Top 10 Colleges in Canada for Master’s in 2025

Canada has consistently ranked among the top study destinations for international students. This is due to its high-quality education, state-of-the-art facilities, focus on personal development and post-study work opportunities. Moreover, Canadian universities offer a wide range of master’s programs, allowing students to choose the program most suitable for their academic interests and professional goals. In this blog, we will discuss the best colleges in Canada for master’s. These programs provide practical learning, skill enhancement, and strong networking opportunities, all of which can boost your job prospects after graduation.

List of Colleges in Canada for a Master’s

Canada is home to some of the globally renowned universities that offer top-notch master’s programs in a wide range of disciplines. They are particularly known for their focus on research, innovative learning, and industry connections. 

Here’s an overview of some of the best colleges in Canada for a master’s program.

QS World University Rankings 2025	University	Location
25	University of Toronto	Toronto, Canada
29	McGill University	Montreal, Canada
38	University of British Columbia	Vancouver, Canada
96	University of Alberta	Edmonton, Canada
115	University of Waterloo	Waterloo, Canada
=120	Western University	London, Canada
=159	Université de Montréal	Montreal, Canada
=176	McMaster University	Hamilton, Canada
189	University of Ottawa	Ottawa, Canada
193	Queen’s University at Kingston	Kingston, Canada

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1. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto, founded in 1827, is one of the top universities in Canada for master’s. Located in the city of Toronto, this university offers more than 700 academic programs, including approximately 174 master’s degrees across diverse fields such as business, engineering, health sciences, and humanities. 

The University of Toronto has been home to Nobel laureates like Arthur Leonard Schawlow, prominent authors like Margaret Atwood, and influential politicians like Lester B. Pearson.

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$33,247.53 (₹20,10,537.98)
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Psychology – Computer Science – Biotechnology – Management – Sociology
Average Salary	CAD 88,000 (₹53,21,518.40)
QS World University Rankings 2025	25

2. McGill University

McGill University is renowned for its educational excellence, rich history, and cultural diversity and is particularly known for its medical and law programs. The university offers over 400 graduate programs across various fields and a vibrant student life with more than 300 clubs and organizations. 

McGill has produced 12 Nobel laureates and numerous Rhodes Scholars, some of which include Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and astronaut Dave Williams. McGill is also known for its beautiful downtown campus with a strong focus on research and experiential learning. Every year, the university attracts international students from over 150 countries. 

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$10,159.95 (₹6,14,390.46)
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Business and Economics – Engineering – Life Science – Physiology
Average Salary	CAD 79,000 (₹47,77,272.20)
QS World University Rankings 2025	29

3. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of the top universities in Canada for a master’s. It has campuses in Vancouver and Okanagan. It is a leading public research university, consistently ranked among the top 40 universities globally. UBC offers a wide range of graduate programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, law, and health sciences, with over 60,000 students enrolled. 

UBC is particularly noted for its research impact and has been a leader in environmental studies, technology, and global issues. It engages in global partnerships to contribute to a more sustainable society.

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$17,332.03 per instalment* (₹10,48,099.05)
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Earth and Marine Sciences – Geology – Geophysics – Environment and Ecology – Computer Science – Educational Technology – English
Average Salary	CAD 124,000 (₹74,98,503.20)
QS World University Rankings 2025	38

*Instalments per year: 3-5

4. University of Alberta

The University of Alberta ranks among the top 4 universities in Canada and among the top 100 universities in the world. It offers more than 500 programs, 250 specializations, and 300 research areas to take your education to the next level. Known for its collaborative industry partnerships and commitment to regional development, the University of Alberta plays a key role in advancing Alberta’s economic and cultural growth. Its graduates contribute significantly to various industries, especially in energy and healthcare.

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$2,146 – $3,108 (multiplied by 3 units of course weight) (₹1,29,772.48 – ₹1,87,946.35)
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Nursing – Petroleum Engineering – Mining and Mineral Engineering – Business Administration – Environmental Science and Engineering – Chemical EngineeringEarth Sciences
Average Salary	CAD 97,000 (₹58,65,764.60)
QS World University Rankings 2025	96

5. University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo located in Ontario, is renowned for its strong emphasis on co-operative education and technology-oriented programs. It is known for its engineering, computer science, and business programs that attract over 42,000 students annually. Moreover, Waterloo has a global network of 253,000 alumni in 156 countries. This has contributed to 8,000+ work-integrated learning opportunities with active co-op employers and created 5,000+ jobs through Velocity alone, Canada’s most productive startup incubator by private investment. One of the notable alumni includes Mike Lazaridis, the co-founder of BlackBerry.

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$7,696 – $22,799 (₹4,65,390.97 – ₹13,78,696.57)
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Engineering – Computer Science – Business Analytics – Nanoelectronic Devices and Materials
Average Salary	CAD 90,000  (₹54,42,462)
QS World University Rankings 2025	115

6. Western University

Western University offers more than 400 programs, allowing students to customize their education and gain practical life skills through internships and co-op programs. It ranks among the top 1% of universities in the world and provides $26.5M in financial aid. Western University is focused on the personal development of students alongside professional development and offers several co-curricular opportunities including 180+ student clubs. 

Moreover, the university has a 92.2% graduation rate 6 months after graduation, making it one of the best colleges in Canada for a master’s program. 

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$24,701 (₹14,93,713.93)
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Engineering – Business – Environmental Studies – Music – Urban Development
Average Salary	CAD 90,000 (₹54,42,462)
QS World University Rankings 2025	=120

7. Université de Montréal

Université de Montréal (UdeM), a leading French-language university in Montreal, Quebec, was founded in 1878 and is one of Canada’s largest and most respected research institutions. With a student population of approximately 36,000, it excels in various fields, particularly artificial intelligence, public health, and environmental sciences. Also, it is home to the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (MILA), a leader in machine learning research. UdeM offers over 350 graduate programs across various fields, making it a top choice for students seeking a comprehensive education.

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$34,581 (₹20,91,175.32)
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Computer Science – Dentistry – Life Science – Business and Economics – Psychology
Average Salary	CAD 70,000 (₹42,33,026)
QS World University Rankings 2025	=159

8. McMaster University

McMaster University, established in 1887 and located in Hamilton, Ontario, is recognized as one of Canada’s top research universities. It offers over 150 graduate programs across six faculties: Health Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, and Business. It is also popularly known for its innovative teaching methods and problem-based learning approach. 

The university’s health sciences program is among Canada’s top-ranked, and its medical school is internationally renowned. Additionally, it has a campus that is celebrated for state-of-the-art facilities, including the McMaster Museum of Art and Mills Memorial Library. 

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$4,022.04 – $31,778.39 per term/course* (₹2,43,220 – ₹19,21,696.44 )
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Engineering – Medicine – Life Sciences
Average Salary	CAD 79,000 (₹47,77,272.20)
QS World University Rankings 2025	=176

*One course consists of 3 terms. Check the official fees website to find out whether your program’s tuition fee is marked course-wise or term-wise.

9. University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is the largest bilingual (English-French) university in the world, located in Canada’s capital, Ottawa. It offers customizable degrees that enable students to combine programs from various disciplines. To promote bilingualism, the university offers over 75 programs in a French immersion stream. This way, students can take courses in French while writing exams in English or vice versa. 

Additionally, students have the opportunity to engage in co-op work placements, where they can work with top companies to gain experiential learning. The university ranks 5th for the largest co-op program in the country with graduates having a 94% placement rate, making it one of the best colleges in Canada for master’s.

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$4,346.30 for 9 terms or more (₹2,62,828.58)
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Law and Technology – Management – Health – Education – Social Sciences
Average Salary	CAD 82,000 (₹49,58,687.60)
QS World University Rankings 2025	189

Pro Tip: Are you applying for an MBA in Canada? Check out these top MBA colleges in Canada.

10. Queen’s University at Kingston

Queen’s University at Kingston is widely known for its commitment to solving world problems. According to Times Higher Education, the university ranks 8th for global impact due to its contributions to the 17 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university has made significant contributions to advancing cancer research. This was done by establishing advanced facilities and enhancing training opportunities to improve cancer care both locally and globally. 

The university is focused on transformative education and has provided over 235 academic areas of study across 53 departments. This allows students to choose programs that best align with their academic interests and career pursuits.

Parameter	Details
Course Fees	$12,927.45 for the full academic year (₹7,81,746.17)
Duration	1-2 years
Top Specializations	– Biomedical Computing – Computer Science – Software Design – Geological Engineering – Cognitive Science
Average Salary	CAD 80,000 (₹48,37,744)
QS World University Rankings 2025	193

Common Eligibility Criteria for a Master’s at Colleges in Canada 

In order to apply to top colleges in Canada for an MS, you will be required to meet some eligibility criteria. These criteria assess your academic and professional capabilities, your English proficiency, and your personal traits to keep up with a master’s in Canada. Here’s an overview of some of the common entry requirements.

• An undergraduate degree in a related discipline with a 3.0 CGPA. Some universities also accept students without an undergraduate degree in a related discipline if they can provide proof of related certification courses or professional work. Your transcripts must be translated into English if it is in a different language.
• Minimum 6.0 IELTS score with no less than 5.5 band in each section.
• Two to three letters of recommendation from a professor or employer. They should be able to discuss your achievements, personal qualities, and your ability to succeed in a challenging program in Canada.
• An updated resume outlining your professional work experience, achievements, and relevant skills.
• Depending on your field of study, you might be required to submit a portfolio.
• You might be required to submit a GRE result if you are applying for an engineering or science program.

Pro Tip: Do you know most universities ask for an IELTS or TOEFL score? To improve your speaking skills, consider taking this English language course.

Cost of Living in Canada

If you are planning on pursuing a master’s course in Canada, it is important to know the cost of living in Canada. The table below illustrates the key monthly cost of living that you would have to budget for during your study in Canada.

Expense	Estimated Cost in CAD	Estimated Cost in INR
Accommodation	CAD 1,200	INR 72,000
Transportation	CAD 100	INR 6,000
Grocery	CAD 300	INR 18,000
Mobile Phone and Internet bill	CAD 60	INR 3,600
Miscellaneous Costs	CAD 200	INR 12,000

Conclusion

Pursuing a master’s from a top college in Canada can provide you with top-notch education and international exposure, and enhance your job prospects. Several multinational companies like Google, Microsoft, and Pinterest have offices in Canada, which can further lead to rewarding job opportunities upon graduation. Therefore, if you are planning on pursuing a master’s in Canada, thoroughly check your course modules to find the best university and program that is tailored to your academic pursuits. 

Moreover, if you are applying for a postgraduate program, check out our guide on how to write an SOP for Canada.

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