MS in Data Science in Canada

All organisations and businesses collected immense amounts of data in the course of the time that they have existed and function. As the digital age took over the world, the data storage became larger which in turn increased the number of data that businesses collected. Studying this data can help give important insight into many aspects like market trends, consumer satisfaction, production efficiency etc.

The field of study which gathers and devices methods to extract important information from the collected data is known a Data Science. Data Science is an amalgam of three subjects; mathematics, technology and business acumen. The technology subjects, which include computing and machine language, are an addition which became necessary after an increase in the amount of data collected.

Pursuing MS in Data Science is a great career choice as it is a field of study which is applicable to all companies, irrespective of their business sector. Also, ever since automation has become a scare to the working class, job security is a must. Data Science is a field where there would always be need of a person behind the computer.

The college or university where students decide to pursue their degree has an effect on the credibility and professionalism of the individual. The best schools to attend for an MS in Data Science are situated in Canada. Following is a look at what it would look like studying in Canada.

Living in Canada

For any international student, the most important of travelling to a foreign land is to have an idea of their financial expenditure. Tuition is a set of expenditure that depends on the course and school one attends. The variable in all of this is attributed to the living expenditure.

The cost of living for a student living in Canada will come down too many factors. One of these would be the city one plans to study in. Even though Canada is considered to be a fairly cheap country to live in when compared to countries like the USA and the UK, there are few cities which are costlier than others. Following are the most expensive cities in Canada

• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Toronto, Ontario
• Victoria, British Columbia
• Calgary, Alberta
• Hamilton – Burlington, Ontario

Following is a breakdown of the monthly expenditures that one may encounter while living in Canada

• A meal in a Restaurant – 15 C$
• Groceries – 70 C$
• Transportation (monthly pass) – 95 C$
• Basic Utilities (electricity, heating/cooling, water) – 148.13 C$
• Internet – 74.22 C$
• Sports and Gym – 48.16 C$
• Apartment rent (1 bedroom) – 1,226 C$
• Apartment rent (3 bedrooms) – 1,979.26 C$

The country is a fairly affordable place to live in and if you pick up a part-time job it would only help you financially. The country is made up of a very diverse population as people from all over the world have travelled and found settlement there. Students travelling across the oceans to Canada would feel like they are right at home.

Student Visa for Canada

In order to travel to any foreign nation to pursue an education student must first gain permission in the form of a student permit. Canada, in comparison to all the other famous student destinations, has one of the most lenient visa processes. It all starts with the student applying to a course of their choice at a university. Once accepted, the school will send an acceptance letter which can help start the process.

The visa can be applied for online or by visiting the local authorities. The visa fees, which amounts to 150 C$, can be paid using a credit card (online application) or by making out a demand draft to the Canadian High Commission (offline application). Once the visa application is processed, the student will be asked to visit the local authorities to submit the documents and a biometric interview. The following documents must be carried along, in original and copies.

• Valid passport – the validity of the passport must post-date the duration of the course that the student is planning to attend
• Proof of Acceptance – the letter of acceptance received from the school should be produced
• Proof of funds – the students must provide proof of financial support for the duration of stay in the country. The authorities require for the students to have minimum 10,000 C$ for every year of their stay
• Passport Size Photographs
• Immigration Medical Examination – conducted by a doctor recommended by the visa authorities
• Marksheets of exams – standardized tests (GMAT, GRE) and English language proficiency (IELTS, TOFEL)
• Statement of purpose – a letter, containing the purpose of pursuing the course and future plans in respect to employment and goals, must be submitted to the authorities.

Along with permission to study in Canada, the study permit allows students to have part-time jobs if mentioned in their study permit. The student is allowed to work 20 hours per week when the school is in session and full-time during breaks. It is a great way to support oneself financially and amass work experience.

Stay in Canada after Graduation

Canada, as a developed nation, is a job-creating nation. Many students who travel to the country plan on staying back and pursuing a career. The government has many options for students planning to work in Canada. The first step that students need to take is applying for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. To be eligible for a PGWP, one must have

• Completed a study program in Canada at least 8 months long
• Maintained full-time student status
• Graduate from a designated learning institute (DLI) in Canada

The application would require an official letter of completion form your school and official transcripts of your course. Having worked in the country for a year or more and gaining good work experience, students can apply for a permanent residence which will eventually lead to a permanent job

MS in Data Science courses in Canada

Canada has many MS in Data Science programs to offer to their students. Following is a list of some of the top schools offering the MS in Data Science courses :

The University of British Columbia – Master of Data Science

Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia is a public research institute. The School has campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna. With a total student force of 60,000 students, the school is one of the top 20 universities in the country.

University of Waterloo – Master of Mathematics in Computer Science-Data Science

Known as Waterloo College Associate Faculties. When first established in 1956, the school took its current name in the year 1959. The school is situated in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and has a student population of 36,000.

Carleton University – Master of Computer Science-Data Science

Established as a public comprehensive university, the school east established in 1942 in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Earlier established as Carleton College for world war 2 veterans, the school today houses 30,000 students and a staff of 4,000.