Are you looking to master the skill of managing people, handling technical aspects of projects, and bolstering your confidence to unlock your career’s next level? Pursuing project management courses in Canada can be your stepping stone.

Project Management is a coveted profession with sufficient employment and salary growth scope. Canada is home to some of the best institutes that offer courses in the discipline. As the name suggests, a degree in project management teaches management and organizational competence. Ontario is one of Canada's most sought-after provinces for the program, as several colleges provide graduate certificates in project management and pave the way for the highest average salaries for graduates.

Project managers are taught to divide large projects into fragments and separately execute each of them. To hone the skills of learners, industry-oriented subjects in project management in Canada  – accounting and finance, risk management, entrepreneurship, and strategic management is paramount. You will be prepared to organize, schedule, execute, and manage projects of varying scales in diverse industries and sectors. To realize it, Canadian universities offer experiential learning. This article enlists the best project management courses in Canada, fees, and more. 

Reasons to Study Project Management in Canada

Here are some of the prominent reasons to pursue project management courses in Canada for international students: 

• According to the Project Management Institute (PMI) Report titled: Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications, the demand for new project professionals will swell by 25 million by 2030. Nearly 2.3 million project managers and changemakers will be required to fill the projected gap. 
• Enrolling in the best colleges for project management in Canada will make you eligible for specialized certifications offered by PMI upon graduation. These encapsulate Project Management–Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and Project Management Professional (PMP). 
• Per the report from the Anderson Economic Group (AEG) titled: Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap, the labor workforce in project management is projected to grow by 33% globally. The course will equip you with the indispensable knowledge and skills to fill the gap. 
• Canada is a great place to study project management for its high-quality education, top-notch infrastructure, and reputed institutions. 

Aspirants can return and work in Canada for three years after graduation by getting work permits. 

Highlights: Project Management Courses in Canada

Project Management Specializations (Added in the highlights segment above)

It is broadly a management program that can be tailored by the student if the university offers different specializations. Some broadly classified specializations include-

• Business Management
• Construction Management
• Real Estate Development
• Sustainability
• Transportation Management
• Risk Management

What Are PMI Certifications?

Canada's Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is recognized globally to validate holistic knowledge per international standards. The certification is of great value to an individual's profile. If you are thinking of applying for the same, you need to fulfill the following criteria:  

• Having five years of experience in project management and a secondary degree is indispensable. It must include 7,500 hours of working on projects and 35 hours of project management education. 
• If you have a four-year bachelor’s degree, you will require at least three years of project management experience, which must include 4,500 hours of managing projects as well as 35 hours of project management education. 

Top Universities/Colleges for Project Management Courses in Canada

Here are some of the top educational colleges and universities for project management in Canada: 

Levels of Study 

The project management course in Canada can be pursued after completion of your bachelor’s degree. It can be studied in the form of two programs. They are: 

Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate

These are the most commonly opted-for one-year courses for students looking to gain more experience or add to prior knowledge. These courses offer much-needed certification for aspirants in the field.

• Bachelor’s Programs 

A popular university such as Yorkville University in Canada offers a BBA degree with a specialization in Project Management. With a full course load, it would take you around 2.5 years to graduate. Moreover, you can get the chance to earn Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and PMP designations upon completing the coursework. 

Master’s Programs 

These are full-time two-year MSc, MBA, or MEng programs with project management modules encapsulated in the curriculum. It is an interdisciplinary subject taught across degrees, as mentioned above. These degrees combine theoretical knowledge with practical training. Project management aspects such as managing the budget, costs, project evaluation, and resolving conflicts are taught.

Top  Project Management Courses for International Students in Canada

Here is a quick rundown of the options that you can opt for to become a seasoned project manager. 

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Program Management Professional (PgMP)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

Course Curriculum

Quality management, finance and accounting, operations management, risk management, and software are included in project management program courses. The basics of project management, from the planning and development stage all the way to execution and closeout, will also be a part of the curriculum. 

Case studies make up a significant portion of most project management programs; students use the knowledge they gain from studying real-world examples to complete simulated projects in the classroom. The course structure may also include a work placement, which offers students the chance to study under industry experts.

Project Management Course Highlights

Project management subjects may differ as per the program however, some of the common modules that students would study include the following: 

1. Strategic management 
2. Introduction to international business
3. Bank strategy and management
4. Managerial economics
5. Accounting
6. Entrepreneurship
7. HR Management 
8. Quality control
9. Operations management, among other topics

Admission Process

Students can apply for admission during any of the three intakes – May (Summer), September (Fall), and January (Winter) – on respective college/university websites. Applications open from October for all intakes, and aspirants can choose their desired semester dates. The admission cycle may take months, as receiving an offer, confirming the seat, and applying for the study visa to finally be able to go abroad takes time. So plan your applications accordingly.  

You will need to adhere to the following steps for applying to project management colleges in Canada:

• To find out the requirements and available intakes for your desired program, visit the university website.
• Fill up the online form, then submit it with the required application payments.
• Upload the accompanying files using the instructions provided.
• For any updates on your application, keep checking the university website.
• Your admission offer will be sent to your email address. 
• To reserve your seat, submit your acceptance and tuition payment.
• Once you have received notification of acceptance, you can move on with your application for a study permit in Canada.

Project Management Courses in Canada: Admission and Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria 

Here are some of the eligibility criteria for aspirants: 

Education Qualifications 

• 10+2 with at least 60% in the case of UG applicants
• Undergraduate degree in engineering or science with a GPA of 3 on a four-point scale for opting for a PG degree or diploma

English Proficiency Test Requirements

English Language Proficiency tests are compulsory for each international student aspiring to apply to universities in Canada. Most universities require a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS or 86 in TOEFL. However, aspirants must check with their respective colleges; some accept lower scores also.

Entrance Test Scores for Studying in Canada

Project management colleges in Canada may ask for entrance test scores for admission. Undergraduate students may be asked for SAT or ACT scores which can also be used as proof of English language proficiency if accepted by the institution. If you are a graduate student, you will have to provide GMAT or GRE scores for most two years of project management courses in Canada. 

Documents Required for Project Management in Canada

Here is a list of documents required for admission to project management courses in Canada for international students:

• School leaving certificate for UG programs
• Degree certificate for PG programs
• Proof of English language proficiency
• SAT/ ACT scores for UG programs or GMAT/ GRE scores for PG programs
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Academic transcripts from previously attended institutions
• Letters of Reference (LOR)
• Resume 
• Copy of passport
• Criminal background check
• Proof of finances

Project Management Courses Fees in Canada

Tuition costs for graduate, diploma and certificate courses in project management range from CAD 15, 209 – 22, 514 (approx. 9- 13 lakh). Costs of post-graduation courses are between CAD 17,904 – CAD 42,113 (approx. INR 10.3- 24.3 lakh).

Cost of Studying in Canada: Pre And Post-Arrival Cost

Apart from tuition, there will be several pre and post-arrival costs, including an application fee of CAD 110 – 200, an IELTS fee of ₹16,250 or a TOEFL test fee of CAD 162, visa fee of approx CAD 150, a one-way travel ticket costing around ₹50,000 – 60,000. 

Apart from these, once you reach college, you must pay for living expenses, including accommodation, food, travel, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenditures. These expenses will vary depending on the city you reside in. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive cities in Canada, where students may have to shell out comparatively more than in suburban areas. 

Cost of Living in Canada for International Students

Having a fair idea of your expenses before you fly to your desirable study-abroad destination is essential. Here’s what you can expect to incur as part of your project management course in Canada. 

Scholarships for Project Management Courses in Canada 

If finances to study in Canada build a roadblock for you, the following scholarships would keep you covered. 

Salaries and Job Opportunities

There is great scope for skilled project management graduates in Canada. They are hired in several industries like insurance, banking, IT, automobiles, healthcare, infrastructure, telecommunications, and more. Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario are popular provinces to work in Canada as project managers.

Here are some of the job roles with average salaries: 

Considering the global market, there is an increasing demand for adroit project managers across domains. This also highlights the growing competition in the field, and to stand out, you can also opt for some specialized programs – CAPM, PMP, and more. 

Now that you are aware of the global importance of project management courses in Canada for international students, you can expedite your journey to success by booking a free session with our study-abroad experts.   

MS Project Management at upGrad

upGrad Abroad offers a 20-month MS in Project Management in collaboration with Clark University and IIIT Bangalore. In this unique hybrid course, students spend the first 8 months studying online with IIIT Bangalore and the following 12 months at the Clark University campus in US. The tuition fee for year 1 of the course is INR 2.75 lakh (inclusive of taxes), while tuition fees for Clark University, US is approximately USD 17,052.