MS in Canada Everything you need To Know

11 mins

MS is popularly known as Master of Science. As the name suggests you might be thinking that this course might be designed exclusively for students belonging to the science domain?? But you might be amazed to know that MS degrees can be offered in a variety of fields that follow a scientific approach towards learning, researching, and problem-solving. So, an MS degree can be offered in mathematics, physical science, applied science/engineering, Consultant Management, Quality Management, communication, finance, marketing, and human resource management.

Table of Contents:

  • Why MS in Canada?
  • Eligibility criteria
  • Costs involved in pursuing MS in Canada?
  • Documents you will need for Admission in MS In Canada
  • 10 High-Ranking Universities in Canada for MS 
  • How To Apply for Scholarship for MS In Canada?
  • Job prospects after MS in Canada
  • Searching jobs in Canada after MS 

Why MS in Canada?

Canada is a “place of heaven” for many MS aspirants. Here’s why:

  • Top-notch universities: As per the QS World Rankings (2020), around 7 Canadian universities are counted among the top 200 universities around the globe.
  • Scholarships: Canadian universities are a hotspot for students as compared to other English-speaking nations. These universities provide huge scholarship offers to their prospective students.
  • Worldwide Leader in Research and development: Canada spends billions on R&D. Canada stands at the top when it comes to research opportunities in the fields of biology, earth & environmental sciences, information & communication technologies, clinical medicine, agriculture, economics, fisheries & forestry, and business. 
  • Simplified immigration and visa proceedings: Canada is more welcoming as compared to the USA, the UK, or Australia. 
  • Post-graduation work permits: After you complete your master’s you can apply for a work permit and get amazing work exposure in Canada.

Eligibility criteria

Now that you are aware of the benefits of studying MS in Canada, the first step would be to apply for the said course. But wait… first check out the eligibility criteria for admission in premium colleges of Canada. Here’s what you will need:

a) Duration of complete education: You must have 16 years of complete education along with a 4-year bachelor’s program in the relevant field of study. If you have a 3-year bachelor’s degree, then having a post-graduation degree is mandatory.

b) GPA/equivalent percentage in graduation: At least 3.0 - 4.0 GPA (that means 65 – 70%) in your graduation or an equivalent international undergraduate degree in the relevant related field of study.

c) GMAT/GRE Scores: A minimum of 550 GMAT score/ a minimum of 140 GRE score in the verbal section and 150 GRE score in the quantitative section of the GRE.

d) Work Experience: Work experience of around 1-3 years is required in a few master’s programs.

e) English ability tests: Proof of your proficiency in the English language must be provided through TOEFL, IELTS, or other similar exams. This is especially for students applying from non-native English-speaking nations, like India. Generally accepted scores for TOEFL are 90+ and IELTS are 6.5-7.

f) French proficiency tests(exception): In case you are planning to apply to any of the universities situated in a French-speaking region like Quebec, then you must clear various French proficiency exams like TEF or DELF.

Costs involved in pursuing MS in Canada?

Canada is one of the most renowned yet affordable destinations amongst other foreign educational hubs worldwide. Add a cherry on the top!! Most Canadian universities offer scholarships, waivers, and many others, which ultimately reduces the cost of education. So, when you can save some bucks on education, you will be able to spend the rest of your funds on your accommodation, transportation, medical insurance, food, and basic utilities. You would also be amazed to know that Canadian universities have lesser tuition fees as compared to the US, the UK, and Australia!!! But the overall cost of living depends upon the city you decide to live in Canada. 

Tuition fees: The amount of tuition fees to be paid by the student depends upon the university and the city in which you are applying for. In general, you can expect an approximate expense range between CAD 20,000 to CAD 30,000. Typically, it will cost around CAD 17,744(approx. Rs. 9,57,000) for pursuing MS in Canada. 

Cost of living expenses:

  • Accommodation costs: You can choose either to live inside the university campus or opt for accommodation outside for rent. So, choose wisely!! Keep your budget in mind!!

Accommodation within the university premises or nearby: Here, you will usually get furnished rooms equipped with beds, study tables, and shelves. Guess what?? here you can save on the food and transportation costs. You may also opt for a sharing accommodation to share rent. This will cost you in between CAD 3,000-7,500(Rs. 1,62,000- 4,05,000/-) per year.

Accommodation on rent outside the university premises: If you prefer freedom and privacy, then get ready to shell out some extra money for renting accommodation outside the campus. You are required to pay 2 months’ rent in advance/ the amount as demanded by the property owner before you move in. This will cost you around CAD 8,400(Rs. 4,54,000/-) approx. plus you must bear some other additional expenses like electricity, furniture, internet connection, cooking utensils, and many others. The rent might vary depending upon the location you choose to live in.

  • Miscellaneous expenses: Here is a breakup of all the additional expenses that you might have to pay every month apart from the rent:

o   Food/ groceries expenses: $400(Rs. 22,000)

o   Phone & Internet connection expenses:  $50(Rs. 2,694)

o   Entertainment expenses: $150(Rs. 8,000)

o   Transportation expenses: $80-110(Rs. 4,300-6,000)

Remember!!! all these expenses might vary from city to city in Canada.

  • Health Insurance: Being an international student you must have health insurance to cover your medical expenses in Canada. Health insurance can cost different for a different city in Canada as the health insurance laws here differ for different states. On average you might have to pay anywhere between CAD 600- CAD 900(Rs.33,000- 50,000). States like Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Labrador, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick provide health insurance cover to their students under their provincial health care plans. However, if you opt to study in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, or Prince Edward Island, then be prepared to buy health insurance on your own through private institutions.     
Documents you will need for Admission in MS In Canada:

Now, that you have decided to pursue MS in Canada, all you need to know about the documents you must submit are listed below:

  1. Complete the Application form: The first key step that is obvious is buying and filling the application form. Finally, submit the form online along with the prescribed fees.
  2. Proof of funds statement: This document is essential despite you getting admission. It is a necessary proof statement justifying that you will be able to survive in Canada. Here, the university will assess your/your family’s bank statements. In case of insufficient funds, students can also show student loan documents, scholarships/waivers offered to them.
  3. Letter of motivation/Recommendation Letters: This letter will somehow justify your credibility. It is usually written by a previous/current professor/employer, as the case may be. This letter puts a light on your strengths, weaknesses, and past work experiences in a favorable manner.
  4. Academic documents: These include all passing certificates, detailed mark sheets, and other relevant documents of your bachelor’s degree. The GPA score of your bachelors will be calculated by assessing your mark sheets.
  5. Language Proficiency Exams results: Scorecards for English-proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL. Also, if you are applying for a university in Quebec then test results of French-proficiency exams must be attached.
  6. Statement of Purpose: It is usually a detailed essay on why you are interested in joining a particular university for a particular course. In this essay, you must clearly justify your purpose of joining the university.

10 High-Ranking Universities in Canada for MS 

When you are spending a considerable amount while taking admission in Canada for MS, you need to spend it wisely, reaping all the possible benefits. So, here’s a list of the top 10 premium universities in Canada for MS as per their location, global rankings, application form deadlines, and fee structure:

UniversitiesLocationRankings (Times Higher Education Ranking, 2022)Application submission deadline (2022)
University of Toronto27 King's College Circle
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1 Canada
18October 1 
University of British Columbia 2329 West Mall Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4371st December 2021- 31st January 
McGill UniversityJames Administration Building
845 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4
44

Fall term: Jan.15th

Winter term: NA

Summer term: NA

McMaster University1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S4L8 80

Fall term: July 6
to August 3

Winter term: November 25
to December 9

Summer term: March 31
to April 14

University of Montreal2900 Bd Edouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada88

Fall term: Feb 1st

Winter term: Sept. 1st
Summer term: Feb. 1st

University of OttawaDesmarais Building,
55 Laurier Avenue East, Room 3156
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
Canada
162

Fall term:

March 1

Winter term: August 1

 Spring term:  January 1

Simon Fraser University8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada201Spring term: August 2, 2021
Fall term: January 10, 2022
University of Waterloo200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L3G1201

Fall 2021: September – December

Winter 2022: January – April
Spring 2022: May - August

Western University- Canada1151 Richmond Street London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7 201February 15, 2022
Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 4R2251

September admission:  March 1 

January admission:  August 1

                                                                                      

Important fact: The World University rankings published by Times Higher Education is based upon the intensity of research done by universities and the frequency of producing research papers recognized around the globe.

Scholarships for MS In Canada

Still in a dilemma, whether to go for MS in Canada or not?? Fret not!! We got you covered!! Canada welcomes its international students from varied backgrounds with open arms by offering scholarships to deserving students. But you need to apply early for scholarships as competition is tough!! You can apply for scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, as well as Ph.D. These scholarships are valid from 2 years – 4 years duration depending upon the degree for which you are applying. International students can choose to apply for either Canadian government scholarships or Canadian university-specific scholarships. So, check out the list of scholarships available for students for the 2022-2023 session:

Scholarships provided by the government of Canada:
  • Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships: This scholarship is offered to international students willing to study master’s in the fields of natural and social sciences and health research.
  • IDRC Research Awards: This scholarship is offered by the government of Canada to students from developing nations who wish to pursue a master’s degree or Ph.D. at a (CGS-M allocated) university in Canada. 
  • NSERC Postgraduate scholarships: This scholarship is granted to outstanding students pursuing post-graduate programs in natural sciences or engineering at accredited universities in Canada. These scholarships are financed by NSERC.
  • Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program: These scholarships are offered to graduate students from any OAS member state (Organization of American States).
  • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program: This scholarship program caters to the needs of international students willing to study doctoral programs.

University-specific scholarships to study in Canada

  • McGill University Scholarships: This scholarship is offered to international students who wish to pursue a master’s degree or post-doctoral degree. But wait!! What’s exciting about this?? This scholarship will be fully funded by McGill University for 2022 session.
  • Queen’s University Scholarships 2022: This scholarship program offers around 5,000 Canadian scholarships for undergraduate, post-graduate, and Ph.D. programs.
  • University of Waterloo Scholarships: This scholarship program can be availed by international students willing to pursue either bachelor’s, graduate, or Ph.D. programs.
  • University of Alberta Scholarships: This university offers full scholarship programs for more than 500 master’s programs, 250 specializations, and 300 research fields.
  • University of Toronto Scholarship: This university also offers scholarships to its foreign students, but the only pre-requisite is that the student must have an authentic IELTS/TOEFL certification.
  • University of Saskatchewan Scholarship: Yet another fully funded scholarship program offered to international students for under-graduate as well as post-graduate programs.
  • Dalhousie University Scholarship: This university also offers fully paid scholarship worth $30,000 which covers living expenses, fee waivers, monthly stipend, and health benefits.

Job prospects after MS in Canada

MS is one of the most sought-after programs owing to its high-employability options. MS degrees in the fields of computer science, medicine, law, technology, data science, infrastructure, and business management have great scope career wise. An MS graduate with some prior job experience can earn anywhere between CAD 85,000 (INR 49,49,437) and CAD 120,000 (INR 69,87,440). On an average an MS graduate can grab a respected job at top multinational companies within 6 months in Canada. This is possible because Canada allows for a work-permit after completing your studies. This policy of Canada encourages many international students to stay back in Canada and find jobs relevant to boost their career. 

Top Employers offering jobs post MS in Canada

OrganizationsAverage Salary per anumm(CAD)
Golder Associates52,000- 175,000
WSP Global Inc49,000- 103,000
Amazon.com Inc84,000- 144,000
Deloitte61,000- 100,000

StemCell Technologies Inc

IBM Canada Ltd

46,000- 86,000

79,000

Ericsson Inc73,000
iQmetrix70,000
CGI Group Inc62,000
SAP America Inc71,000

 

Searching jobs in Canada after MS 

If you are concerned how to approach these top multinationals in Canada, then do not worry!! We have got a list of ways you can apply to these companies in Canada. 

Online Job Platforms: You can search for a job from anywhere now on your smartphones or laptops through these job portals:

  1. Job Bank: This is the official job posting website kept up to date by the Government of Canada. The Web site is available to French and English speakers. Job-postings can be made to specific groups, such as individuals with special skills or a socially backward group.
  2. Jobillico: This online job portal was launched in Québec and recently worked with Job bank, which has more than 2 million active job seekers on its website.
  3. Talent Egg: The website is particularly useful for recent graduates seeking entry-level positions in Canada. This job portal is also useful for students looking for paid- internships and part-time jobs.
  4. Other Global job posting sites: Job portals like Indeed, Monster.com, Glassdoor, CareerBuilder, and many others have set their foot in Canada, so you can find jobs on these portals as well.

Career Placements by Universities

Many Canadian universities have placement cells that offer job opportunities to their students. Top 10 universities having placement cells offering highest packages are listed below along with their respective average salary packages:

UniversityAverage Salary Package Offered (CAD)
University of Toronto 115,000
University of British Columbia 103,000
McGill University151,000
McMaster University106,000
University de Montreal150,000
University of Alberta77,000
University of Ottawa87,000
University of Waterloo 97,000
Western University85,000
University of Calgary119,000

Now you must be aware of all the pre-requisites to studying MS in Canada. So, go ahead and apply for your dream course and accelerate your career in Canada. 

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