Documents Required to Apply for Masters in Canada

To pursue a Master's degree in Canada, you need to have certain documents with you at the time of applying for it. Canadian universities use these documents to verify the students. GIC, English language proficiency exam score, and academic transcripts are some primarily required documents to study in Canada.
Canada is one of the most sought-after study destinations for international students across the globe. As per the QS World University Rankings of 2025, 6 of the world’s top 150 universities are based in Canada. Apart from the UG, Diploma and Certificate courses, Canadian universities offer master's courses to international students. If you are planning to pursue Master's degree in Canada then you must have all required documents at the time of application.
Candidates going abroad for higher studies must be aware of How to Plan their Study Abroad Application Process. Arranging the required documents is a part of it. In this article, we will inform you about the list of documents required to apply for master's in Canada. Before you plan to go ahead with your application process for admission in a master’s course, it is important to prepare a checklist of documents that you will be required in this process.
- Proof of funds
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation
- Academic Transcripts
- IELTS/TOEFL
- GRE/GMAT
Proof of funds
It is one of the most important parts of your application. Even if the candidate has secured admission, he still needs to show appropriate proof of funds, then only he will secure final admission. Although the amount of funds needed to show depends on the university to university and its location. The Guaranteed Investment Certificate amount for Indian students to study in Canada is 20,635 (INR 12,71,619 Approx).
If in case the student is going through the SDS program, in that case, he needs to show a full tuition fee for one year. Here the candidates can show the income of their family as well. You can also show student loans and scholarships etc. as part of your finances to fund your education and living expenses. Check out the list of financial documents required for study abroad.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose is a long essay usually required by the universities or B-schools during the application process. As the name suggests, it states the purpose of the candidate for applying to that particular course. This is one of the most important documents of the entire application process as you are telling about yourself in it. You can read everything about the Statement of Purpose here
Letter of Recommendation
The Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a document that is written by the faculty member of your current/previous educational institution. It is also called a reference letter. This document aim provides a clear and favourable picture of the candidate through his part experience. Usually, universities can ask for more than one LORs. Read everything about the Letter of Recommendation here.
Academic Transcripts
A transcript has a detailed record of all the subjects which the candidate has studied in the form of marks or grades given by the institution of study. This is an important set of documents that are asked by the universities at the time of giving admission. Students seeking admission in undergraduates courses need scores of class 9 and upwards. Those who are still in class 12th would require the scores/marks of class 9th, 10th, and 11th. Students who are applying master's courses require mark sheets of their bachelor's degree both individual mark sheets for every year and cumulative mark sheets as well. A student need not worry about getting the marks converted to GPAs as per the American Credit System. You can learn everything about the Academic Transcripts here
IELTS/TOEFL
The IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. This helps students from non-native English-speaking countries to show proof of their proficiency in the English language. This test is widely accepted in English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. Similarly, TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. Just like IELTS, TOEFL is also widely popular and accepted across thousands of universities in the world. Canada is an English-speaking country and courses in Canadian universities are taught in the English language, therefore universities in Canada ask for proof of proficiency in the English language. IELTS and TOEFL are accepted by all Canadian universities.
GRE/GMAT
GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. The GRE is a standardized test for admission to postgraduate courses. GRE is conducted in two categories; GRE general test and GRE subject test. GRE general test shows your desired university that you are ready to succeed with admission test accepted for graduate, business and law school programs. GRE subject test shows your undergraduate subject matter knowledge in chemistry, mathematics, physics or psychology. GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test. This test shows to business schools that you are committed and ready to succeed in business schools for admissions to graduate business and management programs. Canadian universities offering MBAs ask for GMAT scores.
Universities need to be assured that the candidate understands the medium of communication, so, he can make the best of his vacancy. Also, it is recommended to gather all these documents in advance as arranging all these documents takes time. Make sure that you have all the documents before the deadline and proof of funds like education loan can be arranged once you receive the offer letter.
Related Articles
- Options to study in Canada after XII
- MBA in Canada
- Documents required for filling Applications for Universities in the USA
- Application process for SDS Canada - How to Apply Online
Candidates looking for assistance with getting admission in universities in Canada can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website. Readers with queries can get in touch with us in the comments section below.
Humber College Canada requires international students to apply through the international college portal and view the programme and term in take availability as the admissions are offered based on programme space availability. Every programme has its own requirements and eligibility criteria. International students are also required to submit English Language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo. Humber College application deadline is Feb 01,2025 for equal consideration. Post this date, admissions are offered on the space basis available. Therefore, students are required to apply as early as possible.
British Columbia Institute of Technology is one of the best universities in Canada and students across the world desire to study here. Listed below are some of the best reasons to attend BCIT:
- Excellence in academics;
- Beautiful and vibrant campus;
- Various opportunities to participate in sports and athletic activities;
- Small class sizes;
- Student centered approach.
Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.








Mount Allison University is one of the reputed universities in Canada that provides excellent programs and follows a brilliant academic culture. It ranked #1 for reputation and library expenses and second for student awards and faculty awards. Mt A is primarily an undergraduate Liberal Arts and Sciences university with over 2,300 students. Students from all over the globe are attracted to the university for its high-quality academic experience, hands-on learning opportunities, rankings, and small class size. The average class size at the university is 41 with student to faculty ratio of 16:1.