Engineering Colleges in Canada: Eligibility, Application Process & Scope

If you are searching for engineering colleges in Canada, you are talking about a country recognized for its high-ranking universities and plenty of choices. Canada is home to some of the world's leading engineering colleges, like the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, which consistently rank among the top 50 universities globally. 

In this guide, I'll walk you through the eligibility criteria, application process, and scope of studying engineering in Canada to help you make an informed decision.

5 Reasons to Study Engineering in Canada

World Class Educational system: 

Engineering requires advanced infrastructure, and engineering colleges in Canada excel in this along with cutting-edge technology. With more than 25 universities in the top 500 of the QS University Ranking 2025, Canada offers top-notch quality education to students.

Specializations: 

Engineering colleges in Canada offer specialized areas of education under the umbrella of Information Technology, Computer Science, Mechanical, and other fields. Interdisciplinary learning, including data science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, etc., can be opted for with other streams.

Innovation: 

Canada leads in tech and engineering innovation, ranking 2nd globally on the 2024 Global Cleantech Innovation Index (GCII). This reflects the country’s strong focus on clean technology and significant investments in research and development.

Job Opportunities: 

Engineering jobs in Canada can offer a remuneration as high as CAD 121,493 annually. A broad range of job opportunities await those who have earned degrees in computer science, biological engineering, environmental sciences, or related fields. In the fast expanding economy, the job opportunities for engineers are expected to increase by 2025. 

Scholarships: 

Students at Canadian institutions may choose from various scholarships and financial grants, helping them manage the study costs more effectively. 

Engineering Universities in Canada: Eligibility Criteria & Application Process

Eligibility Criteria

The general eligibility criteria for top engineering universities in Canada are as follows: 

1.Courses: The applicant must provide senior-level courses in Mathematics, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry and English.

2.Recency: The preparatory courses must be taken within five years before the planned starting date.

3.International Applicants: Assessment is done depending on the system of education that is practiced. For example, Indian applicants must present: 

• Senior School Certificate Examination administered by the Central Board of Secondary Education.
• Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
• State Board Examination for Class 12

4.Early Admissions: This happens based on good marks obtained in the 10th board examination, average marks in the final of the 11th class, and expected board percentage in the 12th class. 

Fluency in English may also be demanded as the primary language of instruction. Observe specific instructions; ensure the document is submitted before the due date.

Application Process

The step-by-step application process for engineering colleges in Canada is as follows:

Step 1: Apply

• Application: Submit through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC).
• Ranking: Rank the university within the top three choices to avoid being disadvantaged.
• Fee: Pay a non-refundable Online Student Profile Assessment Fee 
• Deadline: Recommended to apply by early November.

Step 2: Submit Online Student Profile

• JOINid: Received after application submission to access the Engineering Applicant Portal.
• Profile: Complete the mandatory Online Student Profile.
• Documents: Submit supporting documents (transcripts, proof of English proficiency) by early December for early consideration.

Step 3: Scholarships and Financial Planning

• Scholarships: Awarded based on outstanding academic achievements and active participation in extracurricular activities. University-wide scholarships need separate applications.

Step 4: Apply for Residence

• Application: Complete the common residence application via the Engineering Applicant Portal.
• Deadline: Apply by the deadline to qualify for the Residence Guarantee.

Step 5: Track Application Status

• Portal: Use the Engineering Applicant Portal to confirm receipt of documents, check for new document requests, review application status, and receive updates.

Top 10 Engineering Universities in Canada

Here are the top 10 universities in Canada for engineering, known for their world-class education and innovative research

University Name	QS Subject Rankings 2024	Location
University of Toronto	17	Toronto
University of British Columbia	25	Vancouver
McGill University	39	Montreal
University of Waterloo	=40	Waterloo
University of Alberta	=100	Edmonton
Université de Montréal	=111	Montreal
University of Calgary	=153	Calgary
Queen's University at Kingston	=200	Kingston
McMaster University	=226	Hamilton
University of Ottawa	234	Ottawa

Engineering Universities in Canada: Scholarships for Indian Students

Discover top engineering universities in Canada offering scholarships specifically for Indian students:

Name of the Scholarship	Amount	Eligibility
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering Admission Scholarships (various awards)	Up to $5000 (INR 3,03,936)	As an internal student, if you have been admitted to the University of Toronto, you are automatically eligible for the scholarship
U of T Engineering International Scholarships	$40,000 for 4 years (INR 24,31,488)	As an internal student, If you have been admitted to the University of Toronto, you are automatically eligible for the scholarship.
Entrance Scholarships for American and International High School Students	$4000 to $16,000 (INR 2,43,148 to INR 9,72,595)	80% or above, determined by the high school grades you sent in with your application. Must be a first-time student at Carleton Must meet Carleton's language standards Not attended any previous post-secondary schools.
Trent University Entrance Scholarships	From $1,000 to $3,000 (From INR 60,787 to INR 1,82,362)	Undergraduate international students who are applying to Trent University are eligible Minimum 80% in the final exam of high school.

Source: official scholarship and university websites

Best Engineering Universities in Canada

Canada is home to some of the world's top engineering universities, renowned for their innovative research and modern facilities. These institutions offer a diverse range of engineering programs that attract students from around the globe. Top engineering colleges fees in Canada for UG and PG students are illustrated in the tables below: 

For UG students

University Name	Tuition Fees (in CAD)	Tuition Fees (in INR)
University of Toronto	67,370	40,98,400
University of British Columbia	60,622.65	36,87,971
McGill University	66,424.61	40,40,932
University of Waterloo	73,000	44,40,945
University of Alberta	1,81,929.60	1,10,67,663
University of Calgary	3,835.74 for 3 units	2,33,346 for 3 units
Queen's University at Kingston	59,882.81	36,42,963
McMaster University	65,428.21	39,80,316
University of Ottawa	31,582.15	19,21,296

Source: university websites

For PG students

University Name	Tuition Fees (CAD)	Tuition Fees (INR)
University of Toronto	69,430	42,23,765
University of British Columbia	25,109.31	15,27,521
University of Waterloo	15,322.00 per term	9,32,112 per term
University of Alberta	39,500	24,01,094
University of Calgary	2,596.62 for 3 units	1,57,822 for 3 units
Queen's University at Kingston	22,758.52	13,84,512
McMaster University	1,691.03 for each unit	1,02,874 for each unit
University of Ottawa	4,470.78	2,71,980

Source: university websites

Curriculum

The extensive wide curriculum under each stream of engineering offers numerous subjects to study. Some of the primary engineering subjects are:

• Computer Information Systems
• Structural Analysis 
• Data Structures and Applications
• Electrical Drives and Controls
• Engineering Thermodynamics
• Mathematics
• Physics/Chemistry, and others 

Specializations

With an the rise in popularity of interdisciplinary learning, the specializations availaible under the same program. Depending upon your interest and previous work in the field, you may choose from the following specializations:

• Industrial Engineering
• Biomedical engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Bioinformatics Engineering
• Engineering Management

Cost of Attendance

Attendance costs mainly comprise tuition fees (CAD 67,370 or INR 40,98,400), cost of living, and pre-arrival costs (application, standardized test and visa fees). 

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Canada can expect to spend around CAD 91,516 (INR 55,35,623) annually. This amount covers educational and living expenses, including meals, transportation, books, supplies, and accommodation, per the detailed living and pre-arrival costs discussed below.

Living expense: 

Students' choices influence the cost of living in Canada. This entails accommodation, personal expenses, food plans, transportation and lifestyle, and the student's spending habits. The total living cost is CAD 2,828 (INR 1,70,978)

Pre-arrival costs: 

These include the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) (CAD 20,635 or INR 12,48,170), English proficiency tests like TOEFL (INR 16,900), university application fee (CAD 249 or INR 15,071), and study permit (CAD 150 or INR 9,073).

Academic Cycle

There are three intakes for engineering courses in Canada:

Fall Intake: From September to December. It is the most popular session. 

Winter Intake: From January to April. 

Summer Intake: From May to August. This is the least popular and is offered by only a few universities. 

Career Prospects

Job profiles and corresponding average salaries of engineers in Canada can be gauged from the table given below:

Job Profile	Average Annual Salary
Production Manager	CAD 99,682 (INR 60,28,445 )
Service Engineer	CAD 99,473 (INR 60,15,802)
Engineering Specialist	CAD 84,000 (INR 50,79,496)
Operations Manager	CAD 74,000 (INR 44,74,794)
Field Technician	CAD 78,165 (INR 47,27,138)
Civil Engineer	CAD 104,490 (INR 63,19,233)
Project Engineer	CAD 121,493 (INR 73,47,502)
Cloud Engineer	CAD 88,000 (INR 53,21,377)

Source: Glassdoor, August 2024

Engineering Universities in Canada: Top Recruiters

Canadian university engineering graduates have a wide range of options to work for prestigious organizations that are recognized for employing engineering expertise. These highly regarded Canadian companies actively recruit engineers:

Name of the Companies	Average Annual Salary
IBM	Software Engineer: CAD 131,551 (INR 79,54,302)
RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)	Data Engineer: CAD 85,000 (INR 51,39,841)
Amazon	Software Development Engineer: CAD 160,631 (INR 97,12,622)
TD (Toronto-Dominion Bank)	Software Engineer: CAD 112,164 (INR 67,82,089)
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)	Data Warehouse Specialist: CAD 160,631 (INR 97,12,622)

Source: Glassdoor, August 2024

Work Permit after Studying Engineering in Canada

Currently, Canada allows engineering students to work up to 20 hours on campus. If you want to work full-time during vacations, you don't require a work visa. If you wish to work in Canada after completing your degree; you must apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). 

The PGWP enables you to gain employment in Canada for three years, although the period is adjusted with the course duration studied. To be eligible for a Canadian PGWP, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Attend an education program of not less than eight months. 
• Earn a degree from an undergraduate or graduate program at a Canadian university. 
• Secure the work permit within 180 days of the receipt of the last term or semester results. Be the holder of a student visa valid for the intended period of study. 

This permit opens up opportunities for international engineering graduates to get professional experience in Canada. 

Conclusion

Engineering colleges in Canada offer a robust education with excellent career prospects. You can choose from a vast range of choices – from the more popular fields like computer science engineering, software engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering, to the niche-specific fields like mining engineering, aerospace engineering, and geotechnical engineering.

If you are ready to put in the hard work, a thriving job market, global recognition, and ample professional development opportunities await you.