Masters Degree in Canada for Nigerian Students: Courses, Fees, Application Process, Eligibility

Wondering about the cost of Masters degree in Canada for Nigerian students? The North American country has a large number of government-funded public universities, 18 of which rank among 500 of the world’s top universities. With these institutes offering world-class education at affordable prices, it makes Canada an obvious choice for international students, including Nigeria. So this blog will explore everything there is to know about pursuing a Masters degree from Canada for Nigerian students. We will cover the top universities, master programs, their tuition fees, scholarships, intake dates, eligibility, and application process. Read on to know more!

Duration	1-2 years (full-time), varies with program
Course Types	Coursework-based, thesis-based, or a combination of both
Popular Fields	Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Public Policy, Environmental Studies
Tuition Fees	CAD 20,000-50,000 per year
Eligibility	A 4-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with strong grades
Benefits	Opportunity to work part-time while studying, Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for gaining Canadian work experience

Why Pursue Masters from Canada?

A Masters degree in Canada for Nigerian students comes with a plethora of benefits. With 3 Canadian institutes (University of Toronto, McGill University, and University of British Columbia) consistently ranking among the world’s top 100 universities, the country’s education standards are renowned across the globe. Moreover, international students can also gain their student visa in under 20 working days, courtesy of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) programme. 

Apart from studies, Nigerian students can also work upto 20 hours per week for extra financial assistance and professional experience. They are also eligible for an Open Work Permit after their postgraduation is complete, allowing them to stay and work in Canada for 5 years. Students can also apply for PR (permanent residency) after working in the country for over a year.

Also Read: 8 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Nigerian Students

Masters Degree in Canada for Nigerian Students: Top Universities

Given below are the top 10 universities that offer a Masters degree in Canada for Nigerian students at lower tuition fees. While not all these institutes might be ranked by QS, it’s no reflection on the top-notch education they impart to their learners:

University	QS World Ranking 2024
McGill University	30
University of British Columbia	=34
University of Alberta	111
University of Calgary	182
Simon Fraser University	318
University of Saskatchewan	=345
Memorial University of Newfoundland	641-650
Brandon University	–
University of Winnipeg	–
Canadian Mennonite University	–

Intakes

Canadian universities typically offer 3 intakes for Masters programs for international students: fall, winter and summer. Out of these, the Fall intake is the most popular, offering the widest variety of programs and the most universities participating. Here’s a general overview of all the intakes and their application period for Nigerian students:

Intake	Application Period
Fall (September)	December – November/January.
Winter (January/February)	September – December
Summer (May/June)	November – February

Also Read: Best Universities in Canada for Nigerian Students

Popular Masters Degree in Canada for Nigerian Students (With Fees)

A Masters degree in Canada for Nigerian students has a duration of 1-2 years, varying with the discipline. They can choose from numerous qualifications such as MSc, MA, MFA, MEng, and MBA, among others, with the average tuition fees ranging from CAD 20,000-50,000 per year. 

Discipline	Tuition Fees
Master of Business Administration (MBA)	CAD 30,000 – 60,000 per year
Master of Management (MMgt)	CAD 25,000 – 45,000 per year
Master of Applied Science (MASc)	CAD 20,000 – 40,000 per year
Master of Engineering (MEng)	CAD 18,000 – 35,000 per year
MSc in Computer Science	CAD 22,000 – 42,000 per year
MEng in Computer Science	CAD 20,000 – 40,000 per year
Master of Public Policy (MPP)	CAD 25,000 – 45,000 per year
MA in Public Policy	CAD 20,000 – 40,000 per year
MSc in Environmental Science	CAD 22,000 – 42,000 per year
Master of Environmental Studies (MES)	CAD 20,000 – 40,000 per year

Scholarships

Since a Masters degree in Canada for Nigerian students can be quite expensive, they can avail of the following scholarships to ease their financial burden. Many Canadian universities offer their own scholarships specifically for international students, including Nigerians. Several organizations in Nigeria and Canada also provide scholarships, some of which are as follows:

Scholarship	Eligibility	Award/Benefits
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)	Open to all qualified students, including Nigerians, pursuing a Master’s or PhD in Ontario universities.  Strong academic record and research potential required.	$15,000 to $50,000 per year, with tuition fee exemption in some cases
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (VCGS)	Highly competitive scholarship for doctoral and post-doctoral students showing exceptional academic excellence, research potential, and leadership qualities. Open to all nationalities, including Nigerians.	$50,000 per year for 3 years, plus research and travel allowances
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)	Open to citizens of Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, pursuing postgraduate studies at a Commonwealth university in Canada.  Requires strong academic background and commitment to development.	Covers tuition fees, living expenses, return airfare, and an initial arrival allowance

Masters Degree in Canada for Nigerian Students: Eligibility Criteria

Here are the entry requirements needed to apply for a Masters degree in Canada for Nigerian students:

1. A 4-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in Nigeria, preferably in a field relevant to your desired Master’s program.
2. A strong GPA (minimum Second Class Lower, ideally Second Class Upper or higher) throughout your undergraduate studies.
3. English Language requirements: IELTS – 6.5 overall, with no band less than 6.0.
4. Standardized tests (GMAT/GRE) (for Business and Engineering courses).
5. An offer letter of admission from a Canadian university to pursue a Masters program.
6. Proof of financial support through bank statements, individuals, and university-provided scholarships.
7. A well-written SOP outlining your academic background, research interests, career goals, and reasons for choosing the specific program.
8. Strong letters of recommendation from professors familiar with your academic abilities and potential.
9. A well-formatted CV or resume highlighting your academic achievements, research experience, and relevant skills.
10. Portfolio (if applicable)

Masters Degree in Canada for Nigerian Students: Application Process

The application process for a Masters degree in Canada for Nigerian students generally involves several steps:

1. Research universities and Master’s programs that align with your academic interests and career goals.
2. Carefully review the entry requirements for each program you’re interested in. 
3. Start collecting the necessary documents well in advance.
4. Ensure your transcripts are official documents from your Nigerian university, translated into English if necessary.
5. Craft a compelling SOP that highlights your academic background, research experience (if any), career goals, and reasons for choosing the specific program.
6. Most universities have online application portals where you can submit your application electronically. Submit all required documents and pay any application fees by the deadlines.
7. Application deadlines vary with the institute, so be sure to check the deadlines for each program you’re applying to and submit well in advance to avoid missing out.
8. Some programs might require an interview as part of the application process. 
9. If accepted, you’ll need to apply for a student visa to study in Canada. 

Documents Required

• Official academic transcripts
• Bachelors degree from a recognized Nigerian university.
• English language proficiency test scores (IELTS, TOEFL)
• Standardized test scores (GRE/GMAT)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
• Portfolio (if applicable)
• Proof of financial support
• A current valid passport
• An offer letter from a Canadian university for acceptance into a Masters program
• Work experience (preferred)

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FAQs

We hope this blog gave you a detailed overview of Masters degree in Canada for Nigerian students. Stay tuned to Leverage Edu for more such updates on study abroad universities. Thank you for reading!