Which Canadian data science master's programs can I realistically fund with an education loan?
Lower-cost Canadian options for data science include Memorial, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Carleton and HEC Montréal, while UBC costs far more at about CAD 59,768. Memorial lists tuition and a special fee for each of its 3 semesters. Add living costs to tuition before sizing your loan, and confirm lender co-applicant rules.
The most loan-friendly Canadian data science programs are usually outside the most expensive big-city schools. Memorial University publishes per-semester fees for its 1 year Master of Data Science, which makes planning easier. Always add living costs to tuition, because the loan has to cover both.
Tuition comparison for loan planning
| University and route | Published or estimated tuition | What to note |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial, Master of Data Science (1 year) | Tuition of CAD 2,218 (approx INR 1.5L) plus a special fee of CAD 6,761 (approx INR 4.6L) per semester, listed for 3 semesters; confirm the full total on the official page | Memorial lists its fee components, so add them up and confirm the total |
| Saskatchewan, thesis-based master's | CAD 4,279 (approx INR 2.9L) per term for 2026-27, so CAD 12,837 (approx INR 8.7L) for three terms | Research route; funding depends on a supervisor |
| HEC Montréal, MSc Data Science and Business Analytics | About CAD 34,500 (approx INR 23.5L) (thesis) or CAD 39,000 (approx INR 26.6L) (supervised project) | Check language of instruction |
| Manitoba and Carleton | Check current international tuition on each page | Research or coursework pathways; confirm fees directly |
| UBC, Master of Data Science | About CAD 59,768 (approx INR 40.7L) | Much higher, so it strains a loan-led plan |
Published figures are estimates and not guaranteed bills for your intake, so verify them on the university page.
Sizing your loan beyond tuition
Canada's official study cost page suggests budgeting at least CAD 23,000 (approx INR 15.7L) per year for living costs. Add that to your program's tuition and fees to see the amount you may need to borrow, before travel, deposits and insurance.
- Add tuition, living costs, health insurance, travel and deposits.
- Check that the program leads to a work permit pathway under current IRCC rules.
- Ask each lender for current co-applicant and collateral policy on its own page.
- Compare thesis routes, where funding is possible, with course routes, which are usually self-funded.
My Advice
Build a one-page budget for your top three programs and take it to the lender before you accept an offer. A cheaper program with realistic work-permit eligibility will usually leave you more comfortable at repayment than a famous program that stretches the loan.
This information is available on: mun.ca, students.usask.ca, hec.ca, grad.ubc.ca, educanada.ca
Looking for a specific course in Canada?
We will find the universities that offer it, and whether you will get in.
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