Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom remain popular destinations for students seeking to study abroad. However, rising costs and changes to immigration rules have prompted some international students to compare alternatives.
In this article, we will explore which countries offer the best balance between affordability and job prospects for international students.
Key points before you compare countries
- Some traditional study destinations, such as Canada and the US, were becoming less accessible for some students, according to institutions in the 2025 Studyportals survey. Compare current policy, cost and housing requirements.
- Comparing the estimated cost of living with your career's earning potential is essential for making the most informed decision about your degree abroad.
- Countries such as Germany, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Canada offer different combinations of tuition fees, work rights and graduate routes. None guarantees a job or permanent residence.
Why work rights matter for international students
Understanding your employment rights as an international student means understanding how much you may work and under what conditions you are legally permitted to work while pursuing your degree.
Check whether your permission allows online or freelance work as well as ordinary employment.
For many international students, a part-time job can help offset living expenses. Working while studying also allows students to gain valuable local experience and begin building their professional networks early. However, a job is not guaranteed, and you normally need to show enough money before applying for a student visa.
Each country has its own study-work regulations. Limits may be measured by the week, fortnight or year, and depend on your permission and course. Do not assume a universal 20-hour rule or unlimited work during every break.
When choosing your destination, explore the rights and limitations under which you will be working and determine whether the country you choose aligns with your financial and professional needs.
Compare student work rights and graduate options
Compare the countries explored in this article and decide which option is best for you.
These are summaries for eligible higher-education students needing immigration permission. EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss citizens may have different rights in Europe. Graduate routes require an application and have conditions.
The funds column shows the minimum living funds you must show for one student, not average spending. Tuition, travel and other costs are extra; budget for actual local costs.
Country | Work during studies | After graduation | Example fields to research | Living funds required |
Germany | 140 full or 280 half days/year; alternative 20-hour weekly calculation. | Job-search residence permit up to 18 months. | Engineering, Tech, Sciences | |
Australia | 48 hours/fortnight in session; exceptions apply. | Temporary Graduate route usually 2–3 years; exceptions apply. | Engineering, Health, IT | |
Netherlands | 16 hours/week or full-time June–August; employer needs a TWV work permit. | Orientation Year (1 year) | Tech, Business, Engineering | |
Canada | 24 hours/week off campus during regular terms; eligible scheduled breaks differ. | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) up to 3 years, if eligible. | Research your field and local vacancies. | CAD23,448 per year outside Quebec, applications from 1 September 2026. |
New Zealand | Up to 25 hours/week if your visa allows; older visas may specify 20. | Post-Study Work Visa usually up to 3 years; see November changes below. | Tech, Engineering, Business | |
Ireland | 20 hours/week in term on Stamp 2; 40 in specified holidays. | Graduate permission 12–24 months, if eligible. | Tech, Business, Pharma | €10,000 for an academic year for courses longer than eight months. |
Six countries to consider for study and work
We’ve picked six destinations to compare for studying and working abroad. This is an editorial shortlist, not an official ranking: the best option depends on your course, budget and career plans.
These six countries offer different combinations of education, student life, and career opportunities during and after studies.
Tip: Curious about Europe in particular? Check out this complete overview of the best countries in Europe for study!
Germany
For years, Germany has attracted international students with its affordability and post-study work opportunities.
Public German universities often charge no tuition fees – including for many international students – but exceptions apply. DAAD explains fees for many non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg and at some Bavarian institutions, including TUM. Semester contributions and living costs still apply.
Universities in Germany include the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), and Heidelberg University.
Other benefits of studying in Germany are:
- University careers services can help you search for on-campus and off-campus jobs.
- Living costs vary by city, particularly rent.
- An up-to-18-month job-search residence permit for eligible graduates of German higher education, as Make it in Germany explains.
- A possible settlement permit after qualifying skilled employment and meeting other conditions; a degree alone does not grant permanent residence.
- Explore current vacancies in Engineering, IT, Healthcare and Research.
- Consider Germany for an affordable, high-quality education, especially if you’re in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering or mathematics). Check programme fees and local job requirements.
Australia
Another popular destination among international students is Australia. The country offers student work rights and graduate routes alongside an outdoor lifestyle, but permanent residence depends on separate eligibility requirements.
Australia has high living costs, particularly in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Compare realistic student earnings with rent and other costs.
Universities in Australia include the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, the Australian National University (ANU), and the University of Queensland (UQ).
Australia also offers:
- A Temporary Graduate visa usually lasting 2 years for a Bachelor’s or coursework Master’s, or 3 years for a research Master’s or PhD. Age, nationality and other conditions apply.
- Skilled migration programmes, with separate eligibility and selection requirements.
- Service, Hospitality and Retail jobs to research, subject to vacancies.
- Healthcare, Engineering and Education jobs to research, including professional-registration requirements.
Home Affairs allows longer hours during scheduled course breaks. Research Master’s and PhD students have different limits once their course starts.
Netherlands
The Netherlands combines high-quality education with an international job market where English is widely spoken. Given this global context, many Dutch universities offer a range of English-language programmes.
As in Australia, living costs are higher in the Netherlands, particularly in Amsterdam. The work limits in the table apply to non-EU students with study residence permits; employers need a TWV.
- Quality of education: Internationally recognised degrees, focus on innovation, many English-taught programs.
- Safety & inclusivity: Very welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for international students.
- Cost of living and tuition: Tuition varies. StudyinNL estimates €1,000–€1,500 a month for living costs, depending on housing and lifestyle. This differs from the Dutch immigration authority’s (IND) visa funds requirement.
- Job opportunities: Research part-time jobs and internships in your field. Ask your university about internship permission, which can differ from ordinary work.
- Post-graduate options: The orientation year gives eligible graduates 12 months to seek work or work without a TWV. Apply within three years of an eligible qualification.
Canada
Canada is ideal if you value multicultural campuses and outdoor adventures. Universities in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal combine strong academics with a friendly, inclusive environment. You can enjoy festivals, sports, and exploring stunning natural landscapes while studying.
- Quality of education: Highly respected degrees, excellent research facilities, English and French programs.
- Student support: Check the services, housing and local conditions in your chosen city.
- Cost of living and tuition: Tuition and rent vary. Plan for actual costs, in addition to meeting the living funds required by Canada’s immigration department (IRCC) in the table; Quebec has separate requirements.
- Job opportunities: Eligible students can work off campus up to 24 hours/week in regular terms, or full-time in scheduled breaks. Check course-related work placement conditions separately.
- Post-graduate options: Post-GraduationWorkPermit up to 3 years, if eligible. Check institution, programme, language and any field-of-study requirements before enrolling.
- Choose Canada if you aim for a truly multicultural environment and if the post-graduate visa perspectives are very important to you. A potential challenge though can be the very long and cold winters and covering the tuition fees.
Tip: As the Government of Canada notes, you may be eligible for a scholarship to cover tuition fees. Check with your chosen Canadian university if this is the case!
New Zealand
New Zealand is an excellent choice for students seeking academic excellence and a balanced, close-to-nature lifestyle.
The New Zealand education system is recognised for its high research impact and high-quality teaching, offering particularly strong programmes in fields such as Climate Change and Sustainability.
Universities in New Zealand include the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, and the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
Other things to consider for a degree in New Zealand are:
- Living costs can be high in major cities.
- A Post-Study Work Visa of up to 3 years, depending on your qualification, study and eligibility.
- Ability to work up to 25 hours per week during term time if your visa allows it. An older 20-hour limit needs a variation or new visa first.
- A smaller job market, so research the number of suitable vacancies and competition in your sector.
- Skilled residence routes with their own qualification, work, pay and other conditions.
Announced for 16 November 2026: Immigration New Zealand will expand eligibility for certain Level 7 graduate diplomas and open a separate six-month graduate work route. Eligible Indian PhD graduates will have up to four years of post-study work permission. Check the final requirements.
Ireland
Ireland offers English-speaking universities and an international student community. Research accommodation early, particularly in cities with high rents.
The cost of living in Ireland may be high due to high rents in cities such as Dublin. Eligible Stamp 2 students can work 20 hours/week in term, or 40 during June–September and 15 December–15 January.
Some universities in Ireland are Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Dublin (UCD), and University College Cork (UCC). You can also compare Ireland and Canada.
Other characteristics of Ireland you should consider are:
- The Third Level Graduate Programme offers eligible Irish-award graduates 12 months at Level 8, or up to 24 months at Level 9 and above, subject to renewal conditions.
- Technology and Finance roles to research using current vacancies and salary information.
- Operations of international companies such as Google, Pfizer and Meta.
- Strong English-speaking job market.
- A Critical Skills Employment Permit can later support Stamp 4 permission if eligible. Neither the permit nor Stamp 4 automatically grants permanent residency.
Compare living costs with realistic earnings
When choosing where to study and work after your degree, you must calculate your estimated expenses and balance them with realistic income projections.
When planning your budget, remember that rent is often the biggest expense, especially in capital cities. Compare legal working hours and pay after tax with rent, transport, health cover and tuition. Higher wages do not necessarily leave you with more money after these costs.
Tuition-free or low-tuition countries, such as Germany, significantly reduce financial pressure, allowing you to focus on your studies and well-being.
Use your priorities to compare the options:
- Australia: Compare wages with high living costs and the legal hours you can work.
- Ireland: An English-speaking option within the EU.
- New Zealand: A close-to-nature lifestyle, with a smaller job market.
- Germany: Many low-tuition options, with fees and living costs to check.
Long-term opportunities after graduation
If you plan to pursue permanent residency after your studies, research the separate residence requirements. A graduate visa gives temporary permission; it does not promise a job or permanent residence.
Opportunities vary by field, location, language skills and professional registration. Students in STEM, IT, Healthcare, Engineering, Business, Arts and Humanities should all research the roles they want rather than assume their degree guarantees employment.
Research job openings in your destination country and analyse how your degree aligns with market gaps related to your studies. Explore job requirements and local companies in your field, and use this knowledge to choose the programme that will give you the skills employers seek.
These country and subject combinations can be starting points for your research, rather than a ranking of job prospects:
- Technology: Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden.
- Business and Finance: Ireland, the Netherlands, France and Poland.
- Healthcare: Australia, Canada and the US.
- Arts and Humanities: Netherlands, France, Italy and Canada.
- Engineering: Germany, Sweden, Australia and Japan.
- Sciences: Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Australia.
- Start planning with our step-by-step guide on how to study abroad.
Take your next step
There’s no single “best” country to study abroad. The right choice depends on your goals, field of study, and the kind of life you want to build.
Eager to find the study program abroad that fits your interests? Start searching on Mastersportal right now!
