Project Management in Canada: Project Management Courses in Canada for International Students

Why Study Project Management in Canada?

Here are reasons why studying project management in Canada is worth it:

• Future prospects: According to the reports of the Project Management Institute (PMI), around 8,500 jobs will be created every year until 2027 and Canada alone will provide 90,000 jobs for project managers. Therefore, the scope of project management in Canada is vast.

• Prepares for certifications: After completing project management courses in Canada, you will be eligible for specialized certifications offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). These include Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management–Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).

• Student-friendly immigration policies: The 2-year stay back period for graduate students to live and work in Canada is one of the top reasons for the popularity of Canada for studying abroad.

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What is PMP Certification in Canada?

The Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification in Canada is recognized worldwide to validate the knowledge and understanding of project management as per international standards and practices. The certification is of great importance as it is said to add about 20% value to an individual’s salary compared to a non-certified one. There are around 10,00,000 PMP certification holders worldwide. To apply for a PMP in Canada, you must fulfill one of the following requirements:

• A secondary degree with at least 5 years of experience in project management which must include 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.
• A 4-year bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of project management experience which must include 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.

Take a look at the list of recommended universities if you ultimately wish to hold a project management certification Canada:

1. University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
2. Schulich School of Business
3. University of Calgary
4. Smith School of Business (Queen’s University)
5. G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education (Ryerson University)
6. UBC Sauder School of Business
7. University of Waterloo
8. Simon Fraser University
9. Centennial College
10. George Brown College

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Masters in Project Management in Canada

PG Diploma in Progect Management in Canada

 

Top 5 Universities for Project Management in Canada

There are tons of colleges that cater to project management courses in Canada. These colleges are widely recognized and ranked well. The 5 best colleges for project management in Canada are:

1. University of Calgary

2. University of New Brunswick

3. University of British Columbia

4. Vancouver Island University

5. Northeastern University

Let us discuss the insights on the key aspects of each university including rankings, program offered, fees, etc:

 

University of Calgary

There are 2 options for pursuing project management at the University of Calgary - MS in Civil Engineering and MEng in Civil Engineering. The difference between the 2 programs is that the former is a thesis-based program while the latter is a career-based program.

Institution Type	Public
QS World Rankings 2023	242
Program Offered	MS in Civil Engineering - Project Management MEng in Civil Engineering - Project Management
Annual Program Tuition Fees	25,752 CAD per year

University of New Brunswick

The MBA in Project Management at University of New Brunswick is one of the 5 specializations offered for the 1-year MBA program.This university offers tons of programs out of which this course programs stands to be the most popular amongst international students. 

Institution Type	Public
QS World Rankings 2023	701-750
Program Offered	MBA in Project Management
Annual Program Tuition Fees	37,577 CAD for the program

University of British Columbia

Project management is a specialization of the Civil Engineering program at the University of British Columbia, known as Canada's largest and most research-intensive department. The learning experience and educational facilities offered here are top-notch in terms of quality. 

Institution Type	Public
QS World Rankings 2023	47
Program Offered	MEng in Civil Engineering - Project Management MASc in Civil Engineering - Project Management Certificate in Project Management
Annual Program Tuition Fees	MEng: 21,899 CAD per year MASc: 18,262 CAD per year Certificate: 6,995 CAD for the program

Vancouver Island University

The 1-year Graduate Diploma in Project Management at VIU is a specialized program that leads to Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications.

Institution Type	Public
Program Offered	Graduate Diploma in Project Management (1 year)
Annual Program Tuition Fees	23,142.80 CAD for the program

Northeastern University

Accredited by the Project Management Institute’s Global Accreditation Center, Northeastern University offers a flexible Master of Science in Project Management that can be completed in on-ground, hybrid and online modes within 15 to 24 months.

Institution Type	Public
Program Offered	Master of Science in Project Management
Annual Program Tuition Fees	39,015 CAD for the program

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Colleges in Canada Offering Project Management Courses

Apart from the top 5 universities for project management courses in Canada mentioned above, here is a list of colleges offering various project management courses in Canada:

University	Program Offered
Seneca College	Master of Science in Project Management (2 years)
Douglas College	Post Degree Diploma in Project Management (1 year)
University of Winnipeg	Diploma in Project Management (1 year)
Centennial College	Graduate Certificate in Project Management (1 year)
Humber College	Graduate Certificate in Project Management (1 year)
Fanshawe College	Certificate in Project Management (1 year)
University of Ottawa	Diploma in Technology Project Management (1 year) Advanced Project Management Certificate (1 year)
Sheridan College	Graduate Certificate in Project Management (1 year)
Durham College	Graduate Certificate in Project Management (1 year)
Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology	Graduate Certificate in Project Management (1 year)
Yorkville University	BBA in Project Management (2.5 years)

Having learned about the top colleges and universities for project management courses in Canada, we shall now take a look at the eligibility criteria for project management in Canada:

 

Eligibility Criteria for Project Management Courses in Canada

The eligibility criteria varies for different project management universities in Canada depending on the choice of program. The general requirements that you will have to fulfill to get into project management courses in Canada are:

• Educational qualifications

• English language proficiency test scores

• Entrance test scores for studying in Canada

• Work experience

Let us take a look at each admission requirement for project management courses in Canada in details:

• Educational Qualification

You must complete high school education i.e. 10+2 for admission to bachelor’s degree programs in project management. For admission to graduate level programs, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution with a minimum overall average of 75% or above.

• English Language Proficiency Test Scores

You will have to submit English language proficiency test scores such as IELTS, TOEFL or other accepted tests as international students to prove English language proficiency. The minimum IELTS requirements for various levels of programs are:

• IELTS score for diploma/ undergraduate programs: 5.5-6.0
• IELTS score for graduate/ PG diploma/ advanced diploma programs: 6.5
• IELTS score for PhD: 6.5-7.0

• Entrance Test Scores for Studying in Canada

Project management colleges in Canada may ask for entrance test scores for admission. Undergraduate students may be asked for SAT or ACT scores which can also be used as proof of English language proficiency if accepted by the institution. If you are a graduate student, you will have to provide GMAT or GRE scores for most 2 years project management courses in Canada. A minimum GMAT score of 550 is recommended for admission while universities also accept GRE, CAT or LSAT scores.

• Work Experience

Work experience is an essential component of your application for admission to competitive graduate level project management courses in Canada. Especially for universities offering MBA in Project Management in Canada, minimum 2-3 years of work experience is recommended for admission. Even if you wish to apply for a graduate certificate in project management in Canada, candidates with work experience are more likely to be admitted.

You will have to provide documents supporting your application to show that you fulfill the eligibility criteria for admission:

 

Documents Required for Project Management in Canada

Here is a list of documents required for admission to project management courses in Canada for international students:

• Academic transcripts from previously attended institutions
• School leaving certificate for UG programs
• Degree certificate for PG programs
• Proof of English language proficiency
• SAT/ ACT scores for UG programs or GMAT/ GRE scores for PG programs
• Statement of purpose
• Letters of reference
• CV
• Criminal background check
• Copy of passport
• Proof of finances

 

Admission Process for Project Management in Canada

The primary intake project management courses in Canada for international students is Fall. Depending on your choice of program, you may be able to apply for other intakes such as Winter and Summer. It is always advisable to apply as early as possible to avoid any last minute hassles and miss on the opportunity to get into the best colleges for project management in Canada.

You will have to follow the steps discussed below for applying to project management colleges in Canada:

1. Visit the university website to check the available intakes and requirements for your chosen program.
2. Complete the online application and submit it along with the necessary application fees.
3. Upload the supporting documents according to the procedure specified.
4. Keep checking the university website for any updates on your application.
5. You will receive your offer of admission on your email.
6. Make sure you confirm your acceptance and deposit the tuition fees to reserve your seat.
7. You can proceed with the application for a Canadian study permit once you receive the confirmation of acceptance.

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As international students, it is essential to prepare a budget for your cost of studying project management in Canada and figure out ways to finance your expenses. Let us discuss the project management courses in canada fees and other expenses:

 

Cost of Studying Project Management Courses in Canada

You will have to make a good sum of financial investment for studying project management in Canada. Your expenses will include the cost of living and program fees. You will need around 800-1,000 CAD per month to meet your living expenses. The amount can vary depending on your location, type of accommodation and lifestyle preferences.

Take a look at the table below to learn about project management courses in Canada fees:

Program	Average Tuition Fees
Bachelors in Project Management	65,000-70,000 CAD for the program
Masters in Project Management	18,000-40,000 CAD for the program
PG Diploma in Project Management	17,000-24,000 CAD for the program
Certificate in Project Management	16,000-22,000 CAD for the program

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Career Opportunities After Project Management in Canada

A project manager in Canada has an average salary of 140,000 CAD per year. Depending on various factors such as level of education, location, years of experience, etc. your salary will range between 71,500 CAD per year to 216,000 CAD per year. The scope of project management in Canada is not limited to a particular sector. You can find opportunities in the IT, Engineering, Healthcare, Construction, Finance, Consulting, Manufacturing, Telecommunication sectors, etc. The best places to work as project managers in Canada are Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia, among others.

Here’s a table showing various job titles for which you can expect to be hired and their average annual salaries:

Job Title	Average Annual Salary
Project Manager	140,000 CAD
Assistant Project Manager	147,000 CAD
Project Coordinator	107,000 CAD
Project Management Officer	123,000 CAD
Head of Projects	176,000 CAD
Assistant Operations Manager	154,000 CAD
Director of Project Management	183,000 CAD
Project Control Manager	180,000 CAD
Commercial Project Manager	147,000 CAD
Project Portfolio Manager	145,000 CAD

The demand for competent project managers is increasing, and there are many job opportunities in Canada. Some specialized programs also prepare you for Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and the Project Management Professional (PMP) designations and others. You must work on gaining professional skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration, conflict resolution, etc. and acquiring technical skills such as using Microsoft Project. If you require help choosing the best university for this course, speak to our Yocket counsellors today. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Project Management in Canada

Ques: What are the most popular project management courses in Canada?

Ans. The most popular project management courses in Canada include post graduate diploma in project management, graduate certificate in project management, MBA in project management and MS or MEng in project management.

 

Ques: What are the top universities for project management in Canada?

Ans. The top universities for project management in Canada are University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of New Brunswick, Northeastern University, Vancouver Island University, Douglas College, Centennial College, etc.

 

Ques: What is the difference between PG Diploma in Project Management and Masters in Project Management in Canada?

Ans. The difference between a PG Diploma in Project Management and a Masters in Project Management is that the former is a 1-year program, and the latter is a project management 2 year course in Canada. 

 

Ques: How much can I earn after completing project management courses in Canada?

Ans. You can earn between 71,500 CAD to 216,000 CAD per year after completing project management courses in Canada, depending on your education level, location and work experience.

 

Ques: Is Canada good for project managers?

Ans. Given the rising demand for project managers, expected to grow by 8,500 new vacancies every year by 2027, Canada seems to be a lucrative option for project managers.