A Canadian master's degree combines relatively affordable tuition (compared to the US or UK), strong research universities, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit — up to 3 years of open work rights that make Canada one of the clearest degree-to-residency pathways available. In 2026, tuition ranges from CAD 12,000 to 35,000 per year depending on programme and university.
Summary: How Much Does a Canadian Master's Degree Cost in 2026?
| Category | Annual Estimate (CAD) |
|---|
| Tuition (MA / MSc, most disciplines) | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| Tuition (MEngineering) | $18,000 – $30,000 |
| Tuition (MSc Computer Science / Data Science) | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| Tuition (LLM) | $18,000 – $35,000 |
| Tuition (MPH / MHSc) | $15,000 – $28,000 |
| Accommodation | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Food and living | $4,800 – $8,400 |
| Health insurance | $600 – $900 |
| Total annual estimate | $30,000 – $60,000 |
Note: PhD-track and research-master's students often receive teaching/research assistantships that substantially reduce net cost — professional/coursework master's (Computer Science, Business Analytics, Engineering) are typically self-funded.
Tuition by University (2026 Estimates)
| University | MA/MSc Annual Tuition (CAD) |
|---|
| University of Toronto | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| McGill University | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| University of British Columbia (UBC) | $18,000 – $35,000 |
| University of Waterloo | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| University of Alberta | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| McMaster University | $15,000 – $28,000 |
| Queen's University | $18,000 – $30,000 |
| University of Ottawa | $15,000 – $25,000 |
Québec advantage: McGill and other Québec universities set tuition under provincial regulation, generally 20–30% lower than comparable Ontario or BC programmes.
Living Costs for Canadian Master's Students by City
| City | Monthly Living (CAD) | Annual (CAD) |
|---|
| Toronto | $2,300 – $3,800 | $27,600 – $45,600 |
| Vancouver | $2,200 – $3,600 | $26,400 – $43,200 |
| Montreal | $1,500 – $2,500 | $18,000 – $30,000 |
| Waterloo / Kitchener | $1,500 – $2,300 | $18,000 – $27,600 |
| Ottawa | $1,700 – $2,600 | $20,400 – $31,200 |
| Edmonton | $1,500 – $2,400 | $18,000 – $28,800 |
Total Cost of a Canadian Master's Degree — Realistic Estimates
| Profile | Total Cost (CAD, full programme) |
|---|
| MSc Computer Science at Waterloo/Toronto (2 years) | $70,000 – $110,000 |
| MA at McGill, Montreal (2 years) | $45,000 – $65,000 |
| MEngineering at UBC (1.5–2 years) | $65,000 – $95,000 |
| MPH at a mid-tier university (2 years) | $40,000 – $60,000 |
| Research MA/MSc with TA/RA funding (2 years) | $15,000 – $30,000 net |
Scholarships and Funding for Canadian Master's Students
| Scholarship | Value (CAD) | Eligibility |
|---|
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | $50,000/year | PhD-track; nominated by university |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) | $5,000 – $15,000 | Ontario universities |
| University-specific graduate fellowships | $5,000 – $20,000 | Merit-based |
| Teaching/Research Assistantships | $15,000 – $25,000/year | Research-track master's, common at most universities |
Work Rights and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Master's students can work up to 24 hours/week off-campus during term and full-time during scheduled breaks. After graduating, the PGWP grants up to 3 years of open work rights (duration matches your programme length, minimum 8 months required for eligibility) — one of Canada's strongest advantages, and a direct pathway to CRS points for Express Entry permanent residency.
IELTS and TOEFL Requirements for Canadian Master's Programmes
| University | IELTS Min | TOEFL Min |
|---|
| University of Toronto | 7.0 (graduate) | 100 iBT |
| UBC | 7.0 (graduate) | 90 iBT |
| McGill | 7.0 (graduate) | 90 iBT |
| University of Waterloo | 7.0 | 90 iBT |
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — reach the score Canadian master's programmes require. Or prepare for TOEFL — both tests are accepted at all major Canadian universities.