Does Work Experience Matter For MS in Canada?
What is the importance of work experience in MS admission in Canada? It is not a mandatory eligibility criterion for pursuing a Master's degree in Canada, but having it can give you an advantage over other applicants. If you are one of those who do not have it, here is how you can increase the chances of your admission to reputed Canadian universities.

Studying MS in Canada can be rewarding for international students. The quality education offered by the Canadian Universities is best. Canada, as a study abroad destination, is known for its high quality academics, research quality and facilities. Pursuing an MS in Canada can be financially rewarding for international students as well since Canada is home to some of the biggest multinational companies. So, what are the admission requirements for this program? Does work experience matter for MS in Canada?
The answer is yes it is. Having work experience is not a strict admission requirement but it can create a difference. It shows you have professionalism and the ability to apply theoretical concepts. In this article, we have covered the importance of work experience for MS in Canada. We have also discussed what to do if you do not have work experience
- Benefits of Work Experience to Study in Canada
- Top MS Universities in Canada
- Best Masters Programs in Canada
- What if You Do not Have Work Experience
Benefits of Work Experience to Study in Canada
Here are some advantages of having work experience for MS in Canada
- It can show the admissions committee that the applicant has knowledge and talents outside of the classroom.
- It represents your interests in the subject After earning a Master's degree in Canada, prior work experience may help develop your career.
- Work experience provides you with valuable insights and real-world examples that enrich classroom discussions.
- Prior work experience helps you adapt to the Canadian work culture and industry standards more easily.
Top MS Universities in Canada
It is important that the students aim to study at the top MS universities in Canada. Studying in the top MS colleges in Canada can provide them with high quality teaching, networking, and excellent career opportunities. Top MS universities in Canada, along with their QS World University Rankings 2025, are given below
| Universities |
QS World University Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| 25 |
|
| 29 |
|
| 38 |
|
| 96 |
|
| 115 |
|
| 120 |
|
| 159 |
|
| 176 |
|
| 189 |
|
| 193 |
Best Masters Programs in Canada
Pursuing an MS that is in demand as per current business scenario is important for securing employment opportunities in Canada. Here are some of the best MS programmes to pursue in Canada
| Best Masters Programmes in Canada | ||
|---|---|---|
| MS Bioengineering | MS Chemical Engineering | MS Civil Engineering |
| MS Electrical and Computer Engineering | MS Mechanical Engineering | MBA (Master of Business Administration) |
| Healthcare Management | MS or MSc Computer Science | Mathematics & Statistics |
| Biology | Physics | Nursing & Medical |
| Financial Economics | MS Biological and Biomedical Engineering | Aerospace Studies |
| Global Affairs and Public Policy | Industrial Relations and Human Resources | Law |
| Molecular Genetics | Materials Science and Engineering | Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Architecture | Clean Energy Engineering | Data Science and Data Analytics |
What if You Do not Have Work Experience
Students must note that work experience is not the only deciding factor when you want to pursue MS in Canada. Here, you need to understand the importance of standardised exams.
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Candidates' academic background, their GRE or GMAT scores, SOP, LORs, admission essays, etc. play an extremely important role in deciding MS admissions in Canada. Students who do not have work experience, before applying for an MS in Canada, are not at a disadvantage compared to those who have work experience (except for courses that compulsorily require work experience).
However, there are advantages of having relevant work experience, preferably in the field in which you wish to pursue your master’s in Canada. Having relevant work experience can be advantageous as the admissions committee might take into consideration your knowledge beyond the classroom and your potential to share real-world experiences with the class. If, however, you are confident of your credentials and acceptance to a top Canadian university of MS, you may go ahead with your MS applications even without work experience.
It is advised that students check the exact admission requirements for MS programmes in Canada in order to determine their suitability for the course. they must also check the career outcomes and employment reports of the MS programmes in Canada. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
International students must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements to study at Prince Edward Island. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 1.7 in the major subject requirements for Prince Edward Island University admission.
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The University of British Columbia offers a number of programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is known for its academic excellence in research and teaching all over the world. The university is famous for its programs in Design & Arts, Engineering, Education, Business, Law, Nursing, Technology etc. The UBC courses include more than 250 undergraduate and over 350 postgraduate programs across a wide range of subjects.
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As per unofficial source, Conestoga College acceptance rate is 85%. This makes it highly easy to secure admission to this Canadian college. While selecting students at Conestoga, it checks academic factors such as school scores, class rank, academic GPA, recommendations, and application essay.