Germany vs. Canada: Which is Better for International Students?

As globalization continues to bring the world closer together, more and more students are considering studying abroad to gain valuable skills and experiences. Two countries that have become increasingly popular among international students are Germany and Canada. In Germany, the number of international students is on the rise, with over 330,000 enrolled in universities in 2021 alone, which was a 5% increase from 2022, according to DAAD (German academic exchange service). Meanwhile, according to StatCan, a government agency, Canada has seen a significant increase in the number of international students, with over 380,000 enrolled in colleges and universities in 2021, a 14% increase annually.

 

In this blog post, we'll compare Germany and Canada as study destinations for international students, taking into account factors such as the quality of education, cost of living, job prospects, and cultural experiences.

According to DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) there are a total of 422 higher education institutions in Germany, including 108 universities, 210 universities of applied sciences, 52 colleges of art and music, 30 colleges of public administration, 16 theological universities and 6 colleges of education.

Tabulated below are some of the best German universities, recognised globally and a point of attraction for international students:

Read more about: Public Universities in Germany

 

Do you know? The public universities in Germany have an admission rate of less than 30%, while it ranges between 40% to 58.7% in Canada. Private universities in Germany have a relatively higher admission rate of around 60%.

 

The Council of Ministers of Education stated that Canada has 223 public and private universities, and 213 public colleges and institutes. According to QS ranking 2023, the following are the top Canadian universities for higher education, popular among international students:

• 
  Minimum 60% marks in high school and college/university education transcripts required
• 
  GRE or GMAT scores (600 or above) necessary for MS and Ph.D. programs
• 
  English proficiency test scores in IELTS (6-6.5) or TOEFL (90-100) needed
• 
  Letter of motivation (generally known as the statement of purpose)
• 
  Letter of recommendation
• 
  Updated resume
• 
  A valid passport and student visa for Germany is mandatory.
• 
  Clear any of these tests for German-taught courses:

  • 
    TestDAF: C1/C2 proficiency is needed.
  • 
    International Higher Education Entrance: Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB). 
  • 
    German language test for admission to universities: Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH). 
  • 
    Goethe: Zertifikat. 

Application process for universities in Germany:

Around 180 universities in Germany use the Berlin-based national service provider Uni-assist portal for the application process. One of the benefits of using uni-assist is that you only have to submit one application to uni-assist even if you are applying to multiple study programs.

 

The uni-assist application process can be broken down into six easy steps:

• First, use the StudyFinder tool to identify your preferred study programs and see if they require international student applications through uni-assist. 
• Then, plan ahead and keep track of deadlines while studying the details of the application procedure. 
• Next, gather all the documents and get them translated by an officially certified translator and obtain certified copies of each certificate translation.
• After registering with the uni-assist online portal, create an online application for each study program and upload all required documents. 
• Submit uni-assist fees for all applications
• Then take all certified hard copies required by the application and submit them to uni-assist via mail.

What are the pros ans cons of studying in Canada?

It is also important to know that some universities in Germany have their own application process and only use uni-assist to verify the documents required to apply. In this case, students receive a Vorprüfungsdokumentation (VPD) (don't get scared of these German terms, this simply translates to "Pre-Review Documentation" in English) from uni-assist once their documents have been verified. Students must then send the VPD, along with their application and required documents, directly to the university.

Timeline to apply for German universities:

The application timeline for German universities varies depending on the program and the university, but here is a general timeline:

• Winter semester (starts in September/October): Applications typically open in May/June and close on July 15th.
• Summer semester (starts in March/April): Applications typically open in December/January and close on January 15th.

Application fees for German universities:

Generally, the fees range from 33 to 82 USD per application. Uni-Assist charges a processing fee of 82 USD for the first application and 33 USD for each additional application.

To be eligible for admission to a Canadian university, the following are the general criteria:

For Post-Graduate/Masters Courses:

• Up to 3 years of full-time work experience
• GMAT score of 580-600 minimum
• English language proficiency test scores such as IELTS (overall score of 6.5 with no band score less than 6 / score requirement depends on the course and institution)
• Bachelor's degree of 4 years, with a 70% average
• Some institutions may require written samples/copies of published work/portfolio
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

 

For Undergraduate/Bachelor’s Level:

• A minimum of 70% score in 12th grade
• Mathematics at 12th-grade level.

Application process for universities in Canada:

The application process for studying in Canada can vary slightly depending on the institution you are applying to, but generally, there are a few key steps you need to follow. First, you should research the universities you are interested in attending and their specific admission requirements. Once you have selected the universities, you need to apply through their respective portals. The most commonly used portals include the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC), the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS), and the Study in Canada portal.

Timeline to apply for universities in Canada:

The application timeline for Canadian universities vary depending on the program and the university, but here is a general timeline:

• Fall intake (September/October): Applications typically open in September the year prior to the start of the program and close on January 15th of the same year. Some universities have earlier deadlines, so it is important to check with each university.
• Winter intake (January/February): Applications typically open in June the year prior to the start of the program and close on October 15th of the same year. Some universities have earlier deadlines, so it is important to check with each university.

Application fees for universities in Canada:

The application fees for Canadian universities vary depending on the program and the university. Generally, the fees range from 37 to 111 USD per application.

 

The cost of studying in Germany and Canada can vary depending on a number of factors such as the type of program, location, and lifestyle choices. However, in general, studying in Germany can be more affordable than studying in Canada for international students.

 

In Germany, public universities do not charge tuition fees for both domestic and international students, except for a few states that recently introduced minimal tuition fees for non-European Union (EU) students. In 2017, the state of Baden-Württemberg decided to reintroduce tuition fees for students from non-EU countries, requiring them to pay around 1,654.1 USD/semester. However, students are required to pay for administrative fees, health insurance, and living expenses which can range from 937 to 1,323 USD per month, depending on the location.

 

In contrast to public universities in Germany, private universities do take tuition fees, which can range from 27,574 USD/year to 44,111 USD/year, depending on the degree level and study program. Generally, bachelor’s degrees require lower tuition fees than master’s degree programs.

 

On the other hand, studying in Canada can be more expensive for international students, with tuition fees varying depending on the institution and program. In general, tuition fees for international students are higher than those for domestic students. The average tuition fee for international undergraduate students in Canada is about 22,215 USD per year, while the average tuition fee for international graduate students is about 14,810 USD per year.

 

Do you know? International students in Canada are required to file taxes if they have been living in the country for more than 183 days, even if they have no income. However, in Germany, the tax system is more flexible for international students. If your monthly earnings are below €450, you are exempt from paying taxes. If you earn more than that, you can still claim refunds on various expenses such as moving, home repairs, work clothes, and training.

Cost of living must be your concern in selecting a country, and the living costs in Canada and Germany parallel each other. The average monthly living costs in Germany can be 956 USD, which could be roughly 1,110 - 1,481 USD for international students in Canada.

The table below compares the essential cost of living in Germany and Canada: