Interested in Earning a Master's Degree in Canada?
Looking for guidance on how to apply for a master’s degree in Canada? You’re in the right place. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pursue and secure a master's degree in Canada. Continue reading for all the details.
Canada is a nice country, and many people are drawn to it for travel, jobs, and further education despite its chilly and inclement climate. Aside from having a top-notch educational system, the nation enjoys a low unemployment rate of about 6.5% (as of June 2017).
The higher education system in Canada was rated as the fifth best in the world in the 2016 QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings. Furthermore, Canadians are known for being extremely safe, accepting, and inclusive of foreigners. Because of this, Canadian universities each year enroll more than 350,000 students from other nations. They travel there to complete their undergraduate, graduate, and vocational school degrees.
This guide is for you if you are one of the students who appreciates the high caliber of Canadian education and wishes to pursue a master's degree there. We will discuss the specifics of a master's degree in Canada, including its duration and structure, cost, application requirements, options it opens up, and the top Canadian universities to get a master's degree from.
Duration Of Master's Degree Programs In Canada
The master's degree system in Canada is comparable to the master's degree program in the United States. Although Canadian master's degree programs are thought to be of superior quality, they only last one to two years. Since law school and medical school require more time to complete, this always relies on the topic of study.
The amount of time also relies on the method of study. If you enroll full-time, you can finish your master's degree in one to two years. However, it will take longer for you to graduate from a graduate program if you enroll as a part-time student.
Canadian Master's Degree Cost
Tution
A Canadian degree will seem extremely cheap to you if you are a student from the United States. Since American degrees have become more and more expensive, Canadian tuition fees are actually cheaper than those in the US. International students in Canada, however, are subject to a distinct system of fees and pay more. The cost of studying in Canada is still fairly inexpensive even with this feature.
Although most degrees cost around C$15,000, you may anticipate paying between 10,000 and 20,000 Canadian dollars annually for your tuition. This is worth between $8,000 and $16,000 in US currency. You might wonder why nobody finishes their graduate degree when you consider that the average graduate tuition in the United States costs between $30,000 and $120,000.
Extra costs and financial support
Universities in Canada not only offer affordable tuition but also offer scholarships to foreign students. Scholarships may somewhat defray the cost of tuition, but you can also look for outside financing to cover all of it. Scholarships are often awarded based on merit and exceptional performance, but since there is fierce competition, you will need to put in a lot of effort to succeed.
A Canadian degree comes with additional expenses as well. You will pay this additional expense because health insurance is a requirement for all international students. You must obtain insurance that covers your medical demands because the amount depends on the firm you select.
You will also need to pay for housing. Depending on the region and city you live in, an apartment in Canada might cost anything from $500 to $1,500 per month.
Additional costs for food and living will also be incurred. However, in general, if you plan to study in Canada, don't anticipate paying more than $30,000 to $50,000 a year.
You can speak with your university or go to a cost of living website like Numbeo to learn more about Canada's costs of living.
How To Apply For A Master's Degree in Canada
Requirements
Depending on the university, different requirements must be met for master's degrees in Canada. Each institution has its own application procedures, specifications, and costs. However, international applicants must first submit their undergraduate transcripts and diplomas in order to be considered for graduate study in Canada.
You must confirm that your degree is recognized by that Canadian institution and that it has the necessary credits and accreditation. You must ensure that your degree meets Canadian educational standards because Canadian universities are very picky about which international degrees they accept.
The remaining steps in the application process involve submitting the application form and accompanying fee, paying all necessary fees, and attaching all required supporting documentation, such as essays and personal statements, letters of recommendation, and test results. You must also submit your TOEFL or IELTS results if you are from a country where English is not your native tongue. You must pass the required exams for French because it is a national language of Canada and you must apply to a university that offers courses in it.
The submission of GRE or GMAT results is also now required by several Canadian colleges for graduate student admissions. Therefore, plan on going through a drawn-out pre-application process that involves preparing for and passing these tests.
After submission of application
It will take roughly 7 weeks to process your application after you submit it. The university will either reject your application or ask for additional information from you if any required documents are missing. If extra documents are required, you must apply well in advance of the deadline so that you have ample time to acquire and submit them before the application deadlines.
The Canadian universities you apply to will react after the application processes have been completed, either with an offer of placement or a rejection. Hopefully you'll be approved so you can begin the process of earning a master's degree in Canada.
Study Permits for Canadians
You need the necessary documentation from your home government in order to study in Canada as an international student. This serves as a study permit for students. You can remain in Canada while pursuing your master's degree with the help of a study permit.
Either online or at a Canadian embassy in your nation, you can apply for a study permit. The following documentation is required in order to apply:
- A letter of acceptance from a Canadian university
- Evidence of financial stability need to study and live in Canada
- Attestation of health
- Evidence proving you don't have any criminal histories
- After earning your degree, you'll need tickets to travel back to Canada.
The acceptance letter and the proof of funds are the two important documents in this situation. If you lack the money to pay for tuition and living expenses, Canadian authorities will not permit you to begin your graduate degree. In order to ensure that you have enough money to cover the expense of living in Canada, check your bank account before submitting an application for a study permit.
Attending Graduate School in Canada
In terms of structure, a master's degree in Canada is comparable to one in the United States. The academic year typically lasts from September to May, including the customary winter and summer holidays for students. However, since each university may differ, everything depends on them. There may be variations in these systems among Canada's 10 provinces and 3 territories.
You will have a variety of mandatory and elective courses each semester as you pursue your master's degree in Canada. Your degree is comprised of them, and your area of study is determined by the electives you choose. Exams, research papers, presentations, and participation are used for evaluation in a manner similar to that in the US.
Research and internships
The value for applying what you study in the real world is highly valued in the Canadian educational system. In other words, it is always encouraged for students to look for internships both throughout the academic year and during holidays from school. Students typically locate internships in their specific field of study, which are sometimes known as co-ops or cooperative education. Students applying must have outstanding academic accomplishments because they are extremely competitive.
Additionally, research plays an important role in the educational system in Canada. Over a third of Canadian research, according to the OECD, is done at Canadian universities. The focus is mostly on scientific subjects, but social fields also carry out the majority of research. You might therefore choose to participate in a specific research study that is being undertaken at the university as a research assistant, for example, in addition to attending your regular classes. This will greatly improve your résumé and experience, making you more competitive while looking for an internship or a job.
working while you are a student
You might wish to consider working at least part-time while you are a student to augment your income. You can use the additional money to travel or just to pay your living bills. When you have a study permit, you are free to do any part-time job you want on campus. You don't need to submit a work permit application if you work on campus.
However, because there aren't many jobs available on campus, most students wind up looking elsewhere. Off-campus employment necessitates the application for a work permit, but because you are a student, you are only permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week while enrolled in classes. only during breaks from school are you
Post-Graduation Residency in Canada
Post graduation, it is interesting to continue living and working in Canada, or even to make it your permanent home. Since Canada is an inclusive country with no discrimination, it actually encourages foreign graduates to stay there too and impart their knowledge. About 51% of graduate international students say they intend to apply for permanent residence in Canada, according to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE). After graduation from college, there are various options for staying in Canada:
- Get a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) by applying - After eight months of study, you may apply for this permit. After graduation, it permits students to continue living and working in Canada for the same period of time they were studying. Therefore, the PGWP enables you to remain in the nation as an employee to work for two years if you obtained your master's degree over a two-year period.
- Apply to become a permanent resident of Canada - Another choice is to do so. You can do that in a number of ways, so visit the Government of Canada for additional information.
After getting your Master's degree from Canada, you will be at an advantage even if you return home. Since Canadian degrees are respected and regarded internationally, you won't have any trouble finding opportunities to advance your professional career.
Top Canadian Universities for Master's Degrees
Canada is home to many universities that rank among the top 100 in the world due to their high-quality education. Here are the top 5 Canadian universities where you can pursue a master's degree, along with their global rankings:
- McGill University – 30th in the world
- University of Toronto – 32nd in the world
- University of British Columbia – 45th in the world
- University of Alberta – 94th in the world
- Université de Montréal – 126th in the world