Ranked highly in terms of quality of life and education by the United Nations, Canada has cemented its place as one of the best places in the world to live and study. 10 universities in Canada are ranked amongst the top 250 institutes in the world according to the QS World University Rankings for 2020. This and other factors make Canada a popular choice for international students to study abroad. Lets look at the top 5 reasons that make Canada a top student destination:
- Internationally recognized degrees
- Affordable tuition fees
- High quality of classroom instruction
- Post-study work options
- Routes to gain permanent residency
According to the data provided by ICEF monitor, an international market data intelligence provider for the education industry, the number of foreign students in Canada reached 572,415 in 2018. The table given below lists some of the top sources of international student arrivals in Canada in 2018:
| Country | International Students | % of Total |
| India | 172,625 | 30.16 |
| China | 142,985 | 24.98 |
| South Korea | 24,195 | 4.23 |
| France | 22,745 | 3.97 |
| Vietnam | 20,330 | 3.55 |
This article takes a look at some of the top courses in the country in terms of quality and career prospects for international students. 
Do you know that you can study without IELTS abroad? Canada is one of the countries. Read study in Canada without IELTS.
Top Courses to Study in Canada 5 Most Popular Fields of Study
1. Business and Finance
Business and finance form the foundations of any nations economy. A degree in this field will allow you to learn how the financial market functions and what its applications are. The top courses in Canada within this field are:
TOP BUSINESS & FINANCE PROGRAMMES IN CANADA FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
| Course | Duration | Yearly Fees | Offered By |
| B.B.A in Finance | 4 years (full-time) | CAD 21,385 | Trent University |
|
B.Com (Hons.) in
Finance |
4 years (full-time) | CAD 31,212 | Carleton University |
| Masters in Accounting | 1 year (full-time) | CAD 35,000 | York University |
| Masters in Financial Risk Management | 1 year (full-time) | CAD 62,000 | University of Toronto |
| MBA in Finance | 2 years (full-time) | CAD 10,000 | University of Alberta |
The most sought after jobs in this field are:
- Asset Management
- Broking
- Investment Management
- Banking
- Insurance
- Accounting
STARTING SALARIES/WAGES OF BUSINESS & FINANCE GRADUATES IN CANADA
| Position | Hourly Wage |
| Financial Accountant | CAD 31 |
| Financial Analyst | CAD 33 |
| Accounting Clerk | CAD 19 |
| Bookkeeper | CAD 19 |
2. Computer Science and IT
Qualified and competent computer science and software/ IT professionals will always be in demand all over the world, including Canada. According to a report published by the CIC, a Canadian immigration news portal, IT project managers and software engineers were in the top 10 most in-demand positions in Canada. Listed below are the most popular computer science and IT courses in Canada along with the top-ranked Canadian universities to pursue them.
TOP COMPUTER SCIENCE AND IT PROGRAMMES IN CANADA FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
| Course | Duration | Fee | Offered By |
| B.Sc. in Computer Science | 4 years | CAD 156,790 (full course fee) | University of British Columbia |
| B.Sc. in Data Science (Honours) | 4 years | N/A | University of Waterloo |
| B.Sc. in Statistics and Computer Science (Honours) | 4 years | CAD 169,568 (full course fee) | McGill University |
| M.Sc. in Computing Science and Statistical Machine Learning | 2 years | CAD 21,000 per year | University of Alberta |
| B.Sc. in Computer Science (Honours) | 4 years | CAD 213,160 (full course fee) | University of Toronto |
Note: The fees given above are an approximation and are subject to change at the time of application. Students are advised to research diligently before opting for a course.
A deeper look into the same report reveals that developers who are capable in handling both front and back-end coding are especially in demand. Java is considered to be the top skill for any developer to have with SQL, Python and .net making up the rest of the list. The top positions in this field are:
- Project Manager
- Software Engineer
- Web Developer
- Program Analyst
- Java Developer
AREA-WISE AVERAGE SALARIES OF IT GRADUATES IN CANADA
| City | Average IT Salary per year |
| Toronto | CAD 55,000 CAD 119,000 |
| Vancouver | CAD 55,000 – CAD 119,000 |
| Montreal | CAD 45,000 – CAD 100,000 |
| Calgary | CAD 57,000 – CAD 125,000 |
| Edmonton | CAD 58,000 CAD 125,000 |
| Ottawa | CAD 61,000 CAD 125,000 |
| Quebec City | CAD 42,000 CAD 91,000 |
| Halifax | CAD 57,000 CAD 116, 000 |
Note: The data provided in the table above is a representation of the average salaries for IT professionals in a particular area. It is not meant to represent actual figures for a specific role.
3. Engineering
Engineering has been amongst the top subjects chosen by international students looking to pursue higher studies in Canada. As per Randstad, an HR data and analytics agency in Canada, engineering disciplines are projected to grow significantly by 2025. Currently, all engineering specialties are experiencing labour shortages in Canada and there are plenty of opportunities for young graduates to get a foot in the door of their chosen fields. The following are some of the top courses and best-ranked universities available to international students:
TOP ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES IN CANADA FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
| Course | Duration | Total Course Fee | Offered By |
| Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering | 4 years | CAD 205,224 | University of Waterloo |
| Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering | 4 years | CAD 205,224 | University of Waterloo |
|
Bachelors in Mechanical
Engineering |
4 years | CAD 169,568 | McGill University |
| Masters in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering | 1 year | CAD 59,230 | University of Toronto |
| Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 1 year | CAD 59,230 | University of Toronto |
Note: The figures in the table are an approximation of tuition fee for the entire course. Students are advised to confirm the exact cost during the process of application.
According to Randstad, the medial annual salary for engineers in 2020 is USD 75,200. The lowest earning engineers earn $45,900 on an average while the top earners can take home an average of $130,000.
ENTRY LEVEL WAGES FOR ENGINEERING GRADUATES IN CANADA
| Position | Hourly Wage |
| Civil Engineer | $38.6 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $38.6 |
| Electrical Engineer | $38.6 |
| Software Engineer | $41.03 |
4. Health and Medicine
As long as there are people on this planet, medicine and health science will always be subjects of great interest. The industry contributed $7.8 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2016 and has tremendous growth potential. Areas poised for growth include digital health, which is set to be a $233 billion global market by 2020, and precision medicine, which is set to be an $88 billion market by 2023.
The following are some of the top health and medicine courses in Canada for international students:
TOP HEALTH & MEDICINE PROGRAMMES IN CANADA FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
| Course | Duration | Total course fee | Offered By |
| M.Sc. in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology | 2 years | CAD 33,960 | University of Toronto |
| Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry | 4 years | CAD 103,840 | Laurentian University |
| Doctor of Medicine | 4 years | CAD 37,860 | University of Alberta |
| Masters in Biomedical Informatics | 1 year | CAD 22,050 | Queens University |
The average healthcare and medicine salary in Canada is $31,444 per year or $16.13 per hour. Entry level positions start at $27,300 per year while most experienced workers make up to $53,454 per year.
5. Media & Journalism
With the rise of the internet, digital media has quickly become the dominant force online. The demand for skilled and creative professionals in the field is also increasing exponentially. While traditional print media jobs may be heading towards the same fate as dinosaurs, new age career paths like digital marketing, digital media creation and production, interactive design etc. are taking over. In 2017, the operating revenues of the Canadian television industry reached 7 billion CAD with the radio industry bringing in a respectable 1.9 billion year. However, since then, the industries have seen a gradual decline, but the rise of the internet has provided them with new opportunities to reach a wider audience and gain more subscribers.
Another little known fact about the media industry in Canada is that many of the popular American shows like Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries and other programs are filmed in Canada!
The following are some of the top media and journalism courses in Canada:
TOP MEDIA & JOURNALISM PROGRAMMES IN CANADA FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
| Course | Duration | Fees | Offered by |
| Master of Journalism | 2 years | CAD 43,582 (full-course fee) | University of British Columbia |
| B.A. in Digital Media and Journalism | 4 years | CAD 101,280 (full-course fee) | Wilfrid Laurier University |
| B.A. in Media Production | 4 years | CAD 27,284 per year | Ryerson University |
| B.A in Communication and Media Studies | 4 years | CAD 109,127 (full-course fee) | Carleton University |
| Bachelors (Diploma) in Interactive Media Design | 2 years | CAD 26,644 (full-course fee) | Durham College |
The following are some of the top career options for anyone looking to secure a job in this field after finishing their degree in Canada:
- Digital Media Creation
- Advertising
- Marketing
- Social Media PR
- Journalism
- Interactive Media Design
- UX/UI Design
- Visual Effects & Animation
- Creative and Graphic Design
AVERAGE SALARIES OF MEDIA & JOURNALISM GRADUATES IN CANADA
| Field of work | Average yearly salary |
| Social Media Marketing | CAD 49,715 |
| Web Content Management | CAD 55,915 |
| Video Editing | CAD 44,808 |
| Graphic Design | CAD 48,931 |
| Online Marketing | CAD 48,623 |
| Digital Marketing Manager | CAD 44,000 |
| Communications Coordinator | CAD 35,000 |
Note: The figures given in the above table are an approximation provided by payscale.com and are representative of what someone without experience would typically earn. Pay rate changes depending upon the area you are working in and how much experience you have in the field.
Want to know details about pursuing higher studies in Canada? Read Study in Canada article here.
REGISTER TODAY TO MAKE A GREAT CAREER IN CANADA!
Top Courses to Study in Canada – FAQs
Q. Why is Canada a popular study abroad destination?
A. According to a survey conducting by International Student Admissions Service (ISAS) students choose Canada for the following reasons:
- High Academic Rankings
- Large number of post-study work options
- Safe and secure environment
- Vibrant culture
- Geographically diversity
Q. What job opportunities are available to students pursuing the business and finance fields?
A. A degree in business and finance opens up the doors to job functions like:
- Asset Management
- Broking
- Investment Management
- Banking
- Insurance
- Accounting
Q. What is the Computer and IT field like in Canada?
A. According to Randstad, an HR data analysis organization, the tech industry in Canada boasts 488,000 professionals working in positions like:
- Information systems analysts
- Web designers and developers
- Computer programmers
- Dev-op and cyber security
Q. How do I choose the right course to study in Canada?
A. Choosing a right program depends upon your fields of interest, academic background and budget. If you are having trouble reaching a decision, you can sign up for a free counselling session at Buddy4Study. Our team of study abroad experts will guide you through every step of the process, from application to admission.
Q. Is journalism still a viable career option?
A. Print journalism may be on the way out, but the field has adapted to the changing times and a degree in journalism is still a viable career option. Instead of writing for magazines and newspapers, you can now work as a digital content creator for websites, blogs and other digital content platforms.
