Canada has been one of the most desired countries for students who wish to study abroad. Studying abroad can be expensive however Canada is one country that provides quality education with comparatively low tuition fees. Hence it won’t be surprising at all when in Canada you find a throng of international students.

Also, Canada has a very well designed higher education system, with modern teaching methods and rigorous academic standards. It attracts thousands of foreign students, who apply for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD courses offered by over 90 universities. Mentioned below are top universities for MS in Canada.

1. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is highest among all the Canadian Universities and is ranked 19th globally for its graduate employability. The four Canadian prime ministers have been its alumni, also prominent figures like Donald Sutherland, Margaret Atwood, and Lorne Michaels. The University of Toronto has three campuses: Mississauga (in the West), Downtown Toronto (St.George), and Scarborough (in the East).  The total enrollment of students for fall is usually 93,000 of which 70,000+ were in-state students while 23,000+ were international. Also, the library system of the University of Toronto is considered the third-largest in North America with 44 libraries. 

Ranking

The University of Toronto has continuously been ranked first under the top 10 universities for Masters Degree in Canada. The ranking of this global university has only improved over the years. In 2021, the ranking of the University of Toronto has been: 25 by QS World University Ranking and 18 by THE (Times Higher Education).

Eligibility

Students who want to pursue a master’s need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent to it from a recognised institution/university. Some departments admit directly to a doctoral programme from an undergraduate degree for highly qualified candidates. Besides that, applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English, regardless of their country of origin or citizenship status.

Fees

The University of Toronto finalises tuition fees for each academic year in the spring season. The students are also required to pay Ancillary, Incidental, and System Access Fees. The ancillary fee contributes to field trip expenses. The incidental fee is charged for campus-based services, students societies, recreation facilities, athletics, and student health plans. The special equipment is provided for administrative costs and coursework. The fees for the courses start from $40,000 and exceeds $63,000.

Admission Process

An application fee is charged CAD 180. The other admission requirements are: 

• Personal profile 
• Statement of Purpose
• GMAT/GRE scores
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• Official transcripts of previous university/institute
• Certain programs have their own requirements which should be checked before the submission of the application
• Letter of recommendations
• Proof of funds
• Updated Resume

Courses

There are over 700 undergraduate courses and 200 graduate courses spanning from education, humanities, medicine, engineering, business, etc. All these programmes are organised into 20 faculties and divisions for systematic delivery. In addition to that, the university also offers 40+ collaborative programmes and three diploma programmes. 

Scholarships

Students are provided financial assistance in form of scholarships, fellowships, and awards at this university. Here some of the scholarships for international students at the University of Toronto are: 

• Delta Kappa Gamma World Fellowships: Up to $5,300/year 
• Scholars at Risk-Fellowship: Up to $10,000/year
• Dean’s Masters of Information Scholarship: $5,000/year
• Adel S. Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award: $25,000/year

University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo is the only university in the world to receive five stars in employability, teaching, and research. The University of Waterloo offers some of the best programmes in its 13 schools and 6 faculties. The university is ranked 22nd globally for graduate employability. It also acquires the 1st position for the “partnerships with employers” indicator. Its co-op programs allow students to integrate their studies with work experience. The university describes itself as an “entrepreneurial ecosystem” and was lately named as Canada’s most innovative university.

Ranking

The University of Waterloo has been conferred the following positions by the renowned ranking agencies:

1. QS Rankings 2021

• QS Ranking in Canada: 2
• QS World University Ranking: 166
• QS Graduate Employability: 25

2. Times Higher Education Rankings

• World University Rankings 2021: 201-250
• Impact Ranking 2021: 16

3. Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings

• 2nd for most innovative university in Canada
• 1st for career preparation
• 4th for quality education in Canada

Eligibility

You must be in “overall good standing” to be eligible for the University of Waterloo. Students are required to have successful completion of at least 2B academic term before departure. Applicants are also required to have a minimum overall average of 70% with no failed courses. Students are especially willing to pursue architecture, computer, biomedical, mechatronics, software, and systems design. Additionally, applicants are required to have a good amount of extra-curricular activities and work experience. Students should also demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English, regardless of whichever country they belong to. They are also required to showcase the scores of GRE./GMAT in order to showcase their analytical abilities.

Fees

Tuition and incidental fees can vary by programme. Applicants can pay fees one school term at a time and not for the entire year at once. All numbers are in Canadian dollars. Co-op students pay a fee of $734 in each term to cover up some costs of the co-op program. For finance and accounting programmes, the tuition fees are significantly higher in the upper years.

Admission Process

An application fee is charged CAD 185. Besides that, other admission requirements are: 

• Minimum average scores in undergraduate; (70-80%)
• Personal profile 
• Statement of Purpose
• GMAT/GRE scores
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• Official transcripts of previous university/institute
• Certain programs have their own requirements which should be checked before the submission of the application
• Letter of recommendations
• Proof of funds
• Updated Resume

Courses

The University of Waterloo offers 100+ undergraduate programmes and 180+ post-graduate programs. Foreign students can apply for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD degrees, available under various faculties of the institution/university. There are full-time as well as part-time courses at undergraduate and graduate levels. Students can choose programs from: 

• Business, Accounting and Finance
• Government, Society, and Law
• Engineering, Architecture and Urban Planning
• Environment and Sustainability
• Language, Culture, and Creative Arts
• Sciences
• Health and Wellness
• Math and Computing

Scholarships

The University of Waterloo offers foreign students financial aid in the form of scholarships and bursaries to study in Canada. Various scholarships are merit-based and are available for students who are in need of financial aid. Some of these scholarships are:

• International Student Entrance Scholarships: Up to $10,000/year
• Merit Scholarship: Up to $1000/year
• President Scholarship: Up to $2000/year

McGill University

McGill has been ranked 28th in the world for graduate employability. It also has a strong alumni base with 12 Nobel Laureates, 145 Rhodes Scholars, and three Canadian prime ministers. McGill is also considered the highest-ranked Canadian university in the “employer reputation” indicator. It is the oldest university in Montreal and is one of the three English language universities in Quebec. It is the only academic university of higher education in Canada that is a part of the Global University Leaders Forum(GULF). The university is part of some of the greatest inventions which include the Plexiglas, the invention of dividable atoms, etc. The university also claims to be the inventor of hockey, football, and basketball.

Ranking

McGill is ranked 42nd in the world university ranking for the year 2020 of Times Higher Education. According to the Maclean University Ranking for the year 2020, McGill is positioned 1st among the medical-doctoral universities of Canada. The university was honoured at the top in the departments of student awards, scholarships & bursaries, by similar survey rankings. McGill is ranked between 51-100 in 2020 among world universities offering information technology programs and computer science, by QS News.

Eligibility

To be eligible for graduate programs at McGill, one needs to be holistic. The minimum requirements to be considered for acceptance: a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution, a good GPA, and English proficiency. Overall, admission to graduate programs is highly competitive and depends on the admission requirement of the admission committee.

Fees

The tuition fee required before seeking admission at the institute for international students starts from $18,110 to $48,747. The ancillary fees start from $1,537 to $3,971. Basically, for each course, the fees vary. Hence the candidate first needs to make a decision on which course they want to pursue and then pay for it accordingly.

Admission Process

An application fee is charged CAD 120.99. Besides that, other admission requirements are: 

• A good GPA
• Personal profile 
• Statement of Purpose
• GMAT/GRE scores
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• Official transcripts of previous university/institute
• Certain programs have their own requirements which should be checked before the submission of the application
• Letter of recommendations
• Proof of funds
• Updated Resume

Courses

The McGill University offers 400+ programmes in 80 departments. The university’s LLM and MBA programme are some courses that are not only popular in Canada but also globally. Also, some of the courses like Investment Management, Computer Science, and Medicine at McGill are exceptionally brilliant.

Scholarships

McGill University is fully committed to offering quality education to everyone. Hence, it offers need-based and merit-based scholarships to its applicants. The foreign students who want scholarships to study in Canada can apply at the university. They can get the form of work-study, scholarships, and various other funding. Some of these scholarships are:

• One-year scholarships: $3,000
• Major scholarships: $3,000-$12,000

University of British Columbia

The UBC has been recently recognised as the most international university in North America. The university comprises two campuses: one in Okanagan and the other in Vancouver. The University of Columbia offers undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and joint academic programs. A wide list of subjects incorporated under these programs is Applied Science, Business, Law, Medicine, Architecture, Philosophy, Dentistry, etc. UBC also has a list of notable alumni that includes the country’s first female prime minister Kim Campbell, Canadian artist Jeff Wall, etc.

Ranking

UBC is considered one of the best higher education institutes in Canada. It is ranked number 2 in Canada and 34 globally by 2021 Times Higher Education ranking.  US News 2021 rankings honoured the university’s 5 subjects in the top 20 including Engineering, Computer Science, etc. Maclean also awarded the university for its reputed programs in Geography and English.

Eligibility

UBC established the minimum eligibility criteria for all applicants. Each graduate program may have additional requirements as well. So, it is recommended to all potential applicants refer to specific graduate degree programs for information.  Basic requirements include a four-year bachelor’s degree, English language proficiency score, etc.

Fees

The tuition fee is assessed as an annual fee, which is divided into three instalments of academic terms- September, January, and May. The fee is same regardless of how many courses the candidate is registered in. Some graduate programs charge tuition on a per-credit basis like online or professional programmes. Usually, the fees at UBC starts from $15,793 to $46,835.

Admission Process

An application fee is charged $89. Besides that, other admission requirements are: 

• Good GPA
• Personal profile 
• Statement of Purpose
• GMAT/GRE scores
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• Official transcripts of previous university/institute
• Certain programs have their own requirements which should be checked before the submission of the application
• Letter of recommendations
• Proof of funds
• Updated Resume

Courses

The university provides 200 graduate and undergraduate courses to more than 50,000 students globally. UBC offers some unparalleled courses in the areas of Management, Engineering, Geography, Medicine, and Forestry. Its Vancouver School of Economics and Sauder School of Business is compared to some of the ivy league universities.

Scholarships

The university offers various scholarships to study in Canada for foreign aspirants. Apart from scholarships, they can also avail of other financial aids in form of bursaries, grants, and awards. Some of the UBC scholarships available for foreign students are: 

• International Major Entrance Scholarship: $11,979-$14,973
• Outstanding International Student Award: $4,492-$10,481
• Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award

University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is ranked as one of the top universities of Canada for a masters degree. It is also ranked between 81-90 for employability. The university is featured in the global top 50 for the “partnerships with employers” indicator. The university offers a range of internships and co-op programs and has a 95% employment rate.

Ranking

Here are the rankings of the University of Calgary in 2020: 

• Times Higher Education 2020 Ranking: 8th in Canada and 201-250 internationally
• QS World University Ranking 2020: 9th in Canada and 233 in the world
• QS Global World Ranking: 151-160 for Graduate Employability

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria vary depending on the program and the admission is quite competitive. The basic requirements for each programme are a four-year undergraduate degree, English language proficiency test scores, etc. In case a student has got a three-year undergraduate degree they must also hold a master’s degree.

Fees

Students in most course-based programmes are required to pay tuition fees as per the course. Some programs might also charge additional tuition fees. All tuition fees are required to be submitted in 4 instalments. One-third in the fall season, one-third in the winter season, one-sixth in spring, and one-sixth in summer. Many course-based programs also charge differential fees. Students who take courses with a differential rate are expected to pay the differential fee. The fees courses start from $9,998 to $43,211.

Admission Process

The application fee is charged $110. Besides that, other admission requirements are: 

• Financial/Sponsorship documents
• Certified copy of academic certificates
• Essays
• English language proficiency test scores
• Certified copy of current passport
• Good GPA
• Personal profile 
• Statement of Purpose
• Certain programs have their own requirements which should be checked before the submission of the application
• Letter of recommendation
• Updated Resume

Courses

The university offers about 250 academic programmes across its five campuses. The University of Calgary provides 110+ majors at the undergraduate level. The university offers 70+ graduate and certification programmes in engineering, science, arts, etc.

Scholarships

The University of Calgary offers various kinds of financial aid to its foreign students including work-study programs and bursaries. Foreign students will have to meet certain requirements to avail these scholarships. Some of these scholarships are: 

• Alberta Innovates Graduate Studentships (Health): $20,000
• Graduate award Competition: Up to $27,000
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: $38,000

University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is ranked in the range of 91-100 for graduate employability. It is also placed within the top 100 for graduate employment rate and partnerships with employers. 85% of graduates have been employed three months after graduating from the university. There are more than 40,000 students from over 170 countries which brings an organic blend to heritage and culture.

Ranking

The University of Alberta has performed exceptionally well in the world rankings for the last five years. Here is a glimpse of it:

• QS World Rankings: 119
• Times Higher Education Rankings: 131
• US News Rankings: 138

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission, there are general requirements and also requirements specific to the program. The admission would be based on your academic history, work experience, extra-curricular involvement, grades, and English proficiency.

Fees

The tuition fee for various programmes offered at the university differs as per their duration and levels. However, the average fee for undergraduate courses offered at the university starts from $10,365 to $38,980. In addition to tuition fees, the university charges fees for goods and services provided to the students. This includes sports, student associations, and health.

Admission Process

An application fee is charged CAD 125. Besides that, other admission requirements are: 

• Resume
• A good GPA
• Personal profile 
• Statement of Purpose
• GMAT/GRE scores
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• Official transcripts of previous university/institute
• Certain programs have their own requirements which should be checked before the submission of the application
• Letter of recommendations
• Proof of funds

Courses

The university offers over 400 diverse courses for foreign students who are willing to study in Canada. the university has over 5 campuses. The university is renowned for its exceptional programs like Engineering, Business, MBA, Education, and Pharmacy. The institute has been honoured as the major 5 national institutes. It is also considered one of the top engineering universities in Canada.

Scholarships

The university is highly reputed for offering its students a good amount of scholarships to study in Canada. These scholarships are distributed on the basis of applicants academic and extracurricular activities. Some of the scholarships provided by the university are:

• International Student Scholarship: Upto $9,000
• International Entrance Leadership Scholarship: Upto $5,000 
• University of Alberta International Country Scholarship: Upto $5,000

Queen’s University

It is a publicly funded institution that is 26 years older than the country itself. Queen’s is one of the highly coveted universities in Canada with an acceptance rate of just 10-20%. The core curriculum provided is heavily regulated by the provincial governments and is considered one of the best in Canada. Queen’s has not compromised on its academic standards and continued to be the most sought after universities to date.

Ranking

Queen’s University has held the highest ranking in the list of Canadian Universities. Below are given the rankings of Queen’s University:

• QS World University Ranking: 239th position in the world and 10th position in Canada (2021)
• Times Higher Education Ranking 2020: 201-250 internationally and 8th in Canada

Eligibility

Depending on the programme you choose, professional qualifications and extra-curricular activities may also be taken into account. To be eligible, for some programmes, admissions tests, an interview, or essays also form a major part of the selection. The minimal requirement for admission to a Master’s degree is shaving an undergraduate degree for a recognised institution. You also need to have scores of IELTS/TOEFL to showcase your English proficiency.

Fees

The fees vary for different courses and programmes available at the Queen’s. Graduate students are required to give tuition fees for each term. The academic year consists of four terms (Fall, Winter, Summer). The fees at Queen’s university ranges from $16,098 to $64,670.

Admission Process

For the admission process, below are given the following things that are required:

• Resume/CV
• A good GPA
• Personal profile 
• Statement of Purpose
• GMAT/GRE scores
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• Official transcripts of previous university/institute
• Certain programs have their own requirements which should be checked before the submission of the application
• Letter of recommendations
• Proof of funds

Courses

The university offers over 125+ graduate courses and more than 140 online courses in its schools and 8 faculties. The programmes offered are available at degree, diploma, and certification levels. Generally, its undergraduate programs always outshine the master’s programs. However, one can’t get disappointed with the diverse list of courses available both in undergraduate and masters. It also offers some exceptional and unique schools like mining and geology. If you are someone who is interested in a cross-cultural experience, then Queen’s offers 100+ exchange partnership programmes.

Scholarships

The Queen’s University is fully committed to helping the excellent achievers of their respective domains, looking for aids/scholarships. The university offers various scholarships, bursaries, and awards for its aspirants. Some of the scholarships available for international students are: 

• Principal’s Scholarship: $3,000/year
• Excellence Scholarship: $1,125/year
• Queen’s University International Admission Scholarship: $6,750/year
• Principal’s International Scholarship India: $15,000/year

Université de Montréal

The University de Montreal is affiliated with 37 health institutions and has Quebec’s largest sponsored research income. It is one of the largest universities in the nation with an extensive alumni network. Many graduates have gained prominence in fields like physics, business, politics, law, art, and other scientific fields. It is a public institution founded in 1878 in Montreal, Canada.

Rankings

Given below are the rankings for the University of Montreal: 

• QS World Universities Ranking 2020: 137th
• Shanghai Ranking 2019: 151st-200th
• Times Higher Education Ranking 2020: 85th
• Shanghai Ranking 2020: 7th

Eligibility

The admission procedure at this university is highly competitive. To be eligible for this university one needs to have official transcripts, certificates, test scores, language proficiency tests, minimum GPA of 3.0, LOR, etc.

Fees

The number of your tuition fees will depend on whether you are a Canadian student or an international student. You may also have to pay other fees in addition to your tuition fees. The standard fees for graduate students here are $8,186 per session and for doctoral students, it is $425 per session. o your tuition fees. The standard fees for graduate students here are $8,186 per session and for doctoral students, it is $425 per session.

Admission Process

An application fee is charged CAD 102.50. Besides that, other admission requirements are: 

• Resume
• A good GPA
• Personal profile 
• Statement of Purpose
• GMAT/GRE scores
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• Official transcripts of previous university/institute
• Certain programs have their own requirements which should be checked before the submission of the application
• Letter of recommendations
• Proof of funds

Courses

The university offers up to 600 courses that cover almost every field out there. The programs are offered at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral levels as well as certification programs and diplomas offered in French. The university offers 340 programs on the Montreal campus, 11 in Laval Campus, and 13 in St-Hyacinthe campus.

Scholarships

The University of Montreal offers various scholarships and loans to students in Canada. The scholarships are mostly for graduates and are merit-based. Some of the scholarships available here are: 

• UdeM’s Exemption Scholarship 
• PBEEE scholarship
• Bourse C Scholarship

McMaster University

It is a public university with one main campus and four regional campuses. Currently, it is home to nearly 4,000 international students from 120 nations. McMaster is also one of the only four universities of Canada that come in the list of top 100 colleges in the world. Here, the alumnus includes John Candy, Roberta Bondar, Eugene Levy, and many political leaders and businesspersons.

Ranking

The McMaster University has been conferred the following positions by the renowned ranking agencies:

• Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021: 69
• USNews Ranking 2021: 133
• QS Rankings 2021: 144
• Shanghai Jiao Tong Rankings 2020: 90

Eligibility

The admission procedure will look easy to crack but the university does have stringent admission policies. In the previous years, the acceptance rate has been 12-18%. The admission committee looks for a holistic profile. Hence, the applicants should not just match up to the academic criteria but also in extra-curricular activities.

Fees

The fees at McMaster university differs according to the opted major, programmes, level of program, and study plan. At this university, the fees usually start at $23,080 and go up to $65,250. For some master’s programmes, the fees are $12,820 as well.

Admission Process

The application fee for MBA is charged $113 and for undergraduate courses, it is $194. Besides that, other admission requirements are: 

• Resume/CV
• A good GPA
• Personal profile 
• Statement of Purpose
• GMAT/GRE scores
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• Official transcripts of previous university/institute
• Certain programs have their own requirements which should be checked before the submission of the application
• Letter of recommendations
• Proof of funds

Courses

McMaster offers 300+ undergraduate and 150 graduate courses to choose from for international students. There are also cutting-edge graduate programmes offered in engineering, business, science, humanities, and social sciences. McMaster is home to the DeGroote School of Medicines that was ranked 33rd in the QS rankings 2016. The Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, and Faculty of Health Sciences are considered some of the best in Canada.

Scholarships

The university provides financial aid to foreign students based on their financial and academic qualifications. The scholarship amount is based on a student’s final admission average to the programme. At McMaster the types of scholarships available to international students are: 

• Entrance Awards by Application
• The McMaster Honour Awards 
• Athletic Financial Awards
• Faculty Entrance Awards
• Entrance Awards for Indigenous Students

Western University

The Western University was founded in 1878 in Canada. Initially, the university made its debut in four faculties- Law, Arts, Medicine, and Divinity. The university has grown to accommodate 400+ undergraduate programs along with 120 graduate and professional programs. The university’s alumni are making significant contributions in the fields of engineering, business, music, politics, medicine, athletics, and politics.

Rankings

Western University is ranked at the top level of the “Most Satisfied Students” section in the Globe and Mail’s annual Canadian University Report. The university has also been conferred the following positions by the renowned ranking agencies:

• QS World University Rankings 2020: 211
• Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020: 201-250
• U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2020: 276

Eligibility

The university admits the cream domestic and international students based on academic performance, extra-curricular activities, and work experience. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the university. Some are general admission requirements related to the educational jurisdiction, GPA, portfolio, additional supplementary information, etc.

Fees

At Western University, the average tuition fees for one full-time foreign undergraduate/graduate student is CAD 31,042 to CAD 38,611. However, the tuition fees may vary from course to course, and you need to pay it three times per year. This also covers the cost of a wide range of resources, services, and supports.

Admission Process

An application fee is charged CAD 155. Besides that, other admission requirements are: 

• Resume/CV
• Official Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• Letter of Recommendation
• Proof of financial support
• Permanent overseas address
• Self-reported Academic Resources
• Copy of passport
• Test Scores- GMAT/GRE/SAT/ACT
• English Proficiency Requirements- IELTS/TOEFL
• Additional Requirements – Resume; Proof of financial support

Courses

The university provides 400 majors, specialisations, minors as well as 120 graduate and doctoral programmes. Most viewed courses include Health, Business Management, Science, Engineering, Computer Science and IT. All the courses offered by the university are module-based which allows students to broaden their area of study.

Scholarships

The Western University provides financial support to students in the form of bursaries, emergency loans, scholarships, and work opportunities. The National Scholarship Program offers three scholarships worth CAD 50,000 to exceptional foreign students. Some other scholarships provided by the university are: 

• Western Admission Scholarship: $2,500
• Western Scholarship of Distinction: $3,500
• Western Scholarship of Excellence: $8,000

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