MS in Canada: Universities, Cost, Eligibility

Arguably, the most sought-after location among Indian students for an MS abroad, Canada is home to some of the best universities in the world. Known for its diverse academic environment, the country is home to more than 80,000 Indian students. Despite its stricter immigration policies, an MS from Canada is still very high in demand among Indian students. 

Many top companies in the country are looking for graduates to handle tasks that use AI, Machine Learning, Data Science, and Cybersecurity in some capacity. Of the Canadian Universities that receive the highest applications, the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia stand out.

Also read: Study in Canada

Why study MS in Canada?

Apart from the presence of some of the best global universities and strong future prospects, here are some other reasons why you should consider an MS in Canada:

• Research: Universities in Canada tend to focus more on the practical side of studies. Students are encouraged to work on real-world projects along with their peers, and use the latest tech stack as is being used in the industry.
• Work Permit: Canada offers a Post-Graduation Work Permit with a validity between 8 months to 3 years, to MS graduates, allowing them to stay in the country to look for jobs, even after the expiry of the student visa.
• Reasonable Tuition: Tuition costs for the MS program tend to be reasonable and usually affordable to students via scholarships and part-time jobs.
• Affordable Costs of Living: Living costs are generally much lower as compared to the US, and can be managed by living in shared apartments.

Best MS Degree Courses in Canada

From STEM and Technology streams like AI, Data Science, and IT, to Business and Management Streams like Project Management, Finance, and Accounting. Mentioned below are some other popular specializations you can choose from:

• Environmental Science
• Marketing
• Healthcare Management
• Architecture
• Public Health
• Business Administration
• Psychology
• Computer Science
• International Relations

Best Universities in Canada for MS

The University of Toronto stands out for the MS program as part of the rankings given by both QS World and Shiksha. Here are some of the best universities for you to consider when planning for an MS from Canada:

University	Shiksha Popularity Ranking	QS World Engineering 2025
University of Toronto	#1	#17
University of British Columbia	#2	#31
McGill University	#3	#45
University of Waterloo	#4	#47
University of Montreal	#5	#133
University of Alberta	#6	#112
McMaster University	#7	#227
Queen’s University Canada	#8	#207
University of Ottawa	#9	#273
Western University	#10	#257

MS in Canada Eligibility

The general requirements you need to satisfy to be eligible for an MS in Canada are mentioned below:

• Have a 3 or 4-year UG degree in a related field
• Valid scores in GRE or GMAT
• 1-3 years of prior work experience in the relevant field
• Attain university-specified scores in the IELTS or TOEFL
• Canada Student Visa

MS in Canada Requirements for Indian Students

Here are some important documents that you need to submit to prove your identity and academic credentials to the relevant authorities:

• At-least 2 Letters of Recommendation
• A Resume or CV
• Bank Statement
• Research Essay (For some courses)
• Statement of Purpose
• Academic transcripts of all past studies
• Any other qualification or achievement

Cost of Studying MS in Canada

The tuition fees depends on the specialization and the university where the course is taken. Average tuition costs tend to range between INR 10 L-INR 40 L. Given below are the tuition costs for some prominent Canadian Universities:

University	MS Fees
University of Toronto	INR 19.1 L - INR 41.6 L
McGill University	INR 9.5 L - INR 17.9 L
University of British Columbia	INR 5.2 L- INR 36.8 L
Lakehead University	INR 13.8 L- INR 19.7 L
Northeastern University, Canada	INR 10.9 L-INR 24.3 L
University of Alberta	INR 4 L- INR 25.4 L
University of Calgary	INR 1.5 L- INR 37 L
University of Waterloo	INR 13.7 L-INR 29.9 L
Thompson Rivers University	INR 12.7 L-INR 13 L

Cost of Living in Canada for Indian Students

As is the case with tuition costs, the cost of living in the country varies, and comes down to the standard of lifestyle you decide to pursue. You can budget yourself according to the estimated costs mentioned below:

Component	Monthly Cost in CAD	Monthly Cost in INR
Rent	CAD 1,900-CAD 2,600	INR 1.2 L-INR 1.64 L
Food	CAD 400	INR 25.3 K
Clothing	CAD 100	INR 6.3 K
Transportation	CAD 105	INR 6.6 K
Personal Expenses	CAD 100	INR 6.3 K
Tenant Insurance	CAD 30	INR 1.9 K
Utilities	CAD 230	INR 14.5 K
Total	CAD 2,865-CAD 3,565	INR 1.81 L-INR 2.25 L

Source: Numbeo

Scholarships for MS in Canada for Indian Students

Though the costs of studies are not as high as the US, they are still significant enough. To make up for this, you can apply for scholarships and financial aid that are awarded based on merit or need. Mentioned below are some popular scholarships for you to consider:

1. Hani Zeini Scholarship

• A one-time funding worth CAD 1,400 (INR 88.5 K)
• Demonstrate financial need and a desire to pursue a Business-related program

2. Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship

• Funding worth CAD 14,000 (INR 8.85 L) to students in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration
• Should be enrolled in a program with 6 semester hours or its equivalent per term

3. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

• Worth CAD 19,600 (INR 12.4 L) for 1 year
• Have to enroll in a Master's program at the University of Manitoba
• Maintain good scores in academics

Best Paying Jobs in Canada for MS Graduates

There's a very high demand for MS graduates who are skilled in the Tech, Finance, or Business sectors. Most organizations tend to pay their employees hefty paychecks, with the average salary earned by fresh MS graduates in Canada being CAD 76 K (INR 48 L). However, if you have prior work experience in any of these fields, there's a very good chance you would earn a six figure sum after completing your studies. 

Mentioned below are the average salaries made by MS graduates in Canada:

Role	Average Salary in CAD	Average Salary in INR
Senior Software Engineer	CAD 114,987	INR 72.70 L
Data Scientist	CAD 85,122	INR 53.82 L
Machine Learning Engineer	CAD 83,171	INR 52.59 L
Software Developer	CAD 80,370	INR 50.82 L
Project Manager	CAD 77,516	INR 49.01 L
Mechanical Engineer	CAD 74,094	INR 46.85 L
Data Analyst	CAD 61,990	INR 39.2 L
Research Scientist	CAD 61,173	INR 38.68 L
Project Coordinator	CAD 59,534	INR 37.64 L

Source: Payscale

Akash Gaur11-12-2025 19:10