Top Universities in Canada for Master's: Rankings, Fees, Admissions & Career Opportunities

Pursuing a Master’s degree in Canada is relatively more cost-effective compared to the US or the UK. This is one of the top reasons attracting Indian students to Canadian universities for a Master’s. The University of Toronto is currently the best Master’s university in Canada based on QS rankings. It is highly regarded among international students for its research facilities, high-quality teaching, and strong employability prospects. Completion of a four-year undergraduate qualification, such as a Bachelor’s or an overseas equivalent, is mandatory as part of Canadian universities’ admission requirements for MS programs. The average cost for Master’s programs at Canadian universities for international students is estimated at CAD 17,715 (approx) per year. Graduates with a Master’s degree can apply for various jobs in Canada across numerous fields. Some popular ones include Engineering, IT, Healthcare, Business, and Academia.

Why Study Master’s in Canadian Universities?

Pursuing a Master’s degree in Canada is relatively more cost-effective compared to the US or the UK. This is one of the top reasons attracting Indian students to Canadian universities for a Master’s. Here are some more reasons why Canada for Master’s is highly preferred among international students:

  • Part-time work opportunities for international students alongside studies (up to 24 hours per week).

  • Canadian universities figure among the top 100 globally.

  • Canada offers a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for up to 3 years after course completion.  

Best Universities in Canada to Study Master’s

The University of Toronto is currently the best Master’s university in Canada based on QS rankings. It is highly regarded among international students for its research facilities, high-quality teaching, and strong employability prospects. The table below highlights more top universities in Canada for Master’s programs:

University 

QS World University Rankings 2026

McGill University

30

University of Toronto

32

University of British Columbia

45

University of Alberta

96

University of Waterloo

=113

Western University

=142

McMaster University

=174

Queen’s University 

=179

University of Ottawa

=228

University of Calgary

249

Related source: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings?countries=ca

Admission Requirements to Study Master's in Canadian Universities  

Completion of a four-year undergraduate qualification, such as a Bachelor’s or an overseas equivalent, is mandatory as part of Canadian universities’ admission requirements for MS programs. Some universities may also prefer a Bachelor’s with Honours from a recognised university as the eligibility criterion for admission to a Canadian university, with a CGPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, Indian students must submit proof of English proficiency, such as an IELTS test score of at least 6.0 (no band score lower than 5.5).

Source: https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-canada/ms/ 

Cost of Studying Master’s at Top Universities in Canada

The average cost of Master’s programs for international students at Canadian universities is estimated at CAD 17,715 (approx.) per year. This is only the tuition fees, and there may be more components in the fee structure. It is advisable to check the exact fees for individual Master’s programs at Canadian universities at the time of application. Indian students are also eligible to apply for scholarships in Canada. 

Related source: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs/master-of-education-adult-learning-education 

Career Opportunities in Canada After Studying a Master’s at Canadian Universities

Graduates with a Master’s degree can apply for various jobs in Canada across numerous fields. Some popular employment prospects in Canada are available in Engineering, IT, Healthcare, Business, and Academia. These career opportunities in Canada become available to Indian students through the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), which allows graduates to stay in the country for 3 years after course completion and gain work experience.

Jobs After Master’s in Canada

Average Annual Salary (Approx)

Engineering Manager

CAD 143,835

Health Services Manager

CAD 108,983

Finance Manager

CAD 108,119

Software Developer

CAD 105,769

Curriculum Developer 

CAD 70,938

Related sources: https://ca.indeed.com/career/software-engineer/salaries
https://ca.indeed.com/career/finance-manager/salaries?from=top_sb
https://ca.indeed.com/career/medical-and-health-services-manager/salaries?from=top_sb
https://ca.indeed.com/career/curriculum-leader/salaries
https://ca.indeed.com/career/engineering-manager/salaries?from=top_sb

Student Essentials Services (SES) by IDP Education for Studying Abroad

To help Indian students pursue a Master’s degree in Canada without worry, IDP Education study abroad consultants offer a host of Student Essentials Services (SES). These services are thoughtfully designed to help students study abroad while IDP takes care of everything else:

  • Education loans

  • Money transfers 

  • Student banking

  • Accommodation 

  • SIM cards

FAQs on Top Universities in Canada for Master's for Indian Students

1. Are scholarships available for Master's students in Canada?

Yes, Canada offers multiple scholarship options for international students aspiring to pursue a Master’s degree in the country. Both the government and certain universities fund these scholarships.

2. What is the duration of Master's programs in Canada?

The average duration of a Master’s program at a Canadian university is around 1-2 years. This may vary from one university to another.

Related source: https://www.uottawa.ca/study/graduate-studies/masters

3. Is IELTS mandatory for Master's admission in Canada?

No, IELTS is not compulsory for admission to Master’s programs in Canada. Most Canadian universities require proof of English proficiency, such as IELTS or any other test. However, since IELTS is widely accepted at many Canadian institutions, it is advisable to submit the IELTS score.

4. What are the intake seasons for Master's in Canada?

The popular intakes at most Canadian universities for Master’s programs are in September (Fall intake), January (Winter intake), and May (Spring/Summer intake).

5. Which cities in Canada are the best for Master's students?

Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are considered the best Canadian cities for students wanting to pursue Master’s courses. These cities are home to many leading universities offering Master’s programs for international students.

Updated on 28 October, 2026