Masters (MS) In Canada: Top Universities, Fees, Eligibility & More

Top 10 Universities in Canada for Masters 

There are a number of universities that offer the best MS courses in Canada. Each of them excels in terms of education, training and research. To talk of the top universities, we have listed them below, along with their QS World University Ranking 2022 and annual average fee structure. 

University Name	QS World University Ranking 2022	Average Fees Per Year
University of Toronto	26	50,000 CAD - 70,000 CAD
McGill University	27	30,000 CAD - 70,000 CAD
University of British Columbia	46	32,000 CAD - 90,000 CAD
University De Montreal	111	20,000 CAD - 50,000 CAD
University of Alberta	126	15,000 CAD - 50,000 CAD
McMaster University	140	25,000 CAD - 70,000 CAD
University of Waterloo	149	30,000 CAD - 62,000 CAD
Western University	170	30,000 CAD - 90,000 CAD
University of Ottawa	230	20,000 CAD - 45,000 CAD
University of Calgary	235	CAD 18,000 - CAD 40,000

Suggested: Find out more about the top master’s universities in Canada

Top Masters Courses in Canada

From Humanities, Sciences, Engineering to Management courses, the top universities in Canada for masters have it all. A list of top masters courses, their fee structure and popular universities in which they are offered are discussed below: 

Course Name	Popular Universities	Average Fees Per Year
Masters in Accounting	Queen’s University York University McGill University	20,000 CAD - 50,000 CAD
Masters in Data Science	University of British Columbia University of Toronto HEC Montreal	40,000 CAD - 65,000 CAD
Masters in Business Administration (MBA)	University of Toronto Queen’s University McGill University	40,000 CAD - 100,500 CAD
Masters in Management	University of Toronto  University of British Columbia  University of Calgary	30,000 CAD - 60,000 CAD
Masters in Environmental Science	University of Waterloo University of Alberta University of Toronto	30,000 CAD - 65,000 CAD
Masters in Engineering	University of Toronto McGill University McMaster University	35,000 CAD - 65,000 CAD
Masters in Psychology	University of Toronto McGill University Western University	25,000 CAD - 35,000 CAD

Now that we are aware of the top universities and courses in Canada, let's discuss their eligibility criteria:

Eligibility for Masters in Canada

To apply for masters programs in Canada you must fulfil certain eligibility criteria. The requirements vary depending on the type of course and university you choose. However, some of the essential requirements to study in MS in Canada for Indian students are as follows: 

• Undergraduate degree

• English language proficiency test

• GMAT/GRE scores

• Work experience

• Passport and Visa

Suggested: Masters in Psychology in Canada

Undergraduate Degree

An undergraduate degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution is one of the most important requirements to pursue master courses in Canada. The top universities ask for a minimum 6.0 or above CGPA undergraduate score to get admission to their masters-level programs.

Related Discussion: How much gap is accepted to study in Canada?

English Language Proficiency Test

For masters in Canada for Indian students or other non-English speaking countries, qualifying for an English language proficiency test is a must to study MS in Canada. The tests accepted by top masters colleges in Canada are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAEL, etc. The tests and their respective scores again vary across universities and courses, but the average scores range from 

• 6.5 - 7.5 for IELTS
• 85 - 90 for TOEFL
• 55 - 65 for PTE
• 60 - 70 for CAEL

GMAT/GRE Scores

Another eligibility criteria for masters in Canada is GMAT and GRE scores. This is specifically for courses like MBA, MIM, MSc Finance and so on. The GMAT score to pursue the best courses for masters in Canada from the top universities is 650 and above. 

Work Experience

Most masters programs in Canada require relevant work experience to get admission into them. It is mainly essential for expert-level courses such as MBA in Canada. However, some masters courses don’t require mandatory work experience. You may check the university’s official website to gather this information. 

Passport & Visa

A valid passport and student visa are a must for all international students to study any course at any university in Canada. Do keep in mind to apply for your Canada student visa at least 3 months prior to the expected date of travel.

Documents Required for MSc in Canada

Here is a list of the documents you need to submit while applying for MS courses in Canada:

• Complete application form
• Copy of all academic transcripts
• Certificates from all educational institutions previously attended
• Bio-data 
• Letter of recommendation
• Personal statements
• Application fee receipt 
• Copy of passport
• Proof of scholarship or funding
• GRE/GMAT scores (if applicable)
• Proof of language proficiency test to study in Canada (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAEL, etc.)
• Work experience certificates

Related Discussion: What is the age limit for pursuing a master's degree in Canada?

How to Apply for Masters in Canada? 

Autumn and Winter are the most popular intakes for masters in Canada for Indian students. Hence, you must be aware of the application process to avoid any confusion during the time of admission.

A step by step guide to apply for MS in Canada is as follows:

1. Finalize the master’s course in Canada that you want to pursue and check for the best university offering it.
2. Visit the official university website and collect all data relating to eligibility and the admission process. 
3. Upload scanned copies of all the required documents (transcripts, CV, IELTS/TOEFL, GMAT scorecards, etc.)
4. Fill out the desired application form and pay the fee. 
5. You may be asked to sit for a virtual interview for certain courses. Take it as an opportunity to display your soft skills and knowledge. 
6. Once you receive the conditional offer letter after clearing your interview, you may book your seat at the particular university.
7. Pay your deposit by agreeing to the terms and conditions of the university. The deposit here is non-refundable.

How Much Does it Cost to Study Masters in Canada?

The master’s cost in Canada depends upon the course and university you choose. Your type of lifestyle, choice of accommodation and city also come into consideration here. However, you may cut your costs by planning your budget wisely. For that, you may explore the availability of well-funded scholarships, look for cheap accommodations or use your student card to get discounts at different places. All these help to keep your masters in Canada cost under a decent budget.

The overall cost of studying in Canada can be divided into two categories – Tuition Fees and Cost of Living.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee in Canada differs for domestic and international students. For international students, the fee is higher. Other than the tuition fee, international students in Canada also need to pay some other charges for student services and other school-related activities. The average MS cost in Canada on an average is CAD 20,000 to CAD 90,000 annually.

Cost of Living

The cost of living for international students in Canada depends upon your lifestyle. You can assume the average cost of living to be around 10,000 CAD - 12,000 CAD per year. If you choose to live on-campus accommodation, the rent is around 3,000-7,500 CAD while off-campus accommodation costs around 8,000 CAD - 9,000 CAD per year.

Suggested: Complete breakdown of Cost to Study Masters in Canada

So that was all about masters cost in Canada, let's move on to scholarship for masters in Canada for Indian students: 

Scholarships For Masters in Canada

Funding your master’s degree in Canada can be made easy by acquiring different scholarships that offer good benefits. There are numerous scholarships for MS in Canada for Indian students, most of which are based on merit. They help students fund their studies and overall stay in Canada to a great extent.  

Scholarship Name	Awarded to
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan	Students applying to programs of advanced study and research at the Masters and Ph.D. levels.  Amount/ Benefit: Covers tuition fees, travel, and living allowance.
National Research Council of Canada (NRCC)	Meritorious students pursuing Masters and PhD courses in natural science or engineering disciplines. Amount/ Benefit: Up to CAD 35,000 per year
University of Waterloo Scholarships	Fully-funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for Undergraduate, master, and PhD studies. Amount/ Benefit: Upto CAD 10,000
Ontario Graduate Scholarships	All international students pursuing full-time and part-time graduate courses in Ontario with a first-class or equivalent in the qualifying exam.   Amount/Benefit: CAD 15,000/ year
University Canada West Scholarships	They are funded scholarships for international students offered for undergraduate and master’s programs.  Amount/ Benefit: CAD 10,000 for master’s and CAD 20,000 for bachelor’s
McGill University Scholarships	They are fully funded scholarships for international students offered to undergraduate, masters and PhD students. Amount/ Benefit: CAD 8,500
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships	Students pursuing graduate programs at the University of Manitoba who demonstrate superior intellectual ability and academic accomplishments. Amount/Benefit: CAD 14,000/ year

Suggested: Complete Guide to MIM in Canada

Work Permit after Masters in Canada 

You will have 180 days to apply for a Canadian work permit after your masters in accordance with the rules of the Government of Canada. In order to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada, you must fulfil the following requirements:

• Your MSc course in Canada must be at least 8 months duration and offered by a recognized university. 
• You must have studied full time for each academic session without any break in between to be eligible for Work Permit Canada after your masters. 

After 3 years of stay and work under the work permit, you may also be eligible for Canadian Permanent Residence status. A permanent work offer from a Canadian employer will categorize you under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and clear your path of getting PR in Canada. Having a PR allows individuals to apply for all kinds of job opportunities in Canada after masters. 

Jobs After Masters in Canada

Once you have your work permit you may apply for different jobs after MSc in Canada. Canada being one of the largest economies of the world is a hub for employment opportunities. There are some leading companies like Amazon, Apple, Deloitte, Microsoft, etc. that offer job opportunities after masters in Canada. Some popular jobs along with their average salaries are mentioned below:

Job Title	Average Annual Salary
IT Analyst	75,000 CAD - 95,000 CAD
Social Worker	60,000 CAD - 80,000 CAD
Software Engineer	80,000 CAD - 99,000 CAD
Data Science Engineer	92,000 CAD - 105,000 CAD
Psychologist	45,000 CAD - 75,000 CAD
Public Health Advisor	55,000 CAD - 85,000 CAD

Masters in Canada is an opportunity to avail the best quality of education from the top universities while residing in a diverse and culturally rich country. When deciding to go for an MS in Canada or any foreign country, the cost is a major concern. Check out our Masters in Canada Cost blog to get clarity on all possible expenses in Canada.