Masters in Canada in 2025: A Detailed Guide for International Students

Canada’s education system is among the top 10 in the world. The Canadian government focuses on sustaining its world-ranked Universities and colleges. These higher educational institutions offer various interdisciplinary courses infused with practical skills for holistic development. The Land of Maple Leaf has a multicultural and safe environment, with student-friendly cities dotted across diverse landscapes. The country’s insistence on paid industry internship or co-work opportunities and myriad career opportunities make it a popular destination for Master’s qualifications.

Canada has hundreds of Master’s courses available across study fields, allowing students to become bona fide professionals in the modern job market. There is a long list of compelling reasons why Canada is of one the Big 4 countries for Master’s admissions. In this article, we briefly explore those reasons and go through all the information required for Masters in Canada applications.

Reasons to Study Masters in Canada

Canada’s top-notch education and research opportunities are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of its excellent educational infrastructure. There are so many reasons why students flock to get a Masters in Canada, some of which are mentioned below.

• 19 Canadian Universities among the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings 2025

• Affordable tuition fees and living costs

• Paid internship opportunities alongside studies

• Practical curriculums designed for modern industry needs

• International students can apply for Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, which lasts up to 3 years

• Multicultural student population

• Generous scholarship options for international students

Alongside all of these attractive qualities, Canadian educational institutions also implement many student-friendly policies, clubs, and research opportunities for the further development of their students.

Although both Canadian colleges and Universities have excellent programs for international students, the upcoming section will discuss the best Universities for Masters in Canada.

Top Universities in Canada for Masters

Many Canadian Universities rank highly for their academic reputation, research infrastructure, teaching methods, international and interdisciplinary engagement, and industry collaborations. Some Universities that international students prefer most are as follows:

• University of Toronto

• McGill University

• University of Waterloo

• University of Ottawa

• University of British Columbia

• Western University

• Montreal University

• Dalhousie University

• University of Victoria

• McMaster University

• University of Guelph

• University of Windsor

• University of Manitoba

These excellent Top Universities in Canada offer myriad Master’s courses to choose from. In the next section, let us briefly touch upon the most in-demand courses across educational institutions.

Popular Courses for Masters in Canada

A major reason for Canada’s popularity as a study destination is the sheer range of Master’s programs available. From an MA or MTech to an MS Courses in Canada, there is a specialization for any field one’s heart may desire. Usually, the following fields are most attractive to international students.

• Engineering & Technology

• Business & Management

• Healthcare & Medicine

• Finance & Marketing

• Education

• Law

• Natural Sciences

• Sustainable Technology & Development

Since each study field is vastly different from the other, it may also have different requirements for admission. However, there are certain common criteria that all institutions follow. Keep reading for the general eligibility criteria for Masters in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Canada

The student’s chosen educational institution may ask for documents related to academic qualifications and language proficiency, among other requirements. While the exact figures may vary, the minimum requirements are generally as follows:

• Academic Qualifications: 16 years of full-time education, including a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution with more than 65% marks.

• English Proficiency: The student must have an IELTS score above 6.5 with no band below 6.0 or a TOEFL score above 88. Certain institutions also accept PTE scores above 62.

For technical courses, students must also show GRE or GMAT scores as per the institution’s requirement. Some institutions may also appreciate an A1 or A2 level certificate in French, although this is in no way a compulsory requirement.

After submitting the necessary documents, students may have to wait for an admission letter from the University before applying for a Canada student visa and preparing the funds necessary to live in the country. The next section will give students a better idea of the major costs for Masters in Canada.

Cost to Study Masters in Canada

The aggregate cost of studying for a Master’s degree in a Canadian University comes to around CA$ 21,100 per year. The tuition fees for a Master’s degree in colleges across Canada may range from CA$ 7,000 to CA$ 22,000 per year. Meanwhile, the living costs in Canada range from CA$ 1,225 to CA$ 3,140 per month. The cost of living in Canada can be managed through part-time work, which students can find on or off-campus.

One can work for up to 24 hours a week during the course and full-time over the holidays. The minimum wage for students in Canada ranges from CA$ 14 - CA$ 19 per hour. In many instances, students also get paid internship or co-op opportunities through their courses. Students can also try to apply for the lucrative scholarships offered by various Canadian institutions, which we will explore in the upcoming section.

Scholarships for Masters in Canada

Scholarships for Masters in Canada often rely on Merit, Need, or extraordinary Talent of the student. The government and Universities in Canada fund scholarships, as well as private and public organizations like NGOs. Government scholarships like the International Development Research Centre Scholarships and the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are quite popular among students.

Region-specific scholarships such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and the Quebec Merit Scholarships for Foreign Students are also ideal for students aiming for specific institutions in Canada. Additionally, they can apply for privately funded grants like the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships. Next, let us learn about the career opportunities awaiting students after they graduate with a Masters in Canada.

Career Opportunities after Masters in Canada

As we’ve touched upon briefly above, students can avail of a post-study work visa and work in Canada for up to 3 years. Canada is one of the world’s most innovative countries, being ahead of the curve in fields like IT, Finance, Energy, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Services. Students have the chance to work in famous Fortune 500 companies like Brookfield, George Weston, Royal Bank of Canada, META, Google, Suncor Energy, and Enbridge among others.

Overall, studying for a Masters in Canada combines globally recognized qualifications with industry-oriented courses and a vibrant student life. To make the dream of a Canadian education into a reality, students can reach out to the top study abroad consultants. Their expert inputs make the application process smoother from start to end.