Is a 5.5 CGPA enough for an engineering masters in Canada?

No, a 5.5 CGPA generally will not clear the bar for a traditional Master of Engineering or Master of Applied Science in Canada, since most universities enforce a strict floor around a 7.0 to 7.5 CGPA equivalent. You still have a realistic path forward, just not through the conventional academic masters route.

Masters vs Postgraduate Diploma at Your CGPA

How to Strengthen Your Application

• Target postgraduate diploma colleges such as Conestoga, Humber, Lambton, and Fanshawe, which accept around a 5.5 CGPA with strong English scores.
• If you still want a masters, look at holistic review universities like Cape Breton or Thompson Rivers rather than Toronto, UBC, or Waterloo.
• Push your IELTS to 7.0 or higher with no band under 6.5, and aim for a GRE score above 315 to 320.
• Use your statement of purpose to address your CGPA directly, highlighting any upward trend in your later semesters and relevant work experience.

My Advice

Apply to a two year postgraduate diploma rather than forcing a masters application that is likely to bounce back. It gives you the same post graduation work permit runway, costs less, and lets you build the Canadian work experience that makes a future masters or PR application much stronger.