What is Your Preferred Level of Study in Canada?

A large number of Indian students want to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate programs. On the other hand, PhD and Diploma courses are less popular among Indian students. With this poll, we aimed to understand the students’ trend and their interests.
Canada is a popular study destination among Indian students. It’s multiculturalism, immigrant-friendly, and world-class universities are the key reasons behind this. A big percentage of Indian students choose to study in Canada. To understand real, we wanted real-time insights, so we conducted a poll and asked: “What is your preferred level of study in Canada?”
With this poll, we aimed to understand the students’ trend and their interests. We created this blog based on the responses we have received from the students only. In this article, we’ll explore popular study levels, share costs and opportunities, and help you make an informed decision.
- Most Preferred Courses in Canada: Poll Insights
- Postgraduate Courses (44% Votes)
- Undergraduate Courses (41% Votes)
- Diploma Courses (11% Votes)
- PhD Courses (4% Votes)
- Cost of Studying in Canada
Most Preferred Courses in Canada: Poll Insights
In our poll, we asked Indian students, “What is your preferred level of study in Canada?” The majority showed strong interest in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Here is the poll result:
Here is the detailed breakdown of poll with options, number of votes and voting percentage:
Options |
Total Number of Votes |
Voting Percentage |
---|---|---|
Undergraduate Courses |
210 |
41% |
Postgraduate Courses |
226 |
44% |
Diploma Courses |
56 |
11% |
PhD Courses |
21 |
4% |
Total |
513 |
100% |
Let's understand this poll result in detail.
Postgraduate Courses (44% Votes)
Nearly half of students (44%) chose postgraduate courses. Here we are talking about MS in Canada only. PG courses in Canada are ideal for boosting your career, switching fields, or gaining advanced, specialized skills. The Master's in Canada is a 1–2-year graduation program offered by Canadian universities.
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Canada Masters is a curriculum-based program or thesis-based program for higher education in Canada. Indian students need to keep a budget between INR 10 to INR 40 lakhs for the cost of studying MS in Canada.
- Popular Fields: Data Science, Engineering, Management, Health Sciences, and IT are some popular PG.
- After PG: Students become eligible for a PGWP (up to 3 years), and post-study work often leads to permanent residency.
- Scholarships:Look for merit-based and need-based awards at leading universities. Apply early for the best chance.
Undergraduate Courses (41% Votes)
More than 40% of respondents selected undergraduate (UG) courses as their top choice for studying in Canada. UG degrees usually last 3 to 4 years and are highly valued for their flexibility and global recognition. Indian students can apply to study in Canada after Class 12. A budget between CAD 15,700 to CAD 53,538 (INR 10.00 Lakhs to INR 33.78 Lakhs) as cost of studying UG in Canada. English-medium teaching, career-oriented curriculum, and top ranked universities are the key reasons to choose UG courses in Canada.
- Popular Fields: Business, Engineering, Computer Science, and Health Sciences remain among the favorite streams.
- Tuition Fee:CAD 15,000–35,000 per year, depending on university and course.
- Next Steps After UG:Eligible for a 3-year post-graduate work permit (PGWP) after graduation, letting you build career experience in Canada.
Diploma Courses (11% Votes)
11% students voted that they want to study diploma courses in Canada. Such courses are popular among students seeking practical skills and a faster, more affordable route into the Canadian workforce. Duration of PG diploma courses in Canada are typically 1 to 3 years and focuses on job-ready training.
- Tuition Fee Range: The range of tuition fees is between INR 4 lakhs to INR 33 lakhs per year.
- Fields:IT, Business, Hospitality, Engineering Technologies, and Healthcare.
PhD Courses (4% Votes)
PhD programs (4% of poll respondents) attract students passionate about research and making an academic impact. Canadian universities offer advanced research facilities, competitive funding, and global recognition.
- Tuition Fee: CAD 7,000 to 20,000 per year (often lower with assistantships or scholarships).
- Duration to 5 years, with strong emphasis on original research.
- After PhD: You can work in research, industry, or academia, with excellent PR prospects for researchers.
Cost of Studying in Canada
Studying in Canada is slightly affordable than in the USA, UK, or Australia. However, for some selected courses and university type, the tuition fee may vary. Indian students typically need a budget of CAD 15,700 to 53,500 for undergraduate programs and CAD 9,364 to 45,800 for postgraduation. Besides tuition, plan for living expenses, visa fees, and other pre-departure costs for your first year.
Here is the detailed cost of studying in Canada. This will give you an overview:
Type of Expense |
Cost in CAD |
Cost in INR |
---|---|---|
Test Fee (IELTS, GRE, & Etc) |
280 to 371 | 16,802 to 22,263 |
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) | 22,895 | 14.36 Lakhs |
Tuition Fees | 16,600 to 83,300 | 10 Lakhs to 50 Lakhs |
Student Visa Fee | 150 | 9,002 |
Living costs in Canada | 20,000 | 12.00 Lakhs |
Travel Expenses | 1,300 | 78,000 |
Total Cost of Studying in Canada | 61,225 to 128,016 | 37.40 to 77.45 Lakhs |
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Other than this, you need to take care of the cost of living in Canada. According to Numbeo, an Indian student needs INR 91,003 per month to cover the monthly expenses in Canada. This amount does not include house rent as it varies from place to place.
There is no doubt that Canada is a leading choice for Indian students. They can have multiple options of courses, no matter whether they want to pursue postgraduate or undergraduate as their top preference. This guide explains each path’s advantages, fees, work visas, and career prospects. In short, you have an idea about different-level courses. Now you can select the level of study that fits your goals in an exciting, welcoming country.
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.
There are certain requirements for international students to study in Canada that are as follows:
· International students must have valid travel documents, such as a passport, and students should be healthy.
· The international student should have no criminal or immigration-related convictions.
· Moreover, students should persuade the immigration officer that they have connections to their home country, such as family, friends, work, or property.
For more requirements, you can visit the official website of the Canadian government.
Canada is a hub of some of the best educational institutions in the world, & is a popular destination for higher studies among Indian students.
The University of Toronto holds the tag of being the best higher educational institution in the country, as per rankings given by some major university/college ranking platforms.
Shiksha, as part of its Best Colleges in Canada Rankings 2025, also places UOT at the top of its rankings, with the University of British Columbia & McGill University rounding out the top 3.
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Yes, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology offers a financial aid programs named International Scholarships for their overseas audience. In order to avail this scholarships, international students must submit an application. Funded by the MITT Student Awards fee, this scholarship is available at the mid-point of the academic year, and is awarded based on high academic achievement as well as a written personal statement. Disbursement amount of this scholarships is valued at CAD 500 and the number of awards available vary on student enrolment.