MS in Canada is considered one of the most prestigious programmes and has a serious contribution to jet off the career of students in reputed companies across the world. Canadian universities like the University of Toronto, McGill University and the University of British Columbia have secured top ranks for several years. MS in Canada enables experiential and hands-on learning and includes real-world skill development. The curriculum of MS in Canada pins students to fundamental and applied research.
The friendly measures enacted by the government of Canada are cementing the country’s position on the map of the international student market. MS in Canada provides scope to conduct research in modern facilities. They empower the graduates with vision, curiosity and drive to shape a better world. The employment rate in Canada is 61.9% providing graduates excellent opportunities to stay back and work as mechanical engineers, data scientists, software analysts, electronics engineers and others. The average salary after MS in Canada is over CAD 90,000 per year.
The MS programs in Canada are dedicated to giving students an edge over their peers in other parts of the world. The key parameters of MS in Canada for Indian students are given in the following table:
Components |
Details |
Course Duration |
2 years |
Number of MS Universities in Canada |
96+ |
Standardised Tests for MS in Canada |
GRE/GMAT |
English Proficiency Tests |
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
Admission Intakes |
Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer |
Average Tuition Fees |
CAD 50,000 per year |
Eligibility |
Bachelor’s degree GRE/GMAT scores Language test scores |
Documents Required |
SOPs, LORs, Essays, Test Scores, Transcripts, Resume |
Top MS Specialisations |
MS in Nursing, MS in Computer Science, MS in Data Science, MS in Civil Engineering |
Top Universities for MS in Canada |
McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto |
Top Recruiters |
IBM Canada, Amazon, Deloitte, Ericsson, iQmetrix |
Average Salary |
CAD 85,000 |
The top MS specialisations in Canada that drive international students from all parts of the world to study in Canada are:
Data Science: MS in Data Science in Canada emphasises practical proficiency in applying the relevant skills through courses in statistical modelling, machine learning, data visualisation, data ethics and user experience. The University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo and the University of British Columbia are the top universities providing MS in Data Science courses.
Computer Science: In Canada, MS in Computer Science is based on the areas of computer graphics, database principles, data mining, ways to design and develop software and others. The top universities for computer science in Canada are the University of Toronto, the University of Montreal and the University of Alberta.
Engineering: The University of Alberta, Concordia University and McGill University are top runners in engineering courses in Canada. The most popular engineering streams for MS in Canada include electrical and electronic engineering, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering.
Nano Science and Technology: It is the study of material properties at a sub-micron scale for technological applications The colleges that offer Nano Science and technology courses in Canada are the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Western University.
Cell Biology: It deals with the biology of cells of higher organisms and studies their structure, function, cell movement, RNA synthesis and others. Cell biology is widely studied at the University of Toronto, McGill University and the University of British Columbia.
The top 10 MS colleges in Canada that have carved a space for themselves in the QS University Rankings 2022 and THE Rankings 2022 are:
Rankings |
QS MS Rankings Canada 2022 |
THE Canada MS Rank 2022 |
1 |
University of Toronto |
University of Toronto |
2 |
McGill University |
University of British Columbia |
3 |
University of British Columbia |
McGill University |
4 |
University of Montreal |
McMaster University |
5 |
University of Alberta |
University of Alberta |
6 |
McMaster University |
University of Montreal |
7 |
University of Waterloo |
University of Calgary |
8 |
Western University |
University of Ottawa |
9 |
University of Ottawa |
University of Waterloo |
10 |
University of Calgary |
Western University |
MS in Canada has certain eligibility criteria that students have to fulfil to study in the top universities. The common eligibility criteria are listed below:
15-16 years of educational experience.
Students should have completed a bachelor’s degree of three or four years in a relevant discipline.
The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
GRE scores need to be sent to the department. Some MS programs in Canada require students to submit GMAT scores.
English proficiency test scores are required. The English language proficiency tests for MS in Canada include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo English Test and Cambridge Advanced.
Some universities require 1 to 3 years of work experience.
There are some common steps of admission that all students applying for MS in Canada have to follow. The steps are given below:
Step 1: If you are an international student, remember to fill out the form, especially for international students.
Step 2: Pay the non-refundable application fee.
Step 3: Submit the required documents for secondary and post-secondary education.
Step 4: Submit the GRE/GMAT test scores and English proficiency test scores.
Step 5: Wait for the offer letter.
The documents for MS in Canada form an important part to be accepted into the universities. The common documents required to study MS in Canada are:
Transcripts of all secondary and post-secondary studies
Online self-reported grade forms (depends on the course/university)
Proof of English language proficiency
Standardised test results
Other supplemental information
Academic resume/student CV
Letters of reference
Academic Essays
The expenses in Canada can be on the higher side and therefore pre-planning expenses can go a long way in managing finances. International students have to consider tuition fees and other day-to-day expenses while living in Canada. The total cost of MS in Canada has been categorised into three parts: the tuition fees, the pre-arrival expenses and the post-arrival cost.
The tuition fees for MS in Canada form a major part of the international student budget. Here, we have listed the tuition fees of Canadian universities:
Canadian University |
Average Annual Tuition Fees (in CAD) |
University of Toronto |
68,500 |
University of Alberta |
8,874 |
University of British Columbia |
26,389 |
McGill University |
857.50 per credit |
University of Waterloo |
64,701 |
Before even arriving in Canada, the expenses of students start right away. Here, we are providing an estimate of the costs they have to bear before arriving to study MS in Canada:
Expenses |
Cost |
Cost of Standardised test |
GRE: USD 213 GMAT: USD 275 |
English Proficiency Tests |
IELTS: USD 200, TOEFL: USD 190, PTE: 189, Duolingo: USD 49 |
Cost of Application Forms |
CAD 50-200 |
Cost of Canada Study Permit |
CAD 150 |
Paying the tuition fees is not enough. Studying MS in Canada entails additional costs such as living expenses, utility bills, groceries, etc. Let us know the approximate charges international students will have to pay for the same:
Expenses |
Average Monthly Cost (in CAD) |
Accommodation |
500-700 |
Transport |
80-300 |
Food |
250-400 |
Internet |
35-50 |
Insurance |
300-500 |
Entertainment |
500-700 |
Scholarships play an important role in reducing the expenses of international students studying in Canada. As they are not to be repaid, students can concentrate on their education while some of their expenses can be met by scholarships. Here are a few of the scholarships for MS in Canada:
Scholarship Name |
Sponsored by |
Amount |
International Master’s Award for Excellence |
University of Waterloo |
CAD 2,500 per term |
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship |
University of Manitoba |
CAD 14,000 per year |
Canada Graduate Scholarship- Master’s |
University of Calgary |
CAD 17,500 (one-time) |
Fairleigh Dickinson Scholarships for International Students |
Fairleigh Dickinson University |
USD 24,000 per year |
University of Alberta Graduate Entrance Scholarship |
University of Alberta |
USD 17,500 (one-time) |
Graduates who have done MS in Canada are highly valued by their employers and are paid high salaries. The top companies that recruit MS graduates in Canada are Power Corporation of Canada, Google, TC Energy, Advanz pharma, Constellation software, Amazon and others. The popular job opportunities after MS in Canada are:
Job Role |
Average Annual Base Salary (in CAD) |
Top Recruiters |
Electronics Engineer |
78,103 |
Railworks Corporation, Government of Nunavut |
Software Engineer |
103,447 |
Alloy, Workday, Amazon |
Quality Assurance Engineer |
66,615 |
NASDAQ, Regional Municipality of Peel |
Data Scientist |
80,840 |
Technical Safety BC, Amazon |
Public Works Engineer |
84,325 |
City of Kingston, District of Saanich |
The return on investment (ROI) in Canada is quite high. The tuition fees spent are lower than the average salary an MS graduate receives in Canada. Here, let us have a look at the average salary earned by the MS graduates of top Canadian colleges:
University Name |
Average Annual Salary (in USD) |
University of Toronto |
85,000 |
University of Waterloo |
72,000 |
University of Alberta |
56,000 |
McGill University |
93,000 |
McMaster University |
68,000 |
Source: Emolument
The stay back option after MS in Canada is beneficial for international students. The master's programs are generally for two years and in that case, students can stay back in Canada for three years.
To work in Canada, an international student will need a work permit. Later, the work experience will clear the path for permanent residency in Canada. After their master's, students can apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) if they have graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Further, they can apply for permanent residency via Canada Express Entry from the website of the Government of Canada.
A. Yes, some universities accept three years of undergraduate courses for studying MS in Canada. Ryerson University, York University, University of Manitoba and HEC Montreal are a few of them. While Bachelor’s courses in Canada last four years, the duration of bachelor’s degrees in India is usually three years.
A. Yes, MS in Canada is a good option for Indian students. The country boasts academic excellence and the education system is internationally renowned. Degrees are affordable and there are extensive opportunities for research and innovation. The top-quality universities and an attractive stay-back period entice lakhs of international students to study MS in Canada every year.
A. Engineering is high in demand for MS in Canada. The engineering courses are structured to help students get the best out of their theoretical and practical knowledge. Additionally, the course structure is extensive and prepares graduates for innovation and research-based jobs. The common engineering specialisations in Canada are aeronautical, civil, electric, and computer science.
A. Yes, there are a few MS in Canada programs that are of one-year duration. Some of the one-year MS programs in Canada are MS in Food Science from the University of British Columbia, MS in Biomedical Science and Commercialization by Mcmaster University and MS in Health Science from the University of Saskatchewan.
A. Yes, GRE is required for MS in Canada. Taking the GRE will increase your chances to get into the top universities in Canada. However, Canada also houses universities which do not necessarily ask for GRE scores. These are Concordia University, Laval University, Lakehead University, University of Winnipeg and University of Prince Edward’s Island.
A. No, Canadian universities generally do not require extracurricular activities for MS in Canada. Besides, they also do not require essays for the admission process. However, the universities may ask students to submit personal statements that help the admission committee assess the student’s suitability to study in their institute.
A. No, it is not possible to do MS in Canada for free. No university in Canada is tuition-free for domestic or international students. However, there are universities in Canada that offer MS degrees at a cheaper cost. International students can even apply for scholarships that can go a long way in easing the financial burden for MS in Canada.
A. The universities that are affordable for MS in Canada are the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Athabasca University, Royal Roads University and the University of Regina. The tuition fee range to study in these universities is between CAD 2,000-CAD 25,000. The affordable tuition fees make it easier for many international students to study MS at a low cost in Canada.
A. Yes, you can work part-time while doing MS in Canada. You can engage in a job opportunity for 20 hours a week. However, international students who are enrolled in MS in Canada are advised not to work for more than 15 hours a week as it can affect their studies.
A. Yes, it is easy to get a job after MS in Canada. The country’s steadily-growing economy has created vast job vacancies for skilled educated graduates. Graduates can find suitable job opportunities in various reputed companies in Canada. Some of the popular jobs for MS in Canada graduates include computer science engineer, systems designer and electrical engineer.
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