302 Best Universities for MS in Canada for International Students 2026

Canada is one of the most practical choices for an MS because it offers a clear link between education, paid work experience, and long-term settlement.

Here’s why pursuing an MS in Canada makes strong sense:

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) up to 3 Years: After completing an MS, students can stay and work in Canada for up to 3 years.
• PR-Friendly Immigration System: Canada follows a points-based PR system where Canadian education and work experience add major value, making PR achievable within a few years.
• High Demand for Skilled Graduates: Fields like Computer Science, Data Analytics, Engineering, Healthcare, and AI consistently face skill shortages, improving job stability.
• Good ROI through Co-op & Salaries: Many MS programs include paid co-op terms, helping students recover a big part of tuition even before graduation.

Canada has 29 total universities consistently placed among the world’s best, with 4 universities in the top 100 and 3 in the top 50 globally.

Here are the top universities for MS in Canada:

Now, let’s explore these universities one by one

McGill University

McGill University has 40,531 students, including 10,196 graduate students, and around 29-30% of the student body is international. It ranks at #1 in the top 10 universities for MS in Canada and has an acceptance rate of about 29.2% for graduate programs.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Management, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: $13k - $352k per year (₹13.7 L - ₹3.70 Cr)
• Application Deadline: Winter, January 5, 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.mcgill.ca/

University of Toronto

The University of Toronto has over 100,000 students and offers more than 200 graduate programs. It is Canada’s #1 university for research-based startups and has the second-largest research library system in the country. The university has created over 1,500 startups and 20,000+ jobs in the last five years. 

• Popular MS Programs: Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, AI, Business Analytics
• Average Tuition Fee: $20k - $214k per year (₹21 L - ₹2.25 Cr)
• Application Deadline: Fall, January 1, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.utoronto.ca/

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia has around 70,898 students and was founded in 1908. The university receives $893 million in research funding every year and supports over 10,000 research projects. UBC has over 400,000 alumni in 145+ countries and follows the motto 'Tuum Est', meaning It is up to you.

• Popular MS Programs: Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Business Analytics
• Average Tuition Fee: $5k-$186k per year (₹4.1 L-₹1.54 Cr)
• Application Deadline: Summer intake, December 31, 2025
• Useful Link: https://www.ubc.ca/

University of Alberta

The University of Alberta, one of the best universities for MS in Canada, has around 44,000 students, with international students making up nearly 20% of the total enrollment. The university contributes around $19.4 billion annually to Alberta’s economy.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Data Science, Business Analytics
• Average Tuition Fee: $6k-$339k per year (₹4.9 lakh-₹2.23 crore)
• Application Deadline: Winter, January 5, 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.ualberta.ca/

University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo has 37,126 students, including 4,735 graduate students. It has an acceptance rate of around 53%. It is known for having the world’s largest post-secondary co-op program, with over 20,000 students, and is part of Canada’s U15 research-intensive universities. 

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics
• Average Tuition Fee: $16k - $209k per year (₹10.53L - ₹1.37 Cr)
• Application Deadline: Winter, January 1, 2026
• Useful Link: https://uwaterloo.ca/

Western University

Western University has over 34,917 students and an acceptance rate of around 58%. Its largest faculties are Social Science, Science, Health Sciences, and Engineering. According to THE 2026 ranking, the university falls between 201 and 250 overall, with teaching and research scores of 39.9 and 42.6.

• Popular MS Programs: Business Analytics, Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Health Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: $12k - $194k per year (₹7.88L - ₹1.28 Cr)
• Application Deadline: Fall, January 5, 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.uwo.ca/

University of Montreal

The University of Montreal has around 67,000 students and over 7,300 academic staff. It is a major hub for healthcare research and is connected to networks like CHUM and Sainte-Justine Hospital. The university has 550 international partners across 80 countries, making it highly global in research collab.

• Popular MS Programs: Medicine, Psychology, Neuroscience, Data Science, Business Analytics
• Average Tuition Fee: $19k - $81k per year (₹12.46L - ₹53.13 L)
• Application Deadline: Winter, January 7, 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.umontreal.ca/

McMaster University

McMaster University was established on 23 April 1887. It has around 37,592 students, including 5,487 postgraduate students, out of which 31% are international students. It has an acceptance rate of 60.4% and an alumni network of over 244,915 individuals, including Nobel laureates and government officials.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Health Sciences, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: $6k - $201k per year (₹3.93L - ₹1.31 Cr)
• Application Deadline: Winter, January 2, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.mcmaster.ca/

Queen’s University, Ontario

Queen’s University was established in 1841. It is one of Canada’s oldest universities and has over 150,000 alumni worldwide. It contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the Canadian economy. What makes it one of the best universities for MS in Canada is its retention rate of around 94% and a graduation rate of over 85% within six years.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Data Science, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: $3k - $163k per year (₹1.97L - ₹1.06 Cr)
• Application Deadline: Winter, January 1, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.queensu.ca/

University of Calgary

The University of Calgary has over 34,000 students, including around 8,000 graduate students, and 26% of the student body is international. It has 14 faculties and a student-to-faculty ratio of about 17:1. The university is ranked among the top 5 in Canada for research income.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Business Analytics, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: $5k - $168k per year (₹3.28L - ₹1.09 Cr)
• Application Deadline: Spring, January 1, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.ucalgary.ca/

MS specialisations in Canada linked to technology, engineering, business, and healthcare offer strong job prospects and post-study work opportunities for international students.

Below are the top 10 MS specialisations in Canada:

Top Canadian universities offer 1-2 year English-taught MS programs with a focus on research, projects, etc by following the standard credit system.

Here is the course description of the best universities for MS in Canada:

Admission to Canadian universities mainly depends on your academic record and English proficiency scores.

Below is an overview of admission requirements for the top universities for masters in Canada:

Eligibility Criteria

Canadian universities first check if your academic background matches the program requirements and other aspects, like: 

• Academic Background: Recognised bachelor’s degree in a related field and its academic transcript.
• Subject Requirements: Engineering or science programs need prior maths or related subjects.
• Work Experience: Management or MBA in Canada might ask for 1-3 years of professional experience.
• Co-op Eligibility: Some programs allow co-op for international students; maintaining full-time status is required.

Entrance Exams

Some programs require standardised test scores:

• SAT: 1200-1450
• ACT: 26-33
• GRE: 300-325 (mainly for engineering & science)
• GMAT: 550-700 (mainly for business schools)

English Language Requirements

Universities require proof of English proficiency:

• IELTS: 6.5-7.0 overall
• TOEFL iBT: 85-100
• Duolingo English Test: 110-125

Documents Required

Your application is reviewed using the following documents:

• Academic transcripts: Mark sheets and certificates from your school or college.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP): Explain why you chose this course and your future plans.
• LOR: Written by teachers or employers, highlighting your skills.
• Resume: Summary of education, projects, internships, and work experience.
• Passport: For identity verification.
• Proof of funds (GIC for Indian students via SDS): Shows you can cover the first year of living expenses in Canada.

Tuition fees at top universities for MS in Canada varies as McGill University has one of the lowest fees at around $13k per year (₹8.52 L), while the University of Toronto reaches up to $214k per year (₹1.41 Cr).

Here is an overview of tuition fee ranges and the number of Canadian universities falling in each range:

Indian students often apply for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship. 

Here is a list of top scholarships for MS in Canada, with eligibility and benefits:

Canada is popular for MS because of its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allowing graduates to work for 2-3 years and its university-industry collaboration in tech and business.

Here are key factors to consider when picking a Canadian university for MS:

• Post-Graduation Work Permit Duration: Canadian universities that make students eligible for longer PGWP periods help secure practical work experience after graduation.
• Co-op and Internship Opportunities: Some universities, like Waterloo and UBC, have structured co-op programs that give real work experience while studying.
• Recognition of 4-Year Bachelor’s Degrees: Most Canadian universities prefer students with a 4-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, especially for research-intensive MS programs.
• Provincial Job Market Alignment: Choosing universities in provinces with high demand for your field, like Ontario for Tech or Quebec for AI and Engineering, increases chances of employment post-graduation.

Choosing the right university in Canada can be tricky because many MS programs offer similar rankings and course names. Students often get confused about co-op options, post-study work permits, and which provinces offer better job chances. Planning early and understanding PGWP rules can help avoid costly mistakes later.

Yocket Premium helps simplify this journey step by step. From shortlisting universities with co-op options to understanding visa and work permit benefits, students get clear guidance at every stage. This makes the admission and planning process more organised and stress-free.