MS in Computer Science in Canada: Colleges & Universities

The cost of living for an individual will vary from an individual to individual and it will depend on your lifestyle. Whereas, the tuition fees for international students will vary from college to college. If you’re planning to pursue an MS in Computer Science in Canada, the average first-year tuition fee will be around Rs 12-18 lakh and the average living expenditure will be around Rs 6 lakhs. This totals up to Rs 18 to 24 Lacs total first-year cost.

Canadian universities offer a number of scholarships to international students each year. Besides, there are many external funding agencies that offer very lucrative scholarships to puruse higher education in Canada. There are more than 60 scholarships which are available for international students to pursue an MS degree in Canada. Both merit-based and need-based scholarships, with different amounts, are available for students in all disciplines.

International students applying for Canadian universities are required to meet the minimum admission eligiblity to get into the university. One of the requirement is 'Letter of Recommendation'. All the universities will ask you to submit at least 2-3 LORs. A letter of recommendation is a statement by any professional, related to your field of academics, which confirms that you’re a good fit for the particular course. The choice of the recommender depends upon you.

Canadian universities offers hundreds of courses at MS level for students. International students get to choose from hundreds of courses to meet their career and life related objectives.There are multiple specialisations which are available for the students to choose from. Some of those are Statistics, Finance, Telecommunications, Mathematics, Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineering, Nursing, etc.

International students planning to pursue MS in Computer Science from Canada are required to meet the minimum eligiblity. Each university will have its own admission requirements and eligibiltiy to give admissions. However, generally international students need to possess a Bachelor’s Degree for admission. They are also required to possess GRE scores (not mandatory), IELTS Scores, Work Proof (if applicable), Letters of Recommendation, a Resume and a Statement of Purpose (SOP). International students are advised to check the minimum admission requirements before applying to any university, since, the minimum eligiblity will vary from university to university. 

In Canada, the 1.5–2 year MS in Computer Science program offers degrees in MSc, MACS, and MEng. In Canada, the average annual tuition for a master's degree in computer science is 21,227 CAD (12.93 lakhs INR). Universities that charge approximately 31,000 CAD (18 lakhs INR) include the University of Toronto. However, there are less expensive choices. For example, Simon Fraser University charges as little as 6,1988 CAD (3 lakhs INR) annually. Here are some requirements to pursue MSc in Computer Science in Canada:

• Most programs require a bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• A minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (87%) is usually required
• Average Minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS and 100 in TOEFL iBT.
• 2- 3 letters of recommendation from professors or professionals in the field.
• A statement of purpose outlining your career goals and reasons for pursuing a Master's in Computer Science.
• A current resume or CV highlighting your relevant experience and accomplishments.
• Some programs may require a minimum GRE score of 305.

Indian students have been targeting Canada for Masters in Computer Science (MS) as the country has over 5 Lacs established IT firms which have prospered rapidly in terms of employment. Canada has a multicultural student population, with students holding different nationalities pursuing an MS course. Each year thousands of students from across Canada and around the world apply into various universiteis and colleges in Canada. Canada is one of the top 5 destinations for international students going abroad to pursue higher education. 

No, you cannot because English is the langauge of instructions in the majority of the universities in Canada. Therefore international students are required to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language. For non-native English speakers, an overall Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (between 90-100) is required. International students can also submit other English proficiency test scores to prove their proficiency in the English language such as IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo. 

MSc in Computing Science is a competitive graduate program. Only the best and most qualified applicants are offered a seat. International students are required to meet the following admission requirements:

• Online application form
• All post-secondary transcripts
• CV/Resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Proficiency in the English language
• A Bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University or its equivalent with a CGPA of at least 3.0/4.33

Here are the top-ranking universities for MS in Canada: 

The University of Toronto Ontario MS in CS admission requirements are given below:

• An undergraduate degree for the concentration the applicants are applying to
• A standing of at least B+ (77-79%) in the final year
• English language proficiency
• Work experience is preferred but not required
• Research experience is preferred but not required
• Copies of all the academic transcripts
• CV / resume
• Answers to the programme questions addressing the interest in their preferred concentrations and the objective to the program
• 3 letters of recommendation

The applicants who have not gained a degree from a Canadian University are encouraged to submit GRE scores. Note that the GRE score submission is not mandatory but will be taken as substitute where academic grades do not meet the eligibility requirements. International students are required to submit the GRE score. Average scores are within the 80th percentile for Verbal (158+) and 95th percentile for Quantitative (168+).

For the Sep 2024 start date, the Uni of Toronto fees for the entire duration of the MSc in CS programme which is 16 months is approximately CAD 77,800. Also, students have to take care of their living expenses. This is equivalent to INR 47 lakh. To reduce the tuition fee, international students may be eligible to apply from international student loan companies such as Prodigy Finance and MPOWER Financing.