Software Engineering in Canada - Universities, Courses, Fees

Decode the path to a lucrative career in Software Engineering with a top-class degree from Canada!

If you have a problem-solving mindset and are fond of writing code, then a professional course in Software Engineering would be the perfect academic path for you. This is because this study program is not just about writing code. It is a complete package that includes algorithm application, analysis of software architecture, designing of human or computer interfaces, and more. The course combines all these skillsets with the soft skills of teamwork, project management, and the like, imparted at some of the best universities in Canada.

Canada is renowned internationally for its high standards of education, world-class infrastructure, and top-notch research facilities at its universities. These reasons make pursuing Software Engineering courses at Canadian universities highly attractive for international students. In addition, several universities in Canada rank well per the QS global rankings 2025 , another factor that makes studying in Canada worthwhile for several students the world over.

Why Study Software Engineering in Canada?

Canadian universities offer more than just academic learning to students. This is why international students prefer studying Software Engineering in Canada:

Universities in Canada offer a comprehensive student experience complete with theory, hands-on training, and community interactions.
The staff at Canadian colleges offers complete support to students in both research and practical learning.
Canada offers excellent placement opportunities to Software Engineering course graduates upon study completion.

Specialisations in Software Engineering in Canada for Indian Students

The rapidly evolving technology around us needs engineers who stay abreast with the latest language, framework and tools. A degree in Software Engineering at a Canadian University imparts learning on the latest designing and testing software. The course curriculum focuses on skilling the students to creatively solve problems with elegantly designed solutions. In addition, Software Engineering courses in Canada also focus on teaching valuable leadership skills to students, enabling them to emerge as tech leaders in the software industry.

Students are encouraged to specialise in any one of the following domains as part of the study program, to focus on skill development in that particular area of study. These include:

Cybersecurity and Privacy
Visual Computing (Vision/Graphics)
Data Mining and Analysis, Machine Learning (ML), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Interaction Design and Data Visualisation
Cyber-physical and Smart Systems
Performance and Scalability

Cost of Studying Software Engineering in Canada for Indian Students

Software Engineering courses in Australia may have different fee structures based on the type of course offered - Bachelor’s or Master’s . The fee is likely to vary as per the study program, rank, and location of the university that it is being offered. The approximate course fees for international students for Software Engineering in Canada will likely be CAD 189,000 (approx). It is recommended to check the exact fee structure for the study program at the university that you apply to.

(Source: https://www.idp.com/india/search/software-engineering/all/canada/ )

Eligibility Criteria and Admission Requirements to Study Software Engineering in Canada

The admission criteria for different degree programs in Software Engineering (Bachelor’s and Master’s) are likely to vary from one university in Canada to another. Listed below are the most commonly acceptable entry requirements for the study program at the majority of Canadian institutions:

A minimum aggregate score of 70% in Physics, Mathematics, English, and Chemistry in Grade 12
Prior experience in the development of modular programs required
An overall score of 6.5 in IELTS if your first language is not English

(Source: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/english-language-requirements )

Top Universities / Colleges in Canada for Software Engineering

To pursue professional courses in Software Engineering, international students can choose from several top colleges in Canada ranked as per QS World University 2023 rankings for Computer Science and Information Systems:

University of Toronto
University of British Columbia
McGill University
University of Alberta
Queen’s University

Sources: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2023/computer-science-information-systems?&countries=ca
https://www.idp.com/india/

Career Prospects After Pursuing Software Engineering in Canada

Software Engineering graduates are entitled to apply for the following jobs upon course completion:

Web Development Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Development Engineer
Software Engineer

The average salary of a Software Engineer in Canada is estimated to be CAD 124,461 per annum (approx).

Note: These figures are for indicative purposes only. The salary in this job role will likely change as per qualification, experience, and location in Canada.
Source: https://www.levels.fyi/t/software-engineer/locations/canada

FAQs

1. Which universities in Canada offer software engineering courses?

Some of the top Canadian universities offering courses in Software Engineering include:

University of Toronto
University of British Columbia
McGill University
University of Alberta
Queen’s University

2. Are software engineers highly paid in Canada?

Yes, as per data from https://www.immigration.ca/where-to-get-the-best-salary-as-a-software-developer-in-canada/ , the total salary estimate for a Software Engineer in Calgary, Canada, is roughly CAD 129,500 per annum.

3. Which province in Canada is the best for studying software engineering?

Among all the Canadian provinces, Quebec is believed to be one of the best choices for software developers in the country.

4. What are the prerequisites to apply for software engineering in Canada?

Generally, universities require a standard minimum score of 70% in various disciplines and an IELTS score of 6.5. Also, a background in Computer Science, preferably with prior experience in developing modular programs, is considered a prerequisite to apply for software engineering courses in Canada.

( https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/programs/software-engineering )

5. What jobs can I do in Canada after pursuing software engineering?

Software engineering graduates can apply for the following job positions in Canada:

Software Developer
Principal Software Engineer
Software Development Engineer
Computer Systems Engineer

6. What specialisations are available in Canadian software engineering courses?

Some universities in Canada provide specialisations in the Software Engineering study program, which include Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Mobile Applications, Video Game Development, AI and Machine Learning and more.

7. What is the duration of software engineering in Canada?

This may vary between universities; however, the average duration of the program is 2 years for Master’s ( https://www.idp.com/india/Categories/Carleton-University/Master-of-Engineering-in-Electrical-and-Computer-Engineering-Software-Engineering/p/PRG-CA-00383740/ ) and 4 years for Bachelor’s ( https://www.idp.com/india/Categories/University-of-Waterloo/Bachelor-of-Computer-Science-Software-Engineering/p/PRG-CA-00389775/ ) .

8. How can I get PR in Canada after software engineering?

Software engineering students will likely get a Canadian PR faster if they already have a temporary work visa. In addition, they must also adhere to some other criteria as part of the process, such as an updated CV and a job offer in hand (preferred).

Software Engineering in Canada for Indian Students