collageCanada has increasingly become a popular study destination that attracts international students, especially in the last years. Having prestigious universities, vivid student cities and a well-organized lifestyle, Canada turned into a country with high demands and a high reputation.
Canada has over 30 universities listed among the best academic institutions worldwide according to the World University Rankings created by THE (Times Higher Education).
Keep reading to find useful information about tuition fees, living costs and scholarship opportunities for studying in “The Great White North”.
About Software Engineering
Software engineers do more than code — they apply engineering expertise to the actual development of computer systems and application software. Top-rated software engineering courses will expose learners to the fundamentals of computer science, design and architecture, algorithms and data structures, software debugging and testing, and, of course, programming and coding. The average software engineer in Canada earns more than $90,000 annually, while senior software engineers can earn base salaries of $150,000 or more
Software Engineering Course Fees In Canada
Tuition fees at Canadian universities are a bit high but generally lower than those in countries like the United Kingdom, the USA or Australia. University fees may vary yearly, and you might also notice differences depending on the city or degree programme. Newfoundland universities, for instance, have the lowest tuition fees, while Ontario is the most expensive area.
Tuition fees for Bachelor’s degrees
Tuition range: 550 – 30,000 CAD/year. Bachelors in Medicine, Engineering, and Social Science are among the most expensive study programmes.
Tuition costs for popular disciplines:
- Bachelors in Business & Management: 550 – 56,000 CAD/year
- Bachelors in Computer Science & IT: 1,535 – 55,500 CAD/year
- Bachelors in Engineering & Technology: 1,350 – 55,000 CAD/year
- Bachelors in Social Sciences: 1,025 – 56,000 CAD/year
- Bachelors in Natural Sciences: 1,780 – 53,000 CAD/year
Tuition fees for Master’s degrees
Tuition range: 1,075 – 65,000 CAD/year. Masters in Business, Engineering, Computer Science and Law are the most expensive.
Tuition costs for popular disciplines:
- Masters in Business & Management: 2,150 – 52,700 CAD/year
- Masters in Computer Science & IT: 2,150 – 52,500 CAD/year
- Masters in Engineering & Technology: 2,150 – 52,500 CAD/year
- Masters in Medicine & Health: 2,150 – 58,300 CAD/year
- Masters in Social Sciences: 2,150 – 37,000 CAD/year
The purpose of these tuition fee ranges for Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes is to help you figure out what kind of budget you need to study in Canada. You don’t have to choose the most expensive programmes because higher costs don’t always equal better education. Focus on finding the sweet spot between your budget, tuition, and what you want to get from your study programme.
There are also degrees which are very expensive, with tuition fees of 100,000 CAD/year or more. Due to their low number, we’ve decided not to include them in the tuition ranges.
Most affordable universities in Canada
Check the list of Canadian universities with the most affordable tuition fees:
- Memorial University of Newfoundland – tuition fees: 2,150 – 11,460 CAD/year
- University of Regina – tuition fees: 1,715 – 20,050 CAD/year
- Royal Roads University – tuition fees: 3,750 – 27,600 CAD/year
- University of Saskatchewan – tuition fees: 4,110 – 24,000 CAD/year
- Athabasca University – tuition fees: 1,625 – 17,250 CAD/year
Even at these affordable universities you can find several study programmes that cost over 30,000 CAD/year. They are usually Master’s degrees in Business, Law, Dentistry or MBAs (Master of Business Administration). An MBA is particularly expensive, with tuition fees that go above 50,000 CAD/year.
Other Canadian universities we recommend
- University of Toronto: 6,000 – 58,000 CAD/year
- Thompson Rivers University: 1,700 – 35,650 CAD/year
- York University: 10,000 – 63,600 CAD/year
- University of Winnipeg: 2,800 – 13,400 CAD/year
- Humber College: 10,000 – 29,500 CAD/year
The tuition rates presented above are based on study programmes listed on our portals. You might be able to find both cheaper and more expensive degrees offered by these universities.
To explore the full list of degrees, click on the ‘Visit University website’ button available on the page of each partner university on our portals.
Tuition fees at top-ranked universities
Here is a list of tuition fees at some of the top-ranked Canadian universities:
- University of Toronto – tuition fees: 6,000 – 58,000 CAD/year
- University of British Columbia – tuition fees: 1,300 – 52,300 CAD/year
- McGill University – tuition fees: 2,230 – 58,300 CAD/year
At these top universities, some Master’s programmes in Architecture, Computer Science, and Business Administration can cost over 63,000 CAD/year.
Student living costs in Canada
Living costs in Canada are a bit above average, but the high quality of life is guaranteed. You would need between 800 – 1,500 CAD/month for most provinces, such as Quebec, Montreal and Ottawa.
Vancouver and Calgary are some of the most expensive cities in Canada, where living costs can reach 2,000 CAD/month.
Accommodation costs
You’ll have many housing options to choose from in Canada, and an equally diverse price range.
The main housing options for students in Canada are:
- Student residences: 250 – 625 CAD/month
- University-arranged homestays: 400 – 800 CAD/month
- Rent & share an apartment: 300 – 700 CAD/month, prices for rent depend on location and facilities. If you choose to rent a studio/one-room apartment, you can pay over 1,000 CAD/month.
Other costs associated with accommodation
When you rent an apartment or studio, it comes with extra costs:
- basic utilities (electricity, water, heating, garbage): 150 CAD/month
- internet: 50-70 CAD/month
Food costs
You won’t spend too much on food bills, just around 300 CAD/month for shopping from the local supermarkets and groceries. Some of the cheapest supermarkets you can find all over Canada are Canadian Superstore, Walmart, No Frills.
If you want to eat in a restaurant, you will have to pay around 10 – 25 CAD. A three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant will cost 50 – 65 CAD.
Transportation costs
Students enrolled in a Canadian university, aged between 18 and 25, will benefit from discounts when purchasing a monthly transport pass.
- The total price of a transport pass is 90 CAD/month, while a one-way ticket is worth 3 CAD.
- Taxis are also a common way of transport all over Canada and fares are between 2 and 6 CAD/km.
Funding and financial support
Here are some financial aid programmes that support international students in Canada:
- Scholarships provided by various Canadian universities for Master’s and PhD studies
- Scholarships available to non-Canadian academic institutions to facilitate collaboration with the local academic community
Student permit and visa in Canada
To study in Canada, you will need a student permit. It costs 150 CAD and you should apply for it before you travel to Canada. These are some of the documents you need to provide during the application process:
- Acceptance letter from the university
- Valid passport or travel document
- Documents that show you can financially support yourself in Canada
BEng in Software Engineering from University of Victoria (UVic) – Canada
Department: Faculty of Engineering
BEng in Software EngineeringChange Course
| About this course | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Level | Bachelors Program |
Course Description
- The Bachelor of Software Engineering program has been designed to prepare the students for a successful career in the software industry and the information technology
- The program combines theory and practice of Computer Science and Engineering
- Program provides specialization in:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Cybersecurity and privacy
- Data mining and analysis
- Interaction design and data visualization
- Performance and scalability
- Visual computing (vision/graphics/gaming)
RankingUniversity Rankings#301-400Universities Rankings
– ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) 2020#370World University Ranking
– QS 2021#351-400University Ranking
– THE (Times Higher Education) 2021#301Global Universities
– US News & World Report 2021
Fees & ExpensesCADINR1st year tuition fees
| Fees components | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | INR 16,22,905 |
Other expenses in 1st year
| Fees components | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hostel & Meals | INR 5,17,476 |
| Insurance | INR 15,990 |
| Transportation | INR 9,775 |
| Application Fees | INR 7,603 |
| UVic Student Society | INR 9,292 |
| Engineering Student Society | INR 3,620 |
| UVic Athletics | INR 10,741 |
| UVSS Dental Plan | INR 10,861 |
| UVSS Extended Health | INR 10,861 |
| Coop Program Fee | INR 76,390 |
| Total | INR 6,72,609 |
Calculated at the exchange rate of 1 CAD = INR 60.34|
Tuition & expenses were last updated on 6ᵗʰ April 2020Entry Requirements
| Entry requirements for this course | |
|---|---|
| Class 12th | 75%Applicants must hold Twelve years of academic preparation and one of the following:Indian School Certificate (CISCE) or All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE) awarded after Standard XII with 75% (conditional offer with 80% on Grade 10 results)Year 12 State Board Exams: Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC); applicants with excellent academic results will be considered on a case-by-case basis |
| Exams | TOEFL : 90With no section less than 20IELTS : 6.5No individual component less than 6.0 |
| Additional info | Official, in-progress transcripts ELP scores |
Masters in Software Engineering in Canada
Masters in Software Engineering in Canada are offered as Masters in Engineering (M.Eng.) and Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) degrees. Some other engineering degrees similar to software engineering offered by universities in Canada are Masters in Software Systems or Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MEng) with a specialization in Software Engineering.
- A postgraduate program in software engineering from top Canadian universities costs around 13,000 USD to 39,000 USD.
- Masters in Software Engineering is a 1-2 year duration program.
- Students have to undertake a relevant internship in the final year of study.
- A software engineer in Canada can earn up to 97,000 USD annually.
Why study Masters in Software Engineering in Canada?
- According to the Canadian government, the start of 2020 saw over 20,000 job openings for software engineers in Canada.
- According to the data provided by Emolument, IT and Software Development are among the top 10 highest paying jobs in Canada.
- Software Engineers median salary in Canada ranges between 35,000 USD to 100,000 USD in various regions of Canada.
Top Universities in Canada Offering Masters in Software Engineering
According to Time Higher Education World University Ranking of 2020, the following are the best universities offering Masters in Software Engineering in Canada:
| University | THE Ranking 2020 | Program Offered | Total Program Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| McMaster University | 72 | MASc. in Software Engineering | 38,241 USD |
| University of Calgary | 201-250 | MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering: Software Engineering Specialization | 13,837 USD |
| Western University | 201-250 | Masters in Software Engineering | 19,495 USD |
| Concordia University | 601-800 | MEng in Software Engineering; MASc in Software Engineering | 38,990 USD |
| University of Regina | 601-800 | Masters in Software Systems Engineering (MEng) | 18,341 USD |
Universities Offering other programs in Software Engineering:
- Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology: Graduate Diploma in Software Engineering Technology.
- University of British Columbia: Master of Engineering Leadership in Dependable Software Systems
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic: Post Graduate Certificate in Software Developer
Curriculum of Masters in Software Engineering in Canada
Masters in Software Engineering mainly focuses on the application frameworks, software engineering for web-based applications, software reverse engineering, software processes for organizations, and reengineering and reuse.
Besides this, the curriculum also includes software design and architecture, engineering large-scale analytics systems, data engineering, data mining and machine learning, dependability and reliability of software systems, project management, web development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Admission Process for Masters in Software Engineering in Canada
Admission process in Canada for a Masters in Software Engineering varies from university to university. The admissions are, however, offered mostly for winter, summer, and fall sessions. International applicants are required to have completed 16 years of education for applying to Masters in Software Engineering in Canada.
How to Apply
Students can apply through the official websites of the university. Deadline and application fee of top universities offering Masters in Software Engineering in Canada are:
| University | Application Fee | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| McMaster University | 84 USD | March 30 |
| University of Calgary | 111 USD | Rolling Admission |
| Western University | 92 USD | Fall: March 1; Winter: July 1 |
| Concordia University (MASc) | 79 USD | Fall: June 1; Winter: July 1; Summer: February 1 |
| Concordia University (MEng) | 79 USD | Fall: February 1; Winter: July 1 |
| University of Regina | 77 USD | Fall: January 31; Winter: July 31 |
Admission Requirements for International Students
- Bachelor’s Degree: Students should have a four-year bachelor’s degree/graduate diploma in engineering or science or mathematics or computer science from an accredited university or college. Minimum grades required at the undergraduate level to be eligible for admission for some universities are specified below:
- McMaster University: B+ or 77-79%
- University of Calgary: 3.0 GPA over the last two years of the degree
- Western University: 70% average in the last two years of study
- Transcripts: Students are required to submit official transcripts of the previous education. Some institutes may request certified copies of the documents. International students must provide certified English/French language translations for transcripts that are not in English language.
- Letter of Reference: Recommendation letters may be required for admissions in some universities. Students are required to submit around 2-3 letters of recommendation to most universities for Masters in Software Engineering in Canada admission.
- Statement of Purpose/Statement of Intent: Some universities may ask students to submit a statement of purpose along with the application.
- Resume/CV: Students may be asked to submit a resume or CV with detailed academic and work experiences along with the application.
- Other Documents: Other documents that might be required in a few cases are experience certificate, portfolio of work, etc.
Proof of English Language Proficiency
Proof for English language proficiency must be submitted by international students belonging to non-native English speaking countries. Applicants can submit test scores from TOEFL, IELTS and other standardized English language test scores. The minimum test score requirements for some universities are as follows:
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| University | TOEFL iBT (minimum score) | IELTS (minimum score) |
|---|---|---|
| McMaster University | 80 | 6.5 |
| University of Calgary | 86 | 6.5 |
| University of Western Ontario | 86 | 6.5 |
| Concordia University | 75-84 | 6.0 |
| University of Regina | 23 each band | 7.0 |
Note: English language proficiency tests accepted at different universities may vary. Applicants must ensure that the test taken to study in Canada is accepted at the selected university.
Cost for Studying Masters in Software Engineering in Canada
The cost of studying abroad in Canada for an international student can be distributed into three broad categories: pre-arrival costs, cost of study, and cost of living. The section below caters to the estimated expenses that are to be paid by international students while studying a Masters in Software Engineering in Canada.
Pre-arrival Cost
Pre-arrival costs include expenses paid to cover the registration for standardized exams, application for a student visa to Canada, airfare, program application fee, etc. The following table indicates the one-time major costs for an international student planning to study in Canada.
| Type of Expense | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Program Application Fees | $76 – $111 |
| Visa Application Fees | $235 |
| Health Insurance | $10,000 |
| IELTS Fees | $185 – $190 |
| TOEFL Fees | $160 – $250 |
| Airfare | $450 – $1400 |
Fees for Masters in Software Engineering of Canadian Universities
Western University has the highest fee of 19,495 USD per year among the top universities offering Masters in Software Engineering in Canada. 
Cost of Living
According to Expatistan, the annual cost of living in Canada for a single person is calculated to be 25,104 USD. For an international student, these expenses include accommodation, books & material, transportation, etc. Following table suggests an average amount required while studying in Canada:
- Housing: 10,032 USD – 19,812 USD (annual)
- Basic Utilities: 996 USD – 1,560 USD (annual)
- Transportation: 1,020 USD (annual)
- Books: 700 USD
Curriculum of Masters in Software Engineering in Canada
Masters in Software Engineering mainly focuses on the application frameworks, software engineering for web-based applications, software reverse engineering, software processes for organizations, and reengineering and reuse.
Besides this, the curriculum also includes software design and architecture, engineering large-scale analytics systems, data engineering, data mining and machine learning, dependability and reliability of software systems, project management, web development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Admission Process for Masters in Software Engineering in Canada
Admission process in Canada for a Masters in Software Engineering varies from university to university. The admissions are, however, offered mostly for winter, summer, and fall sessions. International applicants are required to have completed 16 years of education for applying to Masters in Software Engineering in Canada.
How to Apply
Students can apply through the official websites of the university. Deadline and application fee of top universities offering Masters in Software Engineering in Canada are:
| University | Application Fee | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| McMaster University | 84 USD | March 30 |
| University of Calgary | 111 USD | Rolling Admission |
| Western University | 92 USD | Fall: March 1; Winter: July 1 |
| Concordia University (MASc) | 79 USD | Fall: June 1; Winter: July 1; Summer: February 1 |
| Concordia University (MEng) | 79 USD | Fall: February 1; Winter: July 1 |
| University of Regina | 77 USD | Fall: January 31; Winter: July 31 |
International Scholarships for Masters in Software Engineering in Canada
Various scholarships for international students in Canada pursuing a masters degree are offered by universities, government agencies, and third-party websites. Some of the popular scholarships available for Masters in Software Engineering students are as follows:
| Scholarship | Amount Offered (USD) | University |
|---|---|---|
| Concordia International Tuition Award of Excellence | 29,183 USD/year | Concordia University |
| Education Future International Scholarship | 2,786 USD -13,930 USD/year | University of Regina |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | 3,781 USD/semester | McMaster University |
| Entrance Awards | 9,200 USD – 26,000 USD/year | Calgary University |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | 3,781 USD/semester | Western University |
A few universities also offer graduate students of computer science and software engineering with positions as teaching assistants within the department.
Career Prospects after Masters in Software Engineering in Canada
With the ever-growing development in computers, smartphones, mobile, etc., the demand for software developers is also increasing. As a result, the field of software engineering is currently one of the explosively growing sectors for jobs in Canada and everywhere else in the world. 
Employers usually look for following skills while hiring software engineers:
- Coding and Programming: Knowledge of algorithms and a programming language such as Java, Python, .net/C#, Mean, Ruby, etc.
- Software Development: Analytic skill regarding users’ needs is required in order to design, test, and develop software according to those needs.
- Object-oriented Design (OOD): Object-oriented design skill encompasses four key principles- Abstraction, Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Polymorphism.
- Software Testing and Debugging: Knowledge of Software testing and debugging is required in order to think analytically about how a system can be put together.
- Problem Solving and Deductive Reasoning: Being able to pinpoint software errors as well as using deductive reasoning to solve those issues are crucial to software engineering jobs.
Need for new applications on PC, smartphones, and tablets is one of the reasons for the increase in jobs for software engineering graduates. Also, the health sector, medical insurance, and reinsurance carriers industry need innovative software programs to manage new policy enrollments in healthcare as well as administer existing policies digitally. As the number of users of this digital platform is increasing over time, demand for software engineers, developers, protectors as well as managers is also growing.
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