If you’re aspiring to get a master’s degree from Canada and want to know about the MS in Canada requirements, go no further, this article will serve as your comprehensive guide to enlighten you about the requirements for master’s degree in Canada for International students. Canada is an educational hotspot and attracts students from all around the world because of its world-class education, affordable cost of living, and immigrant-friendly rules.
There are various advantages of pursuing an MS from Canada such as the high academic standards of Universities whose Master’s degree is globally recognized.
There are various scholarships also available for financially weak yet academically bright students. Acquiring a study permit and subsequently work permit is also quite easy for immigrants who wish to study or work in Canada.
Master of Science or MS degree is a well-coveted degree and can be pursued in a variety of science-related fields such as medicine, astronomy, engineering, information technology, etc.
MS is a degree that covers all the areas of the selected core subject and helps the student in gaining profound knowledge and understanding of various concepts while getting practical and operational knowledge as well. So without further adieu, here are the MS in Canada requirements.
Academic Requirements
Candidates who are interested in pursuing MS from well-reputed Canadian Universities must meet the minimum GPA requirement criteria set by the institution. In most universities, the candidate is expected to have a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA is required in their bachelor’s degree to be eligible to get admission.
Candidates are also required to submit proof of their GMAT or GRE test scores as required by the universities.
Non-native English speakers are required to submit proof of their IELTS or TOEFL exam test scores.
Generally, Candidates must have a 90 plus score in TOEFL and 6-7 bands in IELTS to be eligible for admission in a Master’s degree.
Academic Documents required for admissions
Students are required to submit the following documents in order to get a letter of acceptance from the university they have applied in.
- Filled Admission application form.
- Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates from educational institutions attended by the MS aspirant.
- CV/Resume of the Candidate.
- Letters of Recommendation (optional)
- Personal statement/ Reason for applying to the university
- Scores of competitive exams required to study in Canada
- GRE/GMAT scores
- IELTS/TOEFL scores (Language proficiency in English/French)
- Payment proof of application fee.
- Copy of Passport.
- Proof of scholarship or funding (as required)
Financial Requirements for MS admission in Canada
There are various expenses that one should put under consideration before applying to study MS in Canada.
The total cost of your MS in Canada won’t just include your tuition fees which you pay to the Business institute, but will also include numerous other expenses such as pre-arrival costs, cost of living/accommodation, groceries/food, transport, healthcare, and personal expenses.
Cost of studying
Average tuition fees in Canada for a Master’s degree range around 20,000 to 30,000 CAD every year but can vary depending on the type and duration of the course as well as the institution selected.
Types of housing accommodations available in Canada:
On-campus housing
This type of housing is generally located on the campus or very near the campus of the university. In the On-campus housing, students have to share their rooms/dorms with other students and can help students in making new friends and give them the benefit of staying so close to the campus.
Some institutes even provide meals to students for a negligible cost which can help students who are living alone for the first time.
The dorm rooms are maintained by the institute and come equipped with all necessary amenities such as heating systems, running water, furniture, and storage space. This type of housing costs around 3000$ per year on average.
Private housing
Students who do not prefer to stay with other unknown students as is the case with on-campus housing, choose the alternative private housing option. Private housing refers to renting private accommodations in an area of your choice.
Most international students prefer this option as they can rent a place where they can get separate rooms with common areas such as hall, bathroom, and kitchen and share it with their friends or relatives who are living in the same area/city.
This type of housing provides privacy but does not provide any pre-available furniture or amenities but still cost lower than on-campus housing. Students need to get their furniture, Wi-Fi connection, heating system, and electricity.
The cost of private housing depends heavily on the city and the area you choose. You can expect the rent of private housing to be anywhere around 40,000 to 1, 20,000 INR per month.
Homestay
Some universities and colleges have arrangements with local families who are willing to host students in their houses. This can be a great way for an international student to learn about the local culture and can help them settle in their new environment.
Students are provided with a room and 3 square meals per day by the host family. This type of housing can cost you around 400-600$ per month.
As each housing option has its pros and cons, international students are advised to research and select their housing options based on their personal preferences, requirements, and budget.
Cost of living
Food Expenses: Meals and groceries come under food expenses. You can expect to spend around 200$ each month on groceries.
The cost of eating outside depends on the individual’s preferences. Eating at fast-food cafes or roadside stalls is comparatively cheaper than eating at a restaurant or hotel.
Transit Charges: (h5)There are various public transportation services available for Indian students to use.
Transit services like buses, subways, taxis, or bicycles are available in Canada. In a city like Toronto, on average a bus pass would cost you 120$ per month. Private transport is considered expensive when compared to public transport.
Healthcare Charges: Basic health insurance can cost you around 600-800$ per year. In case of an illness or injury, you need to keep in mind the costs that are not covered under the basic healthcare insure provided. These costs can vary depending on various factors.
- Visiting a Doctor
- Medical Specialist visit
- Hospital Stays
- Medical Procedures
Books and study material: Purchasing textbooks and other related study material can cost you anywhere near 200-250$ per semester.
Miscellaneous charges: These extra charges can cost around 200$ per month and may include the cost of mobile phones, entertainment, and clothing.
Scholarships requirements for doing MS in Canada
Academically gifted students can apply for various scholarships available to them by universities and the government of Canada to fund their studies. Students can also opt for educational loans or can work part-time while studying to become financially stable.
Various scholarships available to international students pursuing MS in Canada:
| Scholarship | Awarded to | Scholarship Amount (in CAD) |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | graduate students at universities in Ontario | 10,000- 30,000 |
| Graduate Entrance Scholarship | students enrolled in Masters in Taxation program at the University of Waterloo | 3,500 |
| JN Tata Endowment Scholarship | Indian students looking for studies abroad | 1,832- 18,315 |
| Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | students from developing countries covering tuition & living expenses | Varies |
| Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship | full-time students enrolled in a thesis-based master’s program at UBC | 5,000 |
| International Entrance Awards | students enrolled in an MBA program at McGill University | Up to 20,000 |
| Graduate Scholarship | students enrolled in a master’s program at the University of Waterloo | 1,000 |
| Hira and Renu Ahuja International Graduate Scholarship | full-time graduate enrolled in a master’s program at the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering | 20,000 |
| Graduate Fellowship (UMGF) | full-time students of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Manitoba | 14,000 |
| Master’s Entrance Scholarship | full-time graduate student at Alberta University in the form of a stipend | 17,500 + 10,000 |
| Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship | students enrolled in a research-based graduate program at Alberta university | 26,000 |
Work experience requirements
Work experience is not required for all Canadian MS aspirants and depends heavily on the course selected and the university the aspirant wishes to enroll in. Generally, work experience of around 1-3 years is required in certain MS courses like Finance or Business Management.
Study Permit requirements
In order to study MS in Canada, a study permit is required by the candidate. A study permit is a form of the student visa which legally allows the immigrant to live and study in Canada for the duration specified in the study permit. To obtain a study permit, you can apply at your nearest visa application center.
Documents required to obtain study permit:
- A firm acceptance letter from a Canadian university.
- Proof of financial stability such as bank statements with a minimum required amount to prove that you can afford the financial requirements of studying and living in Canada.
- A clear criminal record.
- Medical certificate stating that you have no life-threatening or contagious illness and are in good health physically.