What makes MS in Canada a popular option NOW? Why this paradigm shift?

The rise in the number of students applying to Canadian universities is huge, mainly as the application process is much more student-friendly & responsive, and the cost of living, much lower than that of the USA. Canada is most known for STEM courses in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Computer Science Engineering, as well as programs in Pharmaceutical Studies, Psychology, Forestry, Public health, Human Resources, and Management Studies.

Check out our video on .ÌýThis video will provide you with all the information you seek in under 12 minutes!

Digging in Deeper

Let’s have a look at the top universities with their international ranks, requirements, deadlines and all that you need to know at a glance, to consider pursuing your MS at aÌý Canadian university.

1.ÌýMcGill University (World rank – 30)

McGill is one of the most popular universities for pursuing MS in Canada, among international students. The students hailing from over 150 different countries have helped in boasting of the most diverse student body of any research-intensive university. This university has a high number of students who receive the Rhodes scholarship and has given rise to award-winning research, renowned world-over, with Ernest Rutherford winning theÌýNobel PrizeÌýfor his study on the nature of radioactivity.

2. University of Toronto (World rank – 32)

Another top-ranked university for MS in Canada, the University of Toronto has over 18% international students on its rolls. Spread over 3 campuses, it provides accommodation to all its students in both on campus and off-campus housing facilities, with each campus having a different approach towards work and life. It has incessantly upheld its position and ranking among the top 50 universities gaining accreditation from various platforms in the US and worldwide. In addition to this, Toronto is a very pluralistic city with residents from around the globe which adds to the experience of living and studying here.Ìý

3. University of British Columbia (World rank – 45)

UBC is one of the oldest institutes providing higher education in the province of British Columbia, finding a place among the top 50 universities in the world. Very popular among the international students for MS in Canada. It is especially well known for its programmes in engineering. Situated in Vancouver, UCB is surrounded by picturesque landscapes. UCB provides accommodation to about 12,000 students depending on the availability of residence halls, also providing extensive healthcare services. Student societies ensure you have a ‘fun-filled’ life even outside the university classrooms – in fact, students at UCB is said to have one of the most ‘hip’ lives on campus. Talking about post-study employment opportunities, they run several portals to help find students jobs and provide employers with a suitable platform for recruiting students.Ìý

For more information Checkout our Blog on University of British Columbia

4. University of Waterloo (World Rank – 152)

The University of Waterloo has very strong partnerships with prestigious employers and is best known for the same. It is believed to be a highly innovative university and has been given much credit for its comprehensive research programmes. The university also has a separate wing dedicated to catering the international students that hail from about 120 countries. It has a global partnership network that works in favour of teachers, students and researchers alike. Based in Ontario, the technological hub of Canada, it has much to offer in terms of learning and staying connected to the digital world – even outside the campus.

MS in the USA vs. MS in CanadaÌý

Although an MS in the US is always the best scenario given the history, the variety of courses and the approach towards them, Canada doesn’t lag too far behind. The US has been in the game long enough to warrant the numero uno position when it comes to tertiary education and has a much stronger economy. There definitely is a reason why admissions in the US are tougher and the competition, extreme.

• Courses in Canada are less financially burdening as a lot of universities are government-funded and do not seek private funding. Private universities are often much more affordable too!
• The employment rates in Canada are good and it is much easier to obtain a work permit there. Moreover, Canada provides health benefits to its students.
• In many Canadian Universities, the 91Èȱ¬ score is not a deal-breaker as it might be in other universities in the states, as a matter of fact, in some you may skip it altogether, even though it is recommended for students aspiring to pursue STEM courses to boost their chances of getting accepted.

Having said that, the USA remains:

• A knowledge-based economy which has established itself over a very long period and has stronger roots.
• A highly valued market for global talent and opportunities as it is diversified into almost every imaginable field that is out there and making rapid inroads even into the ones that aren’t
• A nation that continues to attract Indian students: Examples of Indians making it big in the land of opportunity are endless, ranging from Sundar Pichai (CEO, Google), Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft), Shantanu NarayenÌýis theÌý(CEO, Adobe Systems), Indra Nooyi (ex-CEO, PepsiCo) to Padmasree Warrior (Chief Technology Officer, Cisco)

Eventually, it’s a situational decision based on the major factors that are the primary driving force behind your decision to pursue an MS abroad – affordability, exam scores, career goals and the strength of your application, whether you are looking at graduate studies with the sole aim of gaining global exposure and PR opportunities (in which case Canada is a suitable choice) or for holistic learning, world-class research infrastructure, and career opportunities at some of the most well-recognised organizations in the world (for which universities in the USA still are still your best bets).

For more information Download our eBOOK on “MS Abroad: Which country should I target? – USA & Canada”Ìý

We wish you the very best with your MS dreams and university applications, and we hope you leap where the wind is strongest – so you fly the highest. Have more doubts about Canadian universities, the best master’s programs to pursue, employment opportunities and the application process? Let us know in the comments and we’ll get back to you at the earliest! Good luck!Ìý

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Spread across two campuses in Vancouver and Okanagan Valley, UBC is home to more than sixty-thousand students in its various faculties— Arts, Science, Applied Science, Medicine and Business.

UBC has consistently ranked in the top three research universities in Canada, and enjoys a strong reputation worldwide. In the 2017 QS University Rankings, UBC holds the 51st rank worldwide, and the 53rd rank for its Engineering faculty. The US News and World Report ranked the University among the top 20 public universities in the world in 2015.

UBC’s enduring heritage of academic greatness has, over the past century, produced a number of Nobel Prize winners, Rhodes Scholars, and most notably, the incumbent Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

With more and more Indian students choosing Canada over the USA for their higher studies options, UBC emerges as the perfect choice for the academically inclined, yet financially prudent grad school aspirant.

Cofnused between US or Canada for your Masters? Get an ebook compiled by admissions experts, with the comparison! Download your “USA vs Canada” eBook now!

Admission Requirements for Master’s at UBC

With an acceptance rate of 52.4%, UBC is quite stringent with its acceptance, choosing to only admit students who have in the past demonstrated extraordinary academic abilities and intellectual stamina. Therefore, a strong academic record is a must-have.

The admissions requirements at UBC are extremely straight-forward. As an International applicant to any graduate programme to UBC, you are required to have:

• A four-year undergraduate degree in the related discipline
• A minimum grade of 65% overall, or a minimum GPA of 8 out of 10

In addition to that, students are required to have the following:

• Completion of the online application form and payment of the application fees
• Official university transcripts
• Three Letters of Recommendation from former employers or professors
• Evidence of English language proficiency:
  – a minimum of 6.5 in the IELTS OR
• a minimum of 90 in the TOEFL iBT (with 22 reading, 21 writing, 22 listening, and Ìý21 speaking) OR
• The paper-based TOEFL, with a minimum of 55 in Reading, Listening and Writing and 4.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE)

• 91Èȱ¬ test scores
• Statement of Intent (if applicable)

Application Deadlines at UBC

Unlike schools in the US, Canadian universities are usually more relaxed when it comes to application deadlines. At UBC, for instance, if you wish to apply for the Winter ’18 intake (starting January), you are expected to apply no later than August. This gives you plenty of time to finalise your applications and prepare your documents.

Here is a snapshot of the 2018 deadlines for various MS programmes:

Canada is well-known for its highly subsided, quality higher education, which makes studying abroad in Canada a wonderful option for those who want a world-class education without breaking the bank.

Want to know upcoming deadlines of top universites? Get your ultimate guide to all Top 20 University Deadline! Grab your copy!

Tuition fees and Funding at UBC

• Tuition

As an international applicant, you will be expected to pay the ‘Schedule A’ fees, spread across three instalments in a year. For each instalment, you will have to pay $2812 (Rs 1.45 lakh approximately), or $8436 (Rs 4.35 lakh) per annum.

The tuition fee for an MS degree, therefore, will set you back by approximately ₹8.7 lakh. A number of generous scholarships, loans and bursaries are to make your education at UBC more affordable.

UBC also offers programs to meritorious students to help meet their financial responsibilities.

• Living expenses

Depending on your programme of choice and your personal circumstances, living expenses at UBC will cost you about $26,727 annually (₹13.7 lakh). Of course, this is only an approximate figure-if you decide to work part-time, or if you are awarded a Teaching/Research Assistantship, this number will change accordingly.

UBC also has a Work Learn programme in place, which allows all UBC students to undertake a wage-based part-time position on campus, to bring down the cost of living considerably.

Life at UBC

UBC is situated in the heart of Vancouver, one of Canada’s busiest, most culturally diverse cities. Embraced by the North Shore Mountains on one side and the scenic Mount Baker to the other, Vancouver is home to a beautifully diverse arts, culture, nightlife and music scene.

Nature enthusiasts can satiate their thirst for the outdoors by whale-watching at the Georgia Straits, sturgeon-fishing at the Fraser River, or simply biking down Vancouver’s gorgeous cobble stoned streets. Whatever your taste and preference, Vancouver truly has something for everyone.

Residence

UBC boasts of the largest university residence in Canada, with more than 12,000 students living in 13 residence halls.

Depending on your budget and preferences, a number of comfortable student residence halls are available to you, including Marine Drive, Fraser Hall and Thunderbird. Most halls come equipped with WiFi, dishwasher, pest control, laundry and other utilities.

Health

UBC takes a proactive approach to student health and well being, and believes good health to be at the heart of academic performance. Registered doctors and nurses are available on campus round the clock to provide physical health care (like allergy shots, immunisation and surgery) as well as mental health services including counselling.

Additionally, nurses from the Student Health Service set up booths around the campus each week, where students can drop in at their convenience and get tips, information and advice regarding their personal health.

Safety

To foster a greater sense of campus safety, a number of blue phones are installed at various points in the campus, and can be used in times of distress to ask for directions, to report a case of crime or harassment, or to talk to a health expert if you are feeling ill.

Additionally, Safe Walk is a transport service which accompanies students, teachers and visitors who feel unsafe walking alone, across campus.

The Office of the Ombudsperson is an impartial, confidential resource for students, and works to ensure a safe, just and respectful environment for students by taking complaints and arranging appointments with students.

Dining

With more than 40 restaurants, cafes, bistros and food trucks scattered around campus offering a plethora of gastronomical delights, students at UBC never run out of dining options.

Be it Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza or the Canadian favourite Tim Hortons, UBC has the choicest of culinary options just a stone’s throw from you.

Alternatively, you could opt for one of the three available meal plans and save up to 12% on dining every semester.

Student Societies

Your life outside the classroom is paramount to your overall development and well being, and UBC truly understands this. With more than 370 student clubs and societies catering to a wide range of interests-be it foosball, astronomy or cooking-you can be sure to find a niche for yourself and meet like-minded students.

In your free time, don’t forget to cheer on for the Thunderbirds, UBC’s varsity basketball team!

Campus Life

Image Credits; http://vancouver.housing.ubc.ca/residences/ritsumeikan-ubc-house/

It would be a vast understatement to say that UBC has one of the most exciting campus lives in Canada. From social mixers, concerts, spring break trips to quiz nights, bake sales, yoga workshops and art exhibitions, the UBC campus is almost always brimming with activities and events. Don’t believe us? Take a look at their events ! Additionally, the UBC campus is home to a number of museums and galleries, including the MOA (Museum of Anthropology), the Morris and Helen Belkin gallery, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum and the Pacific Museum of the Earth, Ìýall of which are open to students and visitors 365 days a year.

Jobs and Opportunities

The UBC Students Services is a central source of student career development and welfare. It is dedicated to positioning students in exciting jobs in and around campus.

CareersOnline is the online job portal for students and employers alike, and allows you to find the job or volunteering opportunity most suited to your qualifications and requirements.

We hope you found this University Review helpful! If you are keen about applying to the University of British Columbia and are unsure of how to proceed, you may get in touch with the admissions experts at 91Èȱ¬ ( …formerly 91Èȱ¬edge), who will be happy to guide you.

We wish you all the best!

A number of career events and workshops are held throughout the year to help students boost their chances of employment.

Want a step by step guide to your MS Application? Get an ebook compiled by admissions experts, outlining all the steps you need to take to make a perfect application Download your eBook now!

Coming up next, we’ll look at a university all the way across the other continent – Europe. Comment and let us know which university you’re looking forward to next!

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