Pursuing Masters in Computer Science in Canada comes with multiple perks. Canada is home to well recognised and top ranked universities offering a diverse range of courses based masters in computer science in Canada. These universities boast an innovative educational curriculum and top class facilities based on the latest modern technologies. Apart from that Canada is also known for its student friendly environment along with its affordable fees.
With more than 500,000 IT firms, Canada has seen an exponential growth of employment in the Information Technology sector. So, you have the opportunity to discover immense job prospects in the IT sector while pursuing an MSc in Computer Science in Canada. Hence if you are one of them, you have made a wise decision. To help you get started, we have prepared all the essential information about MS Computer Science in Canada, from top universities to job prospects and more.
Why Study Masters in Computer Science In Canada?
Before we can head up to the details of studying Masters in Computer Science in Canada, let's first understand why you should consider Canada for this course.
- Innovative Curriculum: Canada provides an innovative academic curriculum for teaching MS in computer science. Apart from offering an academic curriculum, it also uses the latest advanced technologies to enhance students' learning experiences.
- Well Established Universities: There are many recognised Canadian universities for ms in computer science for international students. Overall 22 universities in Canada have been featured in the QS World University Rankings 2022. It is worth mentioning that 5 universities featured in the Top 100 universities for Computer Science across the world.
- Job Opportunities: The scope of job profiles in the computer science industry is far beyond the supply of the labour market. According to JobBank Canada, there will be a projected demand of 20,700 job openings for software engineers and computer engineers for the year 2017-2022. This makes masters in computer science a lucrative career option for the students.
- Work Permit: The Canadian government provides six months to apply for a work permit after completing MS in CS in Canada. After 3 years of stay and working under the study permit, you may also be eligible for a permanent residency in Canada.
An Overview Of Computer Science Masters In Canada
To give you a brief understanding of what Masters in Computer Science studies looks like in Canada, here is an overview.
Course Duration |
1-2 year |
Type of Study |
Full Time |
Program List |
|
Course Curriculum |
|
Eligibility Criteria Of Master Of Computer Science In Canada
To apply in any Canada universities for MS in Computer Science, there are a set of eligibility criteria that must be fulfilled to be eligible. These criteria might vary based on your choice of university, however there are common requirements that need to be followed.
- Bachelor Degree
- GMAT or GRE Score
- English Language Test
- Work Experience
Let's discuss the MS Computer Science in Canada eligibility criteria.
Bachelor Degree
To apply for an MS in CS in Canada all students must have a bachelor's degree in computer science or maths or any computing subject with a grade score of B+ from a recognised university. You must provide original translated transcripts too.
GMAT or GRE Scores
Another most important CS in Canada requirement is the GMAT or GRE test scores. The GMAT scores vary depending on the type of CS program and the university you choose. A general score should be between 550 to 660. However, currently some universities have made it an optional score in applications.
English Language Test
If your primary language is not English and have graduated from a non-English instructed university, you must have to achieve a TOEFL score of at least 580 on a paper based and 4 on a English Written test and around 93/120 on the internet based test. Submitting other test scores in terms of IELTS, PTE, CAE etc is also eligible.
Work Experience
One of the top Masters Computer Science requirements in Canada is work experience. At least two years of experience is required at the time of application. However, not all the computer science universities have a mandatory requirement, but it is preferred.
Documents Required For Computer Science Universities In Canada For Masters
There are certain documents that need to be submitted along with your application form. Ensure you must collect the following documents with you
- All official documents
- GPA scores
- English Language Proficiency
- Statement of Interest
- Letter of Recommendation
- CV or Resume
- Portfolio
- Work Experience
Cost Of Studying Master’s Degree In Computer Science In Canada
The MS Computer Science in Canada cost will depend on two different factors: tuition fees and the cost of living. Based on these factors, you can arrange your funding accordingly
Tuition Fees
The tuition fees to study Masters in Computer Science in Canada ranges between 15,600 CAD to 27,350 CAD per year. Some universities also charge somewhere between 650 CAD to 11,400 CAD in terms of the credit score.
Suggested:Cost of studying in Canada
Costs of Living
The living costs in Canada generally depend on the location you choose to live and your lifestyle. Based on average, the costs of living in a Canadian city apartment for a year can go upto 16,500 CAD per year and for a month it is 1,450 CAD per month.
The maximum expenses of any international students are usually incurred in their accommodation. Students who choose to live off campus will have to pay more as compared to on campus. Apart from rent, basic amenities such as food, transport, stationary, housing etc are also a crucial factor in the costs.
Now that we have discussed all the eligibility requirements, costs, and documents let us know about the best universities in Canada for MS in Computer Science.
Top Universities in Canada for MS in Computer Science
There are various top universities in Canada for MS in Computer Science and MSc in Computer Science in Canada. Here we have covered a list of top 5 universities, their rankings, programs offered, and tuition fees.
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Alberta
- McMaster University
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a globally top ranked institute, distinguished by an extraordinary depth and the breadth of excellence. The university provides students with a transformative educational experience that equips them with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to navigate the rapidly changing world. The computer science program of UoT consists of courses and research that is conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.
Type of Institution |
Public |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
34 |
QS World Rankings in Computer Science 2022 |
12 |
Average Annual Fees |
15,400 CAD |
Programs Offered |
|
McGill University
McGill University provides computer science programs through its School of Computer Science, one of Canada's leading teaching and research centres for computer science subjects. The computer science program of the university includes research and coursework. It also gives you an option between thesis and a non thesis option which requires a project. Machine learning, robotics, computer animation, and graphics are some of the applications of the program.
Type of Institution |
Public |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
31 |
QS World Rankings in Computer Science 2022 |
44 |
Average Annual Fees |
12,138 CAD |
Programs Offered |
|
University of British Columbia
The UBC computer science is recognised internationally for its excellence in research and teaching with a conscious focus on interdisciplinary programs. This program encourages diversity both within its community and areas of study, and plays a leadership role in research, training and outreach activities to champion the understanding and integration of computer science within all the aspects of the society.
Type of Institution |
Public |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
47 |
QS World Rankings in Computer Science 2022 |
21 |
Average Annual Fees |
9,131 CAD |
Programs Offered |
|
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta provides admissions to a computer science program taught by the Computing Science Department of the university. This program is offered as a thesis based program as well as course based. The thesis based computer science program comes with a specialisation in Statistical Machine learning whereas the Multimedia specialisation is offered as a course based program.
Type of Institution |
Public |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
110 |
QS World Rankings in Computer Science 2022 |
104 |
Average Annual Fees |
8,700 CAD |
Programs Offered |
|
University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo computer science programs are available under three different study options i.e. thesis, masters research paper and coursework. Students pursuing this course will have the opportunity to research in algorithm and complexity, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, cryptography, security, databases, quantum computing, software engineering, systems and engineering etc.
Type of Institution |
Public |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
154 |
QS World Rankings in Computer Science 2022 |
25 |
Average Annual Fees |
9,000 CAD |
Programs Offered |
|
Universities Accepting GRE in Canada for MS in Computer Science
GRE tests are one of the important exams needed for admission to MS Computer Science programs in Canadian Universities. This score helps universities evaluate international students from different academic backgrounds. Here we have curated a list of universities accepting GRE scores at the application.
University Name |
GRE Scores |
University of Toronto |
307 |
University of Alberta |
Quantitative 155 and 4.0 on the analytical writing |
McGill University |
300 or above |
University of British Columbia |
307 |
University of Waterloo |
300-310 |
McMaster University |
300 |
300 |
Computer Science Universities Without GRE
If you are applying for MS in Computer Science in Canada without gre score, then you are not required to worry much about your admission. Different computer science universities do not require GRE tests as their mandatory documents in the applications. Some of them are
- Concordia University
- University of New Brunswick
- Trent University
- University of Regina
- Laval University
- Carleton University
- University of Fraser Valley
- Dalhousie University
Comparison Between Masters and PG Diploma in Computer Science in Canada
If you are opting for a PG Diploma in Computer Science in Canada, then the duration of the program will be shorter than a Masters degree program. The duration of a PG Diploma is 1 years and in some cases two years whereas a MS in Computer Science can be completed within 1.5 to 2 years.
The tuition fees for a PG Diploma in Computer Science is much lesser than a Masters degree in the same field. For example, if you study a PG Diploma Computer Science from top colleges, you have to pay around 13,400 CAD whereas for getting a Masters degree, you have to spend around 26,000 CAD.
A PG Diploma course in computer science will provide an expertise in computer science fundamentals that encompasses database and information systems, computer networks etc whereas a Masters degree in Computer Science will provide you both the theoretical and the practical applications of computer science along with research in many areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, software engineering etc.
Scholarship Opportunities For MSc Computer Science In Canada
Pursuing masters in computer science in Canada with scholarship is a good option especially for international students as this will in managing the expenses. There are different types of scholarships in terms of entrance, admission or external scholarships offered by Canadian colleges and universities to support your study period for this course. Here we have covered some of the top ones.
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Benefits |
Dean's Master of Information Scholarships, University of Toronto |
International students enrolled in masters degree and have a minimum GPA of 3.7. |
5,000 CAD |
Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarships, University of British Columbia |
International students with demonstrate academic excellence |
5,000 CAD |
Master’s Entrance Scholarship, University of Alberta |
Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.7. |
27,500 CAD |
International Master’s Student Award, University of Waterloo |
Students must have enrolled in a full time research program |
2,465 CAD per term |
Ontario Graduate Scholarships, McGill University |
Masters Students with good academic achievement |
15,000 CAD |
Suggested:View more Canada scholarships
Career Opportunities After Computer Science Masters In Canada
There are a number of job opportunities after Masters in Computer Science in Canada for international students. This industry has a bigger scope in Canada as popular companies such as Amazon Can, Scotiabank, Microsoft, CGI, Sterling Turner, etc always recruit post graduates from Canadian universities.
Some of the top job profiles and their estimated salary information after Masters in Computer Science in Canada.
Job Profile |
Average Salary |
Computer Scientist |
86,600 CAD |
Software Development Engineer |
95,564 CAD |
Information Security Administrator |
83,294 CAD |
Android Developer |
97,205 CAD |
Computer Networks Architect |
93,521 CAD |
Artificial Intelligence Developer |
102,973 CAD |
Suggested: What are the career opportunities in Canada after graduation?
If you are looking for an MS in Computer Science from Canada, it is your best time to take a step forward and make your study abroad dream into reality. Canada's diverse environment and cultural richness creates an ideal atmosphere for your overall academic learning and development. So, take your first step towards realising your dream to study abroad in Canada, and prepare to live a wonderful life with endless possibilities. You can also check out PG Diploma in Computer in Canada or may consult with our Yocket Professionals to help you in your dream.
Frequently Asked Questions About Masters In Computer Science In Canada
Ques. Is Canada the best for MSc in Computer Science?
Ans. There is a higher demand of computer science graduates due to which there is a diversity in the job opportunities available in the IT sector. Therefore, studying MSc in Computer Science in Canada is a wise choice.
Ques. What is included in the MS in Computer Science syllabus in Canada?
Ans. The subjects that are included in the syllabus of MS in Computer Science are
- Artificial intelligence
- Data Science
- Computer Graphics
- Distributed Computing
- Network Security
- Robotics
- Software Engineering
Ques. What is the MS in Computer Science in Canada eligibility?
Ans. Some specific eligibility criteria must be met at the admission application of MS in Computer Science which includes.
- A bachelor degree
- ELP Test scores
- Programing Experience
- GMAT or GRE (applicable)
Ques. How long is a CS Masters degree in Canada?
Ans. This is one of the pioneers globally for their prestigious computer science program. The length of a masters computer science course in Canada is 1.5 to 2 years.
Ques. What are the English Language Test Scores required at admission to MS in CS?
Ans. The minimum language test scores required at the MS in CS applications are
- TOEFL iBT: 86
- IELTS: 6.5 - 7.0
- PTE: 61 - 66
- MELAB: 85% or higher