In one of our previous articles, we talked about best undergraduate degree for medical schools in Canada. Today, we will be talking about Requirements for masters degree in Canada for International Students.
Graduate Studies are one of the ways to expand the knowledge and skills you acquired during your undergraduate study.
This article focuses on different topics from why study masters degree in Canada, application requirements for masters degree, cost of studying masters degree to top universities to study masters degree in Canada, and lot more.
It’s not surprising to say, Canada is one of the popular study abroad destinations. As a matter of fact, three Canadian cities are ranked as best student cities.
Do you like to know the requirements for masters degree in Canada for International Students? Then keep reading this article to get well detailed answer.
Table of Contents
Brief Knowledge of Masters Degree in Canada
Let’s talk briefly about master’s degree in Canada before we begin this article on Requirements for Masters Degree in Canada.
Masters Degree in Canada is a 1 to 2 years graduate program.
There are three types of masters degree in Canada:
- Course-based master’s – take 10 to 12 months for completion.
- Master’s with research paper – take 12 to 18 months for completion.
- Master’s with thesis – take 24 months for completion.
Why Study Masters Degree in Canada?
There are different reasons to study in Canada, we will be sharing some in this section of the article.
Studying in Canada gives you the opportunity to study in one of the world’s top universities and earn a widely recognized degree.
Gaining a masters degree in Canada is quite affordable compared to other top study abroad destinations. Also, there are more low tuition universities in Canada for International Students than universities in study destinations like UK and US.
Apart from studying in Canada at an affordable rate, International Students also have tons of funding options like scholarship. As a result, You can even study tuition free in Canada.
Also, International Applicants have a wide range of course to choose from. Canadian Institutions offer different types of master’s degree programs.
Students in Canada can also work while studying. Work-Study Programs are available in Canadian Institutions.
Immigration and Visa process in Canada is quite easy compared to some top study abroad destinations like US.
Canada is also known for having a high quality of life. This means Students enjoy high standard of living while studying.
So, with all these listed above reasons, why not study masters degree in Canada?
Application Requirements for Masters Degree in Canada for International Students
Let’s now talk about the requirements for masters degree in Canada for International Students.
Eligibility
International Applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Must have completed a four years bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
- Be able to demonstrate english language proficiency.
Academic Requirements for Masters Degree in Canada for International Students
International Applicants must have the following academic requirements:
- B (70%) or minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system in a four years bachelor’s degree.
- Have the minimum scores in the accepted English language proficiency test.
- Have passed tests like GMAT or GRE.
Language Requirements for Masters Degree in Canada for International Students
International Applicants especially non native english speakers, must proof english language proficiency. There are few exemptions to this rule.
IELTS and CELPIP are the most recognized english proficiency tests in Canada. Other english proficiency tests accepted are TOEFL, CAEL, PTE, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, and MELAB.
Note: Duolingo English Test (DET) is mostly not accepted as language proficiency test for graduate programs.
However, there are universities in Canada that doesn’t require IELTS score. Also, we had already published an article on how to study in Canada without IELTS.
The articles listed above will also expose you to how to study in Canada without any english proficiency tests.
Document Requirements for Masters Degree in Canada for International Students
International Students will need the following documents to study in Canada.
- Academic transcripts
- Degree Certificates
- GMAT or GRE official result
- Result of english proficiency test
- Academic CV or Resume
- Letters of recommendation (usually two letters)
- Statement of purpose
- Valid passport
- Study Permit/Visa
- Proof of Funds (bank statement).
However, additional requirements may be required depending on your choice of Institution and choice of program. If you are a medical student, check out our article on Requirements for Medical Schools in Canada.
Cost of Studying Masters Degree in Canada for International Students
Now that you know the requirements for masters degree in Canada for International Students, it is also important to know how much it will cost to study masters degree in Canada.
Tuition fees: Generally, a graduate program can cost from approximately $20,120 CAD annually.
Cost of living: You must be able to have access to at least $12,000 CAD per year, to cover the cost of living expenses.
How to Finance Masters Degree in Canada for International Students
Even with the affordable rate of higher education in Canada, a lot of Students may not be able to fund their studies.
International Students can use the following funding options to cover the cost of tuition and even living expenses.
Scholarship: There are different ways to get scholarships for masters in Canada. Scholarship in Canada are of three types: Canadian Government Scholarship, Non-governmental Scholarship and Canadian Institutions Scholarship.
Student Loans: Applying for a student loan is another way to fund your education.
Work-Study Program: Most of the universities in Canada have Work-Study Program. The program allow students to work and earn while studying.
Top Universities with easy admission requirements to study for Masters Degree in Canada
These universities are not completely easy to get into but are among the best universities to get a quality masters degree in Canada.
Below, we listed some of the top universities to study for masters degree in Canada.
1. University of Toronto
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada’s top university.
University of Toronto offers more than 70 professional graduate programs in health sciences, management, engineering, and more.
2. University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is largest English-French bilingual university in the World, allowing students to study in English, French or both. It is also one of the top research universities in Canada and ranked among the top 200 universities in the World.
UOttawa offers over 160 graduate programs.
3. University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a Top 5 Canadian university located in Edmonton, Alberta.
U of A offers over 500 graduate programs across humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering and health sciences.
4. McGill University
McGill is one of Canada’s best known institution of higher learning and also one of the leading universities in the World.
The University offers over 400 programs across 3 campuses.
McGill University boasts of having the highest percentage of international students among Canada’s top research universities.
5. McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is also one of Canada’s most research-intensive universities.
The University offers more than 100 doctoral and master’s degree programs across fields of science, engineering, business, health sciences, humanities and social sciences.
6. Universite de Montreal
Universite de Montreal is one of the World’s leading research universities. It is a bilingual university.
The university offer over 133 master’s degree programs.
7. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching. It is also frequently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the World.
8. University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo has ranked first in Canada as most innovative university. It offers more than 180+ master’s and doctoral programs.
9. University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is ranked Top 5 in research performance in Canada. Also, the university has one of Canada’s highest international enrollment rates.
University of Calgary offers over 160 degrees across 65 graduate programs.
10. Western University
The Western University is one of Canada’s largest research intensive universities. Also, the university is ranked among the top 1 per cent of universities in the World.
Western University introduced it’s first Master’s program in 1881. The University offers about 88 graduate degree programs, including a range of professional master’s and interdisciplinary programs.
Top Subjects Area to study for a Masters Degree in Canada
Incase, you are clueless on subject area to study for a master’s degree, this is a list of top subjects area.
- Engineering
- Business Management
- Finance
- Accounting
- Agriculture Science
- Health Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Computer Science
- Hospital Management
- Education
- Humanities.
How to apply to study for a Masters Degree in Canada for International Students
This is a Guide on applying for a Master’s Degree in Canada for International Students.
Step 1. Choose a program: Make sure the program is related to your bachelor’s degree program.
Step 2. Check application deadline: This step is very important. Application deadline vary by program and university. It is advisable to apply a year in advance.
Step 3. Confirm if you meet all the application requirements.
Step 4. Gather the required documents. We have already listed some of the required documents in this article. You can also check your choice of university website for more information.
Step 5. Upload your documents. You will be required to upload your documents when applying online. You will also have to pay a non refundable application fee. The amount of the fee depends on your choice of Institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a study permit to study in Canada?
You will need a study permit to be able to study in Canada for more than six months. However, you don’t need a study permit if you are studying in Canada for less than six months. In this case all you need is a visa.
How can I apply for a Canadian study permit?
To apply for a study permit you will first need a letter of acceptance from your choice of Institution. To study in Quebec, you will also need a Quebec Certificate of acceptance (CAQ) from the government before you can apply for a study permit.
Check for more information on how to apply for study permit on IRSC website
It is advisable to apply for a study permit in advance to ensure you can receive it on time.
Can I work in Canada after completion of master’s degree?
Yes, you can. You will need to apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit Programme (PGWPP), in order to work in Canada after your studies.
Conclusion
We have now come to the end of the article on requirements for masters degree in Canada for International Students.
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