Top 5 Post Graduate (PG) Courses in Canada: Course Duration, Fees

PG Courses in Canada: In this article, we will discuss the best PG courses in Canada for international students. The article will also cover top universities offering PG courses in Canada, their course fees, their duration, and job prospects after pursuing postgraduate courses in Canada.

With a buzzing economy, attractive lifestyle, multicultural society, quality education and pro-immigration policies, Canada is one of the most preferred study-abroad destinations. In the year 2022, Canada saw 551,405 international students from 184 countries. Out of these, 226,450 students were Indian students. As of December 31, 2022, India ranked amongst the top 10 countries in terms of source nations for foreign students studying in Canada, with 319,130 students. Canada offers a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programs that are internationally recognized. The cost of education in Canada is less as compared to other developed countries like US, UK, and Australia. QS World University Rankings 2024 state that 7 of the world’s top 150 universities are in Canada.

Majority of the Canadian universities are publicly funded by the provincial governments, and the remaining funding comes from the federal government and tuition fees. As a result, these universities tend to offer high-quality education. Getting admission into a Canadian university is relatively easier as compared to the universities in the USA; however, securing a seat in the topmost universities is not a cakewalk.

Also read: Explore Canada as a Study Destination

Why Study Post Graduation in Canada?

Let us look at some of the top reasons to study PG courses in Canada with the help of the following points:

• High-Quality Academics: Canadian universities are well-known for providing excellent education and research opportunities. Students can study from skilled faculty members and develop essential information and skills in their chosen field by pursuing post graduation in Canada.
• Post-Graduation Work Permit: One of the key advantages of continuing your education in Canada is the ability to receive a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This permit allows overseas students to work in Canada for a period of time equal to the duration of their study programme, up to a maximum of three years, after completing their studies. The PGWP gives significant work experience in Canada, which can help further one's career and ultimately to permanent residency.
• Career Opportunities: Canadian job market is robust and diverse, with numerous prospects for post-graduate students. Employers highly value graduates with Canadian education and work experience. The country's economy is expanding, and industries such as technology, healthcare, engineering, finance, and others offer excellent career opportunities for overseas graduates.
• Research Opportunities: Universities in Canada are at the forefront of research and innovation. Postgraduate students in Canada have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research projects and cooperate with prominent scholars in their fields of study. This exposure to research can help with personal and professional development, as well as provide opportunities for additional academic pursuits or job advancement.
• Networking Opportunities: Pursuing PG courses in Canada allows you to create a strong network of contacts and relationships. Universities frequently have strong alumni networks and host a variety of networking events, conferences, and workshops to link students with industry leaders and potential jobs.
• Quality of Life: In terms of quality of life, Canada routinely rates high. The country provides a secure and welcoming atmosphere, as well as great healthcare, social benefits, and a high level of living. Students can maintain a healthy lifestyle while studying post-graduate courses in Canada.

Check out: 1 Year Master's in Canada

What is a Postgraduate Diploma?

In Canada, a Postgraduate Diploma, also known as a Graduate Diploma, is offered to students who have completed their undergraduate studies. While a Master’s Programme is generally of 2-3 years duration, on the other hand, A PG Diploma’s duration is of 1-2 years (maximum). It can be further divided into two or four semesters depending on the university. In this article, we will discuss some of the top 2 Year PG Diploma Courses in Canada for International Students in addition to 1-year PG Diploma Courses in Canada.

Best PG Courses in Canada

Here are the top 5 postgraduate courses that cover approximately 90-95% of the total Indian students going to Canada:

1) Business Management (PGDM Courses in Canada)

Canada is one of the top destinations for international MBA students. After the US and UK, Canada is becoming a hot spot for management studies. MBA programs in Canada or PGDM Courses in Canada are considerably more affordable than in the US.

Scope: PGDM Courses in Canada offer a wide range of specializations such as Finance, Marketing, Operations, HR, etc. MBA graduates are placed in different roles such as Analysts, Consultants, Managers, Project Coordinators, etc.

Universities Offering MBA or PGDM Courses in Canada:

2) Hospitality Management

Canada is a world-renowned tourism destination with a booming hospitality business. Hospitality and tourism colleges in Canada can help you develop the skills necessary to work with hotels, airlines, travel companies, and cruise lines.

Scope: The average salary for a Hotel Manager in Canada is nearly CAD 58,000 per annum. As countries are easing COVID-induced travel restrictions, the tourism industry has started to boom again. With global tourism projected to grow further, a career in Hospitality Management can be rewarding.

Universities Offering PG Diploma Courses in Canada in Hospitality Management:

3) Health Science

Different universities in Canada offer different health science disciplines such as Disability Management, Nutrition, Nursing, Public Health, Psychological Science, etc.

Scope: The scope of health sciences totally depends upon the discipline chosen by the student. The average salary of a professional who holds a Master’s in Public Health is nearly CAD 68,000.

Universities Offering PG Diploma in Canada Health Sciences Courses:

4) Science and Engineering

Canadian engineering degrees are well-received across the world and provide a competitive edge to international students in their job applications. The procedure for accrediting an engineering program is undertaken by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB), a working Board of Engineers Canada (EC).

Scope: The scope of a Master’s degree in engineering is wide. Though the average salaries depend on discipline, engineers in Canada usually earn above CAD 83,000 per year on average.

Universities Offering PG Diploma in Canada in Science & Engineering:

Check: Professional Courses After Graduation

5) Information Technology

The Information Technology industry is growing at a high pace in Canada in terms of creative design and innovation. With advancements in IT and ITES, placement opportunities are increasing exponentially in this industry. In the next five years, the demand for ICT workers in Canada will increase. Post-graduation in IT can be done at various Canadian universities and community colleges.

Universities Offering PG Diploma Courses in Canada in IT:

Which Canadian Colleges Offer Post Graduate Diploma?

The majority of Canadian colleges and a few community colleges offer PG programs. Given below is a list of some colleges that offer PG Diploma courses in Canada:

Other Post Graduation Courses in Canada

Apart from the above-mentioned top five PG courses in Canada, here are a few programs and disciplines that are gaining importance in academia:

Also Read: Top universities in Canada

Eligibility Criteria for PG Diploma Courses in Canada

To be eligible for the above-mentioned programmes, one must have:

• At least 50% in your Bachelor’s degree
• No more than two backlogs per year
• IELTS minimum of 6 bands overall

Students are advised to visit the official websites of the universities to where they wish to apply. You can look at the average IELTS scores required to study courses at the best Universities in Canada

PG Diploma Courses in Canada Fees

A PG Diploma in Canada will cost somewhere between CAD$ 15,000 and CAD$ 20,000 per annum.

PG Diploma Courses in Canada: Salient Features

Direct admission to a master’s programme in Canada is quite difficult due to the below-mentioned reasons:

• A minimum of 16 years of education is required, whereas, in India, we generally have 15 years of education (B.A., B.Com. B. Sc., etc.).
• Master’s degree courses are generally research-based.
• Only a few seats are available for international students and priority for admission is given to Canadian citizens and students already studying in Canada.

Thus, students choose to study graduate diploma courses of one or two-year duration, offered by SPP colleges. The advantages are as below:

• Helps in fulfilling the 16 years study requirement for admission to a master’s degree.
• Teaching-based course offered by SPP College helps in adjusting to the teaching techniques.
• The fee is cheaper as compared to university programmes.
• After completion of the course, students can apply for the work permit - if they have studied for a course duration of one year then they can apply for a work permit for up to one year, and if they have studied a course of two years duration then they can apply for work permit up to three years.
• Students often ask, “Is Canada PG certificate valid in other countries?” Canada PG certificates and PG diplomas are recognized globally. However, these are not a substitute for a regular Master’s degree.

Post-Study Work Permit after PG Courses in Canada

A post-study work permit in Canada allows a student, who has graduated from a designated learning institute (DLI), to work in Canada and gain Canadian work experience. This Canadian work experience is beneficial when it comes to obtaining a PR in Canada. Obtaining a post-graduation work permit in Canada (PGWP Canada) depends on the duration of your post graduation in Canada. The following points will help you understand the duration of your PGWP Canada:

• If the PG course in Canada is less than 8 months, you are not eligible for a PGWP.
• If the PG course in Canada is more than 8 months but less than 2 years, PGWP duration will be equal to the duration of the course.
• If the PG course in Canada is 2 years or more in duration, you may receive a PGWP that is 3 years in duration.
• If you pursue two or more academic programmes, the duration of PGWP will be the combined duration of those programmes. However, all the programmes must be of at least 8 months in duration.

What are the Job Prospects after PG Courses in Canada?

Normally, courses offered are based on the demand of a particular occupation in the country. In addition, students are given one to three years of Open Work Visa to gain experience based on their qualifications in Canada, which may later lead to permanent residency (PR) in a particular country. On the other hand, if they come back to India after gaining international qualifications, experience and exposure from abroad they will have an upper edge compared to their other colleagues in India and can easily be absorbed into multinational companies.

Now that you are aware of all the aspects of PG courses in Canada, it is advised that students consider various factors such as their interest, career goals, employment opportunities, etc. before making a final choice. 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.

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