Many international students are traveling to Canada to pursue graduate engineering courses. As per “Engineers Canada” statistics, there are over 300,000 engineers in Canada. The most popular course among engineering graduate courses in Canada is civil engineering. The program usually lasts for 1-2 years. The master’s (MS) in civil engineering in Canada is offered either as a Master of Applied Science (MASc), Master of Science (MSc), or Master of Engineering (MEng).
The MASc or MSc is a thesis-based program, an academic course that emphasizes original research and research methodology. MEng is a course- or program-based degree in which students must finish courses as well as write and present a research project. The annual fees for both the MASc and MEng programs vary from university to university and usually fall in the range of 8,000 to 45,000 CAD per year. This article exclusively discusses the popular universities that offer master’s (MS) in civil engineering in Canada, their fees, requirements, and more.
Highlights: Masters (MS) in Civil Engineering in Canada
| Number of universities | ~18 universities |
| Number of programs | 43 |
| Type of degree | MASc, MEng, MSc |
| Duration of program | 1-2 years |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Entrance tests | None |
| Annual tuition fees | 8,000 to 45,000 CAD |
Best Universities in Canada to Study MS in Civil Engineering
The EduCanada website lists over 43 master’s programs under the civil engineering category. All these programs are taught in English. Most of these courses are full-time and very few can be completed part-time. The following table lists the popular Canadian universities that provide MS in civil engineering programs along with their rankings.
| University Name | THE World University Rankings 2023 by Subject: Civil Engineering | QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Civil and Structural Engineering |
| University of British Columbia | 40 | 25 |
| University of Toronto | 18 | 30 |
| University of Waterloo | 201-250 | 51-100 |
| University of Alberta | 118 | 101-150 |
| University of Calgary | 201-250 | 151-200 |
| Western University | 201-250 | 151-200 |
| McMaster University | 85 | 201-220 |
| Dalhousie University | 301-350 | – |
| University of Manitoba | 351-400 | – |
| York University | 401-500 | – |
Cost of Studying Masters in Civil Engineering in Canada
The tuition fees for masters in civil engineering in Canada ranges between 8,000 to 45,000 CAD per year. Canadian universities also charge supplementary fees to help support campus-wide services. The table below contains average tuition fees for popular universities offering MS in civil engineering programs in Canada. These fees are subject to change every year.
| University Name | Program Name and Duration | Annual Tuition Fees (CAD) |
|
McMaster University
|
Civil Engineering (MASc), 1-2 years |
17,096
|
| Civil Engineering (MEng), 1-2 years | ||
|
Western University
|
Master of Engineering in Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1.5 years | 7,802 |
| Master of Engineering Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2 years | 15,045 | |
|
Dalhousie University
|
Civil Engineering and Planning (MASc/MPlan), 2 years |
16,860
|
| Civil Engineering and Planning, Master of Planning (MEng/MPlan), 2 years | ||
| Civil and Resource Engineering (MASc), 2 years | ||
| Civil and Resource Engineering (MEng), 2 years | ||
| York University | Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Civil Engineering, 2 years | 19,662 |
|
University of Toronto
|
Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering, 3 years |
30,120
|
| Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering, 3 years | ||
|
University of Waterloo
|
Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering, 2 years | 23,088 |
| Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering – Water, 2 years | 23,088 | |
| Master of Engineering (MEng) in Civil Engineering, 2 years | 45,966 | |
| Master of Engineering (MEng) in Civil Engineering – Nuclear Engineering, 2 years | 45,966 | |
|
University of British Columbia
|
Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering, 2 years | 9,500 |
| Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering, 1-1.3 years | 23,913 | |
|
University of Calgary
|
Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering, 1-2 years |
13,597
|
| Master of Science (MSc) in Civil Engineering, 2 years | ||
|
University of Alberta
|
Master of Science (Civil and Environmental Engineering), 1.3-1.5 years |
40,290
|
| Master of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering), 9 months-4 years | ||
|
University of Manitoba
|
Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering (MEng), 1.5 years |
13,185
|
| Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSc), 2 years |
In addition to tuition and supplementary fees, international students also have to factor in the cost of living in Canada. Depending on the area where the student lives, the type of accommodation, and spending habits, the living expenses can range from CAD 15,000 to CAD 20,000 per year.
Academic Requirements
Bachelor’s degree
The minimum requirement for admission to the MS program in civil engineering is a bachelor’s degree (BASc, BEng, or equivalent) in civil engineering or a related discipline like physical science. A minimum B average or GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% in the final two years of the bachelor’s degree program is required for admission.
English language proficiency
International students whose first language is not English must and should submit an English language proficiency score as a part of admission requirements for master’s (MS) in civil engineering. Here is a list of accepted English language test scores by Canadian universities.
| Exam Name | Minimum Score |
| TOEFL (paper-based) | 550 |
| TOEFL (internet-based) | 80 |
| IELTS (academic module) | 6.5 |
| PTE academic | 60 |
| Duolingo | 120 |
Entrance tests
Canadian universities do not ask students to sit or any entrance test for a masters in civil engineering course. Admissions are based on merit.
References and other documents
Canadian universities require students to submit two reference letters and a statement of purpose along with their application. Few universities also ask students to submit a CV or resume.
Scholarships for MS in Civil Engineering in Canada
In Canada, international students are eligible for a variety of scholarships and other financial aid, like bursaries. These scholarships are offered by the Canadian government, member organizations, or universities.
Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program: Students from OAS member states planning to study (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) in Canada are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Commonwealth Scholarship Plan: Funded by Global Affairs Canada, this scholarship is for talented and motivated individuals who wish to study for a master’s degree in Canada.
International Scholar Awards (University of Toronto): Academically exceptional international students are automatically considered for this scholarship upon admission to the University of Toronto.
The University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship: International students admitted to first-year master’s or doctoral programs are considered for this scholarship. They are awarded 1,000 CAD per term for up to three terms.
International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship (IGSES): International students admitted to a graduate program at the University of Manitoba can apply for this scholarship. They must, however, have a 3.5 GPA in their previous two years of study to be eligible.
Career Prospects After MS in Civil Engineering in Canada
Civil engineering graduates get employed in significant engineering and administrative positions due to their immense depth of knowledge. A civil engineer’s professional practice comprises the conception, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a variety of private and public projects in the following domains
- Construction
- Water supply systems
- Utilities
- Environmental technology and consulting
- Transportation infrastructure
- Marketing
- Education
- Patent law
Some civil engineers even work as consultants in engineering projects or in specialized areas of research to find creative solutions to challenging global and industrial problems. They typically get employed as technicians, managers, supervisors, senior managers, or directors depending on their level of expertise and experience. The median civil engineer pay in Canada is CAD 80,000 per year, with entry-level salaries starting at CAD 63,896 and experienced civil engineers earning in the six figures, such as CAD 110,019 each year (Talent.com). The civil engineering discipline is expected to grow in Canada and create over 19,100 new job openings by 2026.
Conclusion
Canada ranks #4 in the USN Education Rankings worldwide, and its growing popularity has attracted over 621,565 international students. This number is expected to grow even more in the coming years. It is one of the best countries to pursue a degree in the STEM field, especially a masters in civil engineering. Students can either choose to pursue it as a MASc or MEng, depending on their choice. We at Gyanberry offer admission counseling services to aid students in making the right choice. If you are interested in learning more, book a free video call today with our expert counselors. Their tremendous experience has helped many students achieve their dream of studying in Canada.
