Which country is the better fit for my master's abroad, given my four-year IT degree, 8.2 CGPA, and two years of work experience?
With a 4 year IT degree, 8.2 CGPA and 2 years of experience, Canada is the stronger pick if you want a 3 year post graduation work permit and immigration runway, while the UK suits you better if you want a 1 year master's and faster re entry to work.
Both countries clear the bar academically for your profile, so the real decision is about timeline and what you want the year or two after graduation to look like: Canada trades a longer master's and higher living cost for more time to convert study into residency, while the UK trades a shorter, cheaper master's for a tighter post study work window.
UK vs Canada for Your IT Profile: What Actually Decides This
| Factor | UK | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Master's length | Usually 1 year | Usually 1 to 2 years |
| Post study work | 18 months on the Graduate visa for applications from January 2027, 3 years for PhD graduates | Up to 3 years on the Post Graduation Work Permit for an eligible master's of at least 8 months |
| Best for | A faster master's and access to a very large, established tech employer base | Longer local work experience and a clearer route toward permanent residency |
| Field of study rule | No field restriction on the Graduate visa route | No field of study restriction for bachelor's, master's or doctoral PGWP applicants |
Your 8.2 CGPA and 2 Years of Experience Travel Well in Either Country
An 8.2 out of 10 CGPA is a solid, not exceptional, score for either country's competitive CS or IT master's programs, and your 2 years of experience matters more for Canada, where it strengthens later Express Entry or Provincial Nominee applications, than for the UK, where admissions focus mainly on your degree and English score.
This Information Is Also Available On
The UK government's own Graduate visa guidance on GOV.UK, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's Post Graduation Work Permit eligibility pages.
My Advice
In my experience, students with your profile default to the UK because the master's is shorter and the process feels simpler, but that is the wrong lens if your real goal is staying and working abroad rather than finishing quickly. If PR or a long runway to find the right job matters more to you than speed, choose Canada even though it costs more time and money upfront. If you mainly want the degree, the network and to be back in the job market within 15 months, the UK is the better fit.
Low percentage, study gap or no work experience?
Find out which Canadian universities you still qualify for.
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