A lot of international students prefer to pursue their masters degree in Canada due to the many opportunities that come with it. In this blog post, I have compiled a list of some of the best masters programs in Canada that international students can complete in 1 or 2 years. Without any further ado, let’s get into them.
Studying abroad comes with many benefits, especially in a country like Canada which is globally recognized as one of the top study abroad destinations among international students. It is one of the countries with the highest number of international students. In 2021 alone, there were more than 388,000 international students in Canada enrolled in higher education pursuing degrees in undergraduate and graduate study levels.
Why do so many students flock to Canada, you might ask?
Quality and affordable education, scholarship opportunities, a multicultural and ethnically diverse environment, a high standard of living, and world-class degree programs, are some of the major drivers that bring international students to Canada. The universities in the country are also among the world’s best where you will have access to and engage with world-class professors.
Every opportunity that an international student needs to get to the top is available in Canada. And to tap into these opportunities to the fullest, most foreign students prefer to do a master’s program. This way, they are assured of better job prospects and a longer stay in the country.
If you are considering studying abroad in Canada for a master’s degree you should get acquainted with the cost and the requirements before moving ahead.
The great thing about a master’s degree is that it doesn’t take time and opens many doors of opportunities for you while in the program and when you complete it. You can either go for a 1 year or 2-year master’s program in Canada. This blog post outlines the best ones for you to select from and you can also use this article as a guide to get acquainted with masters in Canada.
Best 1 Year Masters Programs In Canada For International Students
It might come as a surprise to you that there is a master’s program that can be completed in just 1 year in Canada because the typical duration for a master’s degree is 2 years. Anyways, there are one-year masters in Canada for international and in this section, I have exposed the programs as well as the schools offering the programs.
As a matter of fact, 1-year master’s program in Canada is a popular option among international students and there are many reasons for you to also consider it. Some of these reasons are:
- One year masters programs in Canada for international students are quicker to complete and quickly usher you into the workforce compared to the traditional masters program.
- It is a much more affordable option than a regular masters program and you still get the same quality education.
- The one year masters program is rigorous with a research-based curriculum that provides you with practical experience, internships, and co-op placements.
- International students who have completed the 1 year masters program in Canada can apply for a work permit after graduation, allowing students to work in Canada for the same amount of time as their program.
- Canada is ranked 3rd in the world for offering the best masters program to international students.
These are not just reasons to consider doing a 1-year masters program in Canada as an international student but also benefits that comes with doing the program.
Some of the popular 1 year masters programs in Canada are offered in accounting, business administration, management, marketing, etc. which are offered by some of the top universities in the country.
Just like every other program, the 1 year masters in Canada for international students requires applicants to meet the entry requirements in order to be eligible for a seat. You must have completed and earned your bachelor’s degree in your chosen field, although this isn’t compulsory, and you also need to have an excellent academic record.
Other requirements for the 1 year masters in Canada for international students are:
- You need to possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0
- Take either the GMAT or GRE but some universities waives them or make them optional. If you are going for an MBA degree, here are some of the top MBA in Canada without GMAT.
- If you are from a non-English speaking country, you must take an English language proficiency test like the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc., and submit scores.
- Submit a strong statement of purpose and recommendation letters to increase your chances of getting accepted.
The following are some of the top 1 year masters programs in Canada for international students:
- Master of Management in Finance
- Master of Science in Financial Analytics
- Master of Digital Media
- Master in Administracion de Justicia
- MA in Sociology
- MBA in Global Banking & Finance
- Master of Global Management
- MSc in Hospitality Management
- MA in Theological Studies
- Master of Museum Studies
- Master of International Business
- Master of Engineering in Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Master of Agribusiness Development
- Master of Architecture in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering
- MS in Food Science
- MS in Biomedical Science
- MS in Health Sciences
- MS in Data Science and Analytics
- MS in Psychological Sciences
Top Universities Offering 1 Year Masters Programs
Here are some of the universities in Canada offering 1 year masters programs to international students.
- The University of Toronto
- Trent University
- The University of Calgary
- Dalhousie University
- The University of Waterloo
- McGill University
- The University of British Columbia
- The University of Alberta
- The University of Montreal
- Queen’s University
- The University of Laval
- The University of Manitoba
- Royal Roads University
- Nipissing University
- Simon Fraser University
The cost of masters in Canada for international students can range from CA$7,000 to CA$28,650 depending on your preferred program and the duration it will take to complete the program. The one year masters program obviously costs lesser. Also, there are various funding opportunities available for international students to cut down the cost of tuition.
The opportunities include scholarships, research grants, bursaries, assistantships, and employment within and outside the campus with your work permit.
Best 2 Year Masters Programs In Canada For International Students
The 2 year masters program in Canada is the traditional program that everyone is familiar with. Most, if not all, universities in Canada offer masters degree programs that are completed in 2 years. The entry requirements for the 2 year masters program in Canada is also the same as the 1 year masters program but for the sake of clarity, I have provided them below.
The requirements for the 2 year masters program in Canada for international students are:
- You must have your bachelor’s degree preferably in the same field you want to pursue the master’s degree. This would increase your chances of gaining entry.
- You need to possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0
- Take either the GMAT or GRE but some universities waive them or make them optional.
- If you are from a non-English speaking country, you must take an English language proficiency test like the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc., and submit scores.
- Submit a strong statement of purpose and recommendation letters to increase your chances of getting accepted.
Two year masters program in Canada is much more common with more students enrolled compared to 1 year masters program. Two year masters take longer time to complete and are more expensive since you will be spending more time running the program.
Many people prefer to pursue this 2 year masters because they believe it makes them more grounded in their field and this is correct since you will spend more time running the program. Running a 2 year masters degree will give you more time for research and since the curriculum is not as rigorous as the 1 year counterpart, you will have more spare time on your hands to enjoy other activities.
As I mentioned earlier, almost every university in Canada is offering 2 year masters program in a wide range of fields covering every sector. This makes it very easy for you to find. However, I will still go on to list some of the top 10 most popular 2-year master’s degree programs in Canada for international students.
The top 10 2-year master’s degree programs in Canada for international students are:
- MSc in Computer Science
- Master of Communications Management
- Master of Arts in History
- MA in Political Science
- MSc Biological Sciences
- MSc in Neuroscience
- MA in Fine Arts
- MA/MSc in Environment and Management
- MA in Tourism Management
- Master of Information
With this information, you can easily make a decision on which master’s degree to go for.
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