Masters in Project Management in Canada: Complete Guide for Pursuing Masters in Project Management in Canada

Here are some reasons why studying Masters in Project Management in Canada is worth it:

• Post-graduation work permit (PGWP): Canada is the top study abroad destination attracting nearly 600,000 international students. One of the major reasons for which is the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). A PGWP allows international students to live and work in Canada for 2 years after graduation.

• Demand for project managers: The scope for project managers is not limited to a particular sector. There is demand for project management in the field of Finance, Construction, IT, Healthcare, Banking, etc. According to Project Management Institute (PMI), Canada alone will hire around 90,000 project managers by 2027.
• Future prospects: With a PG in Project Management in Canada, you will have a lot of opportunities to grow and can even rise to the top management positions over the years. You can expect to earn around 216,000 CAD per year with experience.

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Project Management is more of a specialization which can be studied as an MBA, MS or MEng degree. Let us take a look at the program structure for Masters in Project Management in Canada:

• Course Duration: The project management master in Canada is a 1-2 year degree program. The MBA in Project Management in Canada is usually a 1-year program while some MSc Project Management in Canada offer the flexibility to be completed in 2 years duration.

• Course Content: The exact content of your course will depend on whether you are pursuing an MS in Project Management in Canada, MBA or MEng degree. Generally, the topics covered will include risk management, operations, quality control, finance, etc. The program will prepare you to carry out planning, organizing, supervising and controlling to meet the project goals within the specified time.

• Course Alternatives: You can pursue a PG diploma or certificate in Project Management instead of a master's degree program.

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Some points of difference between PG Diploma in Project Management and Masters in Project Management are discussed in the following table:

Here is a list of best universities for Masters in Project Management in Canada:

• University of British Columbia
• University of New Brunswick
• University of Calgary
• Northeastern University
• Seneca College 

Take a look at the insights for top 5 universities offering Masters in Project Management in Canada:

• University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia offers project management as a specialization of the master’s degrees in Civil Engineering. The Department of Civil Engineering of UBC is known as one of the largest and most research-intensive across Canada. There are 2 program options - MEng in Civil Engineering and MASc in Civil Engineering. 

• University of New Brunswick

University of New Brunswick offers MBA in Project Management in Canada besides 4 other specializations offered by the Faculty of Business. It is a 1-year program that prepares students for Project Management Institute certification exams as well.

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• University of Calgary

The Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary offers project management as one of the 11 specializations for MS in Civil Engineering and MEng in Civil Engineering. The MS in Civil Engineering program is a thesis-based program leading to research while the MEng is a course-based, career-oriented program.

• Northeastern University

The College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University offers MS in Project Management in on-ground, hybrid and online modes. The program allows students the flexibility to complete it in 15 to 24 months. One of the most important features of this program is that it is accredited by the Project Management Institute’s Global Accreditation Center.

• Seneca College

Seneca College is ranked #1 among Ontario colleges for offering pathway programs. The college offers over 50 master’s degree pathways through its partner institutions one of which is the Robert Gordon University that offers the MS in Project Management in Canada.

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Whether it is an MBA in Canada you choose to pursue or an MS in Project Management, both programs are equally competitive and receive a large volume of applications. Therefore, it is best to have a strong academic profile to remain ahead of the others and cut through the competition.

• Bachelor’s degree

• English language proficiency test scores

• Entrance test scores for studying in Canada

• Work experience
• Canadian study permit

Here is a elaborate discussion on each of the admission requirements for PG in Project Management in Canada:

• Bachelor’s Degree

To apply for a Masters in Project Management in Canada for international students, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized institution which is equivalent to a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Canada. You are expected to have scored minimum grade B or above in the undergraduate degree.

• English Language Proficiency Test Scores

International students whose first language is not English must submit acceptable English language proficiency test scores of IELTS/ TOEFL.

• IELTS score of 7.0
• TOEFL score of 90

• Entrance Test Scores for Studying in Canada

You will have to provide GMAT or GRE scores for admission to Masters in Project Management in Canada. A minimum GMAT score of 550 is required for admission. Universities may accept GRE, LSAT or CAT scores that are equivalent to the required level of GMAT scores.

• Work Experience

Universities that offer MBA in Project Management in Canada usually ask for prior work experience. A minimum 2 years of full-time work experience is highly recommended for admission.

• Canadian Study Permit

As international students you must always consider the time required to obtain a study permit before applying for admission. You will have to apply for a Canadian study permit as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance.

Let us now take a look at the supporting documents required to complete your application for Masters in Project Management in Canada for international students:

Here is a list of essential documents required to apply for Masters in Project Management in Canada universities:

• Official transcripts
• Proof of degree and diplomas earned
• IELTS/ TOEFL or equivalent scores accepted as proof of English language proficiency
• GMAT/ GRE scores, if required
• Personal statement of purpose
• Resume
• Letters of reference
• Copy of passport
• Proof of finances

The primary intake for admission to universities in Canada is Fall. Many universities in Canada consider applications on a rolling basis which means your applications will be processed as soon as they are received. The sooner you start the application process the better it is for you. 

Take a look at the steps to be followed for applying to Masters in Project Management in Canada:

1. The first and foremost step is to shortlist the universities you wish to apply to.
2. Next you must review the admission requirements and check the available intakes.
3. Complete the online application available on the university’s official website and pay the necessary application fee.
4. Prepare and upload supporting documents in the prescribed manner.
5. After completing the online application, you can track the application status until you receive an admission decision.
6. While waiting for an admission decision, you can prepare documents to apply for a Canadian study permit.
7. If you are accepted to your choice of program, you will have to accept the offer for admission and pay the tuition deposit.

Pursuing a master’s or an MBA degree in Canada requires a big deal of investment. But on the brighter side, with higher educational qualifications you can definitely boost your earning potential. The cost of studying Masters in Project Management in Canada has 2 components - tuition fees and cost of living. Let us take a look at each of these components:

• The annual tuition fees for MSc Project Management in Canada is around 18,000-40,000 CAD for the entire program.
• The average annual cost of living in Canada ranges between 10,000-12,000 CAD.
• The rent for living on-campus is around 3,000-7,500 CAD per year which is quite budget friendly compared to off-campus accommodation that costs 8,000-9,000 CAD per year.

Scholarships for Masters in Project Management in Canada will definitely save you from cutting a hole in your pockets. Most universities award entrance scholarships for which you will automatically be considered based on the strength of your application. You will be notified regarding the award of such scholarships along with the admission offer itself.

With a strong academic profile, you will not only be able to secure institutional scholarships but also apply for external awards. Take a look at the table below to learn about external awards that you may be eligible for:

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Before winding up the discussion, let us take a look at the career opportunities after Masters in Project Management in Canada:

Career opportunities after Masters in Project Management in Canada are vast. The demand for project managers is growing faster than many professions according to a report of the Project Management Institute. Employment is available in a wide variety of sectors such as Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Consulting, Insurance, Telecommunications, IT, Engineering, Construction, etc. On an average, a project manager in Canada has an average salary of 140,000 CAD per year. Take a look at the table below to know more about common job titles and average annual salaries for project managers in Canada:

If you are planning to study in Canada, then Masters in Project Management is an investment worth making. There will be a great deal of responsibility on your shoulders as a project manager. You will be held accountable for the projects you have been assigned and will be expected to plan, coordinate, monitor and report progress. You must have excellent communication skills, leadership qualities, problem solving, management skills and conflict resolution to be competent and excel after pursuing Masters in Project Management in Canada.