1. Academic credentials
A majority of Canadian universities require you to have completed 16 years of education (12+4), i.e. a four-year Bachelor’s degree before applying for MS. This is applicable for students from technical backgrounds like Engineering, Pharmacy, and Architecture. For non-technical fields like Arts and Management, a student is required to complete 17 years of education (12+3+2).
Canadian universities have a very high cut-off percentage. Hence, you need to have a minimum of 70% to 75% in your degree course and an equivalent CGPA of a minimum of 7.5 to 8.5. Top universities especially, give a lot of emphasis on your performance in the last two years (i.e. the 3rd & 4th years) of your degree course.
If you are planning to pursue an MS in Business Management, Finance, or Business Analytics, you are required to have relevant work experience of minimum 1 to 3 years.
2. Qualifying examinations
TOEFL or IELTS: certain minimum English Language Proficiency Test scores are mandatory for admission to Canadian universities. A minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 to 7 or a minimum TOEFL score of 85+ is required by a majority of Canadian universities. At Dilip Oaks Academy, we offer TOEFL coaching and IELTS coaching along with rigorous practice sessions and mock tests.
3. GRE: Though a majority of universities in Canada do not require GRE scores, some of the top universities do, and so we recommend that you give your GRE if you aim to get into one of these universities. Our GRE Coaching will help you thoroughly prepare for the GRE exam. (hyperlink underlined words to GRE landing page)
We also offer Admission Counseling (hyperlink to Admission Counseling Masters in Canada page) through which we provide guidance on the selection of universities, application essays, and visa counseling.
With its international student population touching 6.4 lakhs this year, Canada has become the 3rd most popular destination for foreign students, especially Indians, who constitute 34% of this number. Since 2014, the Indian student population in Canada has grown by a massive 350%. Premier but affordable education, internationally recognized degrees, and opportunities for Permanent Residency have led a large number of students to apply for Master’s degrees in Canada. Additionally, its small population of 37 million, and the steady growth of its economy have opened up multiple job avenues over the last decade, especially in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, making them the most sought-after areas to settle in.
Here are the top six reasons why you should pursue a Masters in Canada:
1. Quality education and internationally recognized degrees: Canada is home to around 30 high-ranked universities offering degrees that are internationally recognized as equivalent to corresponding degrees earned in the US. These universities have highly qualified professors, mostly doctorates, with enormous experience in their fields.
2. Affordable tuition fees and living costs: compared to American universities, Canadian universities have a very affordable fee structure; in fact, their fees are the lowest of all English-speaking countries. This is because the Canadian dollar is much cheaper than the US dollar and the Euro. Further, living costs – the total housing, food, and other expenses – usually do not exceed 1,000 CAD per month which can be covered by on-campus jobs. Students can also apply for full-time jobs during summer and winter breaks and earn enough to cover their tuition costs.
3. Easy immigration and PR laws: unlike the US, there is no annual quota for work permits in Canada. Also, under the new system, international graduates from Canadian programs of study can obtain up to 30 additional CRS points which count towards getting a Permanent Residency.
4. Job opportunities: the Canadian university curriculum is designed to meet the changing demands of the industry. So by the time students finish their master’s studies, they are well-placed to land good jobs and generally manage to do so within 6 months of completing their course.
5. Research-based education: Canada ranks 4th in the world for the quality of its scientific research and Canadian universities actively encourage students to carry out research. Companies and government institutions in Canada also extend their support to Canadian universities by organizing learning programs and workshops for their students. The University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia have been recognized as the best Canadian universities due to the high impact of their research.
6. Cultural diversity: Canada has rich ethnic and cultural diversity. Universities also conduct a number of cultural programs that help students to develop a broader global perspective.
To help you get started with your preparation, we offer GRE Coaching, TOEFL Coaching, IELTS Coaching, and also Admission Counseling through which we provide guidance on the selection of universities, application essays, and visa counseling.
In order to pursue a MS and PhD programs in the USA, you need to meet the following academic and English language requirements:
Academic credentials:
A majority of American universities require you to have completed 16 years of education (12+4). So, complete a four-year Bachelor’s degree before applying for the master’s program. This is applicable for students from technical backgrounds like Engineering, Pharmacy, and Architecture. For non-technical fields like Arts and Management, students must complete 17 years of education (12+3+2).
A good GRE score:
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized aptitude test that assesses a student’s verbal and mathematical ability. The GRE, which is scored out of 340, is an internet-based test and can be taken throughout the year. The score is valid for five years and a minimum score of 300 is strongly recommended.
The minimum required TOEFL or IELTS score:
Since our native language is not English, we need to show that we have the minimum required English language skills to pursue graduate programs in America. For this purpose, you can take the TOEFL, which is scored out of 120. Most good American universities require a score of 80+ in TOEFL. You can also take the IELTS, another English proficiency examination, which is scored on a scale of 9. Most universities require a band score of at least 6.5 in IELTS.
Explore our numerous blogs on GRE Quantitative Reasoning and GRE Verbal Reasoning and pursuing education in the USA.
Good academic performance:
Your academics are as important as your GRE score. To get admission in good MS and PhD programs, you should have a consistently good academic record in all four years of your degree course. As far as possible avoid backlogs and year-downs.
Curricular and co-curricular accomplishments:
When applying for MS and PhD programs in the USA, American universities give weightage to the projects and seminars you have done as part of your course. They also consider co-curricular activities such as the publication of papers in nationally and internationally recognized journals and participation in conferences. Take up internships, whether paid or unpaid, to gain practical experience and boost your profile.
Relevant work experience:
Relevant work experience increases your chances of getting admission to good universities and securing good jobs after you have completed your MS.
As India’s leading Study Abroad Consultant, Dilip Oak’s Academy offers a comprehensive suite of services, including GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS coaching, as well as GRE Self Prep. Furthermore, our admission counseling services can guide you through the entire process from Shortlisting Universities to Visa Counseling. With our expertise, we have successfully sent 32,000 students to various prestigious American universities like MIT, Stanford, Cornell, and Carnegie Mellon. To enroll in our comprehensive overseas education consultancy services, book a free consultation or call us at 91-20-67444222.
Here are top 7 reasons why you should pursue a Master’s degree in America:
Strong American economy:
America is the largest economy in the world, with a GDP of $ 23.32 trillion, which is 24% of the world GDP. For this reason, they have the capacity to absorb thousands of immigrants and offer those with good technical skills high paying jobs.
Shortage of technical manpower:
America is the world leader in technology for the past 100 years. Apart from engineering fields, IT giants like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple have created vast employment opportunities, which is constantly generating the need for technically skilled resources. Since the available domestic manpower is insufficient, skilled immigrants will always be in great demand.
Updated university syllabi:
American universities keep updating their syllabi to keep pace with industry trends and the latest technologies. This enables their alumni to get good job opportunities all over the world.
Research-based education:
This is perhaps the most important reason why the American education system is so popular. Universities in America lay a strong emphasis on research. Most of their professors are constantly engaged in active research. Likewise, they encourage students also to take up the thesis option and carry out independent research during their programs of study. Their labs are also outfitted with the most advanced equipment and facilities. The overall exposure that students receive greatly builds up their practical skills.
Explore our numerous blogs on GRE Quantitative Reasoning and GRE Verbal Reasoning and pursuing education in the USA.
Scholarships and funding opportunities for your Master’s Degree:
American universities are non-profit organizations funded by the government and private donors. They offer financial assistance to students in the form of scholarships, Research, Teaching and Graduate Assistantships, tuition waivers, campus jobs and internships. This makes education in America very affordable.
No discrimination:
The American social system is unbiased. American universities and corporates welcome people of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. Hard working, intelligent and innovative students can prosper in the American corporate world. Good examples are Sunder Pichai and Satya Nadela.
Special quota for H-1B Visa:
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students with a master’s degree have an additional quota of 20,000 for the H-1B visa (work permit) over and above the general quota of 65,000.
Considering all these benefits, we strongly recommend that students consider pursuing graduate degrees in the US.
As India’s leading Study Abroad Consultant, Dilip Oak’s Academy offers a comprehensive suite of admission counseling services that can guide you through the entire process from Shortlisting Universities to Visa Counseling. With our expertise, we have successfully sent 32,000 students to various prestigious American universities like MIT, Stanford, Cornell, and Carnegie Mellon. We also offer classroom and online coaching for GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS, as well as GRE Self Prep. To explore our services, book a free consultation or call us at 91-20-67444222.
In order to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in America you need to meet the following academic and English language requirements:
- Formal education: you should have completed 12 years of formal education (primary, secondary and higher secondary) in your home country
- Pre-requisite examinations:
- SAT: this test has two sections – Math and English Language Reading and Writing. Each section is scored out of 800, and the total score is out of 1600
OR
- ACT: this test has the following sections: English, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. The ACT is scored on the scale of 1-36.
- AP: The Advanced Placement test, which is optional, assesses students’ grasp of 38 specific subjects including AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science, AP Chemistry and, AP Physics. You can choose courses for subjects related to the career of your choice and the program you intend to pursue in college. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, in which each score corresponds to a college course grade equivalent. AP exams help you earn extra credits and sometimes even tuition waivers.
- TOEFL/IELTS: Since our native language is not English, we need to show that we have the required minimum English language skills. For this purpose, you can take TOEFL which is scored out of 120. Most American universities require a TOEFL score of 80+. Another commonly taken English proficiency examination is the IELTS which is conducted by the British Council and is scored on a scale of 9. Most universities require an IELTS band score of at least 6.5
- Academic Record: American universities require that you have a consistently good academic record in standards 9, 10, 11 and 12 (if available).
- Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities: American universities require a versatile student with a strong extra-curricular and co-curricular profile. Your profile can include participation in academic projects, seminars, Olympiads, school and interschool competitions, community projects and, leadership activities.
To help you get started with your preparation, we offer SAT Coaching , TOEFL Coaching , IELTS Coaching and also Admission Counseling through which we provide guidance on selection of universities, application essays and visa counselling.