Studying in Canada is a wonderful thing as you will get access to world-class education, a vibrant environment, and several opportunities. One of the courses you can enrol on in Canada is Master of Science or MS. However, getting admitted into this course in any university is preceded by a common question: Does Work Experience Matter For MS In Canada?
Work experience is not a requirement for getting admission to Canada for international students. Still, it can indeed be advantageous to your application, especially when your work experience corresponds to the subject you wish to pursue in MS.
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Work Experience Weightage for MS in Canada
The weightage of professional experience varies from institution to institution. While some universities prefer applicants that have relevant experience, others are indifferent. However, the institutions do give weightage for the work.
A lot depends on the admissions committee reviewing the students’ applications. To understand the relevance, let’s take an example. Suppose you want to join MS in Computer Science at York University.
If you hold internship or working experience in organisations like Apple, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Dell, or any other global IT company that has processes and procedures related to computer science, your application documents will certainly be shinier than others.
Hence, everything depends on “relevance” and the kind of work experience. If you can show the right experience on your CV and personal statement and explain the projects you had worked on to the admission committee while employed within the organisation. In that case, you can expect to get extra points in the application process.
Should I Get a Job before Application for MS in Canada
After earning a master’s degree from a reputable university, you will undoubtedly be able to obtain better-quality and higher-paying employment. So, why put it off and waste time gaining significantly less valuable work experience prior to MS?
Work experience, as previously said, can assist you in gaining candidacy to higher-ranked universities. If your profile after graduation does not allow you to apply to reputable schools, you can consider gaining relevant work experience. But why wait if your profile is already good enough, considering your GPA, SOP, IELTS score, and other criteria, to get you into one of the top institutions in Canada?
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Benefits Of Work Experience For MS
Even though work experience is not a standard requirement, having it bolsters your application only if you have relevant experience. That said, only the MS courses in the case of business studies require the applicant to have 1 to 3 years of work experience.
Here are the advantages of your work experience for an MS in Canada:
- Better Paying Job: The first answer corresponds to the fact that if you are confident that you get a better-paying position after completing an MS, there is no point in wasting your time working a low-paying job prior to applying.
- Get Smart: The second answer relates to the fact that you will become smarter and more knowledgeable with the job you go for. However, it must be noted that the job must be in the field you are choosing for MS.
- Recommendation: Lastly, working in a renowned organisation with a global presence can be beneficial as you can get a letter of recommendation (LOR). The organisation might have good contacts who can provide you with a favourable recommendation for your studies abroad; your decision to work can bear fruit.
Best Universities to Study in MS in Canada
A lot of universities, colleges, and graduate schools in Canada have gained a global reputation. This has attracted a lot of international attention, especially from students who want to study abroad. With Canada becoming an international study arena, it also attracts some of the world’s best students and minds.
All of this has raised the standard of education in the country as well as among its institutions. Hence, students from countries like India are moving to Canada for higher studies and obtaining bachelor’s degrees. We have gathered a list of top universities and colleges to pursue a course for MS in Canada.
| University Name | Courses |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | MSc Computer Science Medical Science Physiology Statistics Kinesiology |
| University of British Columbia | Audiology and Speech Sciences Craniofacial Science Experimental Medicine Genetic Counseling Atmospheric Science Earth and Environmental Sciences Applied Animal Biology Forestry Medical Genetics Physics Bioinformatics Computer Science Food Science Health Exercise Sciences |
| McGill University | Animal Science Biology Biostatistics Chemistry Human Genetics Neuroscience Physics Experimental Surgery Family Medicine Human Genetics Pathology Bioresource Engineering Mechanical Engineering Chemistry Computer Science |
| McMaster University | Global Health Health Sciences Education Kinesiology Nursing Medical Sciences Computer & Software Geography Rehabilitation Science Geography |
| University of Waterloo | Biology Chemistry Physics Earth Sciences Pharmacy Kinesiology |
These are the top institutions in Canada where you can join to study in one of the many technical MS courses depending on your academic experience and preferences.
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Best MS Programs to Pursue in Canada
MS or Master of Science is one of the toughest fields of study to pursue in Canada. However, the good thing is that any student with the required scores can enrol in MS courses here. But they must have the funding to sponsor the course fee and living expenses in the country.
The ones who cannot afford the expenditure can apply for scholarships primarily based on merit. That said, here are the most popular MS courses to study in Canada.
- Computer Science: Computer Science is one of the most complex and advanced fields today. Having completed the MS course in this field will propel your career to the next level.
- Engineering: After IT and Computer Science, you can go for MS courses in engineering. So you can study subjects like physics, kinetics, mechanical, and civil. Besides these two streams, you can also go ahead with other streams like architecture, pharmacy, nursing, design, psychology, and public health. That said, the majority of the courses are in Computer Sciences and Engineering, but you can look for the relevant courses from other streams as well.
Conclusion
Work experience is not a decisive criterion for MS application; many other things are taken into consideration by the universities. And this applies to not only the grad schools in Canada but also the ones in the USA, Australia, the UK, Germany, etc.
However, if you want to improve your chances of getting admission into an MS course, work according to the course you wish to choose. You should also consider having work experience only if it will increase your chances of getting admission to a better university. However, if you get a work opportunity in your dream organisation then you should consider accepting it over an MS degree.
As you are planning to migrate to Canada for further studies, nothing should be unplanned and abrupt in your schedule. Make sure to plan everything according to your requirements, and for further help, you can check other LeapScholar blogs meant to provide you with the correct information for studying abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for getting enrolled into MS in Canada?
The admission process into MS courses in Canada is subject to your previous degree and the aggregate score. You need to have at least a 75% in aggregate (considering every transcript) along with the ideal GRE score, IELTS, or TOEFL. For MS in Business courses, work experience is mandatory.
What is the cost of MS courses in Canada?
The fee structure varies according to the course and the institution you have chosen. The tuition fee for the MS Computer Science course at Queen’s University is 14,600 CAD. The same at the University of Calgary is 13,000 CAD. So, check the fee structure at the universities you wish to study at before applying for a study visa.
What are the ideal skills to get a job in Canada?
The set of ideal skills you need to study in Canada varies from company to company. Besides having job-specific technical skills, you must also be good at communication and teamwork. That said, having completed a course from Canada with a student visa and then applying here for a job can improve your chances of getting work.
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