MS in Data Science in Canada for Indian Students 2024
Canada, renowned for its exceptional quality of life, robust education system, and inclusive environment, presents an attractive option for international students pursuing an MS in Data Science. This burgeoning field is revolutionising various industries, generating significant demand for skilled professionals.
Several leading universities such as the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, McGill University, and Carleton University, offer esteemed MS in Data Science programs.
- Why Study for an MS in Data Science in Canada?
- Top Universities for MS in Data Science in Canada
- Syllabus of MS in Data Science in Canada
- Job Prospects After Master’s In Science in Data Science
- Eligibility Criteria for M.S. in Data Science in Canada
- Document Checklist
- Comparison between Data Analytics, Big Data, and Data Science
- Required Skills for Top Jobs in Data Science
- Post-Study Work Visa In Canada
- Conclusion
Why Study for an MS in Data Science in Canada?
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Canadian universities provide a well-rounded data science curriculum that covers theoretical foundations and practical applications.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit: Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program allows international graduates to work in Canada for up to three years after completing their studies. This provides valuable experience and increases the chances of securing permanent residency.
- Growing Demand: Canada’s data science field is experiencing rapid growth, leading to a strong demand for skilled professionals.
- Competitive Salaries: Graduates of MS in Data Science programs in Canada can expect competitive salaries and excellent career prospects.
Top Universities for MS in Data Science in Canada
Here is the list of best universities for Master’s in Data Science in Canada
| University | Course Name | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEC Montreal | MSc in Data Science and Business Analytics | 16-24 months | CAD 44,400 |
| University of Toronto | MSc in Data Science | 16 months | CAD 77,800 |
| University of British Columbia | MSc in Data Science | 10 months | CAD 54,732 |
| University of Waterloo | M.Math in Data Science | 24 months | CAD 15,392 |
| Simon Fraser University | MSc in Big Data | 24 months | CAD 25,138 |
Syllabus of MS in Data Science in Canada
The average length of an MS in Data Science in Canada is 1 to 2 years. This can vary slightly between universities, but most programs are typically completed within two years. The specific course structure for an MS in Data Science in Canada can vary slightly between universities, but the core components typically include:
Year 1
Core Data Science Courses:
- Machine Learning
- Data Mining
- Data Visualisation
- Big Data Analytics
- Statistics and Probability
- Python Programming for Data Science
Specialised Courses:
- Natural Language Processing
- Computer Vision
- Time Series Analysis
- Data Engineering
- Deep Learning
- Reinforcement Learning
Year 2:
Year 2 of the program often allows students to specialise in a particular area of data science. This may involve taking advanced courses in:
- Healthcare Data Analytics
- Financial Data Analytics
- Social Network Analysis
- Data Privacy and Security
- Cloud Computing for Data Science
Job Prospects After Master’s In Science in Data Science
After completing an Master’s in Data Science in Canada, students get jobs in entry-level positions. With increased experience and work expertise, one can grow further.
Some of the top industries in Canada for data science are:
- Automotive industry
- Banking and Finance
- Education
- Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- Marketing-advertising
- Online businesses
- Retail
- Telecommunications
Below is the list of popular and highest-paying data science jobs in Canada in 2025:
| Job Post | Salary |
|---|---|
| Application Architect | CAD 92,000-100,000 (INR 57-62 Lakhs) |
| Big Data Engineer | CAD 81,000-100,000 (INR 50-62 Lakhs) |
| Business Analyst | CAD 58,000-82,000 (INR 36-50 Lakhs) |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | CAD 70,000-93,000 (INR 43-57 Lakhs) |
| Business Intelligence Officer | CAD 1,00,00-3,00,000 (INR 62 Lakhs- 1 cr) |
| Data Analyst | CAD 53,000-77,000 (INR 32-47 Lakhs) |
| Data Architect | CAD 93,000-100,000 (INR 57-62 Lakhs) |
| Data Scientist | CAD 74,000-100,000 (INR 45-62 Lakhs) |
| Data Mining Engineer | CAD 75,000-100,000 (INR 46-62 Lakhs) |
| Machine Learning Engineer | CAD 87,000-100,000 (INR 54-62 Lakhs) |
Eligibility Criteria for M.S. in Data Science in Canada
The eligibility criteria for seeking admission to a Master’s in Data Science course in Canada are:
4 Year Bachelor’s
Indian students who have completed their undergraduate degree program in B.Tech (Computer Science), B.Pharm, M.B.B.S., B.Eng., or B. Arch of 4 years duration is eligible to be admitted to masters in data science in Canada directly by applying on the university website.
3 Year Bachelor’s
In case an Indian student has completed their undergraduate in a 3-year degree course like B.Sc, they have to either undergo a W.E.S. Evaluation process to validate their credentials earned in Indian boards of education or pursue a bridge course such as Diploma in Statistical Science to gain expertise in statistics required for P.G. degree course in Data Science.
Time duration: The process of W.E.S. Evaluation takes 7-10 days to complete, so it is advisable to apply for WES ECA accordingly.
Fees: INR 15,978 (CAD 260)
| Data Science | Data Analytics | Big Data |
|---|---|---|
| SEO | FMCG | Data communication |
| AI | IT & Telecom | Financial analysis |
| Machine Learning | Healthcare | Consumer behaviour |
| Corporate Analysis | Education | Banking |
Document Checklist
- Academic transcripts
- Minimum GPA score of 3.0 out of 4.0 or 70-80% is required.
- GRE Scorecard: Some universities may prefer it, although it is not required. A minimum score of 310 is required (cut-off may depend on the university)
- English language proficiency scorecard: TOEFL (97-100), IELTS (6.0-7.0), PTE (65-70) is required
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
- 1-2 Statement of Purpose
- CV/Resume
- Work Experience certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of Funds
- Health Insurance
- Passport
- Photographs
Comparison between Data Analytics, Big Data, and Data Science
- Data science is converting data into a meaningful form. The purpose is to formulate strategies in various sectors, like marketing, finance, FMCGs, etc, for better growth through insights analysis. When you pursue an MS in Data Science in Canada, you will have a significant portion of the curriculum covered with either Data analytics or Big data.
- Data Analytics: It is a part of Data Science that provides data insights through visual representations in graphs, charts, tables, trends, etc.
- Big Data is the process of gathering large amounts of data to extract significant information. This is useful for gaining business competency. Below is the table enlisting the significance of these three essential elements of Computer Science in various domains, highlighting Canada’s Data science scope.
Required Skills for Top Jobs in Data Science
To pursue a career further in Data Science after completing a master’s in Canada, students need to develop expertise and mastery in the following domains.
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Programming
- Software Engineering
- Communication skills
- Extraction and loading of data
- Intellectual thinking
- Out-of-the-box thinking
- Data visualisation
- Teamwork
- Business strategy
Post-Study Work Visa In Canada
Canada offers a favourable post-study work permit for international students who have completed their studies at a designated learning institution. The duration of the permit varies based on the length of the completed program: up to three months for programs under eight months, up to one year for programs of eight months to two years, and up to three years for programs over two years.
This allows graduates to gain valuable work experience in the Canadian job market and potentially transition to permanent residency.
Conclusion
With the average base salary for data scientists in Canada reaching CAD 79,000, the investment of CAD 20,000 to 40,000 for an MS in Data Science offers a strong return on investment. Graduates of these programs can secure employment at prestigious global companies like Deloitte, Shopify, National Bank of Canada, and IBM Canada. Pursuing an MSc in Data Science in Canada can significantly enhance your career prospects and open doors to exciting opportunities.
FAQs
Which are the best universities in Canada for a Master’s in Data Science?
The best universities in Canada to pursue a PG in data science are the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, Simon Fraser University, and HEC Montreal.
What are some career prospects after pursuing Canada's best data science programs?
Some career prospects include pursuing higher education, starting your own business in data science, and getting employed as a data scientist, data analyst, or data engineer.
Are scholarships available for pursuing an MS in Data Science programs in Canada?
Yes, many top data science universities in Canada offer scholarships to international students, ranging from 2,000 CAD to 30,000 CAD per year.
What are some of the most popular programs in data science at the PG level?
Some of the most popular programs in data science are the Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics, Master’s of Data Science and Analytics, and Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics.
Do Canadian universities teach data science courses in the French language?
No, the mode of delivering data science courses is in English. However, if you are interested in learning the French language to polish your communication skills among the French community in Canada, you can also pursue a French language course.
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