Study master's or doctoral programs at Canadian universities.

Program Types

• Master's Programs: 1-2 years (thesis or course-based)
• Doctoral (PhD) Programs: 4-6 years
• Professional Master's: MBA, MPA, MEng, etc.

Eligibility Requirements

• Acceptance letter from DLI university
• Bachelor's degree (for master's) or master's degree (for PhD)
• Strong academic record (typically 3.0+ GPA)
• English or French language proficiency
• Research proposal (for research-based programs)
• References and CV
• Proof of financial support

Language Requirements

Generally higher than undergraduate:

• IELTS Academic: Overall 6.5-7.0, no band less than 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: 90-100+
• Some programs may require specific section scores

Spouse Open Work Permit

Your spouse/partner may be eligible for open work permit if you're in:

• Master's program at publicly-funded university
• Doctoral program at publicly-funded university
• Eligible professional degree program (medicine, veterinary, dentistry, law)

This allows your spouse to work for any employer while you study.

Work While Studying

Off-Campus: Up to 24 hours/week during semesters, full-time during breaks

On-Campus: Unlimited hours

Research/Teaching Assistant: Often provided by university (full-time during semester allowed)

Post-Graduation Work Permit

Master's Programs (1-2 years):

• Get PGWP equal to program length (up to 3 years)
• New rule Nov 1, 2024+: Programs under 2 years may get 3-year PGWP if master's degree

Doctoral Programs:

• Always get 3-year PGWP (maximum)

Funding Opportunities

• Graduate Research Assistantships
• Teaching Assistantships
• University scholarships and fellowships
• Tri-Council funding (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR)
• External scholarships (Mitacs, Vanier, etc.)

Costs

• Master's tuition: $15,000-$35,000/year
• PhD tuition: $7,000-$20,000/year (often funded)
• Living expenses: $15,000-$20,000/year

Pathway to PR

Graduate programs provide excellent PR pathway:

• Express Entry: Additional CRS points for Canadian master's/PhD
• Provincial PhD streams: Some provinces nominate PhD graduates directly
• Canadian Experience Class: After 1 year of skilled work with PGWP
• Master's bonus: +30 CRS points for Canadian master's in Express Entry

Application Timeline

• Research and identify programs: 12-18 months before start
• Prepare application materials: 6-12 months before deadlines
• Submit university applications: 6-12 months before start (varies by program)
• Language tests: At least 4-6 months before application
• Study permit application: As soon as you receive acceptance