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Masters in Software Engineering in Canada: Top Universities, Fees, Deadlines Admissions, Scholarships, and Salary

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Puja Das • 11 Mins read • 23 Jul 25
Masters in Software Engineering in CanadaMasters in Software Engineering in Canada

Masters in Software Engineering in Canada is a 1-2 years full-time degree course. The course is available as M. Sc., M. A. Sc. or M. Eng. degrees. To get into the universities in Canada offering Masters in Software Engineering, Indian students require a GPA of 3.0 (85%) or above on a 4.0 scale in their undergraduate course. Indians should also prove their English proficiency with a satisfactory IELTS mark of 6.5 or equivalent for entry to the Canadian Institutes.

Indian students study Masters in Software Engineering in Canada to pursue in top ranked universities at a comparative affordable tuition fee than the USA. The universities in Canada charge between CAD 9666 to 36725 (INR 598000 to 2273000) yearly in tuition fees for the course. However, Master of software engineering in Canada confirms higher return on investment. Software engineering graduates in Canada reportedly earn between CAD 42000 and 143000 (INR 2599000 and 8852000) yearly across different job roles.


Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Highlights

Let’s know about a few important key points of the Masters in Software Engineering in Canada. 

Particulars

Details

Number of universities 

7

Duration 

1-2 years 

Degree type 

MA. Sc., M. Eng.

Minimum eligibility 

A 4-year bachelor’s degree in software engineering or equivalent 

Tuition Fees

8,000-59,000 CAD

Entrance Exams

IELTS and TOEFL

Intake session

January, May and September

Top Universities

McMaster University, Concordia University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Regina, Ontario Tech University and University of British Columbia


Masters in Software Engineering in Canada - Important Dates and Events

Masters in Software Engineering in Canada important dates and events university wise are mentioned in this table: 

University

Application Deadline

Concordia University

November 1, 2024 | March 1, 2025 | July 1, 2025

University of Regina

January 31, 2025 | July 31, 2025

McMaster University

March 30, 2025

University of Calgary

March 1, 2025

University of Waterloo

October 1, 2024 | December 1, 2024 | June 1, 2025

Western University

February 1, 2025

Polytechnic School of Montreal

February 1, 2025

Memorial University of Newfoundland

April 1, 2025

Ontario Tech University

April 1, 2025

November 14, 2024 | February 1, 2025


Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Fees

Check out the Masters in Software Engineering in Canada fees of the some reputed universities in Canada in details in this section: 

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees of the top universities are mentioned in this section:

University 

Tuition Fees (yearly)

Concordia University

36725 CAD

University of Regina 

16733 CAD

McMaster University 

27498.62 CAD

University of Calgary

19178.7 CAD

University of Waterloo

17065.26 CAD

Western University 

32117.92 CAD

Memorial University of Newfoundland

9666 CAD

Ontario Tech University

22313.12 CAD

Living cost

On average the living cost in Canada is 63000 CAD or 3899000 yearly. This cost includes room rent, food, transportation and other miscellaneous costs. The living cost in Canada is based on factors, such as location of university, health insurance, distance of home from university campus, accommodation type and personal lifestyle. 

Cities

Living Cost

Waterloo

$2011

London

$1762

Montreal

$1354

Regina

$1180

Calgary

$1171

Oshawa

$1100


Why Choose a Masters in Software Engineering in Canada?

Choosing a Masters in Software Engineering in Canada offers a combination of top-tier education, strong career benefits and a high quality of life, making it an attractive option for international students.

  • Excellent career benefits: The technology sector of Canada is experiencing significant growth, with high demand for skilled software engineers. In addition, the IT industry is projected to reach substantial revenue by 2024, creating numerous job openings. As well as, graduates can find opportunities in diverse industries, including software development, cybersecurity, game development and more. 
  • High-quality Education: Canadian universities consistently rank high internationally, serving a strong foundation in software engineering principles and practical applications. Additionally, the curriculum often includes hands-on training, research opportunities and a focus on developing both leadership and technical skills.
  • Welcoming Environment and high quality of Life: Canada is known for its multicultural society, serving a diverse and inclusive environment for global students. Moreover, Canadian universities are known for their supportive academic environment and smaller class sizes, confirming personalized attention and opportunities for collaboration. 

Also Check : Masters in Aerospace Engineering in Canada

Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Qualification

Masters in Software engineering in Canada Qualification is explored in this table: 

Particulars

Details

Required Degrees

A four-year bachelor’s degree is a significant field that is generally required. 

English Proficiency

IELTS and TOEFL


Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Eligibility Criteria – Category-wise

Meeting the Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Eligibility Criteria is one of the significant criteria you have to qualify if you wish to go for this course. Since most of the colleges and universities have various academic requirements for admission, the most common ones are identified ahead:

Particulars

Details 

Bachelor Degree

You must have a four-year bachelor’s degree in software engineering from an accredited university. Having an engineering degree in subjects like science mathematics or computer science or any other related course is also eligible. The minimum GPA score at an undergraduate level is at least 3.0 GPA over the last two years of the degree. 

English Proficiency Test Scores

If you are applying as an international student and are from a non-native English-speaking country, you will be required to submit the language test scores as a part of the admission method in case of IELTS or TOEFL. The expected test scores are IELTS is 6.5 to 7.0 and TOEFL is 75 - 90.  

Work Experience

Although it is not important to have work experience in engineering courses, having work experience before applying for a master’s in Canada will act as a gold dust in your profile. This may boost your university application and higher your admission acceptance rate. 

Study Permit

As an international student, you will have to submit a Canadian study permit at the university. This document is used by the Canadian government to assist you in pursuing software engineering courses in Canada. It is suggested to apply for the study permit at the nearest embassy before the date of your travelling. 


Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Application Process

The admission process for Masters in Software Engineering in Canadian universities usually takes place in three different intakes like fall, winter and summer sessions with fall being the most competitive one. Apart from the intake session, some universities and colleges like the University of Calgary offer admissions on a rolling basis. Confirm you check out the exact application dates on the university website before filling out the application form.

  • Step 1: Browse the official website of your desired university.
  • Step 2: Search for the course you are applying for.
  • Step 3: Visit the program page and check the eligibility criteria of the course.
  • Step 4: Click on the application form on the program page and collect all the required documents served on the page.
  • Step 5: Fill up the application form and pay the fees.
  • Step 6: You can check the admission status at the university website using the module credentials you get at the time of application.
  • Step 7: If you are accepted at the university, accept the offer letter and pay the tuition fees to confirm your seat acceptance. 
  • Step 8: Prepare the admission documents and apply for the study permit at the nearest embassy.  

GRE Requirements

  • While many Canadian universities require the GRE for masters in software engineering, some reputable institutions offer courses without it.
  • Universities that may not require GRE are University of Toronto, Concordia University, University of Manitoba, Royal Roads University and University of Windsor. 

SOP, LOR, and Resume

Particulars

Details

SOP

Yes, Required

LOR

Yes, Required

Resume

Yes, Required


Top Masters in Software Engineering Entrance Exams for Canada

For Masters in software engineering in Canada, entrance exams are:

IELTS/TOEFL Tips

  • Start preparing for the IELTS/TOEFL exam as soon as possible to enable ample time for improvement and practice.
  • Use the official TOEFL and IELTS guides to comprehend the exam format, question types and marking criteria.
  • Take full-length practice tests under timed conditions to stimulate the actual exam experience.
  • Analyze your performance on practice tests to pinpoint the weak points.


Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Cutoff

Masters in Software Engineering in Canada cutoff marks is identified below:

Exam

Cutoff marks

Undergraduate degree

GPA of 3.0 (85%) or higher on a 4.0 scale

IELTS/TOEFL Score Cutoffs

Masters in Software Engineering in Canada IELTS/TOEFL cutoff marks are mentioned here:

Exams 

Cutoff

IELTS

6.5 - 7.0

TOEFL

79 to 90

Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Syllabus

Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Syllabus are explained in this part:

First Year:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Information Technology and Project Management

Personal Development and Research Management

Reliability Management

Software Quality Engineering

Engineering Chemistry

Android Application Development

Software Engineering Support Environments

Modern Physics

Environmental Studies

Multivariate Calculus and Differential Equations

Second Year

Semester 3

Semester 4

Comprehensive Examination

Data Warehousing

Problem Solving using C

Network Programming

English for Engineers

Multimedia Computing

Comprehensive Examination

Data Warehousing

Ethics and Values

Technical Communication


Best Universities/Colleges for Masters in Software Engineering in Canada

Best universities for masters in software engineering in Canada are listed in this table:

University

Course

Location

Concordia University

M. Eng. Software Engineering

Montreal, Quebec

University of Regina

M. Eng. Software Systems Engineering (Co op)

Regina, Saskatchewan

Master of Applied Science in Software Systems Engineering (Thesis)

McMaster University

MA. Sc. Software Engineering

Hamilton, Ontario

MSc Computing and Software

University of Calgary

Masters in Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering (Software Specialization)

Calgary, Alberta

University of Waterloo

Master of Mathematics in Computer Science - Software Engineering

Waterloo, Ontario

Western University

MEng in Software Engineering

London, Ontario

Polytechnic School of Montreal

M. Eng. Software Engineering

Montreal, Quebec

Memorial University of Newfoundland

MA. Sc. Software Engineering

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Ontario Tech University

M. Eng. Software Engineering

Oshawa, Ontario

MA. Sc. Software Engineering


Public Universities

Public university for Masters in Software Engineering in Canada with its QS rankings are identified in this section: 

University

QS Rank

University of Regina

1001 - 1200

McMaster University

176

University of Calgary

211

University of Waterloo

119

Western University

114

Polytechnic School of Montreal

38

Memorial University of Newfoundland

601 - 650


Masters in Software Engineering in Canada VS Masters in Software Engineering in India 

A Masters in Software Engineering in Canada generally serves a higher emphasis on practical, hands-on experience and research scopes, while Indian universities serve a more cost-effective option with strong theoretical foundations.

Particulars

Masters in Software Engineering in Canada

Masters in Software Engineering in India

Cost

Tuition fees and living cost in Canada can be relevantly higher than in India. 

Studying Masters in software Engineering in India is generally more affordable than Canada, especially regarding tuition fees. 

Focus

Masters in Software Engineering in Canada focuses on practical experience, including research opportunities, placements and lab work. 

Masters in Software Engineering in India focuses on a strong theoretical foundation in software engineering, which can be beneficial for particular career paths. 

Career Opportunities

While opportunities exist, the job market in Canada can be competitive, especially for international graduates. 

The Tech Industry of India is rapidly expanding, serving numerous opportunities for software engineers. 


Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Scholarships

There are various types of scholarships, programs and awards in Canada for global students that could aid them financially, below we have discussed some of the important scholarships for Masters in Software Engineering in Canada:

Scholarship Name

Eligibility Criteria

Benefits

Provost Entrance Scholarship, McMaster University

International students with outstanding academic achievement in previous education.

CAD 7,500 (INR 4,49,968)

The McMaster University Award of Excellence

Global students with a final admission average in the Top 10% of faculty.

CAD 3,000 (INR 1,79,987)

Ontario Graduate Scholarships, Western University

Students should have a minimum average mark of 80% in their last program.

CAD 15,000 (INR 8,99,936)

Arun Mishra Graduate Scholarship in Engineering, University of Calgary

Students must admit in a full-time master’s in engineering program

CAD 2,000 (INR 1,19,991)


Career Scope After Masters in Software Engineering in Canada

A masters in Software Engineering in Canada serves excellent career benefits because of the high demand for skilled professionals in the booming tech industry. Graduates can study different roles such as data scientist, web developer, software engineer and software developer. 

  • Software Developer/Engineer: Develop, test and maintain software applications, performing on different technologies and platforms.
  • Web Developer: Focus on maintaining and creating websites and web applications, both front-end and back-end.
  • Data Scientist: Analyze large data series to extract valuable insights, build predictive models, and contribute to data-driven decision-making.
  • Cybersecurity Engineer: Protect computer systems and networks from cyber threats, ensuring data and system security.
  • Cloud Computing specialist: Design, implement and control cloud-based services and infrastructure. 


Top Recruiters/Placement Companies

Top recruiters for Masters in Software Engineering in Canada are listed ahead:

  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • IBM
  • Facebook
  • Apple
  • Bell
  • Shopify
  • Scotiabank
  • CIBC
  • TD Bank
  • BMO
  • RBC
  • Door Dash
  • Intuit
  • Asana
  • Lyft


Masters in Software Engineering in Canada Salary Package

Masters in software engineering in Canada salary package of students is identified in this table:

Job Profile

Average Annual Salary

Software Engineer

CAD 92,710 

Software Developer

CAD 76,136 

Software Security

CAD 86,993 

Software Development Manager

CAD 115,000 

Software Designer

CAD 74,997 

Average Salary for Indian Students

Masters in software engineering in Canada average salary for Indian students are identified here: 

Job Profile

Average Annual Salary

Software Engineer

INR 55,62,202

Software Developer

INR 45,67,833

Software Security

INR 52,19,206

Software Development Manager

INR 68,99,506

Software Designer

INR 44,99,498


Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Are software Engineers in high demand in Canada?

Ans. Yes, Canada has a good demand for skilled software engineers, with the growing digital transformation of different businesses. Software engineers are in high demand throughout healthcare, e-commerce, education and finance sectors in Canada. According to the Labour Market Information Survey, around 44300 jobs are expected to grow in the Software Engineering and Design industry in Canada.

Ques. Is a Master of Software Engineering in Canada affordable?

Ans. The institutions in Canada offer Masters in Software Engineering courses at different ranges of tuition fees. Some of the most affordable universities offering the course and their yearly tuition fees are, University of Waterloo (CAD 17065), University of Regina (CAD 16733) and Memorial University of Newfoundland (CAD 9666). 

Ques. How much does a Masters in Software Engineering in Canada pay?

Ans. Masters in Software Engineering in Canada is a highly rewarding degree course. Graduates of the program reportedly earn an average yearly salary of CAD 83269 or INR 5152000.

Ques. What jobs are available after Masters in Software Engineering in Canada?

Ans. After completing Masters in software engineering in Canada, some commonly studied job roles are, Project Manager, Full Stack Software Developer, Programmer, software Engineer, Web developer. These professionals can expect average annual salaries between CAD 42000 and 143000 or INR 2599000 and 8852000. 

Ques. What jobs are available after Masters in Software Engineering in Canada?

Ans. After completing Masters in software engineering in Canada, some commonly studied job roles are, web developer, programmer analyst, software engineer, programmer, project manager and full stack software developer. These professionals can expect average yearly salaries between CAD 42000 and CAD 143000 (INR 2599000 and 8852000).