Considering studying a Masters in Canada? Attracted by the country’s reputation for friendliness, its wild and beautiful countryside and, of course, its internationally renowned universities? You’re not alone. Studying a Masters in Canada has become an increasingly popular option for students seeking a high quality postgraduate experience and the number of international students enrolled in Canadian universities has risen steadily over the past few years. They come from more than 200 countries.

Masters Study in Canada – Key Details
Universities 97
Oldest University Université Laval (1663)
International Students 350,000
Course Length 1-2 years
Typical Fees (Domestic / EU) CDN$4,000 ($3,000) – CDN$6,000 ($4,500)
Academic Year From September
Universities for postgraduate study in Canada
Canadian Masters degrees
Applying for a Masters in Canada
Masters fees and funding in Canada
Masters student visas in Canada
After graduation – careers and opportunities with a Canadian Masters degree
Universities for postgraduate study in Canada
Canada is an international front runner in government spending for tertiary education per head of population (one of the highest of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries). Canadian universities educate more than 1.5 million students annually. They perform more than one-third of Canada’s research and development, and represent a total turnover of $30 billion, generating economic wealth in communities across Canada. Canada’s higher education sector is characterised by its diversity; its institutions vary in size, history and portfolio of programmes and specialisms.

Provinces and territories are responsible for all levels of education including universities. There is no federal ministry of education or formal accreditation system. Universities tend to subscribe to provincial government charters and quality assurance frameworks as well as utilising the resources provided by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials to ensure that Canadian qualifications are recognised worldwide.

Throughout Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, there are 98 universities. These are mainly public universities but private institutions exist and are accredited by the province’s authorities. A list of universities by province is available here.

Canadian university rankings

Want to know the top universities in Canada? Our guide explains current Canadian university rankings for postgraduate study.

Canadian Masters degrees
Masters degrees (also called ‘grad’ programmes or simply ‘grad school’) are generally called MA (i.e. Masters of Arts) or MSc (i.e. Masters of Science). The title MA tends to be for the arts, humanities and social science, while MSc is for life sciences and chemistry (there are exceptions). Like in the UK, there are also specialist Master degrees for education (MEd), music (MMus) and business administration (MBA).

Masters are generally 12-month in duration for on-campus model programmes (sometimes there will be optional internships which will add to the overall duration). In addition to the traditional lectures and tutorials, your programme is likely to include interactive teaching such as site visits, projects, group work and placements. Most masters will include a dissertation (also called thesis), which is sometimes replaced by a consultancy project (depending on your subject area), which will make up a large proportion of the programme’s credits.

The academic year tends to run from September each year, but some universities have several start dates for their Masters programmes.

Search for a Masters in Canada

Ready to start looking for your ideal study abroad opportunity? Browse and compare Masters degrees in Canada on FindAMasters.com

Applying for a Masters in Canada
Academic requirements

You’ll be expected to have a minimum GPA (often of 3.0/4.0 or its international equivalent such a UK upper second class bachelor) for your undergraduate degree. Depending on your subject area, you may be asked to provide a graduate entry test score such as a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Language

If English is not your first language you’ll have to provide evidence of proficiency through an English language test such as TOEFL or IELTS. Similar requirements will apply in French if you are opting for a bilingual programme or for a programme delivered wholly in French.

Application process

The application process is similar to that of other countries. You’ll have to submit the following as part of your application:

A completed application form, which is often submitted online (or by email).
A copy (or sometimes the original) of your qualifications and transcripts.
All applicants who have completed post-secondary education outside of Canada may be subject to a credential evaluation to determine the Canadian equivalency of applicant’s qualification and to verify academic documentation submitted. You’ll have to pay an International Credential Evaluation fee, unless you already have a third party International Credential Evaluation Report which you can send directly.
Curriculum vitae.
Proof of English and/or French proficiency, depending on the programme that you are applying for.
References/recommendation letters.
Letter of motivation/personal statement.
Your application will generally be assessed by a central office to ensure you meet all the minimum entry requirements. It is then sent to the faculty/school which will assess the academic quality and suitability of your application in relation to your programme of choice.

If successful you will receive a letter of admission which you will need to be able to apply for a visa (if relevant), apply for a scholarship (if relevant) and to complete your enrolment before, or at, registration.

Masters fees and funding in Canada
Tuition fees

Fees for a Masters in Canada will vary considerably depending on which institution you choose. They can range be as much as CAD$25,000 ($22,485 / £15,000) but the average Canadian Masters will probably cost between CAD$4,000 ($3,000 / £2,500) and CAD$6,000 ($4,500 / £3,600).

Masters fees and funding in Canada

Looking for more information on the cost of studying a Masters in Canada and the kind of postgraduate loans and scholarships available? Check out our full guide to Masters fees and funding in Canada.

Masters student visas in Canada
In order to study a Masters in Canada you will need to obtain a study permit. This will serve as your student visa and allow you to live and study in Canada for the duration of your course. You can apply for a Canadian study permit online, or through a visa application centre at a Canadian embassy in your own country.

What is required to apply for a study permit:

A firm acceptance from a Canadian university, as shown by your letter of acceptance on a Masters course.
Proof of financial support (private sources or scholarships) such as bank statements and award letters to demonstrate that you can afford:
Your tuition fees.
Living expenses, including for family members who will be going to Canada with you.
Return tickets or resources to secure a return journey to your home country.
Lack of a criminal record.
Evidence that you are in good health.
For a detailed list of requirements, you should contact the Canadian Consulate office nearest to you, or visit the Citizenship Immigration Canada website. Additional requirements may exist in certain provinces. In Québec, a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) pour études, issued by the Québec Government, is required in addition to a study permit, and is issued by the Government of Canada. For more information, click here.

After graduation – careers and opportunities with a Canadian Masters degree
Employability and employment is at the heart of Canadian higher education and postgraduate degrees are designed to prepare you for the job market. This is great emphasis on ‘experiential learning’ and skills development. Most universities will host career fairs which are really valued by employers. Remember also that Canada’s economy has been relatively stable and work opportunities are available in the numerous global and local companies, including a booming oil and gas sector.

Working in Canada after you Graduate

Canada offers a number of opportunities for work after graduation and the country’s immigration policy is supportive of the retention of international talent.

There are several routes possible, one through the federal government and the other through the province where you study (and in-line with local labour requirements):

Canadian experience category.
Provincial candidates.
Québec.
Completing a Canadian Masters degree will also allow you to apply for a post-graduation work permit. This can allow you to work in Canada for a period equal to the length of your study programme.

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