Zealand. If you manage to find a job that is relevant to your stream of course then you can have your work visa extended for two years. Read on to learn more about the number of years you qualify for.
Jobs in Canada vs New Zealand
Check out the popular jobs for international students in Canada and New Zealand in this section below:
- Part-Time Jobs in Canada- Jobs like nurse practitioners, program analysts, teachers, pharmacists, financial managers, construction managers, etc. are some of the most popular jobs in Canada.
- Part Time Jobs in New Zealand- The most popular Job Sectors in New Zealand are Education, Engineering, Finance/business, ICT and electronics, Recreation, hospitality & tourism.
PR in Canada & New Zealand
Check out the PR options available for international students after completing their education in Canada and New Zealand:
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.
Read:
| Express Entry Canada | What is SPP Program? |
| Indians see a 200% increase in Canadian PR invites | Provincial Nominee Program and its Benefits |
New Zealand
Because of the limited population in New Zealand, some skills are in chronically short supply. Immigration New Zealand has lists of industries where there is a serious skill shortage. Once you finish your chosen course in New Zealand and are offered a job which is marked under the skill shortage category and you have the relevant qualifications plus experience, getting the work visa and permanent residency will be easier. That is because of the New Zealand govt. has realized that companies and organizations need to employ people from outside NZ to help meet demands for the skill. Because of this reason, New Zealand is considered one of the popular destinations for immigration purposes.
Read: How to Get a Work Permit in New Zealand?
Canada vs New Zealand: Scholarships
Getting a scholarship while studying abroad is very helpful for an Indian student. It is not an easy task to manage the expenses of study in New Zealand vs Canada. Check out the country-wise information about available scholarships and financial aid for international students.
Canada
There is a limited number of scholarships in Canada that are available for international students as compared to other countries. The reason behind this is already low tuition fees at colleges. Since most of the students going to Canada have to pay the lowest tuition fees, colleges and organizations don’t have many scholarships open for the students. For a list of scholarships in Canada, visit: scholarships to study in Canada
New Zealand
Students going to New Zealand to take up further studies are eligible for a wide range of scholarships through the New Zealand government, educational institutions, foreign governments, and private funding sources. These scholarship programs aim to share and reveal New Zealand's excellent education system with the rest of the world and bring the best academics from elsewhere to share their knowledge. For a list of scholarships in New Zealand. Check out the scholarships to Study in New Zealand
Canada vs New Zealand: Climate
The climate of both countries is different due to their geographical condition. Canada is well known for its chilled winters and hot summers while the weather of New Zealand is slightly pleasant. Check out the country-wise climatic conditions below.
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 most Canadian cities, yet still cold and snowy. Montreal Weather in winter is cold and snowy. Usually, the country experiences pleasantly cool summers.
New Zealand
Both the North and South Islands of New Zealand enjoy moderate, maritime climate and temperatures. The country is located in the southern hemisphere. This means summer starts in December and winter begins in June. New Zealand has moderately high rainfall and many hours of sunshine throughout most of the country.
Now, you have a lot of information to compare Canada vs New Zealand for your higher study. There is no doubt that there are some pros and cons to choose a country for higher studies. Whether you choose Canada or New Zealand to study any course, it is important that you have a rough idea about both countries.
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.
Countries Comparison Blogs
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The cost of studying MS in Canada is more expensive than in NZ. You should choose Canada to pursue MS if you want access to top-ranked universities, better post-graduation work options, and global career opportunities. Choose NZ if you prefer a more affordable option with a peaceful lifestyle. Also, the admission process is less competitive. New Zealand's universities typically offer smaller class sizes compared to larger Canadian institutions.
The Lincoln University New Zealand acceptance rate is around 60% as per the unofficial source, which shows that the university is moderately selective and only 60 students out of 100 applicants got selected at the university
Students with good academic performance, exam scores and can easily secure their place at the university and it is recommended to the students to gain higher scores and have all the supporting documents during the time of application to be considered for the admission process.
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Comments
(4)
R
2 years ago
N
3 years ago
R
3 years ago
You can also get in touch with our counsellors for assistance with your university application here:https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply
R
3 years ago
T
4 years ago
R
4 years ago
Hello Tithi. We have present a very neutral comparison between the two countries. Would request you get in touch with counselors for more assistance on the some, here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply
R
4 years ago
Both countries have reputed universities that offer a variety of programs to study. However, Canadian universities generally have better rankings compared to universities in New Zealand. The cost of studying in New Zealand is lower than in Canada.
When it comes to part-time work, the Canadian student visa allows you to work 24 hours a week, while the New Zealand student visa permits 20 hours of work per week.
In short, you need to filter out according to your prefrences.