PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada

7 minute read
PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada

It is a tough choice to pick the right course after graduation. While many students think a master’s degree is an idle pathway, some prefer to opt for professional PG diploma courses. If you are someone who is looking for post-graduation opportunities to study in Canada, it is extremely important for you to analyze all your options well. There are a variety of postgraduate options offered by universities in Canada which are mainly classified into PG diploma, course-specific masters, and research-based masters. If you are confused between pursuing PG Diploma or a Master’s in Canada, look no further. Here is all the information you will need when placing bets on PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada.

Course PG Diploma Masters
Duration 1- 2 years 2-3 years
Eligibility Bachelors from the relevant field Bachelors from the relevant field
Cost of Studying 7 lakhs to 15 lakhs 15 lakhs to 20 lakhs
Popular Specialisations Psychology, Nursing, Marketing, Advertising, and PR IT & Computer Science, Pharmacy, Nursing, Business Administration, Veterinary Medicine
Popular Universities University of Winnipeg
Thompsons Rivers University
University of Alberta
Humber College
Fanshawe College
University of Toronto
McGill University
University of Dundee
University of British Columbia
Trent University
Work Permit 1-year work permit 3-year work permit

PG Diploma in Canada

PG Diploma is a short-term, academic course that can be pursued after completing graduation. Students who want to gain professional training in any field can opt for this program. Unlike the master’s courses, there is no mandatory dissertation project in a PG Diploma program. Further, with a shorter duration in comparison to a full-time postgraduation program, it is an excellent opportunity for those who want to upgrade their skills, change their career paths, gain global exposure and build a strong professional network at affordable costs! When we talk about PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada, then it becomes important to understand the course duration. A short term program, PG Diploma is of a minimum of 120 credits offered by various universities. This is defined as per the National Qualification Framework(NQF) guidelines.

Commonly offered as 2-3 year programs, PG Diploma courses in Canada are offered across a wide range of fields and specialisations. To help you further in your research, we have enlisted the popular PG Diploma Courses in Canada:

Top Universities for PG Diploma in Canada

There are numerous universities and colleges in Canada which offer PG Diploma courses in almost every specialisation. Take a look at the major colleges and universities you must consider for pursuing PG Diploma in Canada:

You can also apply for SPP Colleges in Canada for PG Diploma courses as they provide a faster and hassle-free visa application process for those aiming to pursue short-term programs in Canada!

Master Degree in Canada

Home to over 90 academic institutions, Canada offers a plethora of master’s degree programs in almost every field of study. Canadian universities and colleges offer globally recognized master degrees in almost every field such as Medicine, Politics, Technology, Business, Media, amongst others. The duration of the course is generally 2 years, however, might be 1 year as well for specific courses. To know more about the cost of studying, placements and admissions, read our blog on masters in Canada.

Check out our exclusive blog on MBA without work experience in Canada!

Canada is also a renowned study destination for master’s programs as it offers affordable postgraduate degree programs across different areas of study. Masters in Canada can range from Master of Science (MS) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs to Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Arts (MA) or other master’s degrees. Here is a list of popular specialisations for masters in Canada:

  • IT & Computer Science
  • Pharmacy
  • Nursing
  • Business Administration
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Physical & Life Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Psychology
  • Law
  • Humanities
  • Visual Arts
  • Agricultural Sciences

Top Universities for Masters in Canada

Take a look at the top universities for masters in Canada:

PG Diploma vs Masters: Course Structure

The most common question that graduates ask is – “What is PG Diploma?” & “What is a Masters?” Even though both the Postgraduate Diploma and Masters’s degree are on the same academic level, there are major differences in terms of eligibility and the credits. Further, most students move to Canada for their higher education with the intention of eventually working there. If this is one of your concerns then choosing between the two options on the basis of a work permit can be a practical choice. The work permit is dependent on the duration and type of course. Tabulated below are some of the major points which will help you understand PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada:

PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada

PG Diploma vs Masters: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada is also an important question asked by many students. To pursue a PG diploma in Canada, one must hold a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university or college. Some short-term programs associated with the field of management may require 1-2 years of relevant work experience. Further, one should also have a valid IELTS/TOEFL scorecard.

Course PG Diploma Masters
Eligibility Criteria A bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university or college A bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university or college 
Work Experience 1- 2 years (Some programs) 1-2 years (Some programs)
English Proficiency valid IELTS/TOEFL  valid IELTS/TOEFL 

Cost of Studying for PG Diploma and Masters

Many students also look at the fee structure while considering the path they want to choose and this more or less depends on the duration of the program. A PG Diploma course mostly lasts one or two years depending on the specialization and usually costs less than a Master’s program because of the shorter duration. But there is no hard and fast rule to this. Some universities such as the University of Regina and the University of Manitoba offer a cheaper master’s program. A course-based master’s program generally lasts 1.5-2 years and a thesis-based one will last for 2 years or more.

Course PG Diploma Masters
Cost of Studying 7 lakhs to 15 lakhs 15 lakhs to 20 lakhs

FAQs

Can one do a PhD with a Postgraduate Diploma?

If you wish to make your decision based on the value and worth of your degree, it is better to go for a Master’s program over a PG diploma. A Master’s degree is considered academically stronger and can help you pursue further education like a PhD. However, if you wish to pursue a PhD after your PG Diploma then you will have to first complete a Master’s program. 

What are the options for PG Diploma in Canada?

PGDM in Canada is a popular course that is taken by many Indian students. Some of the famous fields are Conflict Analysis and Management, Biological and Health Sciences, Mechanical and Electronics, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Tourism Destination Development, Network Security, etc.

Does PG Diploma have value in Canada?

An important aspect when talking about PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada is the value that the short term program holds. Being a 1-2 year course that equips students with the requisite industry-relevant skills, the program holds of great value. Offered generally by the community colleges in Canada, this program is very affordable and provides students with a platform to attend Co-op programs, gain global exposure, and a chance to work part-time!

Is PG diploma equivalent to Masters?

No, PG Diploma is not equivalent to Masters as it is a short term diploma course pursued in order to gain some professional skills mainly to gain advance knowledge and competencies. The duration of the course can be 1 to 1.5 years. However, masters can range between 1-3 years in duration. 

What is the difference between a Diploma and Advanced Diploma?

This is another doubt that arises while talking about PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada. An advanced diploma is a short term course that is done at the graduation level. On the other hand, as the name suggests, a PGDM is done after graduation. 

Can one Study Diploma after Graduation in Canada?

Yes! But for that, you need to complete your undergraduate course in the field of your choice. It is a golden ticket for those who want to upgrade their skills as well as apply for a PR in Canada!

Does PGDM offer Jobs in Canada?

This is another prominent question that confuses students when discussing PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada. Being a short term course, one can find opportunities only after gaining some work experience and the best route for this would be through internships.

Is PGDM or MBA better?

It is important to understand that a PGDM is a diploma course and thus cannot be considered equivalent to an MBA. While the former helps in skill development in a particular subject, the latter is a full-fledged degree that has the potential to increase the career opportunities across industries. Thus, if you want to gain an in-depth knowledge then pursuing an MBA is the most suitable option.

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A choice like PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada is a tough call to make and cannot be taken casually. Confusion about this is quite obvious, but you don’t need to make an uninformed choice without reasonable backing. With the help of Leverage Edu, you can make a well-informed decision for a better future!

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13 comments
    1. Hi Nikesh,
      Our career experts are here to guide you about how you can proceed with the dream of studying in Canada. Give us a call on 1800572000.

  1. Thank you for the information above.

    I am interested in having my Master in any good University in Canada.

    How can I be assisted for smooth offer of admission ?

    Thank you.

    Dayo Adesanya- Nigeria

    1. Hi Dayo,
      We are glad that you like our blog on PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada. Our experts will be happy to help you in getting started with the master’s course of your choice in Canada, just give us a call on 1800572000 or mail us your profile on [email protected]

  2. I will be finishing my Btech from NIT Calicut at India .I would like to know if doing PGDM in engineering at Canada will help me get a job there

    1. Hi Seeja!

      Yes, you can get a work permit in Canada after finishing your PGDM in engineering. All full-time international students have the option of staying back and working in Canada. If you have any other queries then feel free to connect with us on this number-1800572000!

  3. this is very innovative and informative also useful Article. Very good article on latest trending topics. It was really good content.

  4. Which course I can opt for after bachelors in technology in mechanical engineering in canada. A job oriented course.

  5. Thank you so much for all the information. I’m planning to do a diploma course from Humber College (it’s a 2 year diploma course) or either Seneca college (here it’s a 3 year diploma course). Which one should I do it so that it’s easier for me to transfer credit for completing my bachelors and then later on for completing my masters ,PhD.

    1. Hey Shivani!

      Thank you for reaching out to us! If you want to choose the right college for yourself then contact our experts today- 1800572000! Best of luck!

    1. Hey! So the criteria for lectureship depends upon the university that you want to teach in. In general, PG Diploma in Education or Training is sufficient for a starting lecturer.

    1. Hi Nikesh,
      Our career experts are here to guide you about how you can proceed with the dream of studying in Canada. Give us a call on 1800572000.

  1. Thank you for the information above.

    I am interested in having my Master in any good University in Canada.

    How can I be assisted for smooth offer of admission ?

    Thank you.

    Dayo Adesanya- Nigeria

    1. Hi Dayo,
      We are glad that you like our blog on PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada. Our experts will be happy to help you in getting started with the master’s course of your choice in Canada, just give us a call on 1800572000 or mail us your profile on [email protected]