GRE Requirement for MS in Canada

Are you planning to do MS in Canada but not sure whether universities accept GRE scores or not? Well! “The answer is YES. Top Canadian universities accept good GRE scores as it has become a prerequisite for university admission”. In this blog, you will get all the information about the GRE requirement for MS in Canada that helps you in making the right decision.

In this competitive era, it’s obvious that students after MS become highly successful in their careers. To become one among them, you need to take the GRE General Test and get a minimum score of 305 to 320+ out of 340. With this GRE cut-off score, you are sure to get selected in top universities, where they already set a minimum GRE requirement for MS in Canada, and then finally achieve your dream.

Table of Contents

1. GRE Requirement for MS in Canada
2. What is GRE?
3. Is GRE Required for Masters in Canada
4. What is the minimum GRE score required for MS admission in Canada?
5. GRE General or GRE Subject Test for MS admission in Canada?
6. How is the GRE different from IELTS?
7. Course-wise GRE Requirements for MS in Canada
8. Canadian Universities without GRE
9. MS Programs in Canada without GRE
10. Effective GRE Preparation Tips
11. Summary

What is GRE?

Graduate Records Examinations (GRE) is a standardised exam conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Students across the globe take the GRE test for university admission. GRE is of two types - GRE General Test and GRE Subject Tests. International students take the GRE General Test for a master’s in business, MBA, JD or doctoral degree. The GRE General Test has three sections (quants, verbal, analytical writing) as follows: 

• Quantitative Reasoning - assesses your mathematical ability and concepts and solves math problems using quantitative methods.
• Verbal Reasoning - assesses your skill to analyse information and recognise relationships between words and concepts.
• Analytical Writing - assesses your ability to think critically and write analytically. It does not measure any specific knowledge of content.

Is GRE Required for MS in Canada

Yes. GRE is required to study MS in Canada with a score range of 310 - 320 out of 340. International students who attain a good GRE score will get an easy entry to study for a master’s degree in Canada.

What is the minimum GRE score required for MS admission in Canada?

310 out of 340 would be the minimum GRE score required for MS admission in Canada. Section-wise, an average of 150 on the verbal and quantitative reasoning and 4.0 on the analytical writing assessment (awa) of the GRE exam is considered minimum by top universities in Canada. Experts always advise aspirants to go for the highest band score rather than the minimum GRE score required.

GRE General or GRE Subject Test for MS admission in Canada?

GRE General test is preferred for MS admission in Canada. Whereas GRE Subject Test is limited to a specific subject (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Psychology).  

The GRE General Test reflects the kind of thinking and skills you’ll need in graduate-level programs. It lets you show the graduate schools that you are capable of advanced studies.

Certain universities suggest students take a specific GRE Subject Test to show their strengths in that subject or a field of study. In some cases, students must take either GRE General or GRE Subject for MS admission in Canada to supplement their academic records and other qualifications.

How is the GRE different from IELTS? 

Though good GRE and IELTS scores are prerequisites for university admission, GRE is different from IELTS, mainly for its unique purpose. GRE is for entering into a master’s degree, taken by UG degree holders. IELTS is for non-native English speakers to study or work in an English-speaking country. 

Top 25 Universities for Masters in Canada that accept GRE Scores Cut-Offs:

Below is the list of top 25 universities for Masters in Canada that accept GRE score cut-offs. It includes the program name and its eligibility criteria.

S No.	University	Program	GRE Scores	Eligibility
1.	University of Toronto	MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences	167 and above in GRE quants	TOEFL: 100  IELTS: 7
2.	University of British Columbia	Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology . Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene	307 and above	IELTS: 7.5
3.	University of Alberta	Masters in Political Science Masters in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences	310	TOEFL: 90 IELTS: 6.5 GMAT: 550
4.	University of Calgary	Master of Arts in Archaeology	310	IELTS: 7.0 GMAT: Accepted
5.	University of Quebec	Masters in Earth Sciences	307	IELTS: 6.5
6.	Dalhousie University	Business Administration - MBA (Financial Services)	300	TOEFL: 105  IELTS: 8 GMAT Accepted
7.	University of the Fraser Valley	Master of Education	307	TOEFL: 100  IELTS: 7
8.	Concordia University	MSc in Management MBA (Executive)	307	IELTS: 7.0 - 7.5 TOEFL: 88.0 - 100.0
9.	McGill University	Master of Science in Computer Science Master of Science in Pharmacology	321	TOEFL: 86  IELTS: 6.5
10.	Fairleigh Dickinson University	Masters in Humanities	310	IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL iBT: 86 PTE: 61
11.	University of Regina	Master of Administration  Master of Educational Psychology	328	IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL iBT: 88
12.	University of Western Ontario	Master of Public Administration (MPA)	300	IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 89
13.	Queen’s University	Master of Management Analysis  Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence	315 and above	TOEFL: 88 IELTS: 7  PTE: 65
14.	McMaster University	M.A. Economics M.Sc Computer Science	307	TOEFL: 85 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 59 GMAT: 570
15.	University of Montreal	Masters in Applied Humanities Master of Science in Clinical Biochemistry	307	TOEFL: 104 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 59 GMAT: 570
16.	University of Lethbridge	Master of Nursing (MN) Master of Science (MSc)	308 and above	IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 61 TOEFL: 90
17.	University of Prince Edward Island	Masters in Medicine and Health	307	IELTS: 6.5
18.	Carleton University	MBA in Business Analytics	310	TOEFL (iBT): 79 IELTS: 6.5  PTE (Academic): 53
19.	Bishops University	MSc in Computer Science MSc in Physics	307	TOEFL: 90 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 61 GMAT: 560
20.	University of Laval	Master of Arts (Rural Development) Master of Psychiatric Nursing	307	TOEFL: 86 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 60
21.	Memorial University of Newfoundland	MSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry	310	TOEFL: 83  IELTS: 6.5  PTE: 65
22.	University of Ontario Institute of Technology	Master of Applied Science Master of Engineering	307	IELTS: 7
23.	University of Waterloo	Master of Mathematics - Computer Science	307	TOEFL: 100 IELTS: 7.5 PTE: 68
24.	New York Institute of Technology (Vancouver)	MS in CyberSecurity	300	TOEFL: 88  IELTS: 6.5
25.	St. Francis Xavier University	MSc in Computer Science	326	TOEFL: 92 IELTS: 6.5

Course-wise GRE Requirements for MS in Canada 

Based on the master programs from top 100 graduate schools and universities, we have brought to you the course-wise GRE requirements for MS in Canada as follows.

S No	Course	GRE Verbal - Average Score	GRE Quants - Average Score	GRE AWA - Average Score
1	Computer Science	150	160	3.3
2	Civil Engineering	149	159	3.4
3	Business and Management	150	153	3.6
4	Arts and Humanities	156	150	4.1
5	Life Sciences	151	151	3.6
6	Education	151	148	3.9
7	Social and Behavioural Science	151	151	3.6
8	Mechanical Engineering	149	159	3.4
9	Anthropology	150	158	3.5
10	Artificial Intelligence	155	155	4.0

Canadian Universities without GRE

We know that GRE scores are a prerequisite for MS in top colleges and universities in Canada. However, there are Canadian universities without GRE that offer master's programs and scholarships for international students. They are as follows:

1. Brandon University - TOEFL - 550, PTE Academic - 59 is required.
2. University of Windsor - GPA - 3.0 or more is required.
3. University of Ottawa - GMAT - 6.0; IELTS - 6.5 is required.
4. Lakehead University - Duolingo English Test - 110 is required.
5. Royal Roads University - IELTS Academic - 6.0 is required.
6. University of New Brunswick - IELTS Academic - 6.5 is required.
7. Thompson River University - GPA - 3.0 is required.
8. University of Manitoba - GPA - 3.1 is required.
9. Capilano University - IELTS - 6.5 is required.
10. University of Victoria - GPA - 9.0 is required.
11. Acadia University - TOEFL - 93 is required.
12. Brock University - TOEFL - 80 is required.
13. Trinity Western University - IELTS - 7.0; Duolingo - 115 is required.
14. York University - GMAT - 550; IELTS - 7.5 is required.
15. University of Winnipeg - IELTS Academic - 6.5 is required.

MS Programs in Canada without GRE

It is possible to study MS programs in Canada without GRE. Certain master programs that do not require students to think critically or write analytically. It involves subjects like pure science, social thinking, etc. Below are the MS programs that do not require a GRE score.

1. Master of Science in Applied Computing
2. Master of Engineering
3. Master of Science in Computer Science
4. Master of Applied Science in Biotechnology
5. Master of Science - Civil Engineering
6. Master of Advanced Engineering
7. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Effective GRE Preparation Tips 

Whether you’re planning for the GRE test in 2023 or later, follow the effective GRE preparation tips (given below). These tips are really effective for both self-learners and students learning in coaching centres. These tips guarantee desired GRE scores in their first attempt.    

• Take the best books for GRE preparation, and not the average resources.
• Give enough time to take short notes and complete the syllabus in advance.
• Give more time to practice each question type.
• Check your progress everyday and customise your preparation accordingly. 
• Have a checklist before the exam and ensure all critical points are covered.

You can easily get the best books for GRE quants, verbal and analytical writing sections online and offline. Most books are available in PDF and as a hard copy.

Summary 

Canada is famous among international students, especially Indian students, for its diverse universities and courses. To pursue a master's in one of the top grad schools or universities, one must take the GRE. However, there are exceptions for some MS courses and universities as they consider GMAT. If you need more information about GRE, its syllabus, preparation, and so on, stay connected with us!

FAQs

1) Is GRE required for MS in Canada?
Yes. GRE is required for studying a MS in Canada. Students across the globe take the GRE test and get selected in one of the top grad schools to do a masters degree. However, some universities and MS courses in Canada do not require GRE.

2) Is GRE enough for MS in Canada?
No. Taking the GRE General Test alone is not enough for MS in Canada. Other than GRE, students will also take IELTS, GMAT or TOEFL based on the specific master’s program requirements. Similarly, students take both the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test to join in certain MS courses.

3) Difference between GRE and IELTS?
The main difference between GRE and IELTS is that the GRE test is for undergraduate students to study for a master’s degree in countries like the US, UK, Canada, etc. The IELTS is for non-native English speakers to study, work or migrate to a country where English is prominent.

4) Does the GRE score matter for MS in Canada?
Yes. The GRE score does matter for pursuing a MS degree in Canada. Since many universities accept GRE scores for postgraduate degrees admission, it has become one of the main eligibility criteria.

5) I am an Indian student with a 7.0 GPA. Can I do MS in Canada without GRE?
Being an Indian student with a 7.0 GPA, you can do an MS in Canada without GRE. There are certain Canadian universities and grad schools that do not require GRE scores to do MS. You can apply to any one of them and start pursuing an MS degree.

6) What are the minimum GRE scores for admission in Canada?
The minimum GRE scores range from 305 to 320 for admission in Canada. Based on the specific course, universities set the minimum GRE score requirement.

7) Do universities in Canada accept GMAT scores instead of GRE?
To study MBA, universities in Canada accept GMAT scores instead of GRE. Since GMAT is designed exclusively for prospective MBA students, universities offering MBA courses prefer the GMAT over GRE. Whereas, for other MS degree programs, GRE becomes more significant.

8) Can I get admission in Canada only with a GRE score?
No. You cannot get admission to Canada only with a GRE score. Along with a GRE score, you must take the IELTS test that assesses your English proficiency.