An MS degree, i.e. Masters in Science, is a degree that one can pursue after completing his/her Bachelors. It is a degree through which a student can choose and study from a wide variety of scientific fields like AI, Data Science, Computer Science, Big Data, mathematics, applied science, physical science, medicine, and what not. There are different eligibility conditions for different countries. USA and Canada top the list when it comes to doing an MS abroad, for Indian students.
Getting into a reputed institution to do masters in US or Canada is usually like a dream come true for most students. Along with an opportunity to study abroad, it provides students with a chance to explore the western world and know more about their culture, giving them a completely different exposure and a diverse perspective to see from. However, there are some key differences in doing an MS from USA and doing an MS from Canada, and both have their pros and cons.
MS IN USA
USA is known for being forward in the field of Artificial intelligence. Technologically speaking, it is one of the countries on the forefront of constantly producing and innovating new technology. Along with it, business management is the top result for the best course to study in the USA. Engineering, social science, and physical and life sciences follow the lead.
Masters in Science or Master of Science degree can be pursued in the USA by international students according to the US system of education. It is a one year course. A Bachelor's degree in US is generally for 4 years, and therefore, an Indian student must complete 4 years of education after the 12th grade, before he/she can apply for an MS in USA. This is why, usually, engineering students plan to go to the USA while students doing regular science degrees are required to study for another year to get into a college/university of their choice. For some colleges, however, they accept one year of job experience instead. Certain diploma programs and certificate courses might also be accepted, depending on the college/university the student is planning on applying to. Most colleges prefer the formal 16 years of education.
For Ivy League colleges, like Harvard, a Masters degree program is quite tough to get into. It can require a minimum of 2 degrees before a student can even apply to the program. With such colleges, students get a chance to work on ground breaking research and submit a publishable quality thesis as a part of the curriculum.
Students are required to give the GRE exam depending on specifications provided by the college. Usually, to get into a college, a minimum score of 315 out of 340 is required on GRE. An English proficiency test needs to be taken. The students can either opt for TOEFL or IELTS. For TOEFL, the student needs to score a minimum of 90 out of 120 and for IELTS, an average of 6.5 is required. Apart from seeing the scores in these tests and academics, colleges can also check for practical experiences through internships or jobs or published articles and research work.
Study ethics in the US are great. Students get to specialize in their own field of interest, work side by side and complete the program in 2 years, and even get a fee waiver if they decide to assist professors with their work and teaching. However, doing an MS in USA can be quite expensive. If you would like to attend concerts, join extra classes while studying, the finance can be an issue. The tuition fee can vary from $20,000 to $54,000, with renowned institutes being on the higher extreme of the range. Living expenses could come to $10,000 to $17,000 per year. Therefore, it is a huge investment to go study in the USA and is worth only if you plan to utilize it by really focussing on studying and making avail of the benefits to its full extent.
MS IN CANADA
While USA leads the world with its advancements in artificial intelligence, Canada can be a great place for data specific courses. It includes data science, big data, data analysis, etc. It is also an excellent place for pharmacy, dentistry, medicine and nursing degrees for post graduate programs.
The duration of the masters program can vary from one to two years. Certain subjects like biomedical engineering and biotechnology can also take 3 years. The program will include studies as well as research work. The main education requirement is 16 years of completing formal studies. There are very few universities that accept the 3 year Bachelor's course from India. Thus, it's recommended to do a 1 year diploma program or a 2 year M.Sc course from India before applying. A GPA of 3 on 4 is a minimum requirement or a CGPA of 7.0 to 7.5 in Indian terms. Some of the top universities may require a higher score.
One needs to give an English proficiency test to study MS in Canada. It could be either of the three:
TOEFL: A minimum score of 90 is required.
IELTS: A minimum of 7 is required
MELAB: A minimum score of 90
The scoring criteria can vary with different colleges.
The GRE/GMAT exam is not compulsory and needs to be given only when specified by the university.
The cost of living in Canada can be 10,000 CAD per year. The tuition fees can range from 16,000 CAD to 30,000 CAD annually. The cost of doing an MS in Canada is relatively cheaper when compared to the US. An added advantage is that in Canada, one can find a lot of Indians everywhere, who will always make you feel like you're not far away from home.
