There are diverse fields in STEM and Computer science is among the leading STEM careers to explore. Computer science covers various roles including application analysis and development, database analysis, and database administration.
To pursue a master’s degree in computer science in Canada, it is not mandatory to have a first degree in computer science, however, you must enroll for a one-year post-graduate diploma program before pursuing a master’s degree in computer science in Canada.
Canadian universities award three types of master’s degrees in computer science, MSc, M.Eng, and MACS which typically run for 18-24 months for a full-time program.
The cost of obtaining a master’s degree in Computer Science in Canada ranges from 6,000 – 50,000 USD for MSc and M.Eng degrees and 62,000 USD for MACS.
Top 5 Canadian Universities Offering Masters Degree in Computer Science
There are over 40 universities in Canada that offer master’s degrees in computer science related courses.
Here are five Canadian universities to consider for a master’s degree in computer science:
• Ontario Tech University
Ontario Tech University offers an MSc in computer science that runs for 24 months on a full-time basis. The program covers concepts from science, engineering, and business to produce world-class software professionals. Their masters in computer science spreads across specializations like Digital Media, Information Science, Networks and IT Security, and Software Design. The tuition fee for international students is $21,000.
• Ryerson University
Ryerson University offers a full-time program in master of science in computer science with courses in software development, data science, database analyst, computer vision science, and information technology. Ryerson University’s computer science faculty collaborates with industrial partners which makes the faculty adventurous. International students’ tuition fees for a full-time program is $12,000.
• Ocad University
Ocad University offers a master’s degree in the digital future. The course is an on-campus 2years full-time program. English language proficiency is one of the major requirements for an international student amongst others with an overall score of 7 in IELTS or 90 in TOEFL. The international student tuition fee for a full-time program is $6,607.10.
• University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo offers a 2years full-time master’s degree program in Algorithms and Complexity, Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Computer Algebra, and Symbolic Computation, Computer Graphics, Cryptography, Security and Privacy, Databases, Formal Methods, Health Informatics, and lots more. One of the requirements is proof of language proficiency, with 100 in TOEFL or 7.5 in IELTS. International students’ tuition fees for a full-time program are $7,254.00 and $703.01 incidental fees per term.
• University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia offers a master’s program in Human-Computer Interaction, Information Retrieval, Machine Learning, Programming Languages, Quantum Computing, Scientific Computing, Software Engineering, Systems, and Networking. One major requirement is the test of English proficiency. International master’s students at British Columbia university pay $168.25 for the application fee and $9,131.31 for the tuition fee.
Admission Process & Requirements for Masters Degree in Canada
The admission process to apply for a master’s degree in computer science is similar to all other application processes. The processes include:
• Take an English language proficiency exam
• Visit website of the prospective university for admission guidelines
• Go to the application portal
• Fill application form and upload the required documents
After applying, the university will send you feedback if you have been granted admission or not. If you are granted admission, you can then go ahead to apply for your student visa/permit.
Here are some important requirements to consider before you start your application process
Different universities in Canada have requirements specific to them. To know the particular requirements of your university of choice, you can browse through the university’s website to find out these requirements.
The following, however, are the basic requirements needed to apply for a master’s degree in computer science in Canada:
• A copy of your Bachelor’s degree
• Academic transcript
• Your CV
• Scanned copies of your passport photograph
• Test score (English proficiency test)
• Bank statements
• Letters of recommendations (2-3 letters)
• Statement of purpose
• GRE score (if required)
Job Opportunities
Graduates of computer science related courses can apply for a work permit within 90days of graduation to explore several career prospects available in Canada.
Here are some roles graduates can fill in Canada and their estimated annual salary:
• Web designers and developers- $72,000
• Software engineers and developers- $91,000
• Project managers- $78,000
• Consultants- $78,000
• Business analyst- $70,000
• Dev-Op and cybersecurity professionals- $120,000
