One of the most sought-after and lucrative careers, Data Science has become the new oil of the digital economy. According to the World Economic Forum, data science and analytics will create 11.5 million new jobs by 2026. Canada is one of the best destinations for international students who want to pursue data science courses. In this blog, we will explore the various aspects of pursuing data science programs in Canada, such as the top colleges, online programs, fees, eligibility criteria, application process, and documents required.
Program | Data Science |
Location | Canada |
Top Colleges Offering Data Science Courses | University of Toronto, The University of British Columbia, and the University of Montreal |
Average Annual Tuition Fee | CAD 17,708 to CAD 65,410 |
Average Annual Salary for Data Scientists in Canada | CAD 92,000 |
This Blog Includes:
Why Study Data Science Courses in Canada?
There are many reasons why Canada is an ideal choice for data science aspirants. Some of the main benefits of studying data science courses in Canada are:
- Canada has a reputation for providing world-class education and research facilities in the field of data science. Its universities are ranked among the top in the world for data science and related disciplines, like computer science, mathematics, and statistics.
- Compared to the US, the UK, and Australia, Canada offers relatively lower tuition fees for data science degrees. The average tuition fee for a master’s in data science course in Canada is around CAD 20,000 per year.
- Canada is a multicultural and multilingual country that welcomes people from different backgrounds, cultures, and religions. International students make up about 14% of the population.
- Canada has a thriving data science industry, with many prominent companies, such as IBM, Google, Amazon, Shopify, RBC, and TD Bank, hiring data scientists for various roles and functions.
Also Read: MSc Big Data Courses, Universities and Jobs
Top Colleges Offering Data Science Courses in Canada
Canada has several top-ranked universities that offer data science courses at various levels, such as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Given below are some top universities offering Data Science programs in Canada, along with the programs they offer and their average tuition fees:
College/University | Programs offered | Tuition Fees (Average) |
University of Toronto, Toronto | M.S Applied Computing – Data Science, BS Data Science, Certificate Data Science | CAD 65,410/year |
The University of British Columbia, Vancouver | Masters of Data Science, BS Data Science, Master of Data Science Computational Linguistics | CAD 54,085/year |
University of Montreal, Montreal | PhD Administration – Data Science | CAD 17,708/year |
University of Waterloo, Waterloo | MS Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, MMath Data Science, Bachelor of Data Science | CAD 39,908/year |
University of Ottawa, Ottawa | BS Computer Science – Data Science | CAD 31,582/year |
Western University, London | B.Sc Data Science | CAD 58,200/year |
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby | BS Data Science | CAD 32,724/year |
Online Data Science Courses in Canada
For students who cannot attend full-time or on-campus data science courses in Canada, online data science programs are available from various Canadian universities and platforms. Online data science courses offer flexibility, convenience, and affordability for students who want to learn data science at their own pace and place.
Course | Offered by | Tuition Fees |
Data Science Certificate Program | University of Waterloo in partnership with the University of Toronto | CAD 8,000 (total) |
MicroMasters in Data Science | University of British Columbia on edX | USD 1,346.30 (total) |
IBM Data Science Professional Certificate | IBM on Coursera | USD 39 per month |
Data Science and Analytics | University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies | CAD 8,000 (total) |
Data Science Fundamentals | University of Alberta on Coursera | USD 49/month |
Data Science and Machine Learning | University of Saskatchewan on edX | USD 1,080 (total) |
Data Science Courses in Canada: Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for data science courses in Canada vary with the level and type of the program, as well as the university offering it. However, some of the common eligibility criteria for the same are given below:
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or science, from a recognized institution.
- A minimum GPA or percentage (3.0 out of 4.0 or 76%).
- Transcripts of their previous academic records, along with course descriptions and syllabi
- English Language Requirements: IELTS – 6.5, TOEFL – 90.
- Up to 3 years of work experience (for some courses).
- A personal essay that explains your motivation, interest, and goals for pursuing data science courses in Canada.
- Portfolio, a collection of their previous or current projects, publications, or awards related to data science or related fields.
Application Process
The application process for data science degrees in Canada may differ depending on the program and the university. However, some of the common steps involved in the application process are:
- Research the various data science courses and select the one that suits your academic and career goals.
- Apply to the data science course and university of your choice, through the official website or portal of the university.
- Fill out the application with all the necessary details, attach the relevant documents, and submit it well before the deadline.
- If selected, you may be invited for an interview, either online or in person, by the program or the university.
- You may receive an admission decision, either by email or by post, from the program or the university.
- If you receive an offer, you should accept it by paying the tuition deposit, which varies with the program and the university.
Documents Required
Here are the documents required to apply for data science courses in Canada:
- Academic transcripts
- Test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS)
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
- Portfolio
- Letters of recommendation
Also Read: Best Business Courses in Canada For Elevating Your Business Skills
Popular Scholarships
Don’t worry if you find education abroad unaffordable. You can take the help of the following popular scholarships for data science courses in Canada.
Scholarship | Grant |
Amberscholar Scholarship | CAD 20,754 |
Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants for Development | CAD 41,507 |
Ellen Nilsen Memorial Graduate Scholarship | CAD 1,500 |
Earnest Austin Weir Memorial Scholarship | CAD 1,500 |
Olivine Stephenson Graduate Scholarship | Varies |
Job Prospects
The job prospects for data science graduates in Canada are excellent, as data science is one of the most in-demand, lucrative careers in the 21st century. According to the Job Bank of Canada, data scientists have a good or moderate outlook in most provinces and territories and are expected to face labour shortage conditions from 2022 to 2031 at the national level.
The average annual salary for data scientists in Canada was CAD 92,000 (INR 54,24,000) in 2020, according to Indeed. Some of the top recruiters in Canada for data science graduates include CapitalOne, Bell, Amazon, SAP, Google, IBM, Scotia Bank, Microsoft, Oracle, Hydro One, and Hatch. These industry giants offer high-paying job roles in Canada in Data Science, Software Development, Data Analysis, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, and Business Intelligence.
Data science graduates in Canada can also pursue further education or research in data science and related fields, as Canada has a strong data science research ecosystem, with institutes like the Vector Institute and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research conducting cutting-edge research and innovation in data science.
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FAQs
Answer: Data science courses in Canada offer high-quality education, affordable tuition fees, multicultural diversity, and career opportunities for data science aspirants. Canada is also home to some of the top data science colleges and research institutes in the world, such as the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and McGill University.
Answer: The eligibility criteria for data science degrees in Canada depend on the level and type of the program, as well as the university offering it. However, some of the common eligibility criteria for data science courses in Canada are:
1. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field,
2. A minimum GPA or percentage (3.0 or 76%),
3. Standardized test scores (such as GRE, GMAT, IELTS, or TOEFL),
4. Work experience, statement of purpose, portfolio, and letters of recommendation.
Answer: Various universities and platforms, such as the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, edX, and Coursera offer online data science courses in Canada. They provide certificates, credits, or degrees upon completion, depending on the program and the provider.
We hope that this blog gave you a complete overview of the data science courses in Canada. Keep following Leverage Edu to explore more courses to study abroad. Thank you for reading!