Master degree in Canada

[coconutt]

I'll try to be brief. I'm from EU, Croatia and would like to enroll in a master course regarding engineering.
I have already finished my bachelor (2012-2016) and a master degree (2016-2017) in process and power engineering but since then I cannot find a job(so that's 10 months gap, no work experience) given the fact that my country is corrupted and poor economically speaking.

So I would very much like to immigrate to canada and enroll into a new master program(also engineering) which in turn will allow me to enter the canadian job market a lot easier(not to mention internships during the master program)

now I do understand that every university in canada has its own sets of rules regarding applications, etc but I would like to know some general things regarding my ambitions(oh and btw I would prefer a place like Toronto). I am also aware of the WES system that validates my diploma and would also prefer to know how long does that take on average and how are things with EU diploma's from engineering?

Is it too late to apply for the next year (starting in autumn)? if yes, how long does the whole process usually take. What kind of opportunities do I have after I finish the master degree(I am aware that u can get a PNP if u have a master in ontario, but I want to know whether I have good chances to work there afterwards)

Does it matter that I am 25 years old and already have a master degree? also my grades for bachelor aren't good, but the ones for master are(cum laude) so can that fact help me with applying?

how are things with accommodations? is there an opportunity to get a cheaper accommodation if we're a student and how long does that process take?

is there anything else that would be beneficial to know right now before I enter this process? thank you in advance.

 

[canuck78]

It is too late to get into a masters program for fall 2018 unless a program can't fill a spot for some reason. You should start applying/making contact soon if a program takes admission for January 2019. Given that you already have a masters degree you will have to convince CIC that another masters makes sense given your previous education and career ambitions. It will be quite competitive to get admission into a Canadian masters program. If you are concerned about the cost of living you should avoid applying in the larger cities like Toronto and Vancouver. These cities also have some of the most competitive programs. Many programs will require you to find a professor to be your supervisor so you will have to contact them to propose your areas of interest and research ideas. If you graduate as a full-time student you can apply for PGWP. Based on what work experience you get you can apply for PR.

 

[AstronomyNut]

I'll talk about my experience. I started my applications in Nov 2017 and I felt I was a little late for the September 2018 intake. Researching schools and understanding the Canadian process took a lot of time. I made a list of nine schools but only applied to four. Research experience is important but not necessary - I got into three schools without any real research experience but I did have work experience from where I gained skills and knowledge that were relevant to the specialization I sought. In retrospect, I should have applied to some other schools as well and should have reached out to more professors and more regularly.

The most critical thing for an thesis based masters is that you reach out to professors and do so in time. I got very lucky but I would recommend you reach out and followup every 2-3 weeks. Send them a brief email (2 short paragraphs) that explains your background and what research you want to do with them and attach your resume/CV and transcript. To get their attention, you should list your Skills and Knowledge at the top of your CV - this will get their attention. Follow this up with projects you have done. Basically, applying for a funded masters program in Canada is very similar to applying for a job.

A good GPA matters, of course, as does your IELTS score but I felt my resume mattered more than any of the aforementioned. You should explain why you want to a second masters because funded programs will want to know why to spend their money on you.

Since you have a already have a masters degree, you should try to focus on a funded program (if you have the GPA and background). This will make a lot of things easier for you, particularly your visa. Visa officers tend to be suspicious of students who want a second masters degree so you will have to justify this to the VO.

WES Certificate don't matter for university admissions. They will accept your transcripts and each university has their own way to compute an equivalent GPA.

 

[coconutt]

I don't understand why is it such a big issue if I already have a master degree? I get that canada doesn't like when foreigners take over their jobs but still...You keep mentioning funded programs. What about private programs where you pay a non trivial amount per semester? I have a certain amount I am willing to spend on both the education and accommodation if necessary. The problem with my GPA is that it's a whole point weaker on bachelor than on master (3.3/5.0 bachelor, 4.5/5.0 master). Apart from my GPA results I was a student assistant for 3 years and have presented a scientific article at an international conference.

also I don't understand why you said it will make it easier for visa if I got a master already and then u stated that visa officers are suspicious of a 2nd master?

I'm not sure I understand this reaching out to professors? Masters in europe are based on subjects and a thesis is explored the the last semester, so usually choosing a professor is not the 1st thing you do, but actually the last thing as mostly you do a thesis in association with a company.

 

[canuck78]

I don't understand why is it such a big issue if I already have a master degree? I get that canada doesn't like when foreigners take over their jobs but still...You keep mentioning funded programs. What about private programs where you pay a non trivial amount per semester? I have a certain amount I am willing to spend on both the education and accommodation if necessary. The problem with my GPA is that it's a whole point weaker on bachelor than on master (3.3/5.0 bachelor, 4.5/5.0 master). Apart from my GPA results I was a student assistant for 3 years and have presented a scientific article at an international conference.

also I don't understand why you said it will make it easier for visa if I got a master already and then u stated that visa officers are suspicious of a 2nd master?

I'm not sure I understand this reaching out to professors? Masters in europe are based on subjects and a thesis is explored the the last semester, so usually choosing a professor is not the 1st thing you do, but actually the last thing as mostly you do a thesis in association with a company.

The logical progression after a masters is a PhD. CIC doesn't like a second masters because it often does not provide any new career opportunities and often overlaps with the previous masters. Most students are using their studies as a vehicle for immigration not as genuine students.

Many masters programs are thesis based and require a professor as a supervisor not a company. If a professor likes your thesis proposal or your area of interest they will fight for you to get admitted over other candidates. You would have to have a strong application to get to that stage.

Depending on the program and the school you may get some funding but many masters programs aren't funded. There may be an opportunity to be a teacher's assistant or even a lecturer in exchange for funding or just payment.

 

[AstronomyNut]

also I don't understand why you said it will make it easier for visa if I got a master already and then u stated that visa officers are suspicious of a 2nd master?

Most of what I was about to write was already explained in above post. I'll explain this remark. The idea is to be a good student in the eyes of the visa officer. If you are able to secure funding in Canada, which is very competitive to do for international students, then you must be a great student. Many reservations that a VO may have are significantly reduced.

You are paying a significant amount of money on a second degree if your program is unfunded. In the mind of the VO, the only question is going to be "Why? Why pay this much just to get a degree he already has?" – can you answer this question? Can you justify a second degree?

 

[coconutt]

Most of what I was about to write was already explained in above post. I'll explain this remark. The idea is to be a good student in the eyes of the visa officer. If you are able to secure funding in Canada, which is very competitive to do for international students, then you must be a great student. Many reservations that a VO may have are significantly reduced.

You are paying a significant amount of money on a second degree if your program is unfunded. In the mind of the VO, the only question is going to be "Why? Why pay this much just to get a degree he already has?" – can you answer this question? Can you justify a second degree?

yes, this is exactly what I mean... isn't Canada supposed to be an open country? why so much resistance over someone from EU immigrating? like half of posts here are from indians trying to study in canada... you think they don't secretly want to stay there? Of course I want a 2nd degree so I can stay there, what point is to study there and then relocate again.
anyways as I said already... my bachelor grades aren't good at all so I cannot secure a funding(not unless they take master degree grades in consideration. And I have no idea how to convince a VO that I won't be planning on staying there so yeah I guess I'm just unlucky.

 

[AstronomyNut]

yes, this is exactly what I mean... isn't Canada supposed to be an open country? why so much resistance over someone from EU immigrating? like half of posts here are from indians trying to study in canada... you think they don't secretly want to stay there? Of course I want a 2nd degree so I can stay there, what point is to study there and then relocate again.
anyways as I said already... my bachelor grades aren't good at all so I cannot secure a funding(not unless they take master degree grades in consideration. And I have no idea how to convince a VO that I won't be planning on staying there so yeah I guess I'm just unlucky.

I think I've discouraged you – that was not my intention. The idea was to inform you what factors weigh into a VO's decision. Plenty of people do get a visa for a second master's degree. You just need to research, spend some time on this website, read visa refusals for cases similar to yours and try your best.

You're already ahead of the curve by registering on this forum and trying to gather info. Majority doesn't do this. In addition, there many cases where people were refused multiple times but they improved their case and got it eventually.

 

[darthv]

I think I've discouraged you – that was not my intention. The idea was to inform you what factors weigh into a VO's decision. Plenty of people do get a visa for a second master's degree. You just need to research, spend some time on this website, read visa refusals for cases similar to yours and try your best.

You're already ahead of the curve by registering on this forum and trying to gather info. Majority doesn't do this. In addition, there many cases where people were refused multiple times but they improved their case and got it eventually.

I am in similar situation too. I have a masters and applied for phd but due to little low grade, i have got admission into masters with 75% of tuition fees funding. However, my to be supervisor said to me that if i score good in masters, the university will convert me into phd after 1 yr. I have this conversation in form of email only. Should i include this into my visa application?

 

[AstronomyNut]

I am in similar situation too. I have a masters and applied for phd but due to little low grade, i have got admission into masters with 75% of tuition fees funding. However, my to be supervisor said to me that if i score good in masters, the university will convert me into phd after 1 yr. I have this conversation in form of email only. Should i include this into my visa application?

Sure, it won't harm your application but I'm not sure how much it benefit.

 

[darthv]

Sure, it won't harm your application but I'm not sure how much it benefit.

I was hoping to show career progression by completing masters in 1 yr to strengthen my basics in coursework and then start phd.
Does it look like progression?

 

[AstronomyNut]

I was hoping to show career progression by completing masters in 1 yr to strengthen my basics in coursework and then start phd.
Does it look like progression?

It's not progression. Just do your best in the application and try to justify it.

 

[jerrymsigwa]

Oh the same to me! I’ve masters degree and with to immigrate to Canada on the umbrela of studying another Masters. Please can you lead how did you do that to get 75% less fees in Masters course? Did you apply a PhD after or before having a supervisor?

I’d appreciate if you’ll share your experience, thanks in advance. My plan is to gear up for next year

I am in similar situation too. I have a masters and applied for phd but due to little low grade, i have got admission into masters with 75% of tuition fees funding. However, my to be supervisor said to me that if i score good in masters, the university will convert me into phd after 1 yr. I have this conversation in form of email only. Should i include this into my visa application?

 

[jerrymsigwa]

I think I've discouraged you – that was not my intention. The idea was to inform you what factors weigh into a VO's decision. Plenty of people do get a visa for a second master's degree. You just need to research, spend some time on this website, read visa refusals for cases similar to yours and try your best.

You're already ahead of the curve by registering on this forum and trying to gather info. Majority doesn't do this. In addition, there many cases where people were refused multiple times but they improved their case and got it eventually.

I like your positive attitude. I studied master of environmental managament in Australia, however immigration rules changed and I was adversely affected as my career was slashed from ‘eligible career pathway to Oz PR’ so I had to switch getting somewhere else.

Now my plan is doing masters of environmental economics and management. How do you find this? Will it be hard to get a visa? Otherwise if I get cristal clear information I’d apply for a PhD. The applucations are planned to take course Next year.

One more & last question. In proof of funds, is it okay if somebody with $80,00 to sponsor me, i.e gimme his bank statement & commitment letter. Will this affect the grant of a student visa?
Thanks

 

[AstronomyNut]

I like your positive attitude. I studied master of environmental managament in Australia, however immigration rules changed and I was adversely affected as my career was slashed from ‘eligible career pathway to Oz PR’ so I had to switch getting somewhere else.

Now my plan is doing masters of environmental economics and management. How do you find this? Will it be hard to get a visa? Otherwise if I get cristal clear information I’d apply for a PhD. The applucations are planned to take course Next year.

One more & last question. In proof of funds, is it okay if somebody with $80,00 to sponsor me, i.e gimme his bank statement & commitment letter. Will this affect the grant of a student visa?
Thanks

I really can't say what a second masters would do. I just know it's difficult to justify and if you can, it should be OK.

It depends on who the somebody is. Parents? non-issue. Anyone else, very difficult to prove it's genuine.