Masters in Nursing (MSN) in Canada: Universities, Fees & Jobs
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Masters in Nursing (MSN) in Canada: Universities, Fees & Jobs

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Jun 5, 2024 18:33 IST

Pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) in Canada can be an excellent opportunity for those Indian students looking to advance their nursing careers. These programs teach nurses specialized knowledge and skills. A four-year bachelor's degree in nursing and good scores in standardized tests are required to pursue MScN in Canada.

Masters in Nursing in Canada

With a 1.4% boom in the Canadian population annually, the regulated 1.9% nursing workforce seems to be diminishing. This, in turn, implies that job opportunities in the Nursing sector in Canada would increase by at least 4% in the upcoming 5 years. This is the reason for more and more international students opting for MS in Nursing across 20 renowned Canadian Universities

MS in Nursing in Canada admission is based on the applicant’s bachelor’s degree and ELP scores. They are also required to hold a nursing license in order to study at a Canadian University for an MS in Nursing. This sector is ranked #1 in Canada in terms of job prospects as well. The opening job offers for MSN students vary with their area of expertise. Around CAD 75,000 - 80,000 on average is the starting salary of a Nursing practitioner. As per CIHI 2019 data, Canada has over 4 lakh regulated nurses practising with operational or active nursing licenses. 

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Related Blog: Nursing Jobs in Canada

Master's in Nursing in Canada Highlights

Course Offered

MS in Nursing

Offered in 

Canada

Duration 

2 years | Full time

Total Universities offering MSN in Canada

20

Average Annual Fee

CAD 18,000

Admission Criteria

4 years bachelors + TOEFL / IELTS score

Nursing License

Mandatory 

MSN Specializations

10

Job Roles for MSN in Canada

Nurse / Lecturer / Family Nurse Practitioner 

Highest Salary Offered

Family Nurse Practitioner: CAD 100,000

Total Regulating Nursing Bodies

25+

Reasons to Study Master's in Nursing from Canada

Nursing in Canada as a profession is a strong choice since it requires strong leadership skills, logical thinking and sound decision making. As per Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) in 2019, around 91% of nurses entering this profession were females, and 58.5% of them were working in a hospital. In Canada, 








  • 300,669 are registered nurses

  • 6,159 are nursing practitioners

  • Graduates directly being recruited for nursing jobs have increased by 7.5% since 2010.

  • 58% of the nurses are working on a full-time basis and 32% of them are part-timers. 

Check: Highest Paid Jobs in Canada

Master's in Nursing in Canada: Top Universities

Though there are 20 universities in Canada offering MS in Nursing, the following table summarises top 10 universities along with their ranking in Nursing and an approximate overview of the annual program fee at each university:







University Name

Annual Program Fee (CAD)

University of Toronto

CAD 23,770

University of Alberta

CAD 10,500 

University of British Columbia

CAD 8,780

McMaster University

CAD 16,150

McGill University

CAD 11,140

University of Calgary 

CAD 14,540

Trinity Western University

CAD 22,260

Queen’s University

CAD 13,790

University of Ottawa

CAD 11,640

Master's in Nursing in Canada Course Structure

In Canada, MS in Nursing is either a course-based or thesis-based degree program. This finally culminates into a final research-based degree program at the end. Students opt for either of the two options in order to complete MS in Nursing from a Canadian university. 

RecommendationView All

Explore MS colleges in Canada

A++Shiksha Grade
The University of British Columbia

Vancouver, CanadaPublic

73 courses
4.9 L - 38.33 L
A++Shiksha Grade
University of Toronto

Toronto, CanadaPublic

50 courses
18.32 L - 39.9 L
A+Shiksha Grade
McGill University

Montreal, CanadaPublic

41 courses
9.53 L - 18 L
A+Shiksha Grade
University of Alberta

Edmonton, CanadaPublic

34 courses
5.36 L - 24.35 L
AShiksha Grade
University of Calgary

Calgary, CanadaPublic

34 courses
1.52 L - 35.19 L
AShiksha Grade
University of Ottawa

Ottawa, CanadaPublic

23 courses
9.79 L - 17.8 L
A+Shiksha Grade
McMaster University

Hamilton, CanadaPublic

37 courses
6.89 L - 25.02 L
AShiksha Grade
University of Waterloo

Waterloo, CanadaPublic

22 courses
13.15 L - 28.74 L
AShiksha Grade
Western University

London, CanadaPublic

32 courses
7.8 L - 36.06 L
AShiksha Grade
University of Montreal

Montreal, CanadaPublic

3 courses
13.05 L - 16.05 L
Is this recommendation relevant?

2 core courses and 8 clinical courses have to be opted for while pursuing MS in Nursing from Canada. Various clinical courses are offered in common areas of :

  • Education, Leadership & Research 

  • Clinical: Leading to a licenced nursing practitioner in Neonatal or Adult or as a Family Practitioner Nurse.

The following different specializations can be opted by MS Nursing students studying in Canadian Universities:

Nursing Manager

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Clinical Research Manager

Clinical Informatics Specialist

Community Mental Health

Critical Care Nursing

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

Read more: Cost of Living in Canada

Masters in Nursing in Canada Admission Requirements

To be eligible for MS in Nursing admission in Canada, students must fulfil the following given basic requirements:

MS in Nursing Eligibility: 

  • A 4-year bachelor's degree and 10+2+4 years of education completion.

  • Clinical experience of 1 year is recommended for those holding a Nursing License.

  • Applicants must submit ELP scores if they have not studied at an English-speaking institution in the past.

  • Additionally, applicants would have to submit along with the applications their LORs, resume, SOP and transcripts.

MSN in Canada Application Requirements

Each Canadian university offering MS in Nursing admission requires students to submit either TOEFL or IELTS score along with the following set of information in the application:

University

GPA / %

Application Requirements 

ELP Scores

University of Toronto

B+

2 LORs, SOP, Resume, Transcripts

TOEFL: 93

IELTS: 7.0

University of Alberta

B

2-3 LORs, SOP, Transcripts

TOEFL: 97

IELTS: 7.0

University of British Columbia

76%

3 LORs, SOP, Resume, Transcripts

TOEFL: 100

IELTS: 6.5

McMaster University

B+

3 LORs, SOP, Resume, Transcripts

TOEFL: 92

IELTS: 7.0

McGill University

B

2 LORs, SOP, Resume. Transcripts

TOEFL: 100

IELTS: 7.5

University of Calgary

B

2 LORs, SOP, Transcripts

TOEFL: 97

IELTS: 7.0

Trinity Western University

78%

2 LORs, SOP, Transcripts

TOEFL: 100

IELTS: 7.0

University of Ottawa

70%

2 LORs, Transcripts

TOEFL: 97

IELTS: 7.0

 *Note: Every university has a different set of standards for admitting Nursing students for Master’s programs. It is important that applicants check the official website for all details before applying to any university for admission.

ReadTOEFL Dates 2022

Masters in Nursing in Canada: Careers & Job Opportunities

Broadly there are three types of nursing practitioners in Canada:

  1. Registered Nurses: Nurses who have passed the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam

  2. Registered Psychiatric Nurses: Responsible for providing nursing care, and counselling to psychiatric patients who are hospitalised.

  3. Licensed Practical Nurses: They provide nursing care under medical practitioners. 

Job Opportunities:

After completing a master’s degree in Nursing from Canada, applicants can opt for the following job roles and their expected corresponding annual CTC:

  • Nursing Manager: CAD 85,000

  • Registered Practical / Psychiatric Nurses: CAD 40,000 - CAD 80,000

  • Nurse Practitioner: CAD 94,000

  • Family Nurse Practitioner: CAD 100,000

  • Clinical Informatics Specialist: CAD 75,000

  • Clinical Research Manager: CAD 89,000

There is a strong demand for Nursing professionals in Canada despite 59% of them working in hospitals, full time. Since nurses play an important role in patient care, their presence has become more evident at the administration level also. Thus, a Master’s in Nursing is a degree of good repute because this profession in Canada is highly regarded, remunerated and in great demand as well.

MS in Nursing in Canada FAQ's

Q. How long is Masters in Nursing in Canada?

A. MS in Nursing in Canada is a typical 2 years long and a full-time course. There are no part time courses available in this field for Nursing in Canada for those willing to pursue a Masters in it.

Q. I have taken SAT exam, am I eligible to apply for MS in Nursing in Canada?

A. No, most of the Canadian Universities do not accept SAT scores for MS in Nursing. Rather, a score in either TOEFL or IELTS is considered in order to get admission for this course in Canada.

Q. How much can an Indian student earn after pursuing MS in Nursing from Canada?

A. Indian students can earn upto INR 4.5 L per month after pursuing MS in Nursing from Canada. The starting average salary of an Indian student is around INR 3 L both in Canada or in India. This in turn, is high on ROI for Indian students.

Q. Why pursue MS in Nursing from Canada?

A. Canada is ranked number #1 for Nursing sector, it has the highest number of nurses in the world. Nursing as a profession in Canada is highly regarded and renumerated for not just Canadian nationals but also for other international students. Canada also has some of the top universities like U of T, UBC, U of A, etc. for MS in Nursing.

Q. What course is MSc (Applied) in Nursing? Is it offered in Canada?

A. MSc (Applied) in Nursing is also offered in Canadian universities. It is a branch of Nursing which deals with creating new ideologies and devise innovative approach towards building more comprehensive and novice forms for healthcare at all stages. This in turn is different from the actual, typical MS in Nursing course in Canada.

Q. Which universities offer MSc (Applied) in Nursing in Canada?

A. Only one university in Canada offers MSc (Applied) in Nursing course. It is available only a at McGill University at its Ingram School of Nursing (ISoN). McGill University has been offering this course since 1974.

Q:   Is Cambrian College in Canada a good option for international students?

A:

Cambrian College in Canada is largely recognised as a prestigious institution, making it an attractive option for overseas students. The college provides a wide choice of programmes, and its accreditation guarantees respect to academic standards. Prospective students should carefully assess Cambrian College's suitability in terms of individual programme offers, campus facilities, location, and foreign student support services. The total cost of education, including tuition and living expenses, should also be considered, as well as any available financial help or scholarships. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, check Cambrian College's official website, contact international student services, and speak with current or former international students for firsthand experiences.

Q:   What is the University of Canada West acceptance rate?

A:

As per some unofficial sources, the University of West Canada acceptance rate is 80%, which means out of every 100 applications, around 80 are selected, which makes it fairly easy to get selected into the university.

The university gives preference to students having higher grades or have exceptional academic or research experience. Hence, having higher grades increases your chance of getting selected at University of West Canada.

Here is the list of eligibility requirements to get into Canadian Universities.

Q:   How much are Selkirk College tuition fees for international students in Canada?

A:

The Selkirk College tuition fee for international student ranges between INR 7L-INR 12L for Diploma program, INR 8L-INR 11L for the UG program, and INR 9L-10L for PG programs. The tuition fee for popular programs at Selkirk College is given below:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

UG Diploma (23 courses)

INR 7 L - 12 L

BBA (1 course)

INR 8 L

BSc (4 courses)

INR 8 L - 11 L

UG certificate (21 courses)

INR 4 L - 11 L

BA (10 courses)

INR 7 L - 9 L

PG Diploma (5 courses)

INR 9 L - 10 L

B.Pharma (1 course)

INR 8 L

BEd (1 course)

INR 9 L

Q:   What are Algoma University Canada MBA fees?

A:

The Algoma University Business Administration programme fees is around INR 17.5 L for international students. We have mentioned below the complete segregation of Algoma University fees for MBA:

Tuition FeesInternational Students
Full-Time Tuition*INR 16.6 L
Required FeesINR 82k
TotalINR 17.4 L

Q:   How is studying at Mount Allison University in Canada?

A:

Mount Allison University is one of the reputed universities in Canada that provides excellent programs and follows a brilliant academic culture. It ranked #1 for reputation and library expenses and second for student awards and faculty awards. Mt A is primarily an undergraduate Liberal Arts and Sciences university with over 2,300 students. Students from all over the globe are attracted to the university for its high-quality academic experience, hands-on learning opportunities, rankings, and small class size. The average class size at the university is 41 with student to faculty ratio of 16:1.

Q:   How much time is required for an offer letter by St. Clair College, Canada?

A:

International students can apply for St. Clair College admission through the college official portal and submit the required application material before the equal consideration deadline. As application received after the deadline are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The admission decision on acceptance to the college can take anywhere between 2-6 weeks. However, there is no special mention about admission decision timeline, it is recommended to reach out to the college for further clarity.

Q:   What are the requirements for Prince Edward University in Canada for international students?

A:

International students must meet the Prince Edward University admission requirements to apply. Mentioned below are the admission requirments for undergraduate and graduate admission at the University of Prince Edward Island:

UPEI UG admission requirements:

  • Must hold a high school Diploma in a relevant discipline
  • An overall average of at least 70% score in high school
  • Submit a final official high school transcript
  • Upload a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
  • An official English language proficiency test result

UPEI PG admission requirements:

  • Must hold a four-year honours or majors baccalaureate or its equivalent in a relevant discipline
  • Must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 or an average of 70% or higher in a bachelor’s degree
  • Submit two letters of recommendation
  • Meet the English language requirements
  • Provide additional test score of GMAT/GRE (if required)
  • Provide personal statement
  • A current resume

UPEI Executive MBA admission requirements:

  • Complete an UG degree in any discipline
  • An UG degree in the sciences or a degree in any discipline plus considerable work experience in a Science is required for the Biotechnology Management and Entrepreneurship Stream graduates
  • Must achieve a minimum average of B (70% or higher) in the last four semesters or last two years of UG study
  • Must meet the English language requirements
  • Submit additional test score of GMAT (if required)
  • Provide personal statement
  • A current resume

Also read: Eligibility Criteria to Study in Canada for Indian Students

Q:   How is ICM Canada UTP Stage 2 Business Programs?

A:

ICM Canada UTP Stage 2 Business programme equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate Business degree from the University of Manitoba. After completing the first year at ICM, students can complete their second year of the degree from the University of Manitoba. The intakes of this degree are Jan, May, and Sep. Pursuing this course will lead to opening of career opportunities in various fields such as:

  • Financial sector
  • Industry and trade
  • International commerce
  • Not-for-profit sector
  • Government
  • Health care and Technology
About the Author
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Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert

Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio

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Comments

(5)

D

Div Rathod

9 months ago

I clear recently my nclax exam and I study in India gnm nursing and after post basic B.Sc nursing how can I apply for master in nursing

Reply to Div Rathod

B

Boluwatife

a year ago

Please I have a question….. Do i have to be a registered nurse before I can get an admission to do Masters in nursing ??

Reply to Boluwatife

Hello! No, its not mandatory to register as a nurse before applying for Masters in Nursing in Canada.

N

Nidhi Patel

a year ago

Is one year clinical experience from primary health center is valid for maste in nursing in canada

Reply to Nidhi Patel

Hello Nidhi! You will have to check this with the university you are applying to. There are certain acceptable options only, hence please get in touch with the university before applying. Once you are absolutely sure, you can apply. Good luck!

M

Meghana Giri

a year ago

Who got UG nursing degree from India can get admission in caneda for MSc in Canada?

Reply to Meghana Giri

Hello Meghana, though Canadian universities accept 10+2+4 level of education, applying for MS in Nursing from India to Canadian universities contradicts the eligibility criteria. In case you are too keen on studying in Canada only, you can apply and maybe pursue a pathway program to bridge the one-

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S

Simranjeet Kaur

2 years ago

Plz tell if there is any universities that doesn't require 1 year clinical experience?

Reply to Simranjeet Kaur

Hello Simranjeet! The tier 1 colleges in Canada definitely accept a year's clinical experience for admission to MSN. However, you can maybe apply at other universities in Canada in the same program or maybe with a different specialisation if you do not have a year's clinical experience. All the very

...more