Masters in Psychology in Canada: A Complete Guide

Highlights

1. Canada offers flexible master’s programs in psychology, including full-time, part-time, and online options, with durations ranging from one to two years.
2. Top Canadian universities such as the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and McGill University are globally recognized for their psychology programs.
3. Scholarships and affordable tuition fees make Canada an attractive destination for international students pursuing psychology, with starting salaries for graduates averaging INR 36.69 lakhs per year.

A master’s degree in psychology can be earned in Canada by either full-time, part-time, or online study for one to two years. There are about one hundred and fifty universities in Canada that offer master’s degrees in psychology. According to THE Rankings 2022, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and McGill University are the best universities in Canada to earn a master’s degree in psychology.

The majority of universities in Canada will begin accepting applications for their Master in Psychology programs in November or December 2022. The application period will begin in January 2022. Admissions will commence in September 2022 and continue through September 2023.

A GRE score, a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, an IELTS score between 6.5 and 7, and a TOEFL iBT score between 70 and 90 are all required for admission to a master’s program in psychology in Canada (admission criteria vary depending on the University requirements). In Canada, entrance to master’s programs in psychology at Mount Saint Vincent University, Trent University, Vanguard University, and Lynn University does not require a score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

The cost of obtaining a Master’s degree in Psychology in Canada ranges from roughly 4,000 to 30,000 Canadian Dollars (four to seventeen lakhs Indian Rupees) each year. The University of Northern British Columbia is one of the more reasonably priced universities in Canada to pursue a master’s degree in psychology; the cost of attendance at other universities with comparable programs ranges from 1,400 to 3,800 Canadian Dollars a year (INR 81,000 – 2.21 lakhs per year). At universities in Canada that offer master’s degrees in psychology, you may also qualify for scholarships that range anywhere from 760 to 13,250 US dollars in value.

According to estimates from payscale, Psychology is one of the disciplines that is experiencing rapid growth in Canada. The starting salary for a new graduate with a master’s degree in psychology from a university in Canada is equivalent to INR 36.69 lakhs per year.

#Top Universities

The following table provides a ranking of the top 10 Canadian universities that provide a master’s degree in psychology, as well as the relevant Times Higher Education (THE) and QS World Rankings 2022 positions:

University Name	THE Ranking 2022	Tuition Fee (CAD/year)
University of Toronto	18	27,520 CAD/year
University of British Columbia	37	8,952 CAD/year
McGill University	44	9,330 CAD/year
McMaster University	80	11,396 CAD/year
University of Alberta	125	7,680 CAD/year
University of Waterloo	201	14,508 CAD/year
Western University	201	12,656 CAD/year
Queen’s University	251	12,927 CAD/year
Dalhousie University	251	13,077 CAD/year
York University	401	12,550 CAD/year

#Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Psychology degree in Canada, international applicants are required to meet not only the general standards but also the requirements that are unique to the program.

Prospective international students who are interested in pursuing a Master of Science degree in Psychology in Canada are required to satisfy the following eligibility requirements to be considered for admission to one of the country’s universities:

• Master’s programs in psychology in Canada require applicants to have a minimum of 16 years of study, broken down as follows: 10+2+4 years of education, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related discipline.
• To be eligible for admission to the Master in Psychology program in Canada, you need to have earned a grade point average of between 75% and 80% in your undergraduate degree.
• Before applying for a Master of Science in Psychology in Canada, prospective students are strongly encouraged to finish both their research thesis and advanced statistics coursework.
• A grade of A- or B+, or higher, in the topic that the student is majoring in is required to demonstrate a good academic performance.
• To get accepted into a Master of Science in Psychology program in Canada, you will need to take the GRE. However, not all educational institutions demand the same thing from their students.
• To be eligible for admission to a Master of Psychology program in Canada, applicants are also required to provide evidence that they do not have any sort of criminal history.

Note that just meeting all of the basic requirements for admission, does not give the assurance that you will be accepted into the master’s program in psychology in Canada.

#Admission requirements

After submitting an application for a Master of Science in Psychology at a university in Canada, applicants are asked to send in a list of supporting documents as well as test scores. The list of the same can be found below, along with other standards that must be met by overseas students:

• How to Apply for a Master’s Degree in Psychology in Canada: Prospective students must submit their applications to the specific Canadian universities where they wish to enroll.
• Documentation to Back It Up: The following items constitute the necessary paperwork that must be turned in:
• Letter of Intent or Research or Statement of Purpose (SOP): This should be no more than one page and should state the reasons for conducting research as well as the long-term goals following completion of an MS in Psychology in Canada.
• CV or Resume: Additionally, a current CV or resume that details the applicant’s level of research experience in psychology or professional experience must be submitted (if any).
• Transcripts of academic work completed at an accredited high school, university, or college, provided in PDF format and stamped with the official seal of the educational institution.
• Option Preference Form: This form is required by several universities in Canada so that they can learn from the applicant the type of research that the applicant hopes to engage in while pursuing a master’s degree in psychology.
• If a candidate has previously earned a degree in Psychology, some colleges in Canada will waive the requirement for them to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). These universities ask applicants to submit a Psychology Background Form.
• The Required Test Scores Are: The following examinations, together with their respective minimum scores, must be passed by international students who wish to earn a Master of Science degree in Psychology from a Canadian university:
• Standardized Test Scores: The GRE is the standardized test that is required by the majority of the universities in Canada that provide admission to Master’s programs in Psychology.

#Scores for the English Language Proficiency Exam:

Here is a list of the minimal scores that are mentioned; however, only one of these scores is accepted for admission to the Master of Science in Psychology program in Canada:

Test Name	Minimum Score Required
TOEFL (iBT)	86 – 120
TOEFL (CBT)	213 – 250
TOEFL (PBT)	580 – 600
IELTS	6.5 – 7
CAEL	70% – 80%
CANTest	4.5
Test of Writing in English (TWE)	4.0 – 5.0
MELAB	85 – 90
CPE	Level C
CAE	Level B
PTE	63

Note that because each university has its unique test acceptance policy, the universities may not necessarily accept any or all of the tests listed above. Therefore, prospective students should investigate the prerequisites and examinations needed for admission to a master’s program in psychology at a Canadian university before applying.

#Application deadlines

Depending on the institution, the deadline for submitting an application to be considered for admission to a master’s program in psychology in Canada falls anywhere from December to February.

University Name	Application Deadline	Admission Dates
University of Toronto	November 2022	September 2023
McGill University	December 2022	August 2023
University of British Columbia	December 2022	September 2023
University of Waterloo	December 2022	September 2023
Western University	December 2022	September 2023
Queen’s University	December 2022	September 2023
McMaster University	December 2022	September 2023
York University	December 2022	September 2023
Dalhousie University	December 2022	September 2023
University of Alberta	January 2022	September 2022

#Student visa

Students from other countries need to have a valid study visa to enroll in a master’s program in psychology in Canada. Check and recheck sure you have all of the necessary paperwork and files before you submit your application.

• The length of your program plus an additional three months is typically included in the validity period of a study permit. You have the option to ask for an extension of your stay.
• Your study permit will be valid for the period of the courses that your school wants you to take before, in addition to an additional year, if your institution has this requirement. After you have been accepted into the main program, you will have the opportunity to submit a request to lengthen the period that you are enrolled as a student.
• If you do not complete your course by the expiration date, you must request to extend your student visa.

#Masters in Psychology without GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is one of the regular admissions tests in Canadian colleges; however, certain Canadian universities that offer master’s degrees in psychology do not require a GRE score from their students.

The following table provides a listing of Canadian universities that offer master’s degrees in Psychology but do not need applicants to submit GRE scores. Note that some of the universities listed below are located in the United States, but they only offer their Master’s degrees in Psychology through an online format.

University	Fees (CAD/year)	Admission Requirements
Mount Saint Vincent University	13,304 CAD/module	GPA 3.3, IELTS 7, TOEFL iBT 93
Trent University	20,996	GPA 3.3 – 3.7, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 93
Vanguard University	30,429	TOEFL iBT 86, IELTS 6.5
Lynn University	17,466	IELTS 6.5, PTE 55, TOEFL iBT 80
Grand Canyon University (Online)	25,583	GPA 2.8, GMAT 500, IELTS 6
Walden University (Online)	32,764	IELTS 6.5, PTE 53, TOEFL iBT 79

#Courses

Masters of Clinical Psychology in Canada, Masters of Science in Psychology in Canada, and Masters of Arts in Psychology in Canada are the three most common types of advanced degrees in the field of psychology that may be obtained in Canada. The most prestigious schools in Canada that offer master’s degree programs in psychology, along with the associated costs and application due dates, are detailed below.

Masters in Clinical Psychology

University	Fees (CAD/year)	Admission Dates
Lakehead University (MA Clinical Psychology)	15,332	Application Date: February 2022 Admission Date: September 2022
Lakehead University (MA Clinical Psychology: Gender and Women’s Studies)	15,332	Application Date: February 2022 Admission Date: September 2022
University of Alberta (Masters in School and Clinical Child Psychology)	7,680	Application Date: December 2022 Admission Date: September 2023
University of Victoria (MSc Clinical Psychology)	5,074	Admission Date: September 2022
University of Toronto (MA in Counseling and Clinical Psychology)	27,520	Application Date: November 2022 Admission Date: September 2023
Queen’s University (MSc Clinical Psychology)	12,927	Application Date: December 2022 Admission Date: September 2023
University of Regina (MA Clinical Psychology)	45,840	Application Date: January 2022 Admission Date: September 2022

#MSc Psychology

University	Fees (CAD/year)	Admission Dates
Trent University	20,996	Application Date: February 2022 Admission Date: September 2022
University of Northern British Columbia	3,498	Application Date: December 2022 Admission Date: September 2023
Lakehead University	15,332	Application Date: February 2022 Admission Date: September 2022
Western University	12,656	Application Date: December 2022 Admission Date: September 2023
Dalhousie University	13,077	Application Date: December 2022 Admission Date: September 2023
McMaster University	11,396	Application Date: December 2022 Admission Date: September 2023
Queen’s University	12,927	Application Date: December 2022 Admission Date: September 2023

MA Psychology

University	Fees (CAD/year)	Admission Dates
Mount Saint Vincent University	13,304 CAD/Module	Application Date: January 2022 Admission Date: September 2022
Lakehead University	15,332	Application Date: February 2022 Admission Date: September 2022
University of British Columbia	13,604	Application Date: December 2022 Admission Date: September 2023
University of Guelph	13,674	Application Date: November 2022 Admission Date: September 2023

#Cost of studying

The whole cost of obtaining a master’s degree in psychology in Canada, including tuition and fees, will come to approximately 32,000 dollars per year after the degree is finished in its entirety. The following section of this article will throw light on the various costs that are incurred while studying for a master’s degree in psychology in Canada. 

Pre-arrival expenses

In order to be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Psychology program in Canada, prospective students are required to make several charges, some of which are non-refundable, such as the application fee and health insurance premiums. The following is a list of one-time payments that are included in this category and fall under the aforementioned heading

Expenses	Cost (in USD)
GRE Test Fee	205
University Application Fee	75
Visa Application Fee	235*
Health Insurance	410 – 607
Official Financial Statement	10,000

A study permit costs USD 150, and getting your biometrics done costs USD 85.

#Cost of living

The total of the costs associated with housing, public transportation, grocery shopping, and medical care is what is meant by the phrase “Cost of Living in Canada.” There is a possibility that overseas students attending schools and institutions located in various towns and regions across Canada would experience a moderately varying cost of living standard in Canada.

Type of Expenses	Cost (USD)
Accommodation	4,500-10,000/yr
Food	3000-5000/yr
Books & Study Material	1500/yr
Clothing	40/month
Utilities	400/month
Entertainment	80-160/month
Other Related Expenses	78-163/month

#Affordable masters in Psychology in Canada

College	Course	Fees (CAD/year)
University of Northern British Columbia	MSc Psychology	3,498
Memorial University of Newfoundland	MSc Psychology	2,148
Simon Fraser University	MA Psychology	3,892
University of New Brunswick	MA Psychology	1,435 CAD/module

#Scholarships

The amount of money awarded by International Student Scholarships in Canada for master’s degree programs in psychology might range anywhere from 760 to 13,250 USD. The following grants, scholarships, and awards are available from a variety of educational institutions:

• Graduate Assistantships are available every year through the Arts Faculty at the University of Northern British Columbia to graduate Psychology students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and are enrolled in the master’s degree. The sum that is being offered is 11,400 US Dollars.
• Terms of Reference for the Jillings Award presented by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In the University of Regina, Clinical Psychology students who are accepted into the master’s program are eligible to receive a sum equal to USD 2,200.
• Students participating in the Master of Science in Psychology program at the University of Alberta are eligible for the following scholarships:
  • Dr. Brendan Gail Rule A graduate scholarship in the sum of 1,400 US Dollars is made available to a student in the Psychology department who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in academics.
  • Dr. Jane Silvius After the class, the Psychology department will choose one student at random to receive a graduate scholarship in child development for a total of 12,200 US dollars. This student will be chosen at random.
  • Graduate students who are conducting research in the field of developmental science are eligible to apply for the ISSBD 2012 Graduate Scholarship. The prize is guaranteed to be a minimum of 760 USD.
• Students at Concordia University who are pursuing a Master of Science in Psychology are eligible to receive an annual scholarship from the university worth 13,250 USD.
• Graduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement are eligible to receive an annual stipend from the Psychology Department at Queen’s University averaging 20,100 USD.
• Graduate students who are enrolled in the Master of Science in Psychology program at McMaster University are eligible for a departmental award worth $1,900 USD from the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior (PNB).

#Career prospects

After completing their Master of Science in Psychology, just 27 percent of students who are eligible apply to the Ph.D. program in Psychology offered in Canada. On the other hand, those who are left actively look for work. Institutions such as universities or colleges, hospitals, pharmaceutical businesses, psychotherapy clinics, research organizations, and so on all play a role in the recruitment process for these individuals.

The following table provides information regarding work opportunities for those with a Master’s degree in Psychology in Canada, as well as recruiting companies and potential salaries:

Job Role	Recruiting Organization	Salary
Psychologist	Pain Rehabilitation Clinic, Toronto, Ontario	$50 – $200 hourly
Moncton Psychologist	Réseau de santé Horizon, Moncton, New Brunswick	$37.2991 – $44.9147
Clinical Psychologist	Ottawa Center for Cognitive Therapy, Ottawa, Ontario	$120,000.00 to $180,000.00 annually
Psychologist	Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario	$66.41 hourly
Educational Psychologist	Government of Saskatchewan	$35.164-$44.064 hourly

The following is a list of popular government departments in Canada that are always looking to hire psychologists:

CLINWest Research Inc.	NeuroRx Research
Marianopolis College	McGill University
Montreal Therapy Center	Novotech
Research Institute of McGill University Health Center	Royal Canadian Mounted Police
University of Ottawa	University of Toronto

• Masters of Psychology degree holders in Canada have the potential to earn $62,943 a year (roughly equivalent to INR 36.69 lakhs) even without any work experience.
• Following graduation, a psychologist who has between one and four years of professional experience can anticipate earning a base salary of $71,921 (INR 41.93 lakhs per annum).
• The salaries of psychologists in Halifax, Alberta, and Ottawa are all between 4 and 13 percent more than the average income across the country.
• Students who specialize in Masters in Cognitive Behavior, Clinical Psychology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning earn salaries that are significantly higher than the national average pay of a Psychologist. These salaries range from $77,000 to $92,886 (INR 41 to INR 54 lakhs per annum).

Key Takeaways

• Flexible Study Options: Students can choose between full-time, part-time, or online master’s programs in psychology to suit their schedules.
• Top Universities: Leading institutions like the University of Toronto and McGill University provide world-class faculty and research opportunities.
• Affordable Tuition: Costs range from CAD 4,000 to CAD 30,000 annually, with universities like the University of Northern British Columbia offering lower tuition fees.
• Scholarships Available: Financial aid options include scholarships worth up to USD 13,250, helping reduce the financial burden for international students.
• Career Growth: Graduates earn competitive salaries starting at INR 36.69 lakhs annually, with higher pay for specializations like Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavior.

#FAQs