Social service is one of the most honourable vocations. A beautiful but demanding profession choice is social work, where one enters a demanding workplace to support those going through silent struggles and frequently finds oneself assisting others in various circumstances. To work in the field of social change, social workers normally need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work. Among the nations that provide a top-notch MSW course is Canada. Are you ready to go to the next level and pursue a career in social work by moving to Canada? If so, here are some things you should know about MSW course in Canada, including their duration, cost, and other specifics. Moreover, there are various short term courses in Canada for PR such as Public Administration and many more.
- What is the MSW Course in Canada?
- Top Universities for MSW Course in Canada
- Why Choose to Study MSW Course in Canada?
- MSW Course Scope
- Tuition Fees for MSW Course
- Cost of Living in Canada
- Documents Required
- Eligibility Criteria
- Scholarships for Studying MSW (Masters in Social Work) in Canada
- MSW Specialisations
- Best Books for MSW Course
- Jobs After MSW Course in Canada
- Province-Based MSW Salary in Canada
- FAQs
Read this: Higher Studies in Canada
What is the MSW Course in Canada?
The Masters in Social Work or MSW course in Canada is a professional postgraduate degree intended for individuals who have a strong desire to have a comprehensive understanding of social work. Theory from a variety of disciplines, including economics, politics, sociology, medicine, and philosophy, is included in MSW. While the curriculum for each university’s degree may change, research opportunities, field placement training, and coursework are all crucial components of the course.
Top Universities for MSW Course in Canada
Enlisted below are the top universities for MSW course in Canada.
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- Université de Montréal
- University of Western Ontario
- University of Windsor
- University of Manitoba
- Ryerson University
- York University
- Dalhousie University
- Western University
- University of Calgary
- McMaster University
- University of Waterloo
- University of British Columbia
- McGill University
- University of Toronto
Why Choose to Study MSW Course in Canada?
The Canadian government states that the average pay for social workers is between 19.20 and 46.15 CAD per hour. Hospitals, school districts, social aid organizations, welfare groups, prisons, and the commercial sector are just a few of the industries in which they are employed. Social workers are in great demand right now in Canada due to a shortage of the profession.
Notable Canadian cities and provinces with high demand for social workers are British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Because of this, MSW programs are highly regarded in Canada for fostering both professional and personal growth. The basic requirements for admission include transcripts, resumes, statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, tests of English proficiency, and so forth.
MSW Course Scope
Social Workers are most in demand in Canada because all the provinces of Canada hire MSW graduates. Moreover, the future scope for social workers is increasing. Hence, some of the areas where they can work in are:-
- Private Counselling and Consultation Agencies
- Government Departments
- Social Housing Departments
- Family Service and Family Courts
- Schools and Child Welfare
- Mental health Clinics
- Community Health Centres
- Hospitals
Tuition Fees for MSW Course
The tuition fees for the MSW course will vary depending on the university you are choosing. Listed below is the tuition fee according to the top universities of Canada.
| University Name | Tuition Fees (in CAD) | Tuition Fees (in INR) |
| Dalhousie University | 27,888 per year | 1709562.49 per year |
| University of Calgary | 16,485 per year | 1010547.10 per year |
| Western University | 23,982 per year | 1470120.75 per year |
| McGill University | 16,357 per year | 1002700.57 per year |
| University of British Columbia | 28,125 per year | 1724090.83 per year |
| University of Toronto | 41,010 per year | 2513954.30 per year |
Cost of Living in Canada
| Expenses | Cost (in CAD) | Cost (in INR) |
| Transportation | 95.18 | 5834.63 |
| Books and Supplies | 312.72 | 19170.05 |
| Food (per meal) | 10.88 to 27.19 | 666.95 to 1666.77 |
| Housing | 258.33 to 775.00 | 15835.89 to 47508.28 |
Documents Required
Listed below are some of the common documents required for pursuing an MSW course in Canada.
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc.
- 2 to 3 LOR (Letter of Recommendation)
- SOP (Statement of Purpose)
- Academic Transcripts
- Good GPA
Eligibility Criteria
| University Name | TOEFL iBT | IELTS | GPA |
| University of Calgary | 86 | 6.5 | 3.0/4.0 |
| University of Waterloo | 90 | 7.0 | 75% |
| University of British Columbia | 93 | 6.5 | 76% to 79% |
| McGill University | 86 | 6.5 | 3.2/ 4.0 |
| University of Toronto | 93 | 7.0 | 3.0/ 4.0 |
Scholarships for Studying MSW (Masters in Social Work) in Canada
- Helen Damer Memorial Bursary
- Joan Cummings Memorial Award
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
- Lawrence T. Hancock Scholarship
MSW Specialisations
Canadian Universities offers a vast variety of MSW specializations for international students whose names may change but they are divided into elective and core groups. Some of the top MSW specializations available are:-
- Families in Oncology
- Interprofessional Psychological Oncology
- Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse
- Sexual Health and Counselling
- Palliative and Grief Care Aspect of Social Work
- Mental Health and Addictions
- Child and Family
- Social and International Development
- Health and Social Care
- Clinical Social Work Approach and Practice
- Human Services Leadership Practices
- Community and International Development
Best Books for MSW Course
| Book Name | Author/Editor |
| Anti-Discriminatory Practice | Neil Thompson |
| Social Work Skills and Knowledge: A Practice Handbook | Pamela Trevithick |
| A Trick of the Light | Lois Metzger |
| Social Work Values and Ethics | Frederic G Reamer |
| Introduction to Social Work: An Advocacy-Based Profession | Lisa E. Cox |
| Essential Research Methods for Social Work | Earl Babbie |
| The Social Worker’s Guide to Children and Families Law: Second Edition | Lynn Davis |
Jobs After MSW Course in Canada
Before enrolling in an MSW program in Canada, think about the different fields in which you can pursue a profession. Numerous industrial leadership roles require completion of this course. In order to work in this profession, one must engage in interactions and collaborations regarding health disparities, inequities, education, and health promotion with communities, families, individuals, and organisations. Moreover, some of the jobs after the MSW course in Canada are as follows along with the average salary in CAD and INR.
| Job Profile | Average Salary (in CAD) | Average Salary (in INR) |
| Counsellor | 63883.84 | 3916412.23 |
| Health Clinical Coordinator | 75615.14 | 4635602.04 |
| Social Science Researcher | 86412.45 | 5297533.39 |
| Public Policy Social Worker | 74611.82 | 4574093.29 |
Province-Based MSW Salary in Canada
| Province | Average Salary (in INR) | Average Salary (in CAD) |
| Nova Scotia | 31,23,590 per year | 52,411 per year |
| Ontario | 42,87,122 per year | 71,934 per year |
| Alberta | 44,20,979 per year | 74,180 per year |
| British Columbia | 41,48,020 per year | 69,600 per year |
Know more: Cheap Universities in Canada for International Students 2024
FAQs
The tuition fees for MSW courses in Canada are between INR 613345.12 to 2760053.04 or CAD 10000 to 45000.
The best universities are:-
1. University of Manitoba
2. Dalhousie University
3. Western University
4. York University
5. McGill University
