Application
Procedure for Graduate Courses
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This section
explains the process of applying to Canadian universities for Graduate (Masters
& Doctorate Degree) courses. |
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Application Requirements |
- Academic
Records
- Standardized
Tests
- Work
Experience Details
- Letters
of Recommendation
- Statement
of Purpose (SOP)
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If
you have any doubts or require any further information,
please use our Helpline service. |
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Send enquiries at least
15 to 18 months before the proposed date of admission. There are two ways to get
application forms. |
Requesting Application
Forms via email : You can request application forms from the universities
website. Most universities have a form on their website which can be completed online to
request application material.
Downloading from the
university website : Many universities have a downloadable and ready to print
versions of their application forms on the net. These can be used for applying just
as regular forms.
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Most schools require
qualifications comparable to a Canadian Bachelors (Honours) degree (Four Year Degree
Program). That means a minimum of 16 years of formal education. In the
Indian context, it implies qualifying in a professional four-year degree like engineering
or other such courses.
For Doctorate programs, most universities require a Masters degree in that subject.
In a few exceptional cases like a good undergraduate engineering degree, they may offer a
direct admission to a Doctorate course. |
Programs/
Level of study |
Graduate/Post-Graduate
level |
Business |
2-3 years full time work experience
GMAT : 580-600 min.
TOEFL : PBT: 580-600 min.
CBT: 237-250 min.
4 yr Bachelors degree, 70% aver.
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Computer Science |
4 yr Bachelors degree, 70% aver., preferably in Computer
Science
TOEFL : PBT: 580-600 min.
CBT: 237-250 min.
Some universities will require GRE Score
(1200-1500)
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Engineering |
4 yr Bachelors in Engineering, 70% aver.
TOEFL : PBT: 580-600 min.
CBT: 237-250 min.
Some universities will require GRE score
(1200-1500)
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Fine Arts |
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Media/
Communications |
4 yr Bachelors in Mass Communications
Portfolio
TOEFL : PBT: 600 min.
CBT: 250 min.
Work experience is an added advantage
Some institutions may require written samples or copies of
published work
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Three
year Graduates
If you have completed a three-year degree program in India, the advisable plan of action
to maximize eligibility for Canadian graduate schools is to apply for a Post Graduate
degree here in India. A one-year university affiliated program will make up for the fourth
year of a Canadian Undergraduate degree. |
IMPORTANT :
Professional programs like the
CA, ICWA, part time diplomas from a university such as those in management, communication
may or may not be accepted, though most MBA programs now accept the Indian CA
qualification in lieu of the fourth year graduation.
Independent certificate courses
offered by private institutions like Aptech, NIIT, etc. will most likely not be accepted.
The decision is based on each universitys individual evaluation.
One-year education of a two-year
degree course (like M.Tech., M.A. etc.) may not be accepted by most schools. The full
course has to be completed for qualification, unless there is a recognized university
examination at the end of one year.
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No standardized policy exists regarding the acceptance of
such programs. Some universities may accept the three-year Indian Graduation Degree for a
few programs. Confirmation can only be obtained by either writing directly or formally
applying to the universities concerned |
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Application Requirements |
Your past academic record is
one of the most important deciding factors in securing admission to a college abroad. Most
schools require you to have a reasonably good academic record especially for programs and
courses offering a masters or doctoral degree. Each university has its own minimum
requirement for its programs, which are flexible depending on the candidates
profile.
Universities in Canada have their own marking and evaluation systems, which are
considerably different from the Indian system. It is advisable not to convert your
marks in the Indian system of grading to the Canadian Grade Point Average system or any
other system since the conversion may not be accurate. You may attach an explanatory note
from your college to indicate your rank in your class and/or university. The letter may
also indicate your place as compared to the class and the university average and the
number of students in the class and the number of colleges and students in the university.
You may also provide any other information or documents that you feel may help you in the
admission process.
Students applying for Graduate courses (MBA, MS etc) are required to submit an official
transcript (mark-sheets) from each college or university that they have attended after
secondary school with complete details of the subjects/credits involved (for each year)
and other details like correspondence courses, diplomas etc. Most universities ask for the
transcript (mark-sheets) to be sealed in an envelope and signed and attested across the
seal by the registrar. This procedure is to be done for each and every college that you
have attended. Some universities may ask for more than one copy of the transcript.
If the transcripts are in a language other than English, then they must be translated into
English only by the issuing authority or university otherwise it may not be accepted. |
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Standardized Tests |
Top |
Many Courses and Universities in Canada require you to take
one of the standardized tests like GRE, GMAT along with English Proficiency tests like
TOEFL, TWE and IELTS.
English Proficiency
TOEFL: This test is mandatory for International
students applying to a Graduate course or University in Canada. The minimum score required
by most universities for admission is 570 (Paper-based test) and 230 (Computer-based
test). |
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Note:
Many universities and colleges also accept IELTS scores. |
Other Tests
GMAT : For most management courses, International
students are required to take GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).
GRE : For Graduate Courses in any
field other than Management. |
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Work Experience Details |
Top |
A number of professional and vocational courses require
relevant work experience. For instance, many MBAs or masters courses in information
studies require at least a couple of years work experience. Most
Canadian universities are pretty strict about this.
A detailed R�sum� is an important part of your application. It should include all
information of professional work experience along with the details like positions held,
achievements and range of work. |
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Find Resumes a
problem? Check out our Resume section for tips. |
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Letter of Recommendation |
Top |
Letters of reference or recommendation letters play a very important part
in your admission especially in courses that earn you a masters or doctoral degree.
A recommendation letter is a signed statement from a person who knows you well
professionally or has taught you in a subject that is related to the course you are
applying to. It should list your positive and negative qualities, strengths and other such
information.
The author or teacher must indicate his position, how long he/she has known the applicant
and in what capacity. He/she should briefly discuss the need, importance and usefulness of
the study the applicant proposes to undertake. Authors are usually asked to rank
applicants in their letters of recommendation, which helps admission officers to interpret
the academic credentials of foreign students. Students should obtain letters of
recommendation (often on the prescribed forms sent by the institutions) from teachers who
know them as a person as well as a student. You may like to request your author to give
concrete examples that may show your qualities and help your case.
Many universities have their own format and questions that have to be answered by the
person who is giving the letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters, which do not
give enough information, can jeopardize a candidates chances of selection. |
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Note :
Even if not mentioned, it is advisable to include at least two letters of recommendation
in your applications as they increase your chances of getting admissions.
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For more details on
letters of recommendation, formats and tips, check out Letters of Recommendation |
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Statement of Purpose |
Top |
The personal essays, and/or statement of purpose, play a very important
role in the process of evaluating your application for both admission as well as financial
aid because it gives the faculty assessing your application their most significant
impression of you as an individual. This section is the key to distinguish your
application from other suitable candidates and a chance to market yourself.
A personal statement should include your reasons for choosing a particular course, the
suitability of your education and experience for the chosen course, your personal
interests and career goals.
Some courses like Business school courses will have their own essay questions and format.
Others may ask for a r�sum� or reasons for applying to that particular course. |
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For more details on
various essay topics, tips, sample essays, check out our Essays/Statement of Purpose section. |
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