Canada has 7 universities in the QS Data Science and AI Rankings Top 200 for 2026, led by University of Toronto at QS Data Science and AI Rank #13 globally. Masters in Data Analytics in Canada is available as a 10 to 24-month full-time program across multiple formats including applied computing, data science, management analytics, and big data. Program fees range from CAD 20,726 (INR 13.79 lakh) at Université de Montréal to CAD 90,050 (INR 59.89 lakh) at University of Toronto (MScAC).
Here are the key facts Indian students should know:
All CAD to INR conversions use the rate of 1 CAD = INR 66.52 (28th June 2026)

Canada stands out from other Data Analytics study destinations on five key points:
Also Read: Why Studying in Canada is Better than Studying in USA
Canada has 7 universities in the QS Data Science and AI Rankings Top 200 for 2026. University of Toronto leads at QS Data Science and AI Rank #13 globally, followed by UBC (#34) and Waterloo (#40). All 7 universities offer English-taught, full-time master's programs in Data Analytics, Data Science, or closely related fields open to Indian applicants.
| University | Location | QS DS and AI Rank 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | Toronto, ON | #13 |
| University of British Columbia | Vancouver, BC | #34 |
| University of Waterloo | Waterloo, ON | #40 |
| McGill University | Montreal, QC | #41 |
| Université de Montréal | Montreal, QC | #51 to 100 |
| Simon Fraser University | Burnaby, BC | #101 to 200 |
| University of Alberta | Edmonton, AB | #101 to 200 |
Key notes:
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence is the most in-demand specialization for Indian students in Canada, given Canada's position as a global AI powerhouse with the Vector Institute (Toronto), Mila (Montreal), and Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) (Edmonton). Business Analytics and Financial Analytics are the highest-paying specializations for Indian students targeting Canada's Big Five banks and consulting firms.
No GRE is required at most Canadian universities for Data Analytics programs. Indian students are assessed on their undergraduate degree, academic record, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and TOEFL/IELTS scores. A 4-year BTech/BE/BSc (Honours) from a recognized Indian university is the standard minimum eligibility. A 3-year BSc may be considered with a strong academic record at some universities; check individual policies.
| University | Program | Academic Eligibility | GRE | TOEFL/IELTS | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | MScAC (Data Science) | 4-year bachelor's in CS, Stats, Math or related; min B+ (77%); strong programming and stats background | Optional but strongly recommended (Quant 168+) | TOEFL iBT 93 / IELTS 6.5 | Dec 1 (Fall only) |
| University of Toronto | Rotman MMA | 4-year bachelor's (any discipline); mid-B average; quantitative and computational proficiency | Not required | TOEFL iBT 100 / IELTS 7.0 | Rolling (multiple rounds) |
| University of British Columbia | MDS | 4-year bachelor's (any discipline); min B+ (76%); coursework in programming, stats, and math | Not required | TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 6.5 | Feb 15 (Fall only) |
| University of Waterloo | MDSAI | Honours bachelor's in Data Science, CS, Stats, Math or related; min 75% overall | Not required | TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 7.0 | Jan 15 (Fall); Winter/Spring also considered |
| McGill University | MMA | Bachelor's degree (any discipline); strong quantitative background; work experience valued | Not required | TOEFL iBT 100 / IELTS 7.0 | Multiple rounds (Jun 15 for Winter 2027) |
| Université de Montréal | MSc Computer Science | Bachelor's in CS or related; min 3.0/4.0 GPA; strong programming background | Not required | TOEFL iBT 86 / IELTS 6.5 | Feb 1 (Fall); Sep 1 (Winter) |
| Simon Fraser University | MSc Big Data | Bachelor's in CS, Engineering or related; min B+ average; strong programming background | Not required | TOEFL iBT 93 / IELTS 7.0 | Feb 1 (Fall); rolling |
| University of Alberta | MSc Modelling, Data and Predictions | 4-year bachelor's in Math, Stats, CS or related; strong quantitative background | Not required | TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 6.5 | Jan 15 (Fall); Sep 1 (Winter) |
Key notes:
Program fees range from CAD 20,726 (INR 13.79 lakh) at Université de Montréal to CAD 90,050 (INR 59.89 lakh) at University of Toronto (MScAC). All fees listed are for the full program duration. Total cost of attendance including living expenses ranges from approximately CAD 44,000 to 48,000 (INR 29.27 lakh to 31.93 lakh) at Université de Montréal to over CAD 130,000 (INR 86.48 lakh) at University of Toronto in Toronto.
| University | Program | Duration | Full Program Fees (CAD) | Full Program Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | MScAC Data Science | 16 months | CAD 90,050 | INR 59.89 lakh |
| McGill University | MMA | 12 months | CAD 77,600 | INR 51.62 lakh |
| University of British Columbia | Master of Data Science | 10 months | CAD 59,768 | INR 39.75 lakh |
| University of Waterloo | MDSAI | 16 months | CAD 55,890 | INR 37.17 lakh |
| Simon Fraser University | MSc Big Data | 16 months | CAD 55,425 | INR 36.87 lakh |
| University of Alberta | MSc Statistical Machine Learning | 16 months | CAD 24,790 | INR 16.49 lakh |
| Université de Montréal | MSc Computer Science | 24 months | CAD 20,726 | INR 13.79 lakh |
Key notes:
Monthly living costs range from CAD 1,500 to 2,000/month (INR 99,780 to 1.33 lakh/month) in Waterloo and Edmonton to CAD 2,200 to 3,000/month (INR 1.46 lakh to 1.99 lakh/month) in Toronto and Vancouver. Indian students can work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during term time on a Study Permit.
| City | University | Monthly Cost (CAD) | Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | University of Toronto | CAD 2,200 to 3,000 | INR 1.46 lakh to 1.99 lakh |
| Vancouver | University of British Columbia | CAD 2,200 to 3,000 | INR 1.46 lakh to 1.99 lakh |
| Burnaby/Vancouver | Simon Fraser University | CAD 2,000 to 2,800 | INR 1.33 lakh to 1.86 lakh |
| Montreal | McGill University, Université de Montréal | CAD 1,600 to 2,200 | INR 1.06 lakh to 1.46 lakh |
| Waterloo | University of Waterloo | CAD 1,500 to 2,000 | INR 99,780 to 1.33 lakh |
| Edmonton | University of Alberta | CAD 1,500 to 2,000 | INR 99,780 to 1.33 lakh |
Key monthly expense breakdown:
Toronto and Vancouver are 30 to 40% more expensive than Waterloo, Edmonton, or Montreal. Montreal is the most affordable major city in Canada for students, with living costs 30 to 40% lower than Toronto or Vancouver. Indian students can significantly reduce costs by sharing apartments, which is very common in all Canadian university cities.
The UBC MDS Scholarship for Person of Colour covers up to full tuition of CAD 59,768 (INR 39.75 lakh) and is automatically considered at admission with no separate application required. Indian students are eligible. The Vector Institute Scholarship provides CAD 17,500 (INR 11.64 lakh) for students in Vector-recognized AI/ML master's programs including Waterloo MDSAI.
| Scholarship | University | Amount (CAD) | Amount (INR) | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UBC MDS Scholarship for Person of Colour | UBC | Up to CAD 59,768 (full tuition) | INR 39.75 lakh | Students identifying as Person of Colour including Indian students; automatically considered at admission |
| UBC MDS International Scholarship | UBC | Up to CAD 25,000 | INR 16.63 lakh | International students; automatically considered at admission; no separate application |
| McCall MacBain Scholarship | McGill University | Full tuition + living stipend | Full funding | Exceptional candidates; extremely competitive |
| Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS-M) | All Canadian universities | CAD 27,000 | INR 17.96 lakh | Master's students; competitive national scholarship; open to international students |
| Vector Institute Scholarship | Waterloo, UofT, UdeM, SFU, UAlberta | CAD 17,500 | INR 11.64 lakh | Students in Vector-recognized AI/ML master's programs; automatically considered |
| Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) | University of Alberta | CAD 11,000 | INR 7.32 lakh | Merit-based for international graduate students |
| UdeM Exemption Scholarship for International Students | Université de Montréal | Waives international tuition supplement | Reduces fees to approx. CAD 3,000 to 4,000/year | International students; dramatically reduces total cost |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | All Canadian universities | Up to USD 85,000 | INR 80.29 lakh | Specifically for Indian students; highly competitive; apply 12 months in advance |
| J.N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | All Canadian universities | Up to INR 10 lakh | INR 10 lakh | Indian students studying abroad; apply after admission |
| K.C. Mahindra Scholarship | All Canadian universities | Up to INR 8 lakh | INR 8 lakh | Indian students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad; apply after admission |
| Rotman MMA Merit Scholarships | University of Toronto Rotman | Partial; value varies | Varies | Merit-based; awarded at admission |
| SFU Graduate Fellowships | Simon Fraser University | Partial; value varies | Varies | Merit-based; automatically considered |
Key notes:
Indian graduates from Canadian Data Analytics and Data Science master's programs are among the most in-demand professionals in Canada's rapidly growing tech and analytics sector. Canada's federal government has invested over CAD 2.4 billion in AI since 2017 under its Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Key hiring hubs include Toronto (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Shopify, RBC, TD Bank, Deloitte, KPMG), Vancouver (Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Electronic Arts), Waterloo (Google, OpenText, BlackBerry), Montreal (Mila, Ubisoft, Desjardins), and Edmonton (Amii).
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary (CAD) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Data Scientist (5+ yrs) | CAD 130,000 to 180,000 | INR 86.48 lakh to 1.20 crore |
| AI/ML Research Scientist | CAD 110,000 to 160,000 | INR 73.17 lakh to 1.06 crore |
| Analytics Manager | CAD 100,000 to 140,000 | INR 66.52 lakh to 93.13 lakh |
| Machine Learning Engineer | CAD 95,000 to 130,000 | INR 63.19 lakh to 86.48 lakh |
| Quantitative Analyst (Finance) | CAD 90,000 to 130,000 | INR 59.87 lakh to 86.48 lakh |
| Data Engineer | CAD 85,000 to 120,000 | INR 56.54 lakh to 79.82 lakh |
| Data Scientist (entry-level, 0 to 2 yrs) | CAD 80,000 to 110,000 | INR 53.22 lakh to 73.17 lakh |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | CAD 70,000 to 95,000 | INR 46.56 lakh to 63.19 lakh |
| Data Analyst (entry-level, 0 to 2 yrs) | CAD 65,000 to 85,000 | INR 43.24 lakh to 56.54 lakh |
Key career facts:
Also Read: Work Study in Canada
Indian students choosing Masters in Data Analytics in Canada should base their decision on career goal, budget, PR pathway, and target specialization. Students targeting top-tier tech or AI research roles should prioritize UofT MScAC (mandatory paid internship, CAD 65,000 average salary) or Waterloo MDSAI (co-op, 3-year PGWP, Vector Institute access). Students targeting business analytics or consulting should consider McGill MMA or Rotman MMA, which have the strongest Bay Street and consulting firm recruitment pipelines. Students on a tighter budget should consider University of Alberta (CAD 24,790 total, INR 16.49 lakh) or Université de Montréal (CAD 20,726 total, INR 13.79 lakh), though the latter requires French proficiency. Apply for the UBC MDS Scholarship for Person of Colour and the Vector Institute Scholarship, both are automatically considered with no separate application needed. Apply for the Canadian Study Permit immediately after receiving your offer letter and allow 8 to 16 weeks for processing.
Ques: Which is the best university for Masters in Data Analytics in Canada for Indian students?
Ans: University of Toronto is ranked QS Data Science and AI #13 globally in 2026, making it the top-ranked university for Data Analytics in Canada. For students targeting AI and machine learning research, Université de Montréal (Mila-affiliated) and University of Waterloo (MDSAI with co-op) are equally strong choices. For business analytics, McGill MMA and Rotman MMA offer the strongest industry recruitment pipelines.
Ques: What are the fees for Masters in Data Analytics in Canada for Indian students?
Ans: Full program fees range from CAD 20,726 (INR 13.79 lakh) at Université de Montréal to CAD 90,050 (INR 59.89 lakh) at University of Toronto (MScAC). UBC MDS costs CAD 59,768 (INR 39.75 lakh) for the full 10-month program. UofT MScAC students earn an average CAD 65,000 during their mandatory 8-month internship, effectively offsetting 72% of total tuition.
Ques: What are the requirements for Masters in Data Analytics in Canada for Indian students?
Ans: Most universities require a 4-year BTech/BE/BSc from a recognized Indian university with a minimum B+ average (75 to 77%) and coursework in programming, statistics, and mathematics. TOEFL iBT 86 to 100 or IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 is required depending on the university. No GRE is required at UBC, Waterloo, McGill, SFU, UdeM, and UAlberta.
Ques: What is the PGWP and how does it help Indian students get PR in Canada?
Ans: The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows Indian graduates to work in Canada for up to 3 years after completing a program of 2+ years, or for the length of the program for shorter programs. Canadian work experience gained during the PGWP adds 50 to 80 CRS points to an Express Entry profile, dramatically improving PR chances. The typical timeline from program start to Permanent Residency is 3 to 5 years.
Ques: Which Data Analytics program in Canada gives the best PGWP for Indian students?
Ans: Waterloo MDSAI Co-op (16 to 20 months) and UofT MScAC (16 months) both qualify for a 3-year PGWP, making them the best choices for Indian students targeting PR. UdeM MSc CS (24 months) and UAlberta MSc (2 years) also qualify for a 3-year PGWP. UBC MDS (10 months) qualifies for only a 10-month PGWP and Indian students targeting PR should factor this in carefully before applying.
Ques: What scholarships are available for Masters in Data Analytics in Canada for Indian students?
Ans: The UBC MDS Scholarship for Person of Colour covers up to full tuition of CAD 59,768 (INR 39.75 lakh) and is automatically considered at admission with no separate application. The Vector Institute Scholarship provides CAD 17,500 (INR 11.64 lakh) for Waterloo MDSAI students with no separate application. The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship provides up to USD 85,000 (INR 80.29 lakh) specifically for Indian students studying abroad.
Ques: What is the salary after Masters in Data Analytics in Canada?
Ans: Data Analysts earn CAD 65,000 to 85,000/year (INR 43.24 lakh to 56.54 lakh/year) at entry level. Machine Learning Engineers earn CAD 95,000 to 130,000/year (INR 63.19 lakh to 86.48 lakh/year). Senior Data Scientists with 5+ years of experience earn CAD 130,000 to 180,000/year (INR 86.48 lakh to 1.20 crore/year). Toronto and Vancouver roles pay 15 to 25% more than equivalent roles in other Canadian cities.
Ques: Is French required for Masters in Data Analytics programs in Canada?
Ans: French is required only for the Université de Montréal MSc Computer Science program, which is taught primarily in French. All other programs on this list including UofT MScAC, Rotman MMA, UBC MDS, Waterloo MDSAI, McGill MMA, SFU MSc Big Data, and UAlberta MSc are taught entirely in English. McGill MMA is taught entirely in English despite being located in Montreal.
Ques: Can Indian students work while studying Data Analytics in Canada?
Ans: Yes. Indian students on a Canadian Study Permit can work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during term time and full-time during scheduled breaks. UofT MScAC students additionally complete a mandatory 8-month paid internship averaging CAD 65,000 in salary as part of the degree. Waterloo MDSAI Co-op students complete 4 to 8 months of paid co-op work terms supported by Waterloo's co-op office with 7,000+ employer partners.