A Unique guide to Masters in Computer Science Program in Canada

Reasons to study Masters in Computer Science in Canada

• Canada houses a number of world class universities (University of Toronto, University of British Columbia & McGill University etc.) offering MS in Computer Science courses in Canada. These universities are well ranked in various world university ranking systems i.e. THE World University Rankings or QS World University Rankings etc.
• Comparing the costs associated with the studies in abroad for MS in Computer Science program, Canadian Universities offer more affordable options for study than US, UK or Australia.
• In master's of Computer Science program, a large options for graduate research fields are available at Canadian universities i.e. algorithms & complexity, programming, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, cryptography, security & privacy, data base, human-computer interaction, machine learning, software engineering & quantum computing etc.
• Canadian degrees are well recognized among employers worldwide, can help you to realize your dream of securing a better paid opportunity in abroad nations.
• Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program would enable an individual to acquire an additional asset for a better career i.e. international working experience.
• Some universities in Canada offer accelerated  master’s program in computer science to finish your master’s degree earlier than 2 year.
• Availability of expanding job market for computer science professional in Canada & also, computing professions are the well paid professions in Canada. 
• Another interesting fact, computer Science professionals especially software developers are among the top invited candidates for the Express Entry program for permanent residence in Canada & various occupations related to computer science domain are included in National Occupation Classification (NOC) List. 
• Canada is among the more safest nations to study abroad.  

Top 10 Universities for Masters in Computer Science in Canada 

1. University of Toronto: It is ranked number 18^th in THE World University Rankings 2020 & # 25^th in QS World University Rankings.

Course offered: MSc in Computer Science 

Application Deadlines: November, 29th 

Applications Requirements: 

• Bachelor degree in computer science or closely related discipline of at least 4 years duration or completion of both bachelor degree of 3 years & a master’s (minimum of a B+ GPA: 1^st class /Div or 8.5/10; 8/10 from Indian Institute of Technology) 
• 3 reference letters 
• SOP of up to 2 pages in length, 
• Detailed resume
• GRE score (strongly recommended not essential, GRE institution code: 0982 & U of T computer science code: 0402)
• IELTS Academic: overall band score of 7.0 (Academic) with a minimum of 6.5 for individual component or TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 93 with writing/speaking scores 22/ TOEFL (PBT): at least 580 & 4 on test of written English (TWE)

Tuition Fee: $ 53,290 CAD (first year)

(Note: in some cases a Skype interview can be conducted with a member of Graduate Admissions committee or potential supervisor for admission).

2. University Of Waterloo: It is among top 250 universities worldwide in THE World University Rankings 2020

Course offered: Master of Mathematics in Computer Science 

Application Deadlines: October, 1st  & December, 15th 

Admission Requirements:

• An honors bachelor degree in computer science or engineering with at least 78% standing
• 3 references are needed to process the admission application out of which 2 must be academic references & detailed CV
•  IELTS: overall 7.5 with a score of 7.0 in writing & speaking sections or TOEFL (iBT): 100 with writing 26 & speaking 26 
• GRE score are required for all the applicants, who have not completed their 4 years undergraduate degree at a North American University where English is the primary language of instruction.

Tuition fee costs: $ 7,042 CAD per term ($ 21,126 CAD annual)

3. University of British Columbia: University of British Columbia is ranked # 34th in the THE World University Rankings 2020 & # 7th in The World Impact Rankings 2020.

Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science  

Application Deadlines: December, 15th 

Admission Requirements: 

• A 4 years honours bachelor degree with average GPA of 8.0/10 or first division/class (65%)

• 3 references are needed to process the admission application
• Statement of interest/intent 
• CV
• TOEFL (iBT): 100 (reading/listening: 22 and writing/speaking: 21), TOEFL (PBT): 55 for each reading, listening, writing & speaking along with 4.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE), IELTS: overall 6.5 with a score of 6.0 in writing & speaking sections PTE: overall score of 65 with no individual score less than 60 
• GRE score is not

Tuition Fee: $ 8952.27 CAD (first year)

4. McGill University: McGill University is ranked # 42nd in the THE World University Rankings 2020 & among 200 universities worldwide in The World Impact Rankings 2020.

Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science

Application Deadlines: March, 1st and January, 1st to be considered for financial support 

Admission requirements: 

• A bachelor degree with CGPA of 3.2 at the scale of 4.0 or better with course work in computer science/mathematics 
• 2 completed recommendation forms 
• SOP & detailed CV
• TOEFL (iBT): 100 with no score less than 22 or IELTS overall score of 6.5
• GRE is required for admission 

Tuition Fee: & 24,500.1 CAD

 

5. University of Ottawa: It is ranked # 141st in the THE World University Rankings 2020 & among 200 universities worldwide in The World Impact Rankings 2020.

Course offered: Master of Computer Science

Application Deadlines: April, 30th  

• Admission Requirements: a 4 years honours bachelor degree with an average of B (70%) or 3 years bachelor & master degree
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Letter of intent
• Detailed CV
• TEOFL (iBT): minimum score is 88-89/TOEFL (PBT): minimum of 570 or IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no score less than 6.0

Tuition fee costs: $ 27,519.72 CAD (first year)

6. Queen's University: It is ranked among 300 universities worldwide in the THE World University Rankings 2020 & # 246 in QS World University Rankings 2021.

Course offered: MSc in Computer Science

Application Deadlines: January, 15th

Admission Requirements: 

• An honours bachelor degree with minimum "A" standing (first class) or equivalent with concentration in computer science 
• 2 letter of recommendation 
• GRE score is not required 
• SOP
• Detailed CV
• IELTS score of overall 7.0 or TOEFL (iBT): minimum of 88 (writing:24, speaking:22, reading:22, listening: 20)·  

Tuition fee costs: $ 12,927.45 CAD (first year)

7. McMaster University: It is ranked # 72 in the THE World University Rankings 2020 & # 144 in QS World University Rankings 2021.

Course offered: MSc in Computer Science

Application Deadlines: March, 30th 

Admission Requirements: 

• An honours bachelor degree with minimum "B+" average or equivalent with concentration of studies in computer science/engineering
• 2 letters of recommendation 
• SOP
• Detailed CV
• TOEFL (iBT): minimum score of 88/TOEFL (PBT): 580 or IELTS overall score of 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each sub score
• GRE score is not required but might be asked 

Tuition fee costs: $ 17,096 CAD (first year)

8. University of Alberta: It is ranked # 136 in the THE World University Rankings 2020 & # 119 in QS World University Rankings 2021.

Course offered: MSc in Computing Science

Application Deadlines: application system accepted applications from 15 October  2019 to 15th January 2020. University is accepting admission for MSc course based course for fall 2020; for further information please visit applications & admissions section of university's website 

Admission Requirements: 

• A 4 years bachelor degree with minimum of 3.0 GPA at the scale of 4.0 or equivalent with concentration in computer science 
• 3 letters of recommendation (2 academic)
• Detailed CV
• SOP
• TOEFL(iBT): minimum score required is 100/TOEFL (PBT): 600 or IELTS score of 7.0 overall with no sub score less than 6.0.
• GRE score is not essential but highly recommended for candidates with degree from outside Canada·  

Tuition fee costs: $ 10,500 CAD (first year)

9. Western University: It is ranked # 250th in the THE World University Rankings 2020 & # 203rd in QS World University Rankings 2021.

Course offered: MSc in Computer Science

Application Deadlines: February, 15th  

Admission Requirements: 

• 4 years honours bachelor degree with minimum of 78% or B+ overall average with concentration in computer science
• 2 academic references 
• SOP
• Detailed CV
• TOEFL (iBT): minimum score of 92 with no sub score less than 20 or IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no sub score less than 6.0
• GRE score is not required 

·   Tuition fee costs: $ 6082.33 CAD (per term)

10. Concordia University: It is ranked among top 800 universities in the THE World University Rankings 2020 & # 477th in QS World University Rankings 2021.

Course offered: MSc in Computer Science

Application Deadlines: June, 1st & October, 1st   

Admission Requirements:

• 4 years bachelor degree with high standing (high standing can be defined as honours, specialization or a GPA equivalent to B average with concentration in either of these: computer science, mathematics engineering or science)
• 3 letters of recommendation 
• SOP
• Detailed CV
• TOEFL (iBT): minimum score of 85 with no sub score less than 20 or IELTS overall 6.5 score 
• GRE score is not required

·    Tuition fee costs: $ 19598.63 CAD (per term)

(Universities in Canada offering MS in Computer Science with GRE/ Without GRE scores)

1. Memorial University of Newfoundland 

• Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science
• Tuition fee: $ 4833 CAD (First Year)
• GRE scores are strongly recommended 

2. Ryerson University: 

• Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science
• Tuition fee: $ 23,077.66 CAD(First Year)
• GRE score is not required 

3. University of Windsor:

• Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science
• Tuition fee: $ 24,360 CAD(First Year)
• GRE score might be asked if credentials are difficult to asses

4. University of Northern British Columbia: 

• Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science
• Tuition Fee: $ 5145.48 CAD (First Year)
• GRE scores can be demanded by the university 

5. Lakehead University:

• Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science 
• Tuition Fee: $ 24,000 CAD(First Year)
• GRE score might be required 

6. Ontario Tech University: 

• Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science
• Tuition Fee: $ 18,790.20 CAD(First Year)
• GRE scores are not required 

7. University of Saskatchewan:

• Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science
• Tuition Fee: $ 6,730.80 CAD(First Year)
• GRE scores are not required 

8. University of Victoria: 

• Course Offered: MSc in Computer Science
• Tuition Fee: $ 7,611 CAD(First Year)
• GRE scores are not mandatory but recommended to submit

(Job Opportunities & Average Salaries After Masters in Computer Science in Canada)

Having a degree in computer sciences would be a great tool to carve a better future not only in Canada but globally in relevance to rising demand of skilled IT professionals, software developers/engineers, cyber-security engineers, web developers, data science engineers & machine learning engineer all around the world. 

• According to Linkedin Talent Blog, research conducted by "Korn Ferry", the technology, media & telecommunication industries may be short of 4.3 million skilled worker by 2030. 
• The personal finance magazine "Kiplinger"has listed various computer science & related majors at the top in its list of " 25 Best College Majors for a Lucrative Career"
• Canadian economy requires skilled software engineers/developers in huge count, these professional get hired by the Canadian employers as soon as they are available. Research conducted by Deloitte signified that lack of talent in domain of cyber-security in Canada is being felt across corporate Canada. 
• Due to vast expansion of Canada's Tech industry (an impact of Canadian Government's support in terms of Strategic Innovation Fund and increasing interests of global companies i.e. Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco & Sony etc. to make investments in Canadian Provinces specifically in British Columbia), it is expected that Canada tech industry would encounter a skill shortage in various domains related to computer science in coming decades. Computer science & related professions are among the top 100 professions in Canada along with a strong job market for computer science professionals. Also, computer science professions are among the well paid professions in Canada, the average salaries offered to computer Science professionals is ranging between 60,000 to 1,04,000 CAD per year. 

So, a much lucrative career in field of computer sciences can be possible in Canada with a master's in computer science. Not only is this but after acquiring handsome experience, much better ways to get the Canadian PR would also be opened.