The decision of selecting and planning to study abroad is a complex one. Students consider a lot of aspects for their life as a student and as a professional to shortlist destinations and academic institutes where they want to enroll.
Especially when a student is considering to take a master’s program, it gets particularly important to make a decision that is potentially fruitful.
Some factors that typically get considered by students for making the right choice are – reputation of the education system, progressive international career opportunities, and preparation for a career. There are many countries that become more suitable for one aspect than the other, and that is where preference needs to come in for particular courses or the pool of opportunities or the kind of culture one feels one can blend in with more ease.
A master’s degree in science can be pursued with varied kinds of specializations, and some of these specializations are available in some countries while others in others. Canada, for one, is a destination for students that offers various unique and diverse specializations in the fields of science. The areas of study in Canada in the field of science and engineering that finds a way into programs are computer science, IT, biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology, anatomy, chemistry, physics, astronomy, biotechnology, aerospace, biomedical science, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, energy and environment, industrial sciences, marine and naval architecture, mechanical (and materials), mechatronics, manufacturing, mining, nanotechnology, and nuclear engineering.
Weighing a few broad aspects that could make decision-making smoother for students are discussed below.
Countries like the USA, UK and Australia have relatively higher tuition fee by a few thousand dollars than those offered in Canada, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels of education. Besides, the cost of living amounts to lesser figures that include accommodation, food, travel/commute and leisure activities.
If world rankings are considered, the top universities and colleges are located in the USA, and especially for applied sciences and engineering in Germany and although the fee for public universities is zero or minimal, Canada has integrated programs with specializations to meet the intellectual needs and interests of students. There are as unique courses in the country as geomatics engineering and engineering in integrated wood design, renewable energies and energy efficiency.
Different countries have different time allowances for international students to stay back and find work and get temporarily employed to gain practical experience. While the US grants temporary employment permission for 12 months, Australia and Germany 18 months, and the UK four months, Canada allows students to stay on for 8 months to three years after the completion of their degree. For an MS graduate, has a good amount of time on her/his hands to find a role and work ecosystem that works best for them that can help them grow not just professionally but lets them stay mentally healthy and content.
The student visa application fee is a one-time expense, but the cost does add up to the total cost of studying. While a student visa for the UK costs around three hundred and fifty pounds, Australia’s costs five hundred and seventy-five Australian dollars. The student visa application fee for the USA is one hundred and sixty dollars. For studying in Germany and Canada, the application costs for visa stand at sixty Euros and a hundred and fifty Canadian dollars respectively.
Every country in these times has built enough systems to accommodate fresh graduates every year. While some have stricter rules for overseas students, Canada has always welcomed skilled workforce owing to their demographic transition that requires young and skilled people to work hand-in-hand with the native Canadians for their development. Also, if an analysis is carried out on the ROI (return on investment) then the salaries provided in a country for scientific roles must cover the cost of education. In a country like Canada, the remuneration for work clearly gets a great ROI, given the relatively low expenditure on education.
The ease of getting a permanent residency is also a factor that benefits the students. If permanent migration is on the students’ mind, then the formalities and requirements for the same in Canada are comparatively fewer and easier to get through.
Students planning to study abroad gain hugely from scholarships, grants and bursaries which are bountiful for all levels of education in Canada. The country has many merit and need-based fee waivers of up to 100 percent for students fulfilling the criteria.
With that, if a student is weighing Canada and all other destinations on a scale, they might find other aspects quite appealing as well. Every country has beautiful and enchanting landscapes that add to the thrill of living abroad. Canada, being the second largest in geography has a panoply of picturesque surroundings spread all over the country. It is peaceful and safe and roots for its international students as much as it does for its native ones.
It is advised that the final decision be made by carrying out a well-researched analysis whatsoever.
If the choice needs to be made easier, there are eligibility and institute-wise filters that can help the students narrow down their search for some of the top Canadian colleges and universities among many others. Log on to iapply.io today or give us a call at 1800 190 1775 (toll-free).
