Do you dream of earning your master’s degree in data science abroad? Canada offers several strong options. Data science is an interdisciplinary field that uses computing, statistics, mathematics, and domain knowledge to extract insights from data. Because the field brings together multiple disciplines, students can build a broad set of technical and analytical skills.
After earning an undergraduate degree in data science or a related quantitative field, many students consider a master’s degree to deepen their training and improve their career options. This post discusses several universities offering data science-related master’s programs in Canada. Read on to learn how you can start exploring these institutions.
Top Schools Offering Data Science Master’s Programs in Canada
Seven universities with data science-related master’s programs are listed in this section.
1. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto offers the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) with a Data Science concentration. The concentration trains students in statistics, machine learning, programming, data visualization, and big data, and includes the opportunity to apply knowledge through an applied research internship. Check the requirements and apply if this program matches your academic background and career goals.
2. University of British Columbia
To help address the skills gap in the workforce, the Master of Data Science program at the University of British Columbia equips students with technical skills, practical experience, and confidence for opportunities in a growing field. The accelerated, 10-month, full-time program is available at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan. UBC Vancouver also offers a Master of Data Science in Computational Linguistics.
3. University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo lists two data science graduate programs: the Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MDSAI) and the Master of Mathematics (MMath) in Data Science. The MDSAI is a coursework program with nine graduate courses, while the MMath in Data Science is a research-based thesis program usually completed in four to six terms. To help with expenses, students can review Waterloo’s funding opportunities, including scholarships and, for MMath students, possible teaching or research assistantship support.
4. University of Calgary
The University of Calgary offers a Master of Data Science and Analytics (MDSA), a course-based professional graduate program. The program is delivered in person and is designed to be completed in 12 months of full-time study. Students complete four core courses, four specialization courses, an integrated topics course, and a research or professional internship. Specialization options include Data Science, Business Analytics, Financial and Energy Markets Data Modelling, and Health Data Science and Biostatistics.
5. York University
York University offers data science study at the graduate level through its Graduate Program in Mathematics & Statistics. Its one-year MA includes core courses based on an area of specialization, including data science, plus electives and a survey paper, courses, or a thesis. The department also offers MSc (Applied & Industrial), MA, and PhD options. This is different from a standalone MSc Data Science program, so confirm the degree and specialization that best fit your goals before applying.
6. Western University
Western University offers a Master of Data Analytics (MDA), a one-year, full-time, in-person professional science master’s program. It is not offered part-time or online. The program includes technical data analytics training and experiential learning, helping students prepare for analytics-focused careers in the public or private sector.
7. University of Victoria
The University of Victoria offers an MEng in Applied Data Science (MADS). This intensive, course-based master’s program is designed for motivated students and IT professionals, has an expected length of one year, is full-time and on-campus, and offers optional co-op. The program is self-funded, and UVic directs students to its tuition fee estimator for current costs, so international students should confirm the latest total program cost before applying.
FAQS About Studying Master’s in Data Science
What is the Annual Salary in Canada for Graduates with a Master’s in Data Science?
Data scientists work across many industries because they help organizations use data to make decisions. In Canada, the Government of Canada’s Job Bank reports national data scientist wages of CAD 30.00/hour at the low end, CAD 46.15/hour as the median, and CAD 69.74/hour at the high end. Using a 40-hour workweek, this roughly equals CAD 62,400, CAD 95,992, and CAD 145,059 annually. Actual salary can vary by province, employer, work experience, and role.
The discussion above offers suggestions for universities where you can study data science at the master’s level in Canada. To increase your expertise, you can also look into Canadian universities that offer Ph.D. programs in data science.
We hope that this article on universities in Canada offering Master’s in Data Science programs was helpful. You can find more resources about studying in Canada on the Canada Page, including various Available Courses for International Students.
