Best Universities in Canada for STEM Courses

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Subhashri Roy
Updated on Apr 01, 2023 03:54 PM IST

Universities in Canada for STEM courses provide a variety of top specialisations that can meet the dynamic demands of the labour market. Continue reading below to know more about the top STEM courses in Canada, eligibility criteria, the best STEM universities in Canada, and more.

Best Universities in Canada for STEM Courses

How we live, work, socialise, and even entertain ourselves is nowadays defined by technology. Hence, it should come as no surprise that STEM education and careers have taken the lead in modern society. The STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — are those that are a part of our daily lives, and their primacy is soaring as graduates may have unbounded and indefinite employment opportunities.

Universities in Canada are acclaimed and highly regarded worldwide for the calibre of their education, curriculum, and methods of instruction. The best universities in Canada for STEM are the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Montreal, etc. which are among the world's finest for university education. As they provide the finest and most enticing educational quality and ground-breaking research success stories, STEM courses in Canada are highly regarded.

While choosing a study abroad destination to pursue STEM courses, Indian students often choose to study in Canada. The main reasons for this inclination include research opportunities, practical training, better career opportunities, industry exposure, versatile courses, and the best work profile. While studying STEM courses in Canada, there are multiple prospects for hands-on training. The student will often be exposed to the application of their gathered knowledge during their final year or last semester.

Canadian universities recognise the enormous potential for research and development in STEM fields, and as such, they have partnered with indigenous community research centres, research facilities, and natural resource research centres to further research commencing at least on an undergraduate level. 

Did you know that Canada's engagement in the NASA-led lunar gateway and funding for a national space policy contributed to an upsurge in engineering jobs? If not, then ask our experts about STEM graduate job opportunities in Canada!

Explore STEM Graduate Job Opportunities in Canada!

Advantages of Studying STEM Courses in Canada

Graduates of STEM courses in Canada have the chance to work with cutting-edge technology and come up with innovative solutions to specific challenges. STEM education helps students build transferable skills including mathematical modelling, analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, study interpretation, and more. Refer to the following points to understand the benefits of studying STEM courses in Canada:

  • Due to the easier processes for obtaining PR in Canada and the availability of post-study work opportunities, most Indian students prefer to study in Canada.

  • Universities in Canada for STEM courses across the nation provide worthwhile STEM-related employment and research opportunities through co-op programmes that are designed to provide students with real-world work experience in addition to their distinctive teaching methods.

  • Holders of degrees in STEM fields from the best universities in Canada for STEM courses within defined geographic areas are eligible for routes to legal residency as well as a post-graduation work visa good for a maximum of three years. Most Canadian provinces have a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that gives priority to individuals having studied in the fields of computer programming, technology, and mathematics.

  • STEM universities in Canada provide higher degrees at remarkably low tuition fees when compared to other countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. As opposed to USD 40,000 to USD 42,700 in the US and GBP 11,000 to GBP 24,000 in the UK, pursuing a STEM degree in Canada may cost between CAD 35,000 to CAD 36,000 on average.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for STEM Courses in Canada

The eligibility criteria to study at the best universities in Canada for STEM may vary from one institution to another. However, the following are the general admission/eligibility criteria for STEM courses in Canada:

  • You must have completed at least 16 years of education including a four-year undergraduate degree in case you are applying for a postgraduate degree in STEM. If you are applying for an undergraduate STEM degree, you would be required to have qualified at least high school.

  • You must also fulfil the minimum academic criteria for a STEM degree - 65% to 70% (overall) in a bachelor/master's degree in a related field. On the other hand, the best STEM universities in Canada may require at least 75% to 80% (overall).

  • You must have obtained the cutoff for admission tests such as the GMAT exam or GRE for Masters and SAT or the ACT exam for Bachelors STEM courses.

  • You must also have obtained the required minimum marks in accepted English English proficiency tests such as the IELTS exam, TOEFL or PTE Academic.

List of STEM Courses in Canada

Canada takes pride in having top colleges and renowned research centres. This is because the country has a high-quality infrastructure, interdisciplinary critical pedagogy, and a focus on teaching employable skills. Given below are the top STEM courses in Canada, widely popular among international students:

Course Name

Average Annual Salary (in CAD)

Aerospace engineering

81,969 

Chemical engineering

65597

Biochemistry

57150

Astronomy

97767 

Computer science

72,841 

Civil engineering

66814

Biology

55,241 

Chemistry

61,453 

Electrical engineering

70228

Mechanical engineering

66197 

Mathematics

51,600 

Psychology

58,511

Information Science

76,689 

Physics

72,427 

Computer Programming

55717 

Food technology and processing

48774

Note: The list is not exhaustive and is subject to change.

List of Top 15 STEM Universities in Canada

A variety of programmes has been proposed by the Canadian government and its federal partners to boost Canadians' involvement in STEM. The need for people who can perform STEM-related positions is expected to grow, thus Canada is making efforts to make sure that its workforce is prepared to handle new challenges. The following are the 15 best universities in Canada for STEM courses along with their annual tuition fees and QS World University Rankings:

University Name QS World University Ranking 2023 Annual Tuition Fees (in CAD)

University of Waterloo

154

45,000 to 66,000

University of Saskatchewan

473

35,071 

University of Alberta

110

42,707

University of Calgary

242

40,400

University of Guelph

591-600

46,268

University of British Columbia

47

57,736

University of Toronto

34

73,500

McGill University

31

27,033 to 60,870

University of Montreal

116

36,100

Concordia University

551-560

25,126 to 29,607

University of Ontario Institute Technology

NA

39,808

University of Ottawa

237

36,100

McMaster University

152

49,080

University of Victoria

359

40,000

Ryerson University

NA

31,811 to 38,472

Popular STEM courses in Canada

As discussed, practical training is a key component of nearly all STEM courses since they are mostly about the practical education you acquire. The Smithsonian Science Education Center claims that between 2000 and 2010, the growth of STEM-related jobs outpaced that of non-STEM jobs by a factor of three. Even still, the field pays employees 12-30% more than comparable positions. 

Further, research opportunities in STEM are indeed very popular, and many aspirants develop original research concepts in this area that provide ground-breaking breakthroughs. Let us now discuss what are the popular STEM courses to study in Canada that you can pursue to get better professional career growth.  

Aerospace Engineering 

Almost 700 aerospace firms and 85,000 highly qualified workers are employed in Canada, making aerospace one of the best-performing industries in the country. As compared to all the other courses, the new job vacancies for aerospace engineers are predicted to increase by 14,200 by 2028. This makes it one of the STEM courses that are most popular and focused on careers. It is therefore among the most popular and career-focused STEM courses in Canada.

Computer Networking and Technical Support

If you excel in computing but have little interest in maths or physics, the Computer Networking and Technical Support program is a great fit for you. This course emphasises practical learning with a particular emphasis on in-person instruction in a specialised lab.

By the use of systematic methodologies, students will have the ability to analyse and solve basic information technology challenges. Client and server computing, internet management, business networks, and administration are all potential career paths in this domain. At end of the final year, there will also be an internship/job training with a nearby business.

Health Systems Management

A thorough understanding of the healthcare system is necessary for its efficient operation, and this STEM course offers students the knowledge and management abilities they need. Since the patient's data and other records can be stored using this data, this field also has certain computational components. This is one of the most popular STEM courses in Canada.

Related Reads:

Benefits of Studying STEM in Canada

Eligibility Criteria to Pursue STEM Courses in Canada

STEM Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Stay Back Period and Post Study Work Visa for STEM vs Non-STEM Courses

Wireless Information Networking

This is an interdisciplinary course that also addresses issues in security, instrumentation, and computer engineering. Students will work in cutting-edge fields like server technology, wireless information, cloud computing, and networking after completing this course. It is one of the top-most desirable STEM courses in Canada.

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineers are still in high demand in Canada, which makes it possible for those with the qualifications and expertise to obtain permanent residency. This is an excellent STEM course in Canada to look out for because more than 13,300 employment openings are anticipated to expand by 2028, which is consistent growth. 

Software and Information Systems Testing

A programme designed to give students better comprehension of the testing methodologies and procedures related to information technology and software development is called "Software and Information Systems Testing". The ability to understand software and hardware is priceless in the modern world, which is surrounded by technology and technological advancements. Furthermore, you should check out this essential STEM course in Canada.

For international students, studying at one of the best universities in Canada for STEM courses offers the perfect combination of top-notch education, employment opportunities, and accommodating government policies for post-study employment and permanent residency. Considering the low cost of living, it does not get any better than that!

Unable to explore much about your preferred Canadian university offering STEM courses of your choice? Not to worry! Ask our experts by emailing abroad@collegedekho.com. to get your queries resolved!

Study at Best STEM Universities in Canada With the Help of Experts!

FAQs

What is the starting salary of STEM graduates in Canada?

The starting salary of a STEM graduate in Canada is about USD 40,000-CAD 70,000 annually. STEM graduates are known as principal contributors to the Research and Development sector, virtual and technology-based corporate sector and medical sector. The importance of these sectors and their relevance to a nation’s economy make STEM graduates in Canada highly employable.

What is the stay back period for STEM graduates in Canada?

The stay back period for STEM graduates in Canada is the longest among all courses. STEM graduates can apply for a Post Study Work visa and continue to work as an employee in Canada for up to three years. STEM courses are considered highly important, especially for the Research and Development sector of the country, and hence, opportunities can be ample and lucrative.

What are the eligibility criteria for admission to STEM courses in Canada?

The eligibility criteria for admission to STEM courses in Canada differ for each university and qualification level. However, it is expected that for admission to STEM courses, students must have completed their 12th in PCM, PCB, or any related courses, and have a bachelor's degree in a relevant area of study. Apart from these, students are required to submit GRE scores and English proficiency scores.

What are the GPA requirements for STEM courses in Canada?

The GPA requirements for STEM courses in Canada are averaged at 2.8-3.5. The majority of students who get admission to top Canadian universities have a GPA score within this range. The bachelor's courses accept a GPA of 2.5-3.0, while master's and PhD courses require students to have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Which are the top engineering universities in Canada?

The top engineering universities in Canada are University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, McGill University, Concordia University, and University of Montreal. These universities are ranked among the top global universities for engineering by the US News and World Report 2022. 

Which are the top mechanical engineering universities in Canada?

The top mechanical engineering universities in Canada, as per US News and World Report 2022, are University of Waterloo, McGill University, University of Alberta, and University of Toronto. The universities have been scored by US News and World Report on various parameters like faculty, infrastructure, course structure, syllabus, the role of practical training, etc. Students can rely on the rankings to apply for admission to these universities. They are known to hone employability skills as well.

Which college in Canada has the best STEM courses?

The University of Toronto offers the best STEM courses in Canada. It is the best university in Canada and is ranked as the #18th best university in the world by the Times Higher Education. The ranking list further ranks the university’s computer science courses #24th in the world and engineering courses #26th. 

Which university in Canada is best for Science programs?

The universities in Canada which are best for Science programs are the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McGill University, the University of Alberta, and McMaster University. These universities are top-ranked by the Times Higher Education for programmes in the field of Science. The ranking also features them among the top 100 international universities globally.

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