PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada

For students planning to study in Canada after graduation, it becomes difficult to choose between a PG diploma vs Masters in Canada. Some students find master's degrees to be the most suitable option, while others prefer to pursue PG diploma courses. However, it is important that you evaluate both of these options from all aspects. 

A number of postgraduate options are offered by Canadian universities. These include PG diplomas, course-specific master's programs, and research-based master's programs. If you are not sure whether to pursue a master's degree in Canada or a PG Diploma, you have landed in the right place.

Overview of PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada

There are various differences between PG Diploma and Masters in Canada. An overview of these differences is given below:

Basis of Difference	PG Diploma	Masters
Duration	1-2 years	2-3 years
Eligibility Criteria	Bachelor's degree in a relevant field	Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
Cost of Study	7 lakhs to 15 lakhs	15 lakhs to 20 lakhs
Popular Specializations	Marketing, Psychology, Nursing, Advertising, and PR	Business Administration, IT & Computer Science, Nursing, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy
Top Universities	University of Alberta University of Winnipeg Humber College Fanshawe College Thompsons Rivers University	University of Toronto University of British Columbia McGill University Trent University University of Dundee
Course Credits	120 credits	180 credits
Employability and scope	1-year work permit after course completion	3-year work permit after course completion

PG Diploma in Canada

A postgraduate diploma is a short-term academic program that students can pursue after completing their bachelor’s degree. This program is suitable for students who want to gain professional training in a particular field. In contrast to master’s courses, a PG diploma program does not include a mandatory dissertation project.

In our discussion about PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada, the course duration is an important factor to consider. When compared to a full-time post-graduation program, a PG diploma program has a shorter duration. Therefore, it is a great option for students who wish to upgrade their skills, switch careers, gain international exposure, and build a strong network of professionals at affordable rates!

Top PG Diploma Courses in Canada

Canadian universities offer a plethora of PG diploma programs in a variety of fields and specializations. Some of the most popular PG diploma courses in Canada are listed below:

• Marketing
• Business Management
• Hospitality Management
• Health and Medical Science
• Travel and Tourism
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Advertising and PR
• Pharmacy
• Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
• Biotechnology
• Science and Engineering
• Information Technology
• Web Development
• Supply Chain Management
• Predictive Analytics
• Financial Management
• Network Security
• Computer Science

Popular Universities for PG Diploma in Canada

Canada is home to several universities and colleges that offer PG Diploma programs in almost every field. Following are the top universities that students can consider for pursuing PG Diploma in Canada:

• University of Winnipeg
• Thompsons Rivers University
• University of Alberta
• Humber College
• Fanshawe College
• Centennial College
• Algonquin College
• Durham College
• St. Lawrence College
• Royal Roads University
• Carleton University
• McMaster University
• University of New Caledonia
• Niagara College
• North Island College

Masters in Canada

There are more than 90 academic institutions in Canada offering master's degree programs in a broad range of fields. These Canadian universities provide internationally recognized master's degrees in fields like Business, Politics, Medicine, Media, Technology, Marketing, and many others. Generally, the duration of master’s degree programs in Canada is 2 years. However, some specific courses might get completed in 1 year as well.

Top Master’s Degree Courses in Canada

Canada is a popular study destination among students to pursue master’s degree programs. Students can pursue master’s degree courses in a diverse range of fields like Arts, Science, Engineering, and Humanities, amongst others. Find below the list of top specializations for masters in Canada:

• Business Administration
• Veterinary Medicine
• Dentistry
• Physical & Life Sciences
• IT & Computer Science
• Pharmacy
• Nursing
• Engineering
• Psychology
• Law
• Humanities
• Visual Arts
• Agricultural Sciences

Popular Universities for Masters in Canada

Top universities in Canada offer a number of master’s degree programs to cater to the interests of students from diverse educational backgrounds. Listed below are the top universities that offer masters in Canada:

• University of Toronto
• McGill University
• University of British Columbia
• Trent University
• Adler University
• University of Lethbridge
• University of Quebec
• The Centre for Digital Media
• Wycliffe College
• The Global Alliance in Management Education
• Westford University College
• Royal Roads University
• Saint Mary’s University

PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada: Course Structure

There are major differences between PG diploma and master’s degree courses in Canada in terms of the course structure. A PG diploma usually comprises 120 credits. However, some Canadian universities also offer shorter versions of PG certificate courses that are 60 credits long. A master's course, on the other hand, consists of 180 credits. 

A PG diploma can be the best option for students who want to pursue higher education in Canada but do not have the best grades or a good CV. At the same time, if you have excellent academic credentials, you can consider pursuing thesis-based or course-based master’s degree courses in Canada.

Further, most candidates study in Canada with the intention of working there after graduation. With a PG diploma, students can get a 1-year work permit. On the other hand, a master’s degree program will help you obtain a 3-year work permit after course completion.

PG Diploma vs Masters: Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility criteria for PG Diploma vs Masters in Canada is also a frequent question that is asked by many candidates. To apply for a PG diploma or masters in Canada, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.

Some programs also require a relevant work experience of 1-2 years. Further, international students need to demonstrate their proficiency in English through IELTS/TOEFL scorecard. Generally, these two types of courses have similar eligibility criteria, as illustrated in the table below:

Course	PG Diploma	Masters
Eligibility Criteria	A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university/college	A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university/college
Work Experience	1-2 years (for certain programs)	1-2 years (for certain programs)
English Proficiency	IELTS/TOEFL	IELTS/TOEFL

Cost of Studying in Canada for PG Diploma and Masters

PG diploma programs usually cost less than master's programs because they have a shorter duration. However, there are a few universities like the University of Manitoba and the University of Regina that offer a cheaper master's degree program.

Course-based master’s programs usually last for 1.5-2 years, while thesis-based master’s programs take 2 years or more to complete. Listed below are the costs of PG diploma and master’s degree programs:

• PG Diploma: 7 lakhs to 15 lakhs
• Masters: 15 lakhs to 20 lakhs