Post COVID-19, the term public health has come back into sharp focus. While it isn’t new, the pandemic has highlighted its importance more than ever. Public health is the science of preventing diseases and improving community well-being through organized efforts. It’s an ideal field for those who want to create a meaningful impact on society.
For students considering studying in Canada, pursuing a master’s in public health can be a strong and rewarding choice. The field offers promising career prospects, with an average salary of CAD 68,000 (INR 38.94 lakh) per year.
Demand has gone up for skilled graduates across many public health jobs in Canada and other private entities.
The healthcare boom in the country has enabled excellent growth prospects for international aspirants.
Details you need to know about the course
This graduate program is for professionals working in the field of public health, as most universities give preference to those with work experience. However, freshers with relevant undergraduate degrees can also pursue this program. Also, you enroll in a thesis-based or course-based program while applying to the respective university for MPH. Some aspirants may also be confused between an MSc in Public Health and a Master in Public Health.
Generally, the MSc degree is more research-based with a thesis component, while MPH does not have a thesis component. Also, MPH is a huge field with several specializations. To opt for some of the specialisations, aspirants must have a background in statistics and quantitative.
Some of the specializations offered under master’s in public health in Canada include-
Epidemiology
Family and Community Medicine
Indigenous Health (Note: This program begins is the Summer session)
Nutrition and Dietetics
Occupational and Environmental Health
Social and Behavioural Health Sciences
Infectious Disease
Biostatistics
Basic Eligibility Criteria to Pursue MPH in Canada :
10+2+4 years of education and an undergraduate degree in science with a minimum of 75%.
Educational background in statistics, mathematics, computer science and related fields.
GRE test scores, with a good score in the Quantitative section.
Proof of study certificate or experience for those with a one-year gap or more.
Top Universities for MPH in Canada
Before checking out the costliest or cheapest MPH in Canada courses, you should look at the highest-ranked universities for the subject.
University
QS Ranking by Subject 2026 (Medicine)
Tuition Fee (CAD)*
Basic Admission Requirements
1. University of Toronto
14
$27,520/year
Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum mid-B average in the final year.
At least one course in undergraduate statistics.
Relevant work or volunteer experience.
The University of British Columbia
-
$20,000 first year
A degree equivalent to a UBC 4-year Bachelor's degree.
A GPA of B+ or higher, calculated from all third and fourth year-level coursework.
A score of 100 or higher on the TOEFL OR an overall score of 7.0 or higher (and component scores of 6.5 or higher) on IELTS.
McMaster University
43
$51,047.28 for Year 1 $49,191.03 for Year 2
Four-year UG degree.
B+ or higher GPA in the final 10 senior courses.
An undergraduate course in Statistics or Mathematics with at least a B+ grade to for the epidemiology and biostatistics courses.
University of Alberta
86
$8,874.00 per year
A UG degree
GPA of at least 3.0 on most 4-point scales, or B on most letter grading systems, based on your most recent two years or last 60 credits of full-time study (or equivalent) is required.
PTE (Academic) - Overall score of 61 (with a minimum band score of 60) or
TOEFL (Paper-based) - Minimum score of 580 or
TOEFL (Internet-based) - Total score of 92 (with a score of at least 21 on each of the individual skill areas) or
IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall band score of 7.0 (with at least 6 on each test band)
University of Ottawa
=123
$10,000 per term
Honours Bachelor’s degree with specialization or major in a discipline relevant to public health with a minimum average of B+ (75%), OR equivalent
Some other top-ranked universities that you can consider for MPH in Canada-
McGill University
University of Montrea
University of Calgary
Dalhousie University
Laval University
Cost of studying Masters in Public Health in Canada
The average master’s in public health in Canada tuition fees ranges between CAD 8,000-50,349 annually depending on the university and program offering. Apart from tuition, students will also have to incur living expenses, which will vary city to city. Here is a cost of living break-up provided by University of Alberta in the city of Edmonton, where it is located.
Item
Monthly
Annually
Housing
$900 - $1,200 (one bedroom)
$10,800 - $14,400
Utilities
$240 - $450
$2,880 - $5,400
Internet & mobile phone
$170
$2,040
Food
$200 - $300
$2,400 - $3,600
Clothing
-
$500 + $200 for winter clothing
Transportation (Bus)
Included in student fees (U-Pass program)
Included in student fees (U-Pass program)
Educational Supplies**
-
$1,600
Child Care and School Fees
-
-
Recreation
$75
$900
$1,585 - $2,195
$21,320 - $28,640
Requirements for Admission
The admission procedure involves applying to leading Canadian universities well before their application deadlines. Here’s taking a closer look at the same:
Name of the Institution
Timelines
Ryerson University
January 18
Queen’s University
January 31
Simon Fraser University
January 25
McGill University
December 15
University of Toronto
January 18
University of Saskatchewan
January 31
University of Guelph
February 1
Brock University
February 15
University of Victoria
February 1
Western University
January 30
University of Alberta
December 15
Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Public Health in Canada:
10+2+4 years of education and an undergraduate degree in science with a minimum of 75%.
Educational background in statistics, mathematics, computer science and related fields.
GRE test scores, with a good score in the Quantitative section.
Proof of study certificate or experience for those with a one-year gap or more.
The average master’s in public health in Canada salary stand at roughly CAD 66,000 (INR 38.94 lakhs approximately) per year with experience. The MPH salary in Canada is handsome for job roles like healthcare managers, healthcare administrators, public health nurses, biostatisticians, epidemiologists and more. Candidates can also take up job roles as health informatics specialists, healthcare consultants, public health educators, and health and safety engineers. Career prospects are excellent for skilled MPH professionals, especially in terms of future advancement and salary growth.
Applying at universities and obtaining acceptance letters.
Check the student visa criteria.
Apply with all supporting documents.
Appear for the personal interview.
You will need documents like your valid passport, proof of funds, a letter of invitation from relatives if you wish to stay with them in Canada, and academic transcripts and GRE scores. You will also have to provide English language proficiency test scores.
Available Scholarships for Master’s in Public Health in Canada
There are many scholarship options for international aspirants. They include:
McCall McBain Scholarship: Around 10 international students are selected for the award, which includes a monetary benefit of CAD 20,000.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship: Those pursuing the course from the University of Toronto, and other reputed Canadian universities like McMaster University are eligible to apply. The award money is CAD 4,000 for a year.
Isabel Loucks Foster Public Health Bursary- This covers all universities in Canada that provide MPH programs. Students enrolled in full-time courses are eligible for the same.
SGES (Special Graduate Entrance Scholarship) at Simon Fraser University for students admitted to MPH courses.
Scholarship
Approx. Value (in CAD)
McCall McBain Scholarship
2,000 per month
Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship (University of Alberta)
10,000
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
5,000 per session
Charles WB Gravett Memorial Scholarship (University of Alberta)
3,600
NTR Videshi Vidyadharana Overseas Scholarship
16,164 grant
Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi Scholarships For SC
16,164 grant
Education Future International Scholarship
3,232 - 16,164
Conestoga College International Degree Entrance Scholarships
Up to 1,900
Disclaimer: The values provided on this site are for informational purposes only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official university or organization website.
Disclaimer! All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.
Is a master’s in public health high in demand in Canada?
MPH (master’s in public health) is highly in demand throughout Canada. The course necessitates intensive study, and there are excellent job opportunities for skilled graduates. There are leading companies and healthcare entities hiring graduates in large numbers. Those getting MPH degrees may expect handsome job growth over the next few years. Graduates can also expect attractive starting salaries.
How much does an MPH graduate earn in Canada?
MPH graduates can expect attractive salaries of CAD 68,000. This can go up considerably with more experience and knowledge. Career prospects are vast for those with the aptitude to build a rewarding career.
Is a master’s in public health worth it in Canada?
Studying MPH in Canada is highly rewarding, particularly because the country houses some of the best universities globally for the subject. You will get a vast scope of research in Canada and excellent employment opportunities. Handsome salaries can be expected for graduates, as there is soaring demand for skilled professionals in the medical field.
Is a public health degree hard?
Public health degrees are harder to obtain, especially for those without expertise in STEM-related courses or fields. Entry-level public health professions will necessitate specific academic credentials that are sometimes skipped in official academic or educational classes. Public health is a widespread and broad educational field that requires intensive study and effort.
Which university is best for MPH in Canada?
There are leading universities in Canada for MPH. They include the University of Toronto, McGill University, the University of Waterloo, the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Montreal, McMaster University, the University of Ottawa, and more.
Does the University of Toronto offer a master’s in public health?
Yes, the University of Toronto offers aspirants a master’s in public health (MPH). The School of Graduate Studies offers the course. The course spans three years in full-time mode. The University of Toronto is a good option for MPH aspirants looking for sound educational infrastructure.
Bulbul is a self-driven professional and an expert writer & editor. She has been a part of the ed-tech industry for the past 2 years now and is motivated to provide study abroad aspirants with factual...
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