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July 30, 2020

Step-by-step Guide To Apply Masters In Universities In Canada

By Deepthi Kurian

With four of the top 100 universities in the world, such as the University of Toronto and University of British Columbia, it's no wonder that over 3,70,900 international students prefer Canada for higher studies. Added to that, there are 125 private and public universities in Canada that offer world-class education and affordable cost of education. The degrees earned from Canadian universities are accepted globally and are equal to what other countries, such as the US offer. If you wish to study in Canada, then apply to universities in Canada with these easy application steps. 

Choose The Right University 

Do some research on Canadian universities and ensure that you have a minimum of 3 options. Some of the top universities located in Canada are-

• University of Toronto
• McGill University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Montreal
• McMaster University
• University of Alberta
• Mount Allison University
• Brock University
• University of Regina
• University of Calgary

List of colleges in Canada for International students-

• Centennial College
• George Brown college
• Humber College 
• Red river college
• Seneca college 

You need to check the admission requirements, which includes-

• Language requirements
• Intake of universities in Canada
• Application letter to the university
• Credit scores

Find as much as you can on the universities of your choice so that you make the best choice. 

Choose The Right Subject

Some of the most popular subjects worth considering are-

• Masters in Computer Science
• Masters in Psychology
• Masters in Business Administration
• Masters in Finance
• Masters in Environmental Sciences
• Masters in Construction Engineering
• Masters in Mechanical Engineering
• Masters in Electrical Engineering
• Masters in Human resource management
• Masters in Public health

Commonly, the course duration is one to two years, including internships and placements. Most master's programmes include a dissertation. Besides lectures and tutorials, masters programmes may include projects, group work and site visits. 

You are normally required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or 4.0 for your bachelor's degree. Based on your subject area, you may require to appear for a graduate entry test- GMAT or GRE. 

Prepare To Apply 

After you have listed out the universities in Canada, double-check if the universities are a Designated Learning Institution. DLI is a university or college approved by a territorial or provincial government that admits international students. 

Check the details of tuition fees for the study programme, which is available on the university website. Tuition fees vary based on your country of origin. 

Make sure that you research on the subject of choice as well as the medium of instruction. Both French and English are the official languages of Canada. Therefore, you can choose a degree with English as a medium of instruction or French, or both. 

Meet The Language Requirements 

You can choose from French taught or English-taught Master's degrees. Based on the language that you have selected to study in, you need to prove your language proficiency. Accepted English language tests are-

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• C1 Advanced

Certain universities accept other English language tests such as-

• Michigan English Language Assessment Battery
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment
• Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees

French language tests accepted by universities in Canada are-

• DAFL
• DEFL
• TestCan
• TCF
• TEF

Prepare The Required Documents 

Requirements for Master's Degree in Canada-

• Completed Application form
• Copy of your Certificate or Diploma
• Proof of financial resources 
• Two letters of academic reference
• Resume(if needed)
• Letter of recommendation
• Proof of French or English proficiency
• Copy of passport

A certified translator should notarise your translated documents. Don't forget to submit the original version of the required documents as well. 

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary from one institution to that of another. Therefore it's extremely important to submit the application 8 to 12 months before the course commences. 

There are two enrolment sessions-

For winter intake in Canada, the application deadline is September 1. For master's students, the summer enrollment starts on January 15. Deadlines for different degree programmes of the same Canadian university can vary. The university will send the acceptance letter to you after the university processes your application.

After Getting Acceptance Letter

Settle health insurance- The amount covered differs based on the Canadian province where you live.

Check whether you need a Canada student visa or a study permit- Soon after getting your acceptance letter, apply for the visa at the earliest so that you will be allowed to enter Canada. 

Canada Student Visa IELTS Band Requirements

IELTS test comprises of four parts-

• Reading
• Writing 
• Speaking 
• Listening 

For each part, you'll be given a band score from 1 to 9. 

You need a minimum score of 6.0 per band for master's degree whereas 6.5 and above overall score. On the other hand, for degree programmes, you need a minimum of 5.5 per band and 6.0 and above overall score. 

Being able to speak French or English fluently is essential for qualifying as an international student since a vast majority of courses are taught in these languages. Certain universities such as the University of British Columbia accept a score of 6.5 for all the four parts, whereas some universities demand a score of 7 and above. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How long does it take to get a Masters degree in Canada?

Commonly, the course duration is one to two years, including obligatory internships and placements. Most master's programmes also include a dissertation. 

How long does it take to get a PhD in Canada?

Commonly, the course duration is four to six years and are separately funded and in a majority of the cases, is regarded as a job position. There are more than 100 research universities located in Canada.

How much will I have to pay for accommodation in Canada?

Cost of accommodation differs depending on where you live in Canada and the type of accommodation that you choose. It will cost you $3000 to $7000 for on-campus stay and $500 to 1500 for off-campus stay. 

Which study fields you can opt for in Canada?

You have numerous options to choose from, in both professional and technical study fields such as engineering, business, health, agriculture, design, language, arts, social services, tourism and hospitality, information technology, journalism and broadcasting, environment. 

How much does it cost to study in Canada?

It's relatively cheaper and affordable since when compared to the UK, US and Australia, Canada offers low tuition rates. For most programmes, the cost of the study is between CAD 20,000 to CAD 30000/year. Dentistry, business and architecture are at the top end of this scale whereas humanities and arts at the lower end of this scale. 

Are scholarships offered to international students in Canada?

The eligibility for scholarships is judged based on exceptional English language test scores as well as outstanding academic grades. Without any particular application, most universities offer scholarships, on the basis of eligibility benchmarks, whereas for some institutions, you need to apply for the scholarship. 

Can my spouse and children accompany me to study in Canada?

There is an option to bring your husband/wife and children to Canada. But you need to prove that you have adequate funds to support yourself and your family members while you're studying in Canada. You need to apply for separate visas for each family member who accompanies you.