MS in Canada – Canada is one of the best places to study abroad. International students get an opportunity to encounter vastly different cultural and natural experiences. They can pursue MS programs in numerous disciplines like Architecture and Design, Business and Marketing, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Finance, Information Technology, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Nursing, Science, Sustainable Technologies, etc. Cities like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Quebec have been the major attraction for international students for studies. Students spend up to USD 30,000 for obtaining a Masters degree from Canada. The duration of MS programmes ranges from 1-2 years. There are endless job opportunities after obtaining a Masters in Canada.
In this article, you will get information related to the universities in Canada, top MS courses, masters admission process, MS course fees, jobs, salaries and much more.
Latest: Have you given IELTS? If not, check here to book your “IELTS exam dates” in this article.
MS in Canada – Why pursue Masters in Canada?
Reasons to study MS in Canada:
- Although English and French are both official languages in Canada, English is common and spoken everywhere. Universities offer courses taught in English at all study levels.
- Many top-ranked universities are in Canada like UBC, UoT and UoA.
- Canada is an ethnically and linguistically diverse nation and a large number of foreign students pursue higher studies in Canada.
- Canada has a strong research culture and a significant part of the research work that has been done in Canadian universities has led to interesting new theories and distinguished discoveries.
MS in Canada – Top Universities in Canada
Based on QS rankings 2020, more than 26 universities rank in the global rankings and out of which the top 10 in Canada has been listed below. All universities are judged based on their academic and employer reputations, research impact etc.
List of top universities in Canada
Canada Rank |
Global Rank |
University |
1 |
29 |
University of Toronto |
2 |
35 |
McGill University |
3 |
51 |
University of British Columbia |
4 |
113 |
University of Alberta |
5 |
137 |
Universit de Montral |
6 |
140 |
McMaster University |
7 |
173 |
University of Waterloo |
8 |
211 |
Western University |
9 |
233 |
University of Calgary |
10 |
239 |
Queen’s University |
Canada has been attracting a huge number of international students in the last decade and 3 of its universities in the top 100. University of Toronto (29), McGill University (35) and the University of British Columbia (51) are the 3 ranked universities based on QS rankings.
To know the process of getting a Canada Student Visa read the article here.
MS in Canada – Top Masters Courses in Canada
MS programs in Canada are taught in English which attract a large number of international students. Some of the popular course programs in Canada are:
- Business
- Architecture
- Marketing
- IT
- Engineering
- Project Management
Students are eligible to work off-campus without a permit for 20 hours per week and full time during the break. Some of the courses at Canadian colleges/universities for 2020/21 session on our portal are:
- Dorset College, British Columbia
- University of Manitoba
- University of Victoria
- Trent University
- University of Winnipeg
For the full list of college and courses in Canada, check Canada Course page.
MS in Canada – Eligibility
- A 3-4 year Bachelors degree in a relevant field is typically required before enrolling in this course
- Students are expected to have scored a minimum GPA (often a 3.0-4.0 or its international equivalent such as UK upper second class bachelor) in their undergraduate degree.
- Depending on your subject area, you may be asked to provide a graduate entry test score such as GMAT or GRE.
- If English is not your first language, youll have to give evidence of proficiency through an English language test such as TOEFL or IELTS. For application to some universities like McGill University in Canada, Indian students are exempted from appearing for these exams.
MS in Canada – Admission Process
Students have to plan before the admission deadlines in such a way that there is no hassle at the last minute. Follow the steps below to prepare for college admission in Canada:
- Select the course subject of your choice in Canada
- Choose the right university to pursue your course
- Prepare the application
- Meet language requirements
- Arrange other documents for the application
- Meet the application deadlines
- Get an offer and accept the position
The application deadline for winter enrollment is September 1. The summer enrollments start from 15th January for Master’s students and dates are much earlier for Bachelor’s degree students. Deadlines vary between institutions in Canada. An academic year starts from September and ends in June. Canadian MS programmes generally lasts between 1-2 years.
If you want to apply for a Masters programme at McGill University, then you can visit the link here to check the process. It is important to understand the graduate admissions process and the minimum requirements you need to meet to be considered for graduate studies at McGill.
- Discover the program you want to pursue.
- Connect with the chosen department of study.
- Arrange the supporting documents.
- Upload documents and submit the application online.
General documents required for an MS application:
- Transcripts – Record of study from each university-level institution attended.
- Letters of Reference – Two letters of recommendation are normally required. You must provide the details of two instructors on the application form who are familiar with your work, and who are willing to write the letters of recommendation.
- Test scores – TOEFL or IELTS exam scores have to be uploaded.
Apply Via Buddy4Study
- Identify your preferred course and admission timeline by visiting Masters PG degree Canada where every significant information relating to higher education institutions, programmes offered, cost of study, quality of institutions and degrees, and scholarships available.
- Apply for MS programmes in Canada via our portal, click on REGISTER page.
- Buddy4Study counselling team will contact you to help you with your MS in Canada interest and provide you full help in securing admission offers from universities.
- Once you have secured admission offer from university, our counsellor will guide you about the visa process.
Note: Students can also ask for guidance related to funding, scholarships, accomodation etc. in Canada rom our counselling team
MS in Canada – Cost of Masters studies in Canada
Tuition fees for international students in Canada are relatively affordable compared to those in the UK and America, with most programmes costing between CAD 13,000 and CAD 20,500. A masters course in Arts and Humanities is less expensive as compared to Dentistry, Architecture and Business. The most expensive courses (like MBA) can cost up to CAD 45,000 – 50,000.
Cost of Masters studies in the following universities in Canada:
- University of Toronto - CAD 10,080
- McGill University - CAD 10,080
- University of British Columbia – CAD 30,359
- University of Alberta - CAD 9000 – 10,500
- University of Montreal – CAD 7,348 per session
Average cost of living at the top Canadian University locations
University |
Application Fees |
Average cost of living (per month) |
McGill University |
CAD 110 |
CAD 1,300 |
University of Toronto |
CAD 90 |
CAD 750 1,000 |
University of British Columbia |
CAD 162 |
CAD 750 |
MS in Canada – International Scholarships & Fellowships
The Government of Canada, through the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development, offers multiple fellowships as shown below:
Fellowship Program |
Funded By |
Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship |
Government of Canada |
IDRC Research Awards |
International Development Research Centre |
Mitacs Elevate |
Mitacs |
Mitacs Globalink Research Internship |
Mitacs |
Mitacs Step |
Mitacs |
Sauv Scholars Program |
Jeanne Sauve Youth Foundation |
There are plenty of scholarships available at the university level and students are advised to explore course programs to find out scholarships.
Scholarships for studying in Canada on our study abroad platform are listed below:
- The University of Winnipeg Presidents Scholarship for World Leaders – University of Winnipeg
- Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship – University of Alberta
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program – University of Toronto
- Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award – University of British Columbia
Check out other Canadian Scholarships here – Canada Scholarship page
MS in Canada – Job opportunities after MS degree
International students graduating with a 2+ years program duration can get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for 3 years. You need to apply within 90 days of the confirmation of the completion of the academic program. The main advantage of this permit is that it doesnt require a specific employer. You can work anywhere without any extra verification.
The following courses provided the highest graduate salaries:
- Business and Commerce – CAD 72,000
- Computer Sciences – CAD 63,000
- Pharmacy – CAD 91,000
- Nursing – CAD 62,000
- Medicine – CAD 65,000
- Dentistry – CAD 99,000
MS in Canada – FAQs
Q. What kind of education system is accepted in Canada?
A. 10+2+3 Indian education system is accepted for PG diploma programmes in Canada but for masters, universities require 10+2+4. In Canada, college and university work in a different way. Colleges offer diplomas while university grant masters.
Q. Can students work post-studies in Canada?
A. International students can work for 20 hours per week during course sessions and full time during vacation.
Q. What are the MS requirements in Canada?
A. Generally, an applicant would require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 in UG degree for MS admission in most universities in Canada. And, you would also require a 6.5 or 7.0 IELTS score or 90+ TOEFL score for English proficiency proof. For MS courses in Business or Management, you would also need to show work experience of 1-3 years.
Q. Which MS degree pays best in Canada?
A. Top 5 high paying MS degree subject:
Mining and Forestry Manager: 108,000 CAD
Oil and Gas Drilling Supervisor: 79,000 CAD
Air traffic Controller: 87,000 CAD
Statistician and Actuaries: 89,000 CAD
Engineering Manager: 94,000 CAD
Q. Which MS course is best in Canada?
Computer Science
Civil Engineering
HR Management
Finance
Public Health
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Pharmacy
International Relations
Psychology