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top universities in canada for masters in computer science

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If you’re looking for a university that can help you find your place in the world of computer science, there are a few top schools in Canada you should consider.

University of Waterloo is one of Canada’s top universities for computer science, and students can choose from a wide range of programs and specializations. These include artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, human-computer interaction, software engineering, and more.

University of Toronto is another great choice if you’re looking for an advanced education in computer science. This school offers a wide range of courses as well as internships and research opportunities for students who are interested in applying their knowledge to real-world problems.

Queen’s University offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in computer science as well as information systems and technology management. Students who want to earn their masters degree can choose from one or two years of study depending on whether they already have a bachelor’s degree or not (and whether they want to continue on with further studies).

top universities in canada for masters in computer science

Masters in Computer Science in Canada are of three types- MSc, MACS and M.Eng. Students can pursue the degree in 1.5- 2 years if enrolled in a full-time program. The cost of pursuing MS in Computer Science in Canada ranges from 50,000 USD to 62,000 USD.

Around 33 universities in Canada offer MS in Computer Science. Computer Science as a subject ranks among the top 10 subjects in Canada, popularly opted by international students. Canada on the whole, has a good scope for professional progress with more than 11,500 job vacancies.

  • 12 Canadian Universities rank among the top 300 universities globally for offering a Masters in Computer Science.
  • According to Maclean’s Canadian Universities’ Rankings, MS in Computer Science in Canada ranks #1 in program and research reputation.
  • The estimated expense for studying MS in Computer Science in Canada for one academic year is:
    • 47,778 USD for M.Eng or MSc degree in Computer Science.
    • 61,133 USD for MASC degree in Computer Science.
  • Scholarships for international students range from 500 USD to 23,000 USD for pursuing MS in Computer Science in Canada.
  • Computer Science postgraduates are offered monthly packages as high as 110,000 USD in Canada by companies like Amazon, CGI, Sterling Turner, etc.
TOP 10 UNIVERSITIES IN CANADA FOR MASTERS IN 2020 | COMPUTER SCIENCE | MS  IN CANADA | MS IN US - YouTube

Why Study Masters in Computer Science in Canada?

  • Lower tuition fees and immigration friendly policies make Canada one of the perfect study destinations for pursuing MS in computer science. 
  • In global peace index Canada ranks amongst the safest countries in the world. 
  • Increasing job scope in various profiles of computer science industry makes pursuing MS in computer science in Canada a lucrative program. As per JobBank Canada, the rise in number of employees requried is discussed below, the data applies for the years 2017-2026
    • New job openings of 52,300 is expected for web programmers
    • 20,700 new job openings are expected for software engineer
    • 10,100 new job opening are expected for computer engineers

Such stats and data suggests that pursuing a MS in computer science in Canada will not disappoint an international applicant. 

masters in computer science in canada for international students

For students seeking admission to Masters in Computer Science program, Canada is a favoured destination. 24 universities in Canada rank among the top 600 universities in the world that offer a renowned degree in Computer Science. The following table shows the top 10 Canadian universities that offer Computer Science, along with the number of international students enrolled and the cost of pursuing the program in Canada. 

University NameRanking (THE)Program Fees (USD)Percentage of International Students
University of Toronto #2379,90021%
University of Waterloo#4021,12620%
University of British Columbia#4313,42830%
McGill University#6620,37428%
University of Alberta#101-12514,555026%
McMaster University#101-12525,64017%
University of Ottawa#176-20041,27819%
Simon Fraser University#201-25023,76030%
Queen’s University#251-30014,61913%
Concordia University#251-30026,100

The strong presence of international students in these universities suggests that the universities not only make it to the top ranking list but also are popular among international students. 

Top Universities in Canada to Study MS in Computer Science | Articles -  Study Abroad by CollegeDekho

Key Features of MS in Computer Science in Canada

Masters in Computer Science ranks among the top 3 in Canada for its wide range of specializations, lower tuition and better job opportunities. The following section elaborates more upon its features:

  • Top 10 popularly opted specializations in Masters in Computer Science are offered in Canada. They are- Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Data Analytics, Robotics, Human-Computer Interaction, etc. Students interested in the data science field can also opt for Masters in Data Science in Canada.
  • There are 3 types of Masters of Computer Sciences offered in Canada that can be chosen by students according to their career interests:
    • MACS: Master of Applied Computer Sciences, a 16-month research-based course which requires a thesis submission at the end of the course.
    • M.Eng: Master of Computer Science and Engineering, is a 16-month professional graduate course.
    • MSc: Master of Computer Science, is a 2-year course which requires independent research work from the applicant.
  • Computer Science postgraduates are offered a 3 years work extension period through Postgraduate Work Permit Programme (PGWPP) post their study in Canada.
  • Around 7 university-specific scholarships and various externally funded scholarships are offered to international Computer Science postgraduates.

Masters in Computer Science in Canada: Admissions

Admissions in Canada for international students for masters degree usually take place in 3 sessions, that is, Fall, Winter and Summer. The duration of a full-time Masters course varies from 16 months to 2 years, which includes coursework of 4 graduate courses.

How to Apply for MS in Computer Science in Canada: Prospective MS Computer Science applicants can apply via the official website of the respective university in Canada. For some universities applicants can also apply through provincial common application portals, like ApplyAlberta, OUAC, etc. 

Masters in Computer Science in Canada: Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the top 10 universities in Canada are more or less common. While the application requirements vary from university to university. To be eligible to pursue a Masters in Computer Science from Canada, international applicants must fulfil the following criteria:

  • International applicants must have 16 years of education. The break up being 10+2+4, proof of which is mandatory.
  • bachelor’s in computer science from Canada or it’s equivalent from any other country, undergraduates of other disciplines related to computer science are also eligible to apply
  • GPA of 3.25 or above on a 4.0 point scale or a CGPA of 7 to 8 on a scale of 10 is required.* The percentile equivalent of the same is 80-85%.
  • Applicant must also have taken the GRE and scores must not be older than 2 years.
  • Admission eligibility also depends upon strong programming skills of the applicant.

*Note: Scores may vary in some cases, depending upon the country of origin of the applicant.

Documents Requirements

The requried documents when international applicants are making applications with universities offering MS in computer science in Canada are listed below. Usually, documents are requested post-admission offer letter is released. List of documents that must be submitted along with the application are:

  • Transcripts of high school and college
  • Marksheets and degrees along with the date of conferral
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP) or a personal essay of 2 pages, that talks about the career goals, areas of interest for research and the applicant’s skills and qualifications.
  • 2-3 letters of recommendation are mandatory for submission. At least 2 academic recommendations affirming the applicant’s ability to conduct independent research.
  • Standardized Test Score of GRE must be officially sent to the respective university. It is recommended for international students willing to pursue a Masters or PhD from any Canadian University. The average score required for admission consideration is 260 out of 340.
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency: Tests required to study in Canada by international students are mentioned in the table below. These tests are valid for 2 years from the test date:
Test NameMinimum Required Score
TOEFLiBT: 86
PBT: 575
IELTS6.5 – 7.0
PTE61 – 66
MELAB85% or higher

The above-mentioned scores are mere approximations, the applicants must check the admission and score requirements before proceeding with the application.

*Note: Some universities also accept CAE/CPE or CanTest/CAEL along with other tests or in lieu of the above-mentioned tests.

Admission Decisions at Canadian Univerisities: Admission decisions are usually released within 40 days of application submission from Canadian universities for admission to Masters in Computer Science program. Application evaluations are holistic, this is the reason why admission offers are released within this timeframe.

Top 10 Universities in Canada for Masters in Computer Science #MSinCS -  YouTube

Masters in Computer Science without GRE in Canada

A total of 16 universities offer a masters degree in Computer Science in Canada without demanding GRE scores as part of the admission requirements.

  • There are no additional conditions to suffice the non-requirement of GRE.
  • Canadian Universities demand GRE from international students as their educational background is from outside Canada.
  • Some universities do not mention minimum GRE scores but require them for a holistic admission application evaluation.

Following is a list of those universities which do not require GRE, to grant admissions to international students in MS in Computer Science in Canada:

cheap universities in canada for masters in computer science

What is the Cost of Studying Masters in Computer Science in Canada?

The annual cost of studying a MS in Computer Science in Canada is 47,779 USD for an M.Eng/MSc degree which is comparatively cheaper to MS in Computer Science in USA (average 55,000 USD). Students willing to pursue MACS will have to pay around 61,133 USD due to a higher tuition fee requirement since it is a professional course.Looking for Admissions here? or need Help?

Pre-arrival Costs

Initial Expenses for Students Applying for a MS in Computer Science in Canada include a few payments are made on or before or along with the admission application, which are one-time. Such as application fees, visa fees, fees for tests required to study in Canada The following is a list of those aspects of an admission application that come under this category:

Expenses Cost (in USD)
Pre-Departure to Canada
GRE Test Fee205
University Application Fee114
Visa Application Fee235*
Health Insurance607
Official Financial Statement10,000
Post-Arrival Immediate Expenses in Canada
Hotel Accommodation200 – 800
Meals 45 (per day)
Airfare1,400

*150 USD for a study permit, 85 USD for biometric.

Masters in Computer Science in Canada: Tuition Fees 

The annual expenses that a student needs to pay while pursuing a Masters in Computer Science approximate to 37,778 excluding the one-time fee payments. The tuition fee for MS in Computer Science varies depending upon the choice between MS/M.Eng or MACS. The following table shows the tuition fee for various universities in Canada for studying Masters in Computer Science, for one academic year. Given below is a graphical comparison of the annual tuition fees of popular universities:Annual tuition fees by University

Cost of Living in Canada

Payments made by international students are on a monthly basis for subsistence in Canada. Some of the commonly estimated range of various costs of living in Canada include:

Expenses Cost (in USD)
Off-campus Accommodation7,728
Local Transportation 980
Food & Beverage3,700
Personal & Miscellaneous4,000

Overall a 4% increase in the tuition fee was recorded for the recent admissions, in comparison to 2017 admissions.

Masters in Computer Science in Canada with Scholarships

Out of 33 universities in Canada, almost 6 universities offer scholarships directly to international students while pursuing a Masters in Computer Science. The scholarship amount offered by universities offering MS in Computer Science starts from 500 USD and can go up to 23,000 USD. Some universities either require an additional application along with the admission application or automatically consider the students for a scholarship. Given below are popular university-specific scholarships in Canada for international students

UniversityScholarshipAward (USD)Eligibility
University of CalgaryEntrance Scholarship23,0001st year MS Computer Science applicant
Offered for two years
University of WaterlooDavid R. Cheriton Graduate Scholarships10,000Meritorious International Students pursuing MS computer science
University of ManitobaGraduate Fellowships

Stephane Durocher 
14,000

16,000
Student enrolled in MS computer science

Offered to one graduate student for 2 years
 
University of Northern British ColumbiaComputer Science Entrance Award1000Meritorious International Students
UBCInternational Major Entrance Scholarships 
Outstanding International Student Award
VariesMeritorious International student pursuing MS Computer Science
University of Fraser ValleyWowAuto Scholarship500/yearStudent must be enrolled in MS Computer Science

Masters in Computer Science in Canada: Jobs 

Post MS in Computer Science in Canada, international students usually apply for a PGWPP within 90 days of course completion, to work in Canada, rather than leaving for their home country. Given below is a graphical image representing the salaries of alumni of CS/IT from popular computer science colleges in CanadaSalaries of CS/IT Alumni of Popular Universities

Salary of Computer Science postgraduates who are professionally experienced, get in hand salaries starting from 92,000 USD. Popular Jobs in Canada post completion of MS in computer science are given below along with the minimum salaries offered to them:

DesignationMinimum Average Annual Salary (USD)
Software Engineer36,000
Software Developer33,000
Java Developer35,000
Network Administrator31,000
CAD Designer25,000
IT Manager41,000
Senior Web Developer39,000

Popular companies like Amazon Can, CGI, Scotiabank, Sterling Turner, etc. recruit Computer Science postgrads from various Canadian universities. The starting salary for Computer Science postgraduates is the lowest in Montreal- 49,223 USD, while it is the highest in Vancouver- 103,750 USD. According to the recent survey by Canadian universities of 2016, it was found that Computer Science graduates are the highest paid in Canada.

Pursuing a Masters in Computer Science in Canada proves to be a boon for international students in terms of education quality, a wide variety of specializations to choose from, research experience, better job opportunities, good in-hand salary, work experience and finally applying for immigration to Canada as a skilled worker. With an overall increase in enrollment of 10.6% for Computer Science admissions for 2016-17, it is estimated that a multi-fold surge in enrollments for the same will be witnessed for the upcoming admission sessions.

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