What Indian Students Need to Know About Masters Study in Canada

It’s not hard to see why Canada is such a popular study abroad destination, with several universities appearing in the top global rankings, cheaper tuition fees than its neighbour the USA, and a generous post-graduation work permit.

With a shared language (English) and large Indian community, it’s no wonder Indian students choose Canada to study their Masters. According to UNESCO over 95,000 Indian students were enrolled at Canadian universities in 2021-22, surpassing China to be the largest international community in the country.

If you’re looking to join them, this is the blog for you! We’ve put together a handy checklist of everything Indian students need to know about doing a Masters in Canada, including applications, costs, visas and more.

If you’re already eager to begin your postgraduate course search, why not browse Canadian Masters in our programme finder.

Canadian rankings and university cities

Canada has 98 universities across the country, four of which regularly appear in the top 100 global university rankings and 10 in the top 250.

Canada itself is huge, claiming the title of second largest nation in the world by landmass, with a lot to offer. If you’re after the bustling streets and glitz and glam of a city then Toronto is right up your street, but if you fancy more of an artistic vibe, then Montreal should be top of your list. Winnipeg is increasing its international population if you want to be part of the multicultural community, and if you like to explore the outdoors then Vancouver is the place for you.

Applying for a Masters in Canada

Canadian universities are competitive so you’ll normally need at least a GPA of 3.0-4.0, and you may need to do a graduate entry test as well such as the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

If English isn’t your first language, you may need to take an English language test such as TOEFL or IELTS. Or you may wish to study in French (which is widely spoken in the country), in which case you will need to take one of the following: DILF, DELF, DALF or Test de Français International.

As far as the actual application process goes, it’s very similar to other countries. You’ll apply online and submit your transcripts, CV, references and a personal statement. Depending on your qualifications, they may need to be evaluated to determine the Canadian equivalent. This will cost a fee unless you have a third party international credential evaluation report.

Masters fees and funding in Canada for Indian students

Ok let’s cut to the chase . . . Masters fees in Canada are higher for international students, BUT they’re often lower than other major study abroad destinations like the USA and UK.

The average international fee for a Masters programme in Canada is CAD $21,111 (INR 1,273,775).

Although you probably won’t be able to apply for public funding, there is lots of financial support for international students, including several specific funding programmes for postgraduates studying overseas at Canadian universities:

• Scholarships offered by Global Affairs Canada: not all of these options will be applicable but there’s plenty there for Masters students!
• The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF): if your country is a member then you could apply for a bursary to study a Masters in Canada for up to 10 months.
• Canadian university scholarships: a number of Canadian universities offer their own Masters scholarships so check what’s available from the institution you’re interested in!

Find out more about Masters scholarships in Canada in our funding guide.

Travelling to Canada

You’ll need a study permit to do your Masters in Canada. This covers the duration of your course and you can apply for it online, or through a visa application centre at a Canadian embassy in your own country.

To apply, you’ll need a firm offer from a university in Canada and proof of financial support, such as bank statements and scholarship award letters.

Living costs in Canada

Canada is considered a mid-range country in terms of living costs. Its prices are similar to the USA for things like gas, but rent is usually cheaper.

You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy eating out or exploring the country. A typical food budget will be CAD $40-100 per week (INR 2,413-6,033). And if you want to get out and about then you’ll be looking at around CAD $100 per month (INR 6,033) for public transport.

The Canadian government recommends that students budget around CAD $12,000 (INR 724,044) per year for living costs.

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP)

If you absolutely fall in love with Canada and don’t want to leave at the end of your studies (no-one would blame you!) then you’re in luck as you can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). This allows you to live and work in Canada for a set period of time, depending on how long your Masters course was. Most programmes will be between 1-2 years so your PGWP would be valid for the same amount of time it took for you to complete your studies.

You must have studied at a ‘Designated Learning Institution’ which is also eligible for a PGWP (not all institutions have this status). You can check on the Government of Canada website for PGWP-eligible universities.

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