Canada Master’s study abroad: Checklist for 2024

Studying for a master's degree in Canada offers a high-quality educational environment, attractive opportunities for working and settlement. Let's explore the requirements and checklist of essential documents for Master's study in Canada 2024.

Why choose Canada for Master's study?

High-quality education environment

Canadian universities are globally recognized for their quality of teaching and research. Students have access to advanced study programs and opportunities to learn from leading experts in their fields.

Canada boasts several prestigious institutions globally, notably the University of Toronto #21, McGill University #30, and the University of British Columbia #34, according to the QS Ranking 2024.

Permission to work during studies

Canada allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week during their studies and 40 hours per week during breaks. This helps students earn additional income and become acquainted with the Canadian work culture.

Particularly, the immigration program of the Saskatchewan province requires 780 hours of work, including part-time jobs during studies, to be counted towards the required hours. This can be a significant advantage for international students.

Opportunities for long-term settlement

Master's students in Canada may have various opportunities to participate in immigration programs. In Ontario province, Master's graduates are eligible to apply for permanent residency through the OINP Masters Graduate stream. British Columbia's Master’s stream program requires Master's students to have a full-time job offer for at least 1 year to qualify. In some other provinces, you need 6 months to 1 year of work experience in Canada.

Conditions for Master's Study in Canada in 2024

To study for a Master's degree in Canada, you need to meet the following conditions:

• Bachelor's degree
• GPA of 7.0 or higher
• IELTS score of 6.5 or higher
• GMAT or GRE, depending on the school and field
• 1-3 years of relevant work experience
• Letter of recommendation from a professor/colleague
• Resume and Portfolio for creative fields

Additionally, if you don't meet the English language proficiency or academic requirements, some schools offer English preparatory programs and Pre-Master's programs.

Checklist of required documents for Master's study in Canada

Application for enrollment letter from the school

List of some necessary documents when applying for Letter of Acceptance (LOA):

• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Bachelor's degree (certified translated)
• Bachelor's degree transcript (certified translated)
• IELTS score (if applicable)
• SOP (State of Purpose) stating study goals
• 2 Recommendation letters from superiors/colleagues/university professors
• GMAT for Business-related fields (if applicable)
• GRE for Science-related fields (if applicable)

Visa application checklist for Master's study

a. Fill out visa forms 

Complete visa forms: IMM 1294, IMM 5707, and other forms as required

b. Personal information

• Valid passport for at least 6 months
• Identity card
• Family register book
• Birth certificate
• Criminal record certificate number 2
• Marriage certificate (if married)
• 2 photos 4x6 as required
• Valid health check certificate within 1 year
• Letter of Acceptance from the school
• Study Plan (recommended)
• Portfolio (recommended)

c. Academic-related documents

• Bachelor's degree (certified translated)
• Bachelor's degree transcript (certified translated)
• IELTS score (if available)
• CV/Cover Letter
• 2 Recommendation letters from superiors/colleagues/university professors

d. Financial-related documents

• Giấy xác nhận tiền gửi trong ngân hàng trong vòng 2 tháng gần nhất
• Confirmation of deposits in the bank within the last 2 months
• Savings book
• Labor contract, social insurance, personal income tax declaration, salary account statement, etc., to prove employment and income
• Business license, tax receipts (within 6 months) if parents or individuals are doing business

Additionally, students may be exempt from demonstrating financial capability if they meet the following conditions:

• IELTS Academic score of 6.0 without a score requirement for each skill
• Proof of purchasing Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian bank worth $20,635 CAD
• Proof of payment of tuition fees for the first year

Learn more about the visa application for studying in Canada:

What do you need to prepare for studying in Canada without financial proof? 

Should you apply for a Canada study visa under the SDS category or show financial proof?

Details of 6 steps for a Canada study visa

Some Canadian Master's programs do not require GMAT

Laurentian University

University Canada West (UCW)

Brock University

Vancouver Island University (VIU)

University of Northern British Columbia

Thompson Rivers University

York University (*)

(*) Depending on the field of study, refer to the Master's programs at York University for more information.

Conclusion

Canada is an ideal destination for those who want to pursue a Master's degree with its top-notch education environment and bright career prospects. With the checklist and necessary information provided above, you will be able to prepare everything you need for a successful study journey in Canada in 2024.