Over the past few years, the popularity of MS courses has grown tremendously. The emergence of new technologies and better employment prospects have boosted the number of students entering foreign universities. With increasing competition for US universities, students are actively applying to Canadian universities to fulfill their dreams of completing an MS program. If you looking for a definite list of the best universities in Canada for MS, this post is for you!
The best Canadian universities that offer MS courses are often ranked among the best universities in the world in various fields such as science and research capacity. This, backed by a growing economy that provides good job opportunities for candidates after they graduate from MSc programs, makes Canada an ideal place to study. With a good balance of research and a practical and experience-based approach to completing the curriculum, Canadian universities offer holistic development when it comes to MS programs.
What to know?
Application deadlines for Canadian universities for MS are October – January; admission closes by May. You will need to have a 4-year bachelor’s degree (65%-86% aggregate), 6.5 or higher IELTS score, GRE score (required for top universities), and LOR to gain admission to graduate courses in Canada. After MS in Canada, you can look at the list of jobs in Canada and get an average annual salary of 169,000 Canadian dollars (which is around Rs. 93 lakhs).
All set?
Topics covered
What all is covered in this post?
To make it easier for you, we have created a quick guide to everything you need to know about popular universities in Canada for MS.

Highlights about MS universities in Canada
In this section, we have tabulated highlights of MS universities in Canada to help you decide.
Particulars | Highlight |
Number of MS Universities in Canada | Approximately 90+ MS colleges |
MS cost in Canada | Rs. 17.21 lakhs (approx.) |
Popular Specialisations in Canada | Biology (Sciences), Food Science, Mathematics, Geology, Physics, Health Science, Computer Science & Engineering, Chemistry (Sciences), etc. |
Admission Process(Subject to university) | Bachelor’s Degree + score of GRE exam + score of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE + SOP + LOR + CV/resume + work experience |
Eligibility to pursue MS in Canada
Applicants who wish to pursue a master’s degree in Canada must meet the following basic requirements:
- Students must have a 3–4-year degree in a relevant field
- Most universities require a GRE score for admission
- To get a master’s degree in Canada, students must pass English language tests such as IELTS, TOFEL, PTE; followed by a personal interview held at some universities.
- 1-3 years of work experience is required for admission to several Canadian universities.
Post-study work permit in Canada
Obtaining a PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) while studying in Canada largely depends on the chosen course and its duration. A PGWP work permit is usually issued for the duration of the training. The maximum duration of a PGWP in Canada is 3 years. This means that if the duration of the postgraduate course is two years, you get a three-year PGWP visa. A postgraduate work permit cannot be issued for more than the duration of the program. The duration of the course must be at least eight months in order for you to obtain a PGWP permit in Canada.

List of top 10 universities in Canada for MS
There are a number of universities in Canada that offer the best MS courses. Popular Universities in Canada for Masters offers more than 96 public universities in Canada for MS and more than 15,000 study programs. Each of them stands out in terms of education, training and research. Now let’s have a look at the top 10 universities in Canada for studying MS as per QS World Ranking 2022.
University | QS World University Rankings 2022:Canada |
University of Toronto | 26 |
McGill University | 27 |
University of British Columbia | 46 |
Université de Montréal | 111 |
University of Alberta | 126 |
McMaster University | 140 |
University of Waterloo | 149 |
Western University | 170 |
University of Ottawa | 230 |
University of Calgary | 235 |
Deepen your knowledge about academic options in Canada
About the best universities in Canada for MS
In this section, we will introduce you with the explanation of some of the above-mentioned list of most popular universities in Canada for pursuing MS:
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto (U of T) is one of Canada’s top universities with a long history of tackling the impossible and transforming society through the resourcefulness and determination of faculty, students, alumni, and supporters. Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is the world’s largest research-intensive university and over the years has become a melting pot for leading minds from every conceivable background and discipline to collaborate on the world’s most pressing challenges.
- Location: Toronto, Canada
- Popular Specialization: Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Nursing (MN), Master of Nursing in Clinical Nursing, and Master of Nursing in Health Systems Leadership and Administration, etc.
- Eligibility Criteria: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 100, with a writing score of 22.
- Annual Fees (in USD): 37,897 USD
McGill University
Founded in 1821, McGill University is Montreal’s oldest university. It is a public university that takes its name from the Scottish merchant James McGill, who bequeathed £10,000 and his forty-six-acre Burnside Place estate on the side of Mount Royal to establish a school named after him. Research into the nature of radioactivity by Nobel Prize winner Ernest Rutherford was conducted at McGill University.
- Location: Montreal, Canada
- Popular Specialization: Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science (Applied), Master of Science (Applied) Nursing, and Master of Science (Applied) Nurse Practitioner degree.
- Eligibility Criteria: IELTS of 6.0 to 6.5, GPA of 3.0 out of 4, TOEFL of 86, PTEA of 65.
- Annual Fees (in USD): 18,110 USD
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia was founded in 1908 and opened in 1915. It is a public university in the Canadian state of British Columbia. The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a center for teaching, learning, and research. With the motto Tuum Est, meaning “It’s yours,” UBC is a declaration of commitment to empowering people who envision a better world for themselves and others.
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
- Popular Specialization: Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Master of Nursing—Nurse Practitioner.
- Eligibility Criteria: IELTS 5.0 to 6.5, TOEFL 70 to 90, CAEL 50 to 70.
- Annual Fees (in USD): 8,592 USD
Université de Montréal
The University of Montreal, also called UdeM, is a non-private research institution of higher education in the province of Quebec in Canada. The university was founded in 1878, with three faculties: theology, law, and medicine. The University of Montreal was previously located in the Latin Quarter of Montreal, but later in 1942, it moved to Mount Royal. It received the status of a secular institution in 1967.
- Location: Montreal, Canada
- Top Specialisation: MS in Management-Data Science and Business Analytics
- Eligibility: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 104
- Annual Fees: 24,558 USD
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta in Edmonton is one of Canada’s top teaching and research universities. Founded in 1908, this public research university offers more than 200 undergraduate programs and 500 graduate programs. The University of Alberta is one of the top 5 research universities in Canada. Much of the work at the University of Alberta is driven by the search for truth. Using some of the world’s most advanced research facilities and resources, Walberta researchers have discovered new knowledge in health and life sciences, energy, artificial intelligence, and more.
- Location: Edmonton, Canada
- Specialization: Master of Science in Nursing
- Eligibility: TOEFL 86, IELTS 6.5
- Annual Fees: 25,600 USD
Top universities in Canada for MS in Computer Science
Informatics is not only the study of computers but a wide range of subjects. These include programming languages, artificial intelligence theory, information systems, information technology, and software engineering. Around 400+ computer science courses in Canada cater to the needs of international students, making it a favorable study-abroad destination. Under the International Education Strategy (2019-2024), international students will be rewarded with even more funding for research programs to encourage students.
Most universities in Canada offer numerous degree programs in computer science such as Bachelor of Computer Science in Canada, MS in Computer Science in Canada, and more. Check out the list of Top 10 Universities in Canada for Computer Science:
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- University of Waterloo
- McGill University
- Université de Montréal
- University of Alberta
- Simon Fraser University
- Queen’s University at Kingston
- University of Calgary
- University of Ottawa
Best universities in Canada for MS in Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada and is among the top 10 express entries for permanent residency in Canada for international students. In addition to these obvious bonuses, Canada offers competitive electrical engineer salary packages of C$70,000 guaranteed for entry-level positions and C$130,000 for experienced engineers. This points to the fact that getting a master’s degree in electrical engineering in Canada is a valuable and easy way to settle in Canada.
If you are planning to pursue a Masters in Electrical Engineering/Electrical Systems Engineering in Canada, this list is for you.
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- University of Waterloo
- McGill University
- University of Alberta
- McMaster University
- Queen’s University
- Carleton University
- Concordia University
- University of Calgary
Summing Up!
In the above article, we discussed in detail about best universities in Canada for MS. Although studying abroad is a dream for many students it is equally important for students to be aware of everything that it takes to pursue higher education in Canada.
iDreamCareer is on a mission to reach every state and every child in order to ensure that talent is appropriately delivered to the industry.
Talk to our study abroad experts who have 20+ years of experience to know yourself in and out! We have helped several brilliant but confused minds with the aim to select their most-suited career choices. Hear the success story of Aayush who got an offer from the top 3 universities and is now studying at a University in Ottawa in Canada after getting career guidance from our industry experts!
Also, read
- How to reach colleges abroad?
- Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada
- EduCanada – Info on International scholarship opportunities for non-Canadians
- Intakes in Canada
- Canada PR
- IELTS Requirement for Canada
- PTE Score for Canada
- Highest Paying Jobs in Canada
- MBBS in Canada
- PG Courses in Canada
- Canada Student Visa
FAQs
Yes, a master’s degree is required GRE to study in Canada.
If you want to study in Canada for free, you can enroll in a low-cost university and get a part-time job. Another way to reduce your expenses is to get a scholarship.
You must have 3-4 years of education in the relevant field. Most universities require GRE scores for admission and you must pass English proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOFEL, and PTE; followed by a personal interview held at some universities. Additionally, 1-3 years of work experience is mandatory for admission to several Canadian universities.
The average cost of the first year of study in Canada is INR 11.22 lakhs.
For MS in Canada, international applicants must have GRE and IELTS or TOEFL or PTE scores.

Anushree has 5 years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Senior Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for the Publishing and E-learning Industry. She has done her Master’s in Commerce and PGDM in Finance & Trade and Marketing & HR, but she is currently following her passion for writing.
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