Admissions and Funding
Gaining admission to graduate programs
Generally, an honours baccalaureate (or equivalent) and high academic standing are required for admission to a master’s program. Master’s programs that have a professional focus often require work experience in the intended field of study. For a doctoral program, a high level of achievement at the master’s level is typically required.
Other factors that are considered as part of an application include an official transcript of marks, official test scores (which are required by certain professional master’s degree programs), letters of recommendation from faculty members or professional colleagues, and a personal letter describing your academic and career objectives and your reasons for applying to the program.
The graduate school admissions committee will be looking for evidence that your goals are realistic, that the program is appropriate to your interests and that you have the qualities that are required to successfully complete your studies.
Paying for graduate studies
Canadian graduate students often receive some type of financial assistance from their university in the form of graduate scholarships, bursaries, grants, research assistantships and fellowships or teaching assistantships. Most universities do not require a separate application for scholarships or other financial support.
All three federal research-granting agencies (Science and Engineering Research Canada or NSERC, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research) offer programs to support Canadian graduate students.
Other government and private sector scholarship programs are also available. Private sector scholarship programs are often linked to a particular discipline or are designed to increase the participation levels of women, minorities or other designated groups. Provincial loan programs are another source of financial aid. Based on financial need, these programs are designed to cover the difference between your household income and assets and the actual costs you will incur as a student.
Source: The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada