When considering Canada vs Ireland destinations for Indian students, it's important to weigh factors such as education quality, job opportunities, cost of living, and cultural experiences. Both countries offer unique advantages that cater to different preferences and goals of those wishing to study abroad.
According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education, Canada is ranked 3rd for hosting the highest percentage of international students globally. Similarly, Ireland is now becoming a popular choice for Indian students.
The range of programs and research opportunities available in the country is vast, with a huge number of top-ranked universities located here. Canada additionally, gives post-graduation work permit, which allows students work permit in post-graduation and further settle in the country. Although it is more expensive to live in big cities like Toronto or Vancouver, smaller cities and towns are more affordable.
Meanwhile, Ireland is becoming increasingly popular as its strong education system supports fast-growing sectors such as tech, as well as business and pharmaceuticals. The Irish university system is world-renowned, and the nation boasts a welcoming and secure environment with an emphasis on research and innovation.
Ireland also offers a post-study work visa of two years where graduates can live and work in Ireland, giving them the time to secure a job.
For all the study abroad aspirants, this list of popular courses will keep you covered while applying abroad.
Popular Courses in Canada and Ireland
Cost of Course in Canada
Cost of Course in Ireland
Business and Management Studies
CAD $136,410 (INR 82.61 lakh)
€21,000 approx (INR 22.61 lakh)
Engineering
CAD 67,370 (INR 40.80 lakh)
€27,000 approx (INR 29.07 lakh)
Computer Science
CAD 61,720 (INR 37.37 lakh)
€27,000 approx (INR 29.07 lakh)
Health Science/ Health and Medicine
CAD 91,760 (INR 55.57 lakh)
€55,000 approx (INR 59.22 lakh)
Data Science
CAD 77,800 (INR 47.11 lakh)
€27,000 approx (INR 29.07 lakh)
Canada or Ireland: Eligibility Criteria
Finding it hard to choose between Canada or Ireland for master’s or undergraduate programs? A lot depends on the average eligibility criteria for students in both countries.
Canada
You should have finished twelve years of school education for undergraduate programs.
You will have to appear for the SAT examination for four-year degree courses.
There are diploma courses available for two years.
You will require GMAT scores for management programs, while GRE scores are needed for engineering degrees.
Cut-offs are only sometimes applicable to colleges in the country.
You also require scores in English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
Indian/International Students Acceptance Rate: Canada vs Ireland
Acceptance rates for international students in Canada and Ireland vary significantly. If you want to determine whether Canada vs Ireland,has a higher or lower acceptance rate. Let’s first compare the top-ranking universities of both countries.
The top-ranking university in Canada is the University of Toronto, while Trinity College Dublin is the top-ranked university in Ireland. According to multiple unofficial sources, the acceptance rate of the University of Toronto is 54%. Compared to that, Trinity College Dublin has an acceptance rate of 52%.
Based on this, we can conclude that universities in Ireland tend to be more selective about applicants, making it tougher to gain admission without a good academic record.
Top Universities
University in Canada
QS Global Ranking 2025
Popular Specialization
University of Toronto
25
Nursing, Education, Data Science, Mineral & Mining Engineering.
McGill University
29
Mineral & Mining Engineering, Medicine, Social Sciences & Management and Natural Sciences
The University of British Columbia
38
Clinical Medicine, Social Sciences & Public Health, Plant & Animal Science, Microbiology and Arts & Humanities
University of Alberta
96
Nursing, Petroleum Engineering, Mining & Mineral Engineering, Instruments Science & Technology and Chemistry
Canada vs. Ireland for Indian Students- Visa Process
Canada
Apply for the work permit within 90 days of completing the course after graduation.
The application procedure will come with a mandatory medical test.
Spouses may take up full-time work if they stay for one year or more.
You can work for more than 24 hours each week and up to 40 hours weekly during breaks and holidays.
Ireland
You can apply for a student visa if you enroll in a course spanning more than three months.
You will have to show minimum funds in your bank account while applying, covering costs for one academic year and proving that you or your parents/sponsor will be providing the expenses required for the course.
If you have the valid Immigration permission Stamp 2, you will be allowed to work up to 20 hours weekly during the session and up to 40 hours weekly during breaks and vacation periods.
Here’s a quick overview of how much will it cost students to study in Canada vs Ireland.
Tuition Cost for UG
Canada
Ireland
Average Course Fee
CAD $36,100 per year (INR 21.86 lakh)
Up to €50,000 (INR 53.84 lakh)
Application Fee
CAD $100-125 (INR 6,056-7,570)
€55 (INR 5,922)
Books and Material
CAD $1,000–$2,000 (INR 60,563-1.21 lakh)
€75 (INR 8,076)
Living Costs
CAD $15,000 (INR 9.08 lakh)
€800-1,200 (INR 86,146-1.29 lakh)
Tuition Cost for PG
Canada
Ireland
Average Course Fee
CAD $21,100 per year (INR 12.71 lakh)
Up to €50,000 (INR 53.84 lakh)
Application Fee
CAD $100-125 (INR 6,056-7,570)
€55 (INR 5,922)
Books and Material
CAD $1,000–$2,000 (INR 60,563-1.21 lakh)
€75 (INR 8,076)
Living Costs
CAD $15,000 (INR 9.08 lakh)
€800-1,200 (INR 86,146-1.29 lakh)
Post Graduate Study Work Permit
In Canada, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students to work for up to three years after completing their studies, with eligibility based on the length of the academic program completed. Recent updates require students to be in Canada for the entire duration of their studies starting September 2024.
In Ireland, the Third Level Graduate Programme offers a one-year work permit for bachelor's degree holders and a two-year permit for master's degree holders. This difference highlights the broader opportunity in Canada for longer work experience post-graduation.
It is hard to conclude the final decision between Ireland and Canada. Both countries have flourishing economies and highly-ranked institutions. Canada has slightly lower living costs, and getting a permanent residency is more accessible than in other countries. It also has slightly lower taxes.
However, Ireland has its strengths, including comparatively affordable tuition fees in many cases, available scholarships, and excellent employment prospects. Hence, take a look at your specific needs before deciding to choose between Ireland or Canada.
Disclaimer: All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.
Register for Study in Canada FREE Course
The Canada hosts the largest number of international students from across the world. Over the past few years, it has become one of the most popular destinations for studying abroad. Reasons such as best-ranked institutions, excellent support facilities, flexible academic environment, and cultural diversity contribute to making it the most preferred destination amongst students planning to study abroad.
FAQs on Canada vs Ireland
Which is cheaper to live in, Ireland or Canada?
As per several studies, Canada is cheaper than Ireland by 9.6% overall. The cost of living in Ireland is higher by 26%. This means that staying in Canada will be relatively light on your pocket.
Is it better to immigrate to Ireland or the USA?
As per several reports, Ireland is a prosperous country with a higher GDP per capita figure. Its education system is regarded as relatively better, although the USA also has a robust and highly-ranked education system.
The USA is often regarded as an overall better pick owing to its status as the largest economy in the world, diversity of programs and courses, multiple research and career growth options, and slightly lower cost of living (lower by 19.6%) than Ireland.
Is Canada better than Ireland?
It is a subjective question to answer. Ireland has friendly locals, a flourishing economy, employment opportunities, available scholarships, and free public healthcare with subsidies. Canada offers publicly funded healthcare coverage with nominal expenditure for some out-of-hospital facilities.
Ireland is costlier than Canada, while Canada provides an equally thriving economy with more job opportunities in some cases owing to a shortage of skilled personnel. It also offers an easier route toward permanent residency and lower living costs. Now, it is up to you to make your own decisions.
Is Canada safer than Ireland?
According to the Global Peace Index, Canada ranks 6 in the list of the top 10 safest countries in the world. Ireland is not in the top-10 list, which does not include other major countries like the USA, UK, France, and even Australia. This indicates that Canada is a comparatively safer country than Ireland.
Ireland or Canada- Which is better for masters?
If you are looking for highly-reputed universities with global rankings, you can choose Canada for master’s programs. Canada also offers an easier route towards permanent residency while the costs are lower than in Ireland.
However, Ireland also has its own highly-ranked global universities while providing a flourishing economy. It all depends on your chosen area of study and its overall availability.
Is Ireland's economy better than Canada's?
Ireland's economy has experienced rapid growth due to its favorable corporate tax policies and strong tech sector, leading to high GDP per capita.
However, Canada offers a more diversified economy with significant natural resources and manufacturing industries, providing stability and resilience. Both economies have their strengths, making them competitive but different in structure and opportunities.
Why do Indians move to Ireland?
Indians move to Ireland primarily for educational opportunities, as Ireland hosts renowned universities with strong STEM programs.
Additionally, the booming tech industry in cities like Dublin offers lucrative job prospects. The welcoming immigration policies and the high quality of life further attract Indian professionals and students.
Akansha Semwal is a content marketer at upGrad and has also worked as a social media marketer & sub-editor. Experienced in creating impressive Statement of Purpose, Essays, and LOR, she knows how to captivate the attention of Admissions Committee. Her research-driven;study-abroad articles helps aspirants to make the prudent decision. She holds a bachelor's & master's degree in Literature from the University of Delhi.
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