Quick answer

The essentials at a glance

Nepali graduates can start a masters in Canada with a recognized bachelor's degree, about a B average and an English score. A master's at a public school needs no provincial letter. It can also lead to a work permit of up to 3 years. This page covers entry rules, 1 year programs, fees, universities and how to apply.

Key takeaways

Main points from this page

  • The average master's level fee for international students in Canada is CAD 24,693 for 2026/27.
  • The University of Manitoba asks for a 3.0 average in your last 60 credit hours.
  • The University of Toronto's graduate school asks for IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each part.
  • Ivey Business School runs a 12-month MBA that asks for two years of work experience.
  • Outside Quebec, you must show CAD 23,448 for living costs plus first-year tuition.
By Goreto Team
Published on Oct 19, 2021
By Goreto Team
Published on Oct 19, 2021

Good news for Nepali graduates: a master’s in Canada is simpler to start now, as public schools no longer need a provincial letter. Fees can be lower than many families expect. This guide covers entry rules, one-year options, costs and universities.

A master’s is one route if you plan to study in Canada from Nepal. All fees here are in Canadian dollars, and rupee figures are rounded. See today’s value on our CAD to Rs forex converter.

Why Do Nepali Students Choose a Masters in Canada?

Nepali students choose a masters in Canada for lower average fees than a bachelor’s, no provincial letter at public schools, and a work permit of up to 3 years.

Why study a masters in Canada

Three facts matter most. The national average graduate fee is CAD 24,693 a year for 2026/27, well below the bachelor’s average. IRCC, Canada’s immigration department, doesn’t ask for a provincial attestation letter for a master’s degree program at a public school.

After you graduate, a master’s can lead to a post-graduation work permit of up to 3 years. There is no field-of-study rule for a master’s degree. Our PGWP guide has the details, and our PAL guide explains who still needs a letter.

What Are the Requirements for Masters in Canada?

You usually need a recognized bachelor’s degree with about a B average, an English test score and your supporting documents, though some programs also want work experience.

The University of Manitoba asks for a four-year bachelor’s or equivalent with 3.0 in your last 60 credit hours. The University of Toronto wants at least a mid-B in your final year. Our guide to the GPA required to study in Canada shows more examples.

Many Nepali bachelor’s degrees take three years, so check this first. Some master’s programs ask for four years of study. Your degree may also need review, and our degree equivalence guide explains the steps in Nepal.

English rules are stricter than for a bachelor’s. Toronto’s graduate school asks for IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each part, and McGill’s graduate office doesn’t accept PTE. Our guide to PTE vs IELTS vs TOEFL for Canada helps you choose a test.

Applying for a masters in Canada

Most applications also ask for these papers:

Are There 1 Year Masters Programs in Canada?

Yes, 1 year masters programs in Canada exist, mostly in business and other course-based fields, but research master’s degrees usually take longer.

  • Ivey Business School: Its MBA runs for 12 months full time and asks for two years of work experience.
  • University of Manitoba: Its Asper MBA takes 12 months to two years full time.
  • Schulich School of Business: Its accelerated MBA can take as little as 8 months, if your earlier business study qualifies.

Before you pick a short course, check its length against the work permit rule. A program under 8 months doesn’t lead to a PGWP, so check that first. IRCC also says your work permit length depends on your study and your passport expiry, so keep your passport valid.

Which Universities in Canada Are Good for Masters?

Good universities in Canada for masters are the ones that offer your subject at a fee you can show, so Nepali students should compare several.

Universities for a masters in Canada

We don’t rank universities, since the right one depends on your course and budget. Start with our best universities in Canada for Nepali students page, which links each profile. These profiles are useful if you want a smaller or lower-fee choice:

Choosing the right university for a masters

Choose your subject first, not a famous name, and keep 2 or 3 schools on your list. Then compare fees, your city’s living costs, and whether a school accepts your English test. Don’t count on one school either, as UBC’s graduate office says meeting its minimums doesn’t mean you will be admitted. Apply to more than one school.

Which Masters Courses Can You Study in Canada?

Popular master’s choices for Nepali students include business, data science, public health and engineering, and most run for 1 to 2 years.

Read the guide closest to your plan:

Keep your course logical. A master’s that follows your bachelor’s or your work is easier to explain in your SOP for a Canada student visa. A sudden change of field needs a clear reason, so plan how you will explain it.

How Much Does a Masters in Canada Cost?

A masters in Canada costs about CAD 24,693 a year on average, or about Rs 26 lakh, but real fees vary widely by school and course.

University and programFee from its own page (CAD)
Memorial University, Plan A1,611 a semester for six semesters
Mount Saint Vincent University, six courses15,789 in tuition and fees
Saint Paul University, master’s10,481.48 a term
University of Manitoba, Asper MBA60,770 for the whole program
McGill University, full-time MBA108,500 in tuition

You must also show CAD 23,448 for living costs outside Quebec, plus first-year tuition. That is about Rs 25 lakh for living costs alone. Our Canada proof of funds guide explains how to show it from Nepal, and our cost to study in Canada guide builds a full budget.

For help paying, read about scholarships to study in Canada and compare the cheapest universities in Canada.

How Do You Apply for Masters in Canada from Nepal?

Choose your program, check its rules, apply directly to the university, then use your acceptance letter to apply for a study permit.

Application process for a masters in Canada

  1. Shortlist 3 or 4 programs: Read each one’s own page for deadlines, marks and English rules.
  2. Prepare early: Take your English test and get your degree documents ready.
  3. Apply: Each university has its own form and fee, and research programs may need a supervisor first.
  4. Apply for your permit: Follow our Canada student visa requirements page once you have your letter.

Our guide to Canada intakes helps you plan the timing. Want support? Talk to a counselor at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari or Pokhara branch through our contact page. You can also read about the best consultancy for Canada.

FAQs on Masters in Canada

Sometimes. Many programs ask for four years of study, so a three-year degree can limit your choices. Ivey accepts three-year degrees for its MBA, while Manitoba asks for a four-year degree or equivalent. Ask each school early.

Often about a B. The University of Manitoba asks for 3.0 in your last 60 credit hours, and the University of Toronto wants at least a mid-B in your final year.

Not for a master’s degree program at a public school, according to IRCC. You do need one at most private schools, and Quebec has its own certificate, the CAQ.

Outside Quebec, you show CAD 23,448 for living costs, plus your first-year tuition. That living cost part alone is about Rs 25 lakh. Quebec sets its own figure.

It depends on your school. Some accept PTE or TOEFL instead, and a few may waive the test in special cases. Read your program’s English page, since graduate rules are often stricter.

Many take 1 to 2 years. Business programs can be shorter, such as Ivey’s 12-month MBA. Research programs often need longer.

Yes, you can work up to 24 hours a week off campus while classes are on, if your study permit allows it. Our part-time jobs in Canada guide lists common roles.

A master’s can help you gain Canadian work experience through a work permit of up to 3 years. PR is a separate application with its own rules, and no degree promises it.

Sources

Reference links

  1. Canadian and international tuition fees by level of study Statistics Canada. Last updated 16 September 2026.
  2. Provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
  3. Proof of financial support for a study permit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Last updated 28 August 2026.
  4. About the post-graduation work permit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
  5. Graduate admission requirements University of Manitoba.
  6. Admission and application requirements University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies.

Disclaimer

Important guidance note

This page provides general guidance about studying abroad. Requirements, fees and policies can change. For advice about your situation, speak with a Goreto counselor before applying.

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