Cost & living Questions

Yes, Canada is wise if your top priority is a fast, structured path to permanent residency, since the Post Graduation Work Permit feeds directly into Express Entry points. Australia pays data scientists more with tougher PR hurdles, while Germany is nearly free but demands strong German for a good job.

It is worth it only in specific cases, such as admission to a top school like Waterloo, Toronto or UBC with a strong co-op pipeline into US tech pay. For most students, a private Indian seat costing 18 to 34 lakh rupees is the safer, lower risk path.

It is worth it only if your loan stays under roughly CAD 150,000, family savings cover much of the rest, and you can realistically rank well for paid co-op terms. Tuition alone runs about CAD 73,000 a year, but co-op earnings and a strong tech salary can offset the debt.

You can still send your child to Canada, but only if they get into a strong, recognised university, pursue an in demand field like healthcare or STEM, and can fund the full cost without relying on part time work. Avoid diploma colleges pushed as an easy route to residency.

Canada remains a genuinely strong study destination in 2026 if you can get into a top ranked university and afford its raised financial requirements, including a GIC now near CAD 20,635, roughly Rs. 12.7 lakh. If you want lower upfront costs, Germany, the UK, or Ireland are increasingly attractive alternatives.

As an experienced AI or ML engineer, taking a large loan for a one year data science master's in Canada rarely makes sense, since the curriculum repeats skills you already have. It only makes sense if your real goal is a Canadian work permit, not fresh technical training.

UNSW Sydney is worth its extra cost if you are targeting high finance roles like investment banking or private equity, since bulge bracket banks recruit directly from its campus. Birmingham Dubai suits you better if you want a lower cost, tax free start in corporate finance or Big Four roles.

Austria is a strong alternative to Germany, charging non EU students around EUR 726 a semester, roughly Rs. 68,000, versus Germany's rising fees. You can enter with basic A2 German and finish B2 locally, then get a 12 month job search permit plus the Red White Red Card.