Canada and Ireland have emerged as leading choices for international students thanks to their multicultural environments and world-class study opportunities. Being English-speaking and industry focused, they’re ideal choices for undergrads and postgrads alike.
Ireland vs Canada: choosing a study destination
Tuition fees, immigration routes, funding opportunities and visas differ between the two countries, not to mention size and climate.
A big part of what makes this decision is what matters to you. Consider how much rain you can handle, if you want to be doing big hiking trips on the weekend, if the hustle and bustle of city life is what excites you, if -30 degrees celsius sounds way too cold. Studying abroad is about the experience as well as post-study opportunities so consider the lifestyle you’d like to have too!
We’re going to break down the fundamental differences for international students to help make the choice of studying and living in Canada and Ireland easier.
Studying and living in Canada vs Ireland
Canada is known world-over for its friendly attitude and geographical scale. For international students, this means a genuine welcome to the country and variety in where to study.
- On the East Coast (closer to Europe for travel, global company HQs in Toronto, political hub in capital city of Ottawa) there’s the University of Toronto, ranked 22nd globally by Studyportals for 2026; McGill University, ranked 45th; as well as the locally celebrated McMaster University in Hamilton (#110), Queen’s University in Kingston (#238) and multiple arts and drama specialists in Montreal. 4,000km away on the West Coast, the University of British Columbia is ranked 36th in the world by Studyportals and the University of Alberta is 97th.
- All year round Canada offers natural beauty as it’s home to 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves. In spring you can hike the Rockies, then enjoy a balmy summer by the Great Lakes, before watching the famous fall colours come to life and getting cosy for world-class skiing and ice skating in the winter.
Comparatively, Ireland’s climate is more temperate throughout the year, with a lot more rainfall. The country is also a lot smaller which makes exploring it a lot easier and weekend flights to the UK (Edinburgh and London!) are cheap and popular. There are thriving cities like Dublin and Cork as well as smaller, cosy communities like Sligo and Maynooth.
- Trinity College Dublin is the country’s oldest university, famous for its gorgeous architecture and unrivalled alumni like Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. Considered the ‘Harvard of Ireland,’ it is ranked 138th globally by Studyportals. Other leading universities include University College Dublin (#196) and University College Cork (#298).
- Costs differ from town and city in both countries (with Dublin being the most expensive in Ireland and Vancouver and Toronto the most expensive in Canada) but the table below demonstrates average costs across the two.
Note: When comparing costs, remember that the euro is stronger than the Canadian dollar. This means that even if the numbers look higher in Canada, the real difference becomes clearer only after conversion. Overall, Ireland is the more affordable option for basic student living, while Canada requires a higher monthly budget, especially for housing and food.
| Ireland | Canada |
Monthly cost of living | 800-1,300 EUR | $1,200-1,800 CAD |
Avg. student housing/month | 300-650 EUR (on campus) | $750-1,500 (often off-campus co-operatives provide an affordable shared living alternative) CAD |
Student visa fees | 73 EUR | $150 CAD |
Food shop/month | 200-300 EUR | $600-1,300 CAD |
Tuition fees and funding options
Like America, it is not cheap to study in Canada. Ireland is the more affordable study option if looking only at tuition fees.
| Ireland | Canada |
Undergraduate | 9,850 - 55,000 EUR* (Medicine courses on average have the highest fees) | |
Postgraduate | 9,950 - 35,000 EUR | |
Miscellaneous | All international students have to pay a max. fee of 3,000 EUR/year for student service provision. This fee can change annually. | Many Canadian universities have student services fees which are optional for students to pay to have access to extracurricular activities and support |
Note: Undergraduate degrees are free for citizens from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland with costs covered by the Higher Education Authority. Prospective students need to apply for the government programme and prove your eligibility.
As well as this comparison, we’ve put together a full costs guide to studying in Ireland.
Both countries have multiple funding opportunities available to international students, including specific ones from individual universities. Always check what funding your prospective institution offers. The Canadian government has a page dedicated to international scholarships.
Ireland | Canada |
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships - €10,000 stipend to study at Master’s (or higher) level for scholars from outside EU/EEA countries, and Switzerland and the UK | Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 - for professionals and scholars in select countries to study and train in Canada |
Fulbright Scholarship - international scholarship programme awarded to globally promising scholars | Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development - scholarships for students from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to pursue short-term studies or research in Canada |
Global Excellence Undergraduate Scholarships - for Trinity College Dublin students, offering subsidised tuition fees | Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program - official exchange program between Canada and China that promotes mutual understanding awarded to Chinese scholars |
Students visas and work rights
Canada and Ireland are popular destinations for international students because they offer relatively easy student visa routes. At the moment, Ireland has a higher student visa approval rate than Canada due to stricter vetting processes being introduced by the Canadian government.
For both countries, prospective students must provide the following list of criteria as a minimum to be eligible for a student visa:
- Letter of acceptance from intended institute
- Proof of tuition fee payment
- Evidence of funds (or sponsor) to support throughout stay
- Proven English-proficiency (IELTS)
- Private medical insurance
- Educational records
Check official government websites to see what’s required before applying for student visas.
International students in Canada can work on and off campus part-time during their studies up to 24 hours per week generally. In Ireland students can work casually up to 20 hours per week. Part-time work alongside studies often helps supplement living costs. Limits will differ during holidays.
Graduate visas and permanent residency routes
Often, students choose where to study abroad because of the employment opportunities offered post-graduation. Working after university in Canada and Ireland is possible as an international student, but the two countries have differing routes to permanent residency.
Both are looking for skilled graduate workers to support their pharmaceutical, agricultural and technological industries especially. Canada has stricter requirements but more availability for PR.
Ireland | Canada |
Third Level Graduate Scheme allows students to work for 1-2 years in Ireland after graduating | Canada’s Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) allows graduates to work for up to 3 years (or as long as their passport is valid). Graduates must have attended a Designated Learning Institute to be eligible for the PGWP |
Can apply for PR after working for 5 years | Can apply for PR after working for 5 years |
Need stamp 1 or stamp 4 visa permission when applying for PR | Must have at least 12 months of work experience to be eligible for PR |
Ireland and Canada’s postgrad work visas allow graduates to develop professional networks and work towards other relevant permits to secure permanent residency. If students don’t want to stay in the country permanently, the postgrad work visas are great opportunities to build international work experience before applying elsewhere.
Campus life and support services
International student life in Canada and Ireland is vibrant and community friendly. Both countries have high numbers of international students and there are often societies set up specifically to support your experience there.
Canada is similar to America, with some fraternity and sorority communities and a big emphasis on sports as an out-of-class activity. Many universities offer state-of-the-art gym facilities and sports grounds.
Ireland has a strong pub culture and there are many seasonal festivals to celebrate events and discover new music. Student support services are well-funded in Ireland due to mandatory fees and considered a key highlight of the student experience.
Both countries have democratic student representation systems in place that allow for students to gain leadership experience and make on-campus change.
It’s common for first years in both countries to live in student accommodation on campus, run by the university, which allows you to get to know the local area and meet lots of new people. After the first year, students generally find their own housing with friends but accommodation is still available on campus.
Ireland vs Canada: living, paying and everything else
So when it comes to studying in Canada vs Ireland, the benefits of both are clear. Gorgeous nature, welcoming and international cultures, world-leading research institutions and broad pathways to permanent residency post-study.
What separates the two is cost, climate and personal preference. I chose to study abroad for a year in Canada because of the country’s hiking and travel opportunities, but you might choose Ireland for its awe-inspiring coastlines and rich history.
It could also be the course option making your decision. Canada is a world-leader in Engineering graduates while Ireland offers research-heavy Arts and Humanities courses. Compare courses globally using our helpful course finding tool.
Whichever destination you choose, Canada and Ireland both offer fantastic options for international students looking to study abroad.
