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life2525

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Jan 16, 2021
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Hi all,

Currently graduated from my home country 3 months ago. I'm unemployed and am finding it tough to find a job with just a bachelors. I've got an offer letter for a Canadian college for a Graduate Certificate program (Post grad diploma). I'm not eligible for a Masters in Canada due to my past academics.

However, on the other hand I have secured a Masters admission in another country (really good university) but one of my goals is to get a Canadian PR.

What would be better for me? For job prospects and settlement wise? My family members are telling me a PG Diploma is a waste compared to a Masters.

Should I complete my Masters in the other country, get 3 years work experience and apply under the Skilled Worker?

I already have the visa for the other country (study permit). The offer letter I have for Canada is for May 2021. Visa times are unreliable so I'm not sure what to do.

What would you do in my situation?


Study a pg diploma in Canada, work for 1 year and apply CEC or study a better degree, in a better university, get 3 years of foreign experience and apply under skilled worker? What's better?

I'm so confused.
 
Last edited:
Hi all,

Currently graduated from my home country 3 months ago. I'm unemployed and am finding it tough to find a job with just a bachelors. I've got an offer letter for a Canadian college for a Graduate Certificate program (Post grad diploma). I'm not eligible for a Masters in Canada due to my past academics.

However, on the other hand I have secured a Masters admission in another country (really good university) but my main motivate is to get a Canadian PR.

What would be better for me? For job prospects and settlement wise? My family members are telling me a PG Diploma is a waste compared to a Masters.

Should I complete my Masters in the other country, get 3 years work experience and apply under the Skilled Worker?

I already have the visa for the other country (study permit). The offer letter I have for Canada is for May 2021. Visa times are unreliable so I'm not sure what to do.

What would you do in my situation?


Study a pg diploma in Canada, work for 1 year and apply CEC or study a better degree, in a better university, get 3 years of foreign experience and apply under skilled worker? What's better?

I'm so confused.

If you want to come to Canada, make sure you plan to study for at least 2 years to get a 3 year PGWP. Lower chances of PR with just a 1 year program and 1 year PGWP - it's a risky approach.
 
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If you want to come to Canada, make sure you plan to study for at least 2 years to get a 3 year PGWP. Lower chances of PR with just a 1 year program and 1 year PGWP - it's a risky approach.
I know this, but that wasn't my question.. I'm in a dilemma of which approach to take.
 
I know this, but that wasn't my question.. I'm in a dilemma of which approach to take.

If your choice is between a 1 year program in Canada and a Master's elsewhere, take the Master's.
 
If your choice is between a 1 year program in Canada and a Master's elsewhere, take the Master's.
I got an offer letter for a 2 year post-grad diploma. However, that's not really a good "degree". People are telling me nobody hires people with a pg diploma in canada.

Would it be better to get a Masters from elsewhere then accumulate the 3 years work experience and apply with around 475-480 points? (0 canadian experience)
 
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I got an offer letter for a 2 year post-grad diploma. However, that's not really a good "degree". People are telling me nobody hires people with a pg diploma in canada.

Would it be better to get a Masters from elsewhere then accumulate the 3 years work experience and apply with around 475-480 points? (0 canadian experience)

I would personally go for the Master's provided it's from a good school that you know will be recognized by WES. PGD is low value for employers in Canada.
 
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Hi all,

Currently graduated from my home country 3 months ago. I'm unemployed and am finding it tough to find a job with just a bachelors. I've got an offer letter for a Canadian college for a Graduate Certificate program (Post grad diploma). I'm not eligible for a Masters in Canada due to my past academics.

However, on the other hand I have secured a Masters admission in another country (really good university) but my main motivate is to get a Canadian PR.

What would be better for me? For job prospects and settlement wise? My family members are telling me a PG Diploma is a waste compared to a Masters.

Should I complete my Masters in the other country, get 3 years work experience and apply under the Skilled Worker?

I already have the visa for the other country (study permit). The offer letter I have for Canada is for May 2021. Visa times are unreliable so I'm not sure what to do.

What would you do in my situation?


Study a pg diploma in Canada, work for 1 year and apply CEC or study a better degree, in a better university, get 3 years of foreign experience and apply under skilled worker? What's better?

I'm so confused.
If your academics prevent you from getting a Masters in Canada, then it's possible they'd prevent you from getting a study visa in Canada for the diploma.
 
If your academics prevent you from getting a Masters in Canada, then it's possible they'd prevent you from getting a study visa in Canada for the diploma.

That isn't true then many wouldn't even get a study permit for a certificate program or diploma then?
 
That isn't true then many wouldn't even get a study permit for a certificate program or diploma then?
Visa officers review each application in the context of the person applying. A very common reason for refusal is academics and the new program not making sense.
 
Additionally, as @scylla says, PGDs aren't known or really recognized by many employers in Canada. It's not worth it for getting jobs - a lot of employers won't know what it is.
 
Additionally, as @scylla says, PGDs aren't known or really recognized by many employers in Canada. It's not worth it for getting jobs - a lot of employers won't know what it is.
Is it possible to settle in Canada with a Masters and few years work experience as I explained? If I applied in 5-7 years from now I would have 476 to 481 points according to the CRS tool. This is considering I get the best English score possible with 3 years of foreign experience and a Masters degree evaluated as a equivalent to Canadian Masters degree.
 
Is it possible to settle in Canada with a Masters and few years work experience as I explained? If I applied in 5-7 years from now I would have 476 to 481 points according to the CRS tool. This is considering I get the best English score possible with 3 years of foreign experience and a Masters degree evaluated as a equivalent to Canadian Masters degree.
Who knows what the future holds? Express entry could be disbanded in that time, maybe not. If your goal is desperately become PR and have limited job opportunities then by all means do the post diploma, otherwise, you seem to know which option is better for your career
 
Who knows what the future holds? Express entry could be disbanded in that time, maybe not. If your goal is desperately become PR and have limited job opportunities then by all means do the post diploma, otherwise, you seem to know which option is better for your career
Goal would ultimately be to settle in Canada, but with a good career.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
 
Who knows what the future holds? Express entry could be disbanded in that time, maybe not. If your goal is desperately become PR and have limited job opportunities then by all means do the post diploma, otherwise, you seem to know which option is better for your career
It's a risk to apply and wait for a Canadian study permit and having a chance of getting rejected after waiting months for it. I would have to defer for September and that just creates a huge gap as it's almost 8 months away. Don't know whether to trust the "processing times" as it states 9 weeks.
 
I would personally go for the Master's provided it's from a good school that you know will be recognized by WES. PGD is low value for employers in Canada.
Does this mean its virtually impossible to get a job? I would get a 3 year PGWP. In those 3 years is it possible to secure 1 year experience? I know this depends on person to person but are there cases that people with a PG Diploma can't secure a job even after a year? Please guide me