MS in data science in Canada: Top colleges, Fees, Salary, and more

Although Data Science is comparatively a new field but has been proliferating for a decade. Data science combines the basic concepts of statistics, mathematics, information science and computer science. It helps in improving the business and operational processes. The demand for data scientists has increased worldwide and hence, can provide an excellent career if the field interests you.

Table of content

1. Why MS in Data Science?

2. Why Canada?

3.  A list of top colleges for an MS in Data Science in Canada

4. Fee structure

5. Eligibility for an MS in Data Science

• Requirements
• Skills that you must possess

6. Job opportunities

7. Job titles and expected salary 

8. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should you study MS in Data Science?

Undoubtedly, the field of Data science is growing exponentially; still, a question that comes to our minds is, why should one pursue MS in Data Science? In my opinion, what people most often look for in any field is the career opportunities associated with the same. Therefore, talking about MS in Data Science can potentially help you open up the gates for a wide variety of industries.

After an MS degree in data science, you aren't just limited to one or two things; instead, you can easily choose your preferred company. It is because all the software and It companies need data scientists. So you can very easily choose your preferred sector, such as healthcare, finance, automotive, or transport.

An MS course can help you get advanced projects and internships in your preferred sector, which can help you build a firm grip over the subject. Not only this, an MS course can help you build professional skills to bridge the gap between your professional and student life. Hence, MS in Data Science is the most required course for you if you have an interest in data science. 

2. Is Canada the right choice to study MS in Data Science?

If you look at the data, you'll find that Canada is becoming a hub for higher education. Students often prefer to go to Canada for their MS and other degree programs. So, the obvious question is, why?

Let's explore the reasons:

• Top Universities- Canada offers the topmost universities for the MS program that can help you build in-depth practical knowledge. In addition, these universities can help you enhance your research and professional skills. Also, the universities are well equipped with excellent facilities and well-qualified faculty.
• Affordable living- When compared to other study destinations such as the United States and the United Kingdom, Canada offers the most affordable living options. It is indeed one of the top reasons people are willing to shift to Canada quickly.
• Excellent job opportunities- One of the crucial factors that most people consider is the job options once the study is completed. In Canada, students can quickly get excellent job opportunities after the completion of the MS program.
• Homely environment- Canada is a country with diversity. Many ethnicities and communities reside there, making it an excellent environment for people with all different backgrounds.
• Quick and easy immigration and admission- Canada offers the most accessible and straightforward processes when we talk of the admission and migration process. It is even easier to get a work permit after the completion of your MS program.

3. What are the top colleges in Canada that offer MS in Data Science?

In Canada, the master's in data science is usually for a duration of 10 to 16 months. On average, it can cost you around 17,000 Us Dollars. However, the fees can vary according to the choice of the university and hence, here we are a list of the top 5 universities of Canada that can help you get a master's degree in data science.

• University of Toronto- Located in Toronto, The University of Toronto is one of the best public universities in Canada. With nearly 980 programs to offer at graduate and undergraduate levels, its MS in Data Science is an excellent course. To apply for its MS program in Data Science, you must complete an appropriate undergraduate degree. Having work experience is always appreciated during the time of selection. The MS in Data science involves a duration of 16 months for a full-time course.
• The University of Montreal- Founded in 1878, the University of Montreal is the best research institution of higher education. In addition, the university is home to more than 10,000 international students for its variety of courses.
• The University of British Columbia- Founded in 1908, The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public university located in Vancouver. Master in data science at UBC is for a duration of 10 months.
• University of Ottawa- Located in Ottawa, the campus of the University of Ottawa is expanded to an area of 42.5 hectares. The University of Ottawa offers this course in English and French. The core courses of the program include Introduction to artificial intelligence, Fundamentals of data science and methods of machine learning.
• The University of Alberta- Established in 1908, the University of Alberta is a public university located in Edmonton. MS in Data Science is offered as a full-time course for a duration of 2 years at the University of Alberta.

4.  What is the fee structure for an MS course in Data Science?

5. What makes you eligible for an MS program in Data Science?

Canada receives a considerable number of applications every year for admission in the MS courses. Hence, it is often competitive because the number of applications is usually higher compared to the available seats for the courses. So, we advise you to be well prepared in advance and make sure to apply for it early. For more advice regarding application processes and consultation, you can ask MIM-Essay for guidance. Let's now dive into the eligibility criteria for an MS program in Data Science (in Canada):

5.1. What are the requirements?

Four years of bachelor's degree- To pursue MS in Data Science in Canada, one must need to have a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics and programming. Usually, universities require education of 16 years for their MS programs.

• Computer programming- The knowledge of computer languages including C, C++, Java and Python is essential to be eligible for admission in MS course in data science.
• English proficiency- Excellent TOEFL and IELTS scores are necessary to get admission in the MS in Canada. It is due to the reason that most of the courses are taught in the English language only in Canada.
• Resume- An excellent resume with all your academics and work experiences is required for admission to the universities.
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)- Usually, the applicants are required to submit 2 to 3 letters of recommendation to the universities they are planning to get admitted to. Keep in mind that your LOR indeed makes a difference.
• Statement of purpose (SOP)- An SOP is often required to be submitted during the time of the application process.

5.2. What skill sets you should have to get admission to an MS program in Data Science?

When we talk of the data science course, the first thing that comes to our minds is that it is something about creating the data. I agree that anyone can learn to do different things; still, it takes some of the skills to master a particular course. The field of Data Science will explode in the coming years and will indeed have enormous demands for the freshers. So, if you have the following skillsets, this course is definitely for you.

• Data Mining- Data mining is all about extracting the information from the given data. In this, you gather and categorize the data and then find the patterns using the databases. In short, you will be given the raw data, and then you will make it more useful. Isn't it interesting?
• Big Data- Big Data makes use of various techniques and principles, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. Basically, you handle the data.
• Statistical methods- To be a good data scientist, one must be aware of the statistical and computational methods. It involves the practical use of calculus, matrices, probability and algorithms.

6. Let's discuss the job opportunities after an MS (Data Science) program.

After the successful completion of a course, students often look for excellent job opportunities. Having a job after an MS program is the topmost priority for every student. So, it becomes crucial to understand the possible job opportunities you will encounter once you are done with MS in Data Science.

According to recent studies, MS in Data Science offers a considerable employment market for the students. There is no doubt that the need for data engineers and data scientists is increasing day by day. So, let's discuss the job titles after your successful completion of MS (Data Science):

• Data Scientist- A data scientist's work is more focused on the technical aspects. A data scientist identifies the problem with the analysis of the data. The data scientists also develop a method for continuous collection of the data. The average salary of a data scientist in the United States is around $74461 per annum.
• Data Manager- A data manager is more business-oriented compared to a data scientist. Data managers are responsible for achieving business goals by maintaining the data flow. The average salary of a data manager can range from $74,000 to $150,000 per annum.
• Data analyst- As a data analyst, you are required to work on the data and analyze it for easier understanding. Not only analysis, but a data analyst interprets the data as well. In the United States, an average salary of a data analyst is $64,685 per annum. The salary can go as high as $120,000 per year.
• Data Engineer- The role of a data engineer includes working on the data in the rawest form. As a data engineer, you are required to create innovative methods to store and access the data. Note that you must possess an excellent understanding of the data analysis tools. A data engineer can quickly expect an average salary of around $120,000 per annum.
• Data Architect- The duties of a data architect include designing, implementing and managing the architecture of an organization's data. As a data architect, you can easily find work in the fields of finance, education, business and insurance. A data architect can quickly expect a salary as high as $180,000 per year.
• Software Engineer- Software engineers are more focused on designing and building applications. They create applications to generate data that data scientists can further use. As a software engineer, you can quickly expect an average salary of around $110,000 per year.
• Business analyst- As a business analyst, you must analyze the business processes. Note that a business analyst provides all the required technical information for the business. The average salary of a business analyst can easily range from $73,000 to $85,000 per annum.
• Data Modeler- Data modellers are required for any business to get the information from the available raw data. A data modeller incorporates the data from the system and presents then in a more accessible way. A data modeller can expect a salary as high as $150,000 per annum.
• Statistician- A statistician focuses on statistics, unlike a data scientist. As a statistician, you are required to utilize statistical techniques to collect, analyze and interpret the numerical data. The average salary of a statistician can easily range from $80,000 to $150,000 per annum. 

7. Job titles after MS in Data Science and the expected salary

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which is the number 1 college/ university in Canada?

A. Canada is home to many excellent universities that offer MS in data science. However, one of the best colleges that offer the topmost education is The University of Toronto.

Q. Is there any placement guarantee after MS in Data Science?

A. No doubt that MS is an excellent course that can help you get placed in the top companies. But, keep in mind that no course can give you a cent per cent guarantee if you aren't focused enough. So, make sure that you focus on building practical skills during the course of your MS degree.

Q. Is Data Science in demand in Canada?

A. Data Scientists are in huge demand in Canada. According to a survey, it is one of the most demanding occupations in the country. 

Q. Which industry hires the students after MS in Data Science?

A. After MS in Data Science, you can expect to get placed in the finance and information technology sectors.