As you begin the undertaking of deciding where you want to study for your master’s degree, you will find a myriad of things to consider. Canada has become a popular destination as a place that is perfect for earning that master’s degree.
Why is Canada perfect for your master’s degree? Canada is the perfect place to earn your master’s degree due to low-cost universities with high standards. The student and teacher populations are surprisingly diverse. Canada is also a safe, clean country, and students can explore vibrant metropolitan cities and the natural beauty of Canada.
Some of the most renowned universities in the world reside in Canada. So, it’s no wonder that it draws students from all across the globe for all different types of degrees in various fields of study. But we will be talking about why you may want to consider Canada when going after your master’s.
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Average Costs of Education
Postgraduate studies have become a major draw for Canada. Students from across the globe are drawn to their curricula, learning styles, and diverse campuses. But unfortunately, so often, a good education may not always be attainable because of a price tag that simply is not viable.
Canada has done an incredible job at funding programs and finding ways to accelerate their education system, without gouging the student.
When you are seeking postgraduate education, you are already typically in debt. You probably already have a monthly student loan payment coming out of your account, or you are paying back a loan from a friend or family member.
The last thing you want to do is stare another hefty number in the face and begrudgingly sign the next five years of paychecks away to another school.
Because Canada’s government has dedicated itself to furthering education, a lot of funding gets pumped directly into universities. They are on the higher end compared to most other countries in receiving funding for high-level education.
This increased funding from the government means Canadian universities can charge much less than American colleges.
According to Find A Masters, there are currently 96 universities throughout Canada offering master’s programs in the year 2020. Of those universities, the average fee for tuition is CAD 17,447 (USD $13,372). That includes the academic year of September through April.
When considering this high-level of education, those fees are quite minimal when comparing to other countries with similar programs.
The field of study will cause the cost to shift accordingly. For example, anything in the Arts or Humanities areas tend to be on the lower end of the scale, while Business, Medical, or Architecture programs are towards the higher end.
If you are a resident of Canada but plan to travel to another region in Canada for studies, you will still be eligible for rates at about half of the standard tuition. Any domestic student should be able to receive these resident discounts, no matter where you study in Canada.
As with other countries that specialize in higher education, there are also always scholarship and funding opportunities for students. They encourage talented overseas students with different international funding programs that help to attract the best and brightest, regardless of their financial situation.
Top Universities in Canada
Canada is a top choice for many students looking to earn their masters for their wide variety of top schools. Canada, along with the U.S. and the U.K., shares a reputation for elite higher learning universities.
While there are near 100 different universities to choose from, there are a few names that remain at the top of many different lists as the best places to earn your master’s degree. Here are some of the top universities and some of the programs they are known for.
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- Engineering Science
- Visual Culture and Communication
- Urban Studies
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- Forestry
- Sport Sciences
- Geography
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- Health Sciences
- Engineering
- Humanities
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- Clinical Health and Research
- Engineering and Technology
- Life Sciences
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- Science
- Medicine
- Engineering
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- Humanities
- Health Sciences
- Creative Arts
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- Social Sciences
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Social Inequalities and Social Justice
The selection of schools to choose from in Canada is impressive and vast. But these are some of the names that continue to top lists throughout the country and compete strongly with some of the world’s best.
They all excel on the administrative side when it comes to welcoming new students from anywhere in the world. Each of these schools and many of the other top universities in Canada pride themselves on being some of the most inclusive and ethnically diverse in the world.
Many of the top universities for a master’s program around Canada also happen to be in metropolitan hubs.
Here are some of the most popular cities that have excellent universities in and around them.
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Calgary
- Vancouver
- Winnipeg
- Ottawa
- Quebec City
Technology Wave in Canada
While there is an incredible variety of subjects and programs that are highly regarded throughout Canada’s universities, the technology field has been an emerging landscape for the past few years.
Engineering, telecommunications, digital media, biotech, and dozens of other tech-based fields of study have boomed in Canada over the past decade.
Canada, as a country, loves its technology. So, the emergence in this field of study makes perfect sense. According to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), Canada is 2nd in the world for average hours spent online per user. Their universities reflect their understanding of the importance of technology.
If you are seeking postgraduate studies in anything tech-related, Canada will be a great place to learn and immerse yourself in the tech culture.
Research in Canada
Another vast subject area in Canada is within the research field. For the past few years, Canada has been impressive on the world stage for innovative research programs and discoveries.
Universities in Canada that focus on fields such as science, medicine, or engineering have made positive impacts on the world stage. They value research, experimentation, and full experience of indulging in your subject to become an expert on it.
Their dedication to and focus on research have paid off in studies done through their universities focused on the treatment of HIV/AIDS, climate change, and saving our oceans and improving cancer detection methods.
Because of their intense dedication to research-based studies, it has become a popular country for international students hoping to make the next epic breakthrough.
Quality Living Conditions Around Canada
Because many of the universities are in major metropolitan areas, Canada is also a great place to earn your master’s degree because you will be right in the thick of it for entertainment as well.
But one of the ways Canada truly excels is in their quality of living within these metropolitan hotspots. Their cities are clean and safe and offer tons to see and do. It has become a popular destination for schooling because of the incredible work/life balance you can easily maintain.
Getting your master’s degree can be grueling work. There are long hours and marathon study sessions, and you will often feel like you have no time for yourself. But when you can take those breaks and hit the town or wind down with some self-care, it’s nice when you are in a convenient location to have easy access to whatever you may want or need.
Canada is also known for its affordability. In most countries, the busier metropolitan areas are the more expensive areas to live. This is still true in Canada. However, the hotspots throughout their major cities tend to be easier to afford than similar countries such as the U.S., France, and the U.K.
For this reason, many students flock to Canada to receive quality postgraduate education, while still being able to have fun and enjoy a major city without a significant price tag.
Q.S. World University Rankings compiled a list of the best student cities. Criteria include the cost of living, the cost of education, things to do around the city, and the quality of the education. Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa all make their top 50 list for the best cities for students.
Canada prides itself on clean, safe, welcoming, inclusive, and affordable city-living with easy access to public transportation. These are all huge benefits and can be a major sigh of relief for foreigners traveling to Canada for school.
It can be overwhelming going to a new city, especially if it is for higher education. Being able to focus on your schooling rather than finding an affordable place to live or understanding how to get around the city is a significant perk.
Postgraduate Opportunities in Canada
In addition to its excellent living conditions and quality of life, Canada is also famous for its postgrad opportunities. After you finish your studies, if you wish to stay in Canada to pursue jobs in your field, there may be placement opportunities for you.
Canada offers postgraduate work permits, which will allow you to stay in the country under that documentation as you work in your field of study. The government in Canada is keen to ease up on immigration statuses for individuals who want to contribute to the country through work in their chosen field.
Canada values its students and the work they are putting into their chosen field. They want to encourage those interested in staying and contributing to be able to do so without worries over their immigration status.
By completing your master’s in Canada, you may become eligible for this program. The guidelines and criteria will differ based on your field of study, how long you attended school in Canada, and any outside experience you have, aside from your schooling in the field of study.
The Logistics of Getting Your Master’s in Canada
The application process for getting your master’s degree in Canada is a straight-forward system, but there are still items to keep in mind. Applying for your master’s in Canada is an easy process streamlined with the student in mind.
One of the biggest draws is Canada’s international inclusion. Since it is a melting pot of different races and ethnic backgrounds, Canadian universities are well-equipped to help anyone who speaks another language.
With English being the most common language in Canada, and French being second, you may need to show some proof of proficiency in one of those languages, depending on your field of study. The upside is that the application process and many of the schools themselves are highly accessible to those who may not speak either of those languages fluently.
Academic Requirements
Like many other postgrad opportunities in the U.K. or the U.S., you will typically need a minimum of around a 3.0 GPA for your undergraduate degree. This may vary slightly, based on your field of study and the university you are applying to. But that is a good average to keep in mind.
The specific university will also alert you if there are additional forms or paperwork they will need to see, verifying anything from your undergraduate work.
How to Apply
You will go through an application process online that looks remarkably similar to many other countries’ applications. They will need basic information from you, as well as your academic background. The university will specify any transcripts or qualifications that need to be sent with the application.
You will also need to have references and a letter of motivation, or an essay explaining your story and what your goals are in attending the master’s program at the university.
Once You Are Accepted
Administrations departments will work with you to ensure you are set up with everything you need to begin your master’s program there. They are excellent with international students and are highly versed in helping when it comes to questions about student visas and any immigration issues they may be able to assist with.
Canada’s Diverse Backgrounds and Campuses
Earning your master’s degree in Canada has its perks when it comes to the classes themselves, and the types of study you will have access to. But a huge benefit of studying here is due to the inherently diverse background of students and staff.
Canada’s diversity spans far and wide beyond the French community and Canada natives. According to The Daily Hive, which is based out of Vancouver, Canada is now one of the most diverse countries in the world.
According to Rickshaw Travel: “Canada is already well-known for its French community; however, it is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world and is home to an astounding 195 different languages.”
Canada has become a beautifully diverse nation with immigrants from all over the world. There are multiple different languages spoken throughout every region, a wide variety of religious preferences represented, and a substantial LGBTQ+ population.
You will also find a great variety of socioeconomic backgrounds throughout the country. Since universities are less expensive than their American counterparts, socioeconomic background is another way universities are diverse.
Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Quebec have the largest foreign-student population throughout the country.
The country has become known as a welcoming region for anyone and everyone. So, studying here can be especially rewarding. Not only will it be a welcoming and accepting place to live while you study, but you will also be learning about other cultures by merely living and going to school there.
The staff and student population at universities across the country boast a wide variety of backgrounds that make for a more cohesive and vibrant learning environment.
Canada’s universities are home to roughly 200,000 international students each year. This multicultural environment is invaluable while you learn and grow.
The Canadian Teaching Style
Canada takes a hands-on, flexible, and welcoming approach to education. Their university programs are incredibly inclusive, encouraging, and welcoming. Rather than building a competitive environment where students are trying to outdo each other, the universities encourage healthier competition with a focus on student learning.
Their courses are a mixture of lectures, assignments, projects, workshops, and group work. It is similar to many programs in the United States when looking at their curriculums and workloads.
The professors are views as leaders that help advance a student through the curriculum while also encouraging them to become independent thinkers and learners.
Typical classrooms are open, friendly, and present a positive atmosphere.
Why Canada is Ideal for Earning Your Master’s Degree
Canada is a melting pot for international students, as well as innovative ideas. Their universities are ranked as some of the best for master’s degrees and higher education throughout the world. At the same time, their cities that host these colleges are affordable, clean, and welcoming to students. The diverse backgrounds throughout Canada and their excellent educational programs make for a perfect combination while studying abroad for your master’s degree.