Top Geography Universities in Canada

Top Geography Universities in Canada

Top Geography Universities in Canada
Rojina Raut

Top Geography Universities in Canada are equipped with the latest tools and technologies required for studying biogeography, climatology, sedimentology and the biogeochemistry of environmental change and beyond. 

This includes Earth System Science laboratories (GIS and remote-sensing facilities), the latest instrumentation, field equipment, software, and hardware. 

Canadian Universities offer Geography programs from Bachelor to PhD levels. While Bachelor's degrees are mostly 4 years long, Masters's degrees are 2 years long, and Doctorate is generally 4 years long. 

Education in Geography can help you build your career as- 

  • Cartographer
  • Education program coordinator
  • Emergency planner
  • Environmental assessment coordinator
  • First Nations governance
  • Forestry technician
  • Geotechnical engineer
  • GIS Specialist
  • Land-use planner
  • Marine conservationist
  • Meteorologist
  • Mining researcher
  • Parks policy analyst
  • Real estate appraiser
  • Remote sensing analyst
  • Surveyor
  • Sustainability or environmental consultant
  • Urban or regional planner

Top Universities for Geography in Canada

According to QS Ranking, these are the leading universities in Canada for Geography studies. 

Global Rankings 2023

University

7

The University of British Columbia*

11

University of Toronto

39

McGill University

101-150

Queen's University at Kingston

101-150

Simon Fraser University

101-150

University of Waterloo

101-150

University of Calgary

151-200

Western University

151-200

University of Ottawa

– 

University of Saskatchewan 

Top Geography University in the UK

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Top Geography Universities in Canada: Bachelor of Geography

Bachelor of Geography Courses in Canada

University

Bachelor of Geography Programs

York University

BA in Geography

BA in Global Geography

University of Waterloo

Bachelor in Geography and Aviation

Bachelor in Geography and Environmental Management

University of Toronto

BSc Hons in Geography

BA Hons in Geography

BA Hons in Asian Geographies

BA Hons in Environmental Geography

BA Hons in Physical and Environmental Geography

BA Hons in Forest Conversation

University of British Columbia

Bachelor of Arts in Geography

University of Victoria

BA/BSc in Geography and Computer Science (Geomatics)

BA/BSc in Geography

BSc in Physical, Geography and Earth and Ocean Sciences

McMaster University

Honours Geography and Environmental Studies (B.A.)

 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Geography and Environmental Sciences

Concordia University

Environmental Geography (BSc)

Eligibility

Application Requirement / Document Checklist

  • Academic documents (transcripts, character and provisional certificates) from class and +2 level. 
  • Valid English test scorecards
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • 1-3 LOR if asked
  • SAT/ACT Scores
  • Identification documents like passports
  • Proof of Scholarships
  • Application fees

Academic Requirements

  • To study for a bachelor's degree in Geography in Canada, you must pass grade 12 with a minimum of 70% in maths, physics, and chemistry. 
  • SAT/ACT Scores are not always compulsory, but they can help you get scholarships. 

English test scores

The minimum English language scores to study Bachelor of Geography in Canadian Universities are-

  • IELTS: A minimum of 6.0- 7.0, with no band less than 6.0
  • TOEFL: An overall score of 70- 90, with at least 18 in each section
  • PTE: A minimum score of 50- 68, with no band score less than 50.  

Bachelor of Geography Fees in Top Canadian Universities

University

Annual tuition fees in CAD

University of Calgary

25,529.84

Lakehead University

27,759.67 for 1st year

26,989.79 for the remaining years

University of Waterloo

42,000- 43,000

University of Victoria

20,121.00

University of British Columbia

20,000-45,000

Ryerson University

30,363.77

Concordia University

20,000- 31,000

University of Lethbridge

20,000- 30,000

McMaster University

25,000- 40,000

Top Geography Universities in Canada: Master of Geography

Master of Geography is 1-2.5 years long in Canada. The major subfields of Geography offered in Canada are- 

  • Physical Geography and Natural Systems
  • Environmental Geography and Resource Management
  • Urban/ Economic Geography
  • Historical/ Social/ Cultural Geography
  • Spatial Information Systems
  • Climate change vulnerability and adaptation
  • Community-based conservation and citizen science
  • Cultural interpretations of places, landscapes and tourist sites
  • Geomorphometric analysis
  • Natural hazards, environmental change and their human impacts
  • Rural and regional development
  • Urban development and planning

Master in Geography Courses in Canada

University

Courses

University of Toronto

Master of Arts in Geography

Master of Science in Geography

Master of Forest Conversation (MFC)

Master of Science in Forestry

University of British Columbia

MA in Geography

MSc in Geography

McGill University

Master of Arts (MA) Geography

MSc Earth and Planetary Science

MSc Geography

Concordia University

Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies (MSc)

University of Ottawa

MA in Geography

MSc in Geography

Western University

MA in Geography

MSc in Geography

Memorial University of Newfoundland

MA in Geography

MSc in Geography

University of Saskatchewan

MA in Geography

MSc in Geography

Eligibility

Document checklist for applying

  • Official certificates of bachelor's level including transcript, character and provisional certificate. 
  • Intermediate-level documents, including character, provisional and transcripts. 
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • 2-3 Letters of Recommendation, depending upon the University
  • Passport
  • Application fees
  • Valid English Proficiency test results
  • GRE Scores (Not always mandatory)
  • Work experience, if asked
  • Additional essays and interviews

Academic Requirement

  • Applicants must pass a Bachelor's degree in Geography, environmental studies or other relevant courses with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. 
  • A 4 year Bachelor's degree from Canada or its international equivalent is required. 

English Test Scores

The minimum scores as stated below- 

  • IELTS: A minimum of 6.5-7.5 on the academic examination. 
  • TOEFL: Minimum 79- 110 on the Internet-based test
  • PTE: Overall 58 to 75

Master in Geography Fees in Top Canadian Universities

University

Tuition fee per year

University of British Columbia

9,000 to 10,000 Per year

Vancouver Island University

18,000

the University of Guelph

20,513

the University of Waterloo

7,254 per term

Mc. Gill University

11,442.13 per year

University of Toronto

36,798.65 per year

the University of Calgary

8,081 Per year

University of Saskatchewan

8,096.13 Per year

University of Ottawa

28,018 Per year

Top Geography Universities in Canada: PhD in Geography

Via a doctorate program in Geography, you will gain expertise and skills through formal coursework, research and teaching assistant positions, and field and laboratory experimentation. 

Additionally, you will be able to carry out independent research leading to the completion of your thesis.

PhD in Geography Courses in Canada

University

PhD in Geography Courses in Canada

University of Saskatchewan

PhD in Geography

University of British Columbia

Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD)

University of Manitoba

Geography (PhD)

University of Calgary

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geography

University of Waterloo

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geography

University of Ottawa

Doctor of Philosophy Geography

Doctorate in Philosophy Specialization n Canadian Studies

Eligibility

Document Checklist for applying

  • Academic documents such as transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of the master, bachelor, and intermediate levels 
  • English Language Scores- Should be valid
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Application fees
  • GRE/ GMAT Scores (This is not a mandatory requirement in most universities for Doctoral programs in Geography. However, it does boost your profile and help you get an assistantship as well)
  • Experience letter for gap
  • 2-3 Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
  • CV
  • Identification documents like passport

Academic Requirements

  • Applicants must complete a master's degree in a relevant course with a minimum cumulative average of 70%  in the last 2 years of study.
  • For doctorate degrees, candidates need to find and finalise the supervisor.

English test scores

International students from non-native English-speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:  

  • IELTS:  6.5- 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band
  • TOEFL: 79-100, with a minimum subscore of 19 in each band
  • PTE: 58-70, with a minimum subscore of 58

PhD in Geography Fees in Top Canadian Universities

University

Annual tuition fees in CAD

University of Saskatchewan

8,096.13

University of British Columbia

9,131.31

University of Manitoba

2,770. 52 per term

In other universities, the tuition fees for PhD in Geography are in the same range as above. Students can also get financial aid like assistantships and an annual stipend of up to CAD 25,000 annually. 

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Top Geography Universities in Canada: Scholarships

University

Scholarship

Value

University of Alberta

Regional Excellence Scholarship

Up to CAD 5,000 based on the admission average

International Excellence Scholarship

Up to CAD 5,000 based on the admission average

Gold Standard Scholarship

The top 5% of students in each faculty of the university receive up to CAD 6,000

President’s International Distinction Scholarship

Up to CAD 120,000 for 4 years of undergraduate study. 

International Leader Scholarship

Up to CAD 10,000

University of British Columbia

International Major Entrance Scholarship

Students need to demonstrate exceptionally well in academics.  

Outstanding International Student Award

Students need to demonstrate brilliant academic achievement and strong extracurricular involvement. 

University of Montreal

UseM Exemption Scholarship

For Undergraduate Programs, 

  • Level A: $12,465.60 per year 
  • Level B: $5,940.90 per year
  • Level C: $2,078.10 per year

For master programs, the value is CAD 9787.95 per year. 

For a PhD program, the value is CAD 21,038.13 per year. 

McMaster University

Provost Entrance Scholarship

CAD 7.500

McMaster Chinese Alumni Peter George International Entrance Scholarship

CAD 3,000

Ontario Graduate Scholarships

CAD 10,000-20,000

Richard Fuller Memorial Scholarship for Science

Cad 10,000- 20,000

University of Toronto

University of Toronto Scholars Program

CAD 7,500

President’s Scholars of Excellence Program

CAD 10,000

The University of Toronto International Scholars Award

CAD 80,000-1,80,000 for 4 years, 

Kata Scholars Program

Varies

Top Geography Universities in Canada: Scope and Opportunities

A geography program can lead to career opportunities in teaching (primary education to university-level teaching and from technical training to highly theoretical instruction), in research (theoretical and applied and in science, social science and humanities), in business (from real estate to GIS to international banking), and in government (again at all levels - Provincial and Federal levels and to participation in International governance bodies and non-governmental organisations) etc. 

To be further precise, graduates can find jobs in geography-related roles in sectors like- 

  • municipal, provincial and federal government
  • community economic development agencies
  • city or regional planning firms
  • social and community service organisations
  • parks and recreation departments
  • international development organisations
  • educational institutions
  • cultural resource management agencies
  • transportation planning departments
  • agricultural and environmental consulting firms
  • travel and tourism industry
  • environmental boards and commissions
  • environmental non-governmental
  • organisations (ENGO’s)
  • scientific foundations and policy institute

Geography jobs and salaries in Canada: 

Job Title

Range

Average

Business Analyst, IT

C$51k - C$91k (Estimated *)

C$68,346

Communications Specialist

C$42k - C$64k (Estimated *)

C$52,039

Community Outreach Coordinator

C$39k - C$74k (Estimated *)

C$53,600

Content Marketing Manager

C$62k - C$99k (Estimated *)

C$78,475

Creative Director

C$58k - C$117k (Estimated *)

C$81,932

Ecologist

C$37k - C$57k (Estimated *)

C$45,946

Environmental Consultant

C$39k - C$65k (Estimated *)

C$50,508

Geologist

C$50k - C$88k (Estimated *)

C$69,849

Program Coordinator, Non-Profit Organisation

C$39k - C$60k (Estimated *)

C$47,571

Public Works Director

C$72k - C$214k (Estimated *)

C$115,093

Scheduling Manager

C$47k - C$95k (Estimated *)

C$66,394

 

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