Best Courses to study in Canada for Internationals

Best Courses in Canada

What are best ROI Courses in Canada for International Students in 2020? Let’s take a look.

Courses with high ROI in Canada

Canada is working on increasing the number of international students in Canada through effective education strategies implemented since 2014. Quality education and high living standards in Canada has attracted many people from all over the world. The high-quality educated imparted in Canadian universities provides many opportunities after graduation and set the individuals on an excellent career path. Degrees from Canada, along with work experience, make it easy for the people to get settled in Canada permanently.

A general degree from a university in Canada can be completed in four years, which is considered to be the equivalent of an American degree. The Canadian education system is well-developed and keeps on improving with the passage of time. The courses offered in Canada covers all the modern aspects of life and business, which attracts a myriad of international students. Such opportunities can lead to numerous work opportunities in foreign countries, including Canada, the UK, the USA, and many other countries.

Before making the decision of studying in Canada, you should be familiar with the following factors:

Application Fee

The application fee for Canadian universities is between 100 to 250 Canadian dollars. It can vary a lot depending on the university you are applying to. Hence, it is better to check the university in the initial stages of the application process.

Standardized Tests

Admissions are usually finalized on the basis of high school grades. However, some universities may require SAT, ACT, or other standardized tests as well. AP or IB exams can also be taken for credits or placement in some educational institutes.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee in Canadian universities varies a lot on the basis of the program. The average fee can be between CA$7,000 to CA$29,000 per year for the international students at universities. While the colleges cost about CA$5,000 to CA$15,000 per year, many financial aid programs, loan schemes, and scholarships are available in Canada to support international students.

Accommodation

The majority of the colleges and universities in Canada have accommodation facilities near or on the campus.

Visa and Legal Documents

Verification of the legal documents and visa approval is mandatory for international students before entering Canada. The application fee for a study permit in Canada is CA$235. It allows the students to study as well as work outside the campus for a limited number of hours during the semester and full-time during Summer or Spring breaks.

1. MBA

MBA has always remained one of the most essential courses in Canada. It provides a lot of international work experience and real-life exposure to the students, which helps them in becoming a successful businessperson and entrepreneur. Moreover, there is a considerable demand for jobs related to investment finance and management consulting in Canada. MBA graduates can specialize in IT-related fields like Analytics, data science, and Big Data, which has some of the most high-paying job opportunities in Canada.

Despite having an affordable education system, the MBA programs offered in Canada are expensive for international students. Even then, it has its own set of advantages and long-term benefits, which play a massive role in establishing stable career paths of MBA graduates in Canada. Soon after graduation, most of the individuals are offered high-paying jobs. Various types of MBA courses are offered in Canada. In India, Canada has just started to become popular for getting MBA degrees, so if you want to learn more about it, you must check out MBA in Canada for Indian applicants.

2. IT and Computer Science

IT and Computer Science programs have become highly popular since the last decade due to significant advancements in the technology sector. IT professionals are in huge demand all over the world, including Canada.

Hot Specializations in Computer Science

The tech industry in Canada is growing rapidly. Last year, about 11,500 more jobs were added to the massive IT industry. Most of these jobs are very well-paying, as well. According to the researches, an average annual salary of $81,500 is being paid to the IT experts. Moreover, experts of complex concepts of computing like blockchain, AI, and Big Data are enjoying a large annual pay of $100,000 or more.

Computers have evolved a lot in the last few years and impact every sector of society. As a result, IT has numerous different categories, and some of the specializations have become more popular than the others, such as:

  • Full-stack development
  • Project Management
  • Software engineering
  • Web Development
  • Program Analysis
  • Java Development
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cloud Computing
  • Database Administration 

Top Computer Science Universities in Canada

The majority of Canadian universities have state-of-the-art facilities which are important in enhancing the learning experience of the students and imparting modern education to the students. Such facilities have played a considerable role in producing leaders in the IT sector. The fee of the universities varies anywhere between CA$6,500 to CA$33,500 per year, depending on the scale of the university. It is always a good idea to check the fee structure of the respective university from its official website get authentic and updated information.

Also read: MS in Canada compared to MS in USA

The top universities in Canada which offer Computer Science courses are:

  1. University of British Columbia (UBC)
  2. University of Waterloo
  3. University of Toronto
  4. McGill University
  5. McMaster University
  6. Queen’s University
  7. University of Ontario
  8. Carleton University
  9. University of Alberta
  10. Concordia University

3. Engineering and Engineering Management

Though Computer science has seeped into every different field, the popularity of core engineering programs has remained almost the same. The engineering jobs have also grown steadily in Canada, and about 8,000 jobs were added to the technology sector in 2018.

Mechanical, civil, and electrical engineers are sought after the most in Canada. Moreover, an engineer with expertise in AutoCAD and CATIA are preferred by most of the companies. Ontario and Quebec are the ideal Canadian cities for engineering jobs.

An average annual salary of $81,000 is being paid to the majority of the engineers. The lowest-paying engineering jobs pay approximately $52,000.

Also read: Highest paying STEM jobs of next decade!

4. Business and Finance

Finance, commerce, and business management have always remained important in the prosperity of the economy as well as the success of an individual company. A degree in finance and economics will teach you a lot about the working of the financial markets and the procedures of the business environments. Moreover, studies related to finances allow you to develop a variety of skills that are applicable in many other fields as well.

In Canada, jobs like asset management, broking, accounting, banking, and investment management are in huge demand. Other than the undergraduate programs, MBA is one of the most popular courses in Canada and abroad.

5. Earth Sciences and Energy

With the rising popularity of renewable energy and eco-friendly developments, the demand for students in Earth Sciences has also increased.

No economy can prosper without reliable energy sources. Rapid depletion of fossil fuels and an increased rate of climate change has alarmed scientists as well as industrialists in Canada. As a result, many companies are investing a vast amount of money in finding eco-friendly solutions, and hence the jobs for renewable energy experts have augmented. Such jobs are not only high-paying but highly essential in revolutionizing the economy and protecting the planet from further damage.  Earth Sciences programs like Physics, Petroleum Engineering, Mining, and Geology are in huge demand.

Studying in Canada: what is it like?

Studying in Canada

Studying in Canada is getting more and more lucrative by the day. So, what is it like to be a student in Canada?

Recent M.Eng. (Computer Engineering) graduate from University of Toronto, Shreya Rajput holds a specialization in Analytics. She is also working part time with a startup that focuses on ML solutions. She took Scholar Strategy services before heading to Canada. She shares her candid feedback on Canada below.

Why did you choose studying in Canada?

During my application process, I remember having applied to 10-11 schools. Out of which 8 were American Universities. Back then the only country that I had in my mind was the U.S.A. Initially, my parents weren’t completely on board with the idea of their daughter moving to a foreign land for studies. After continuous persuasion, they did agree. As my mom’s cousin stays in Toronto, Canada gave them a sense of security and they wanted me to consider it as an option. And honestly, that was the point when I started looking into Canada, as a prospective destination for my masters.

I did some research on Canadian schools and found that Canada has some of the world’s top schools. However, the number of good universities in Canada is much smaller when compared to the USA and most of these schools are competitive. I did not want to compromise on the quality of education. Having said that, Canada would have been an option for me only if I made it into the top Canadian universities. I received my admit from T.A.M.U in April, and I was going to apply for my U.S student permit, that’s when I received my admit from the University of Toronto, which led me to reevaluate my options.

Studying in Toronto
Shreya’s first day at University of Toronto

While I was deciding between T.A.M.U and the University of Toronto, I spoke to my aunt. The only thing she told me was “In your age money and American lifestyle seems exciting but do consider a few years down the lane”. I think that statement greatly influenced my decision. Moreover, Canada is right next to the States. Then, Canadian schools not only offer one of the best educations but are more affordable compared to their counterparts in the U.S.A. The University of Toronto is one of the best computer science schools in Canada as well across the globe. I am happy with the decision I took. Also, Canada being an immigrant-friendly country makes a lot of things easier for international students.

Also read: MS in Canada compared to MS in USA

What have you most enjoyed in Canada so far?

Canadians are very nice people. With one-fifth of its population foreign-born, Canada is very diverse (at least Toronto where I live). I have found people accepting of different races. My favourite thing is the food here, you can literally find everything, from Mexican to Asian to Goan cuisine.

Another thing that I like here is that students can work part-time. It not only reduces the financial burden on the students, but also helps them gain some decent industrial experience before graduation.

What have you not liked about Canada?

Canadian universities are either research-intensive or Industry experience-oriented. The University of Toronto is a research-intensive school and in fact, most top Canadian schools are research-focused. I found the courses at the university are much harder and less industry-oriented (mostly thesis oriented) when compared to American Schools. I feel this is something that differs from school to school. Again, I am talking in the context of graduate courses.

Bachelor’s here is on par with the US. The job market is good. Toronto has many companies and it’s a growing market but, when I discuss the salaries and number of opportunities with my friend in Boston, the numbers are definitely lower. Then, rents are high in Toronto and Vancouver. As a student, it sometimes becomes difficult to afford it. The rent for a two-bedroom apartment in downtown (where most companies are located), is around 3500-3800$, while median salaries in software jobs are around 4500$ per month (after taxes).

Lastly, I am not a winter person, so I do find Canadian winters extremely long and harsh. 

What advice would you give to a friend thinking of studying in Canada?

I would advise my friends to look into school ranking, courses, and the job market for the program/field they intend to pursue. Canada like any other country has all kinds of schools- good and bad, and all universities offer different levels and quality of courses/curriculum. As mentioned earlier universities could either be research-oriented or industrial experience-oriented, make sure that the courses and universities you choose align well with your goals and interests. One suggestion would be, getting in touch with the seniors, and understanding their experiences to make an informed decision.

Additionally, researching the job market before choosing a country is important if you wish to work after your studies. Hence, I would strongly suggest that you research job opportunities in Canada in your field of interest. For instance, my field of education is software and there are tremendous opportunities in the Software Industry, which perfectly align with my career goals. But I have seen my friends struggle looking for jobs in the Hardware, Aerospace and Chemical sector.

Also read: Best Courses to study in Canada for Internationals

How easy or tough is it to get the work visa/PR in Canada?

Obtaining a work visa after post-graduation is easy. The graduate students receive an open work permit which allows them to work in Canada for 2-3 years without any employer sponsorship. The duration of the work permit depends on the course/program length. A course of less than a year entitles you only a year (or less) of work permit.

PR here is based on a point system and going to school in Canada can help you strengthen your profile. From what I hear, the ranking of your university also plays a role and, gaining at least one year of Canadian work experience could be beneficial. A lot of my seniors received their PR within two years of their graduation. While things are easy, being a part of illegal activities like working beyond 20 hours/week can jeopardize your stay in Canada.

Are you considering settling there – why or why not?

At this point, I am not sure about the settlement. I would like to stay another 4-5 years here. I want to live close to my family if that were not the case, then why not! Not being a winter person, the only reason I can think of to reconsider my settlement in Canada would be the winters, else I think it’s a great country to settle in, people here are very friendly and accepting.

To summarize, studying in Canada has its pros and cons. But for someone looking to settle in a peaceful, nature filled, warm hearted country that offers great quality of living, Canada is an option that cannot be ignored.

MBA in Canada for Indian applicants

MBA in Canada

Canada has quite a few B Schools in Top 100 list. Check out this thorough analysis of MBA in Canada – best programs, cost, scholarships etc.

Why consider an MBA in Canada?

Canada has one of the best educational colleges and universities in the world. It has excellent MBA programs, and the applicants often prefer Canadian universities as their dream institutes. Multicultural society, affordable education, and high quality of living standards are few of the many factors due to which students should consider applying for an MBA in Canada.

Cost of living in Canada

An MBA degree from Canada is quite expensive, and on average, regular MBA cost about $30,000. To maintain good living standards in metropolitan cities of Canada, you can expect around $2500 – $3000 of expenses per month, which includes living costs, accommodation rent, and food. It may seem very expensive, but once the students have completed their MBA, they are offered high-paying jobs with good initial packages.

Quality of life in Canada

Canada has very high living standards, which are a huge attraction for pupils all over the globe. In addition to a multicultural society, Canada has one of the best healthcare and education systems. The tuition fees of Canadian universities are much lower than in the USA, but it should be kept in mind that MBA programs are still a very costly degree in Canada.

Also read: MS in Canada compared to MS in USA

Top Business Schools in Canada

According to the Global Financial Times ranking of educational institutes, the top 8 business schools in Canada are:

  1. Rotman School of Management – University of Toronto
  2. Ivey Business School of University of Western
  3. Queen’s University- Stephen J.R. Smith School of Business
  4. Schulich School of Business, York University
  5. HEC Montréal
  6. McGill University
  7. The University of British Columbia – Sauder School of Business
  8. University of Alberta

Top Executive MBA programs in Canada

The purpose of the executive MBA programs improves the managerial capabilities of experienced business professionals belonging to different sectors. It provides the opportunity of expanding career potential, enhancing leadership qualities, and obtaining experience in multicultural international management. The majority of the Executive MBA programs in Canada are highly flexible in terms of scheduling and adapting to the working hours of the professionals.

The top Executive MBA programs in Canada are offered by:

  1. Rotman School of Management
  2. Queen’s Smith School of Business – The National Program
  3. Queen’s Smith School of Business, Cornell-Queen’s
  4. Kellogg – Schulich    
  5. HEC Montréal/McGill           
  6. University of Alberta
  7. Concordia University
  8. McMaster University
  9. University of Montréal
  10. University of Waterloo
  11. University of Western Ontario

Also read: Courses with high ROI in Canada

Cost and Duration of MBA at Top Business Schools in Canada

Institute Duration Average Fee
Rotman School of Management 2 years $84,028
York University – Schulich 2 years $99,400
Queen’s Smith School of Business 1 year $71,445
University of Alberta 20 months $53,392
McGill Desautel 20 months $89,000
UBC Saucier 16 months $60,440
HEC Montreal 1 year $33,200
Ivey Business School 1 year $101,500

Eligibility to pursue MBA in Canada

The following things are necessary to get enrolled in an MBA program in Canada:

Bachelor’s Degree

The candidates wishing to pursue an MBA from Canada must have a Bachelor’s degree or an equal qualification of 14 years from a recognized educational institute.

Work Experience

The majority of the universities in Canada give preference to candidates who have work experience of at least 12 months in any field related to the business. Having work experience is not an obligation for the candidates, but it increases their chances of getting admission in the desired MBA program in a Canadian university.

Command over the English Language

Candidates whose first language is not English, as the students from India, are under the obligation to prove their proficiency in the English language by passing standardized language tests like IELTS or TOEFL.

GMAT

GMAT is the standardized admission test for admission in postgraduate programs in most of the foreign universities. A good GMAT score is necessary to get admission to a top MBA program in Canada.

University GMAT Score
University of Toronto 672
McGill University 655
University of Western   655
Queen’s University 650
University of British Columbia 646
HEC Montreal 630
University of Alberta 623

Also read: Best MBA programs in Europe for Indians

Application Process

The application process of seeking admission to an MBA degree in a Canadian university is extensive and quite exhaustive for many candidates. However, if you start planning early and acquire all the information necessary to get admission into your dream university, the whole procedure can become easy for you. You should start the application process at least 14 to 19 months before the start of your decided session. Admission forms are available on the official websites of the universities. If you face any problem in getting the form or other required documents, you should contact the admission office of the university immediately.

Documents Required

In addition to any documents that may be asked by the respective universities you are applying to, the documents that are generally required by all institutes are:

  1. Academic Records: All of the necessary documents and certifications required to verify your record, especially related to the most recent graduation degree.
  2. English Proficiency tests: IELTS or TOEFL scores are required to determine your command over the English language.
  3. Standardized Admission Tests: For postgraduate programs, like MBA, GMAT scores are the basis of application.
  4. Work Experience: If you have work experience in any field, you must produce a certification or some kind of document to prove it.
  5. Financial Records: Bank statements and other financial records are required as proof of your financial health.
  6. Recommendation Letters: These letters work as the testimonial of your behavior and work ethics. They can be produced from your previous supervisor or your former university faculty who have observed and worked with you.
  7. Essay: Personal essay or statement of purpose play a significant role in the admission of a candidate. The admission committee assesses the candidates on the basis of their personal essays and finalizes their admission on its basis as well.
  8. Visa and legal documents: Legal documents related to visa and citizenship.

If you have managed to get admission to the university, a ‘Letter of Offer’ will be sent to you, and a response will be expected from you as well.

Financial Aid & Scholarships in Canada

There are very few and limited scholarships available for MBA programs in Canada because the MBA is a professional degree. However, candidates with exceptional academic records and achievements like extraordinary extracurricular activities can get scholarships.

Candidates with impressive achievements and an excellent score in GMAT are usually given a 50% scholarship off the total fee.

Similarly, numerous financial aid programs are available to help the students who have financial hurdles in getting an MBA degree from Canada. Some of the most popular financial aid schemes in Canada are:

Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)

OGS is funded by the Canadian government. It covers the master and doctoral programs and helps many students in getting a good financial aid plan.

University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship

The University of Waterloo offers scholarships at the graduate level to the deserving and exceptional candidates. It is a highly-competitive scholarship as a large number of candidates apply for the scholarship.

Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship

Central Sector Scheme is an initiative by the Government of India. It gives scholarships to the meritorious students who wish to pursue a master’s or Ph.D. in a foreign university. All of the major countries are covered under this scholarship expect the United Kingdom.

Also read: Study abroad scholarships for students

MS in Canada compared to MS in USA

MS in Canada is becoming an increasingly lucrative to international students looking to study abroad. Let’s see its pros and cons over MS in USA.

Why apply to MS in Canada?

1. H1B and green card uncertainty in USA due to Trump policies

Trump has hinted that he does not like immigrants (which is the intention of 90%+ internationals who go for MS in USA), H1B caps and OPT rules are constantly under scrutiny and green card processing takes forever.

In comparison, you easily get work permit upon graduation in Canada for 2-4 years in any field to work anywhere you want. The study permit itself allows for taking jobs off campus right from the beginning. Within this time frame, you can easily get your permanent residency. Therefore, studying from Canada means not only getting higher education but a hassle-free option of settling in Canada.

2. The high quality of living and curriculum

Canada’s political stability, tolerant government, super healthcare, natural beauty lends itself to the wonderful quality of living in a peaceful environment. Yes, winters might be an issue for some people.
I saw the ultimate reward of being in Canada in our alumnus’ Rafi’s response –

“I used to weigh 120+ kg in India and had multiple health issues. After coming to Canada and seeing the fitness of people around me, it made me work hard to become healthy myself. Today I weigh 70 kg and have learned swimming and skiing. I love it here.”

While Canada may have a fewer number of schools than the USA, most of them are comparable in quality of coursework and research to the top tier schools of USA.

3. Not so bad job opportunities

Plus, for all the health and wellness benefits it offers, the job scenario is also not bad (we are talking about engineering fields for this post). There are increasing opportunities in growing fields such as Data Science. Plus, most of the bigger tech companies are opening offices in Canada if not already.

In terms of the cost of attendance and living, it may be akin to the USA in total. However, financial aid opportunities seem to be abundant in good Canadian universities.

Also read: Courses with high ROI in Canada

So, where is the catch?

As is the case we discussed in MS in Germany blog post, downsides of studying in Canada are:

1. Lower job packages

While it is not unheard of to get $100K USD+ packages in the USA in software and technology along with handsome relocation bonuses, Canadian offers are lower with little bonuses.

2. Lower possibilities of working in the USA

It is hard to get placement in US offices from Canada. So, if you graduate from Canada, you are best positioned to work in Canada only. I still believe that the USA offers the best job market and growth opportunities in most of the engineering fields.

To summarize, those looking for long-term settlement, relocation to a foreign country and peaceful living, Canada offers you a wonderful opportunity. But if you are studying abroad to earn as much as possible and might want to come back to India, USA is still a better bet.

The comparison is more clear from this interview with Rafi Alam. He shares insights about studying and working in Canada.

Also read: MBA in Canada for Indian applicants

Hear it from someone who pursued CS from Waterloo

Hear it from Rafi Alam

Here is someone who studied at University of Toronto

Read Shreya Rajput’s account of studying in Canada – how do the work visa and PR work?

That’s it, hope it helps you make a more informed choice for your study abroad plans!

We have now covered MS in Germany, MS in Canada and MS in USA. Which other country are you considering and would like to know more about?