Study Masters in Architecture in Canada: Top Universities & Fees

Masters in Architecture in Canada is a one to three-year professional degree course designed for students who wish to gain in-depth knowledge about the construction of buildings and cities all over the globe. Students can expect to pay between 10,000 to 50,000 CAD per annum (~5.7 lakh to 28.8 lakh INR) to pursue this course.

Canada is one of the best options to pursue M.Arch course as it offers a range of career opportunities in this field. Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary are known for providing exceptional employment opportunities to architects. Further, architects with master's degrees in Canada earn an average salary of 60,000 CAD to 200,000 CAD per year.

Top Universities for Masters in Architecture in Canada

Canada hosts top-tier educational institutions that offer a variety of masters in architecture programs. The table below shows the best architecture colleges in Canada for masters, along with their QS rankings, top programs, and duration:

University Name	QS Rankings 2022	Program	Duration (in years)
University of British Columbia	#46	Master of Architecture (M.Arch)	3
University of Toronto	#26	Master of Architecture (M.Arch)	1-3.5
		Master of Science (M.Sc) Planning
McGill University	#27	Master of Architecture (M.Arch) Design Studio	1.5
		Master of Architecture (M.Arch) Design Studio- Directed Research
		Master of Architecture (M.Arch) Architectural History and Theory
		Master of Architecture (M.Arch) Urban Design and Housing
University of Montreal	#111	Master of Architecture (M.Arch)	1.5
		Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A)
		Master of Applied Science (M.Asc) Planning
		Master of Urban Planning (M.U.P)
University of Waterloo	#149	Master of Architecture (M.Arch)	2
Ryerson University	#801-1000	Master of Architecture (M.Arch)	2
University of Calgary	#235	Master of Architecture (M.Arch)	2

Masters in Architecture in Canada Admissions

International students need to meet certain requirements in order to study master of architecture in Canada. In this section, we will discuss briefly the admission requirements and documents required to apply for master degree in architecture in Canada.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for masters in architecture differ from one Canadian institution to another. Here are the standard admission prerequisites to apply for masters in architecture in Canada:

• A 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• A minimum average grade of B+ in bachelor’s
• Standardized test scores like GRE (if required)
• English language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)

Shown below are the ELP scores required by universities in Canada for masters in architecture:

University	Minimum Score Requirements for TOEFL	Minimum Score Requirements for IELTS
University of Toronto	93	7.0
McGill University	86	6.5
University of British Columbia	100	7.0
University of Waterloo	90	6.5
Ryerson University	93	7.0
University of Calgary	105	7.5

Documents Required

Students are required to submit the following documents while applying to architecture colleges in Canada for masters:

• Official transcripts: Scanned copies of academic transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutes. Make sure the records are translated into the English language.
• Resume: A 2-page resume that includes aspects like education, work experience, volunteering, and other relevant information.
• Portfolios: Applicants must submit their portfolios digitally via the online application. These portfolios will demonstrate the design potential, interests, and accomplishments of students.
• Letters of Recommendation: Students need to provide at least 2-3 reference letters that showcase their past performance.
• Statement of Intent: Few Canadian universities require applicants to submit a statement of intent. This document should be two pages long and outline the student’s interests in pursuing the program.

Visa Procedure

To study abroad in Canada, international students need to apply for a Canada student visa either online or offline. When applying for it offline, one needs to visit the visa application centre for submitting documents. Post that, it is required to appear for the visa interview.

In the case of online application, students can submit the documents directly. However, they still need to go the application centre for submitting their biometric details. Morever, students who do not have English as their native language need to provide English language proficiency test results. Further, an evidence of sufficient funds will also be required. Note that the study permit remains valid for the tenure of the study program and another 3 months. Students might also need to undertake a medical test.

Masters in Architecture in Canada Application Deadlines

The following table shows the application deadlines for several top-ranked universities offering masters in architecture degrees in Canada:

University	Application Deadlines
University of British Columbia	January 15
University of Toronto	January 15
McGill University	M.Arch Professional - December 15, Ph.D. – January 15
University of Montreal	Fall: February 1 Winter: September 1 Summer: February 1
University of Waterloo	October 1
Ryerson University	Within October 15 to January
University of Calgary	January 15

Why Study Master of Architecture in Canada?

Canada provides exceptional career opportunities for architecture graduates. Following are a few reasons why one should consider pursuing masters in architecture in Canada:

• According to a report by Job Bank Canada, it is predicted that there will be 7,800 new job openings in architecture between 2017 to 2026.
• There is a high demand for architecture graduates in some of the best cities in Canada, like Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan.
• Top companies hiring masters in architecture graduates include Perkins & Will, IBI Group Inc., Diamond & Schmitt Architects, etc.

Cost of Studying Masters in Architecture in Canada

Mainly, there are three major costs associated with pursuing masters program in architecture. These are pre-arrival expenses, tuition fees, and living expenses in Canada.

Pre-Arrival Expenses

These are one-time costs that students incur during the application process. Tabulated below are the various pre-arrival costs:

Type of Expense	Cost (in CAD)
Application Fee	70 - 150
Canada Study Permit	150
Air Travel	1,045 - 1,437
TOEFL Fee	235
IELTS Fee	244
GRE Fee	250
GMAT Fee	205-230

Masters in Architecture in Canada Tuition Fees

The following table shows the basic fee structure of the best architecture colleges in Canada for masters:

University	Annual Tuition Fees (in CAD)
University of Toronto	48,440
McGill University	20,860
University of British Columbia	43,604
University of Montreal	20,719
University of Waterloo	15,172
Ryerson University	24,878
University of Calgary	11,726

Living Expenses in Canada

Like many other countries, Canada's living costs vary by region. The table below shows the estimated living costs an international student will incur over the course of the academic year:

Type of Expense	Annual Costs (in CAD)
Housing	4,800- 36,000 (INR 2,93,855-22,03,919)
Food and Beverages	3,267- 4,574 (INR 2,00,005-2,80,020)
Books and Supplies	1,960- 2,631 (INR 1,19,991-1,61,069)
Other Related Expenses	6,534- 9,800 (INR 4,00,011-5,99,955)

Masters in Architecture in Canada with Scholarships

A wide range of scholarship opportunities is available for architecture students in Canada. Here are some of the scholarships in Canada offered by different universities for masters in architecture programs:

• Teaching/ Research Assistantships: There are a number of positions offered by the University of Waterloo for graduates who are in good standing in the Master of Architecture program. An announcement will be made before each academic term regarding the number of TA positions that are available.
• Ontario Graduate Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit. Students from all academic disciplines are eligible to apply for OGS. Students are advised to visit the Graduate Studies Office Ontario Graduate Scholarship webpage for further details.
• Ontario Association of Landscape Architects Scholarship: This scholarship (worth 1,000 CAD) is awarded by the University of Guelph to students who complete three semesters of the master of landscape architecture program. Students are selected based on their academic records and overall performance.

Scope of Pursuing Masters in Architecture in Canada

There is a broad scope of pursuing masters in architecture in Canada as students can avail lucrative job opportunities in this field after graduation. The table below outlines the top job profiles and salaries offered to masters in architecture graduates in Canada:

Job Profile	Annual Salary in CAD
Architect	116,200
Urban Designer	58,806
Interior Designer	124,000
Landscape Architect	113,000
Construction Manager	91,039
Architectural Manager	145,600
Design and Decoration Assistant	98,800

With a 10% increase in annual salaries, qualified architects in Canada can earn 32% more. Thus, for students looking for a career in architecture or planning, a Masters in Architecture in Canada could be a rewarding degree to pursue.