Top 10 Universities for Master's & Doctoral Programs in Mechanical Engineering in Canada

Mechanical Engineering is more often considered an evergreen branch of study as it finds its application in almost all industrial sectors. There is a high demand for mechanical engineers worldwide, encouraging graduates to acquire specialised knowledge in this field. Design, manufacturing and maintenance of machinery and equipment are the prime focus areas of Mechanical Engineering. Canada is an excellent choice for international students aspiring to pursue higher education in this domain. Degree programs in Mechanical Engineering in Canada are technical and research-intensive, preparing the students for stimulating careers in industry and academia.

Top 10 Universities for Master's & Doctoral Programs in Mechanical Engineering in Canada
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Apr 14, 2023 06:42 PM
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Studying Mechanical Engineering in Canada presents fantastic internship opportunities for students as provinces like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal have a robust industrial presence. Canada is home to globally-acclaimed universities that offer excellent quality education while providing a safe and healthy environment for international students to continue their education. We have enlisted the top 10 universities to study Mechanical Engineering in Canada, complete with crucial information.

Top Universities for Master's programs in Mechanical Engineering in Canada

1. McGill University

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McGill University is a prestigious public research university established in 1821 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The University of McGill, also known as McGill College, was officially named McGill University in 1885. McGill University offers degree and diploma programs in more than 300 fields of study. The university's main faculties include Arts, Education, Management, Medicine, Science and Engineering. The alumni of McGill are highly distinguished, including 12 Nobel laureates, 147 Rhodes Scholars, top government officials, political leaders, Academy, Grammy & Emmy Award winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, Olympic medallists and billionaires.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at McGill offers degrees of Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering. MSc in Mechanical Engineering (thesis) is a research-intensive program that focuses on planning, conducting research, organising and submitting the thesis work, guided by experts in the field. MSc is a full-time program with a time limit of 3 years to complete the required 45 credits. M.Eng. is a full-time non-thesis program with a duration of 3 years to complete the program. Students who have completed a Master's program in Engineering or related fields can apply for a PhD program in Mechanical Engineering.
Program List :
  • Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Mechanical Engineering (Non-Thesis)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 18 months to 3 years
  • Admission Semester: Fall & Winter

2. University of Toronto

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The University of Toronto (U of T or UToronto) is an eminent public research university consistently ranked among the top 10 public universities globally. The campus is located on the grounds surrounding Queen’s Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Established by the royal charter in 1827 as the King’s College, the University of Toronto was the first institution of higher learning in Canada. The university includes eleven colleges that are unique in history and characters, with each college enjoying substantial autonomy on financial and institutional affairs. The University of Toronto operates on two suburban campuses of Scarborough and Mississauga, offering more than 200 graduate and 700 undergraduate programs. The alumni of UToronto are celebrated personalities and award winners from arts, science, sports, politics and other fields.
The Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering (MIE) at the University of Toronto offers degree courses of Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Applied Science (MASc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering. MEng program is a full-time program that can be completed in 1 year with a maximum time limit of 3 years. The program includes coursework and optional research projects that prepare the students for a professional career. MASc program is thesis-based, pursued under the supervision of a professor with funding. Qualified students can pursue a PhD where they get an unparalleled opportunity to work with world-renowned faculty members.
Program List :
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 1-3 years
  • Admission Semester: Fall & Winter

3. University of British Columbia

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The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a highly-acclaimed public research university and one of the oldest educational institutions in Canada. Founded in 1908, UBC has been a global centre for learning, teaching and research, with its campuses located near Vancouver and in Kelowna, British Columbia. The university is ranked consistently among the top 20 public universities globally and the top 3 universities in Canada. The university allocates an astounding budget of $600 million for research annually and funds more than 8,000 projects a year. This prestigious university prides itself on producing 8 Nobel laureates, 71 Rhodes scholars, several ministers, 65 Olympians and many other accomplished scholars.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia offers degrees such as Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Applied Science (MASc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering. MEng is a course-based program (12 months' duration) designed for engineers who desire to upgrade their technical training. MASc is a thesis-based program (24 months' duration) suitable for students interested in research. Exceptional students who wish to conduct research further can enrol for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (48 months' duration).
Program List :
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 1-2 years
  • Admission Semester: Fall & Winter

4. University of Waterloo

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The University of Waterloo (Waterloo, UW or UWaterloo) is a reputed public research university established in 1956 in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The main campus of Waterloo is on 998 acres of land adjoining Waterloo Park. The University of Waterloo has three other satellite campuses and four affiliated colleges. Over 6,200 postgraduate and 36,000 undergraduate students are enrolled in various academic programs offered by six faculties and 13 schools. The alumni of Waterloo include a number of government officials, award winners and business leaders.
The Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo offers degree programs leading to Master of Applied Science (MASc), Master of Engineering (MEng) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering. MASc program requirements include four courses, a thesis and a seminar. For MEng, students should complete one communications course and eight one-term graduate-level courses. PhD degree requirements include a thesis as well as successful completion of three courses. The duration to complete a full-time Master's degree is 1 to 2 years and 2 to 4 years for a full-time PhD degree.
Program List :
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 1-2 years
  • Admission Semester: Fall, Winter & Spring

5. McMaster University

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Established in 1887, McMaster University (McMaster) is one of the leading public research universities located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. McMaster has been named as Canada's most research-intensive university for the fourth consecutive year. The university's commitment to teaching, research and community engagement has earned McMaster the 14th rank in the world according to The Times Higher Education 2021 Impact Rankings. The campus of McMaster spreads across 121 hectares, housing six academic faculties, the DeGroote School of Business, Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Sciences and Humanities. The alumni of McMaster include government officials, business leaders, academicians, Rhodes Scholars, Nobel laureates and other accomplished scholars.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster offers degree programs leading to a Master of Applied Science (MASc) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering. A MASc in Mechanical Engineering is a 2-year full-time program that positions students for technical leadership in the industry while encouraging them to pursue further research. The MASc degree is thesis-oriented and is guided by a faculty member. A PhD in Mechanical Engineering is a 4-year full-time program that opens doors for research and development opportunities, careers in public sectors and academia. Areas of research include Biomechanics, Manufacturing, Mechanics and Design and Thermo-fluid Sciences.
Program List :
  • Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 2 years
  • Admission Semester: Fall & Winter

6. University of Alberta

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The University of Alberta (U of A or UAlberta) is an eminent public research university established in 1908 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. UAlberta is consistently ranked among the top 5 universities in Canada and top 150 in the world. The university has five campuses, including four in Edmonton, one Augustana Campus in Camrose, and a staff centre in Calgary. More than 41,000 students are enrolled in over 500 programs, 250 specialisations and around 300 research areas. The university has earned an international reputation for excellence in humanities, creative arts, science, business, engineering and health sciences.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta is one of the largest in Canada. The department offers Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduate programs in Mechanical Engineering. MEng is a course-based program that takes an average of 2 years to complete. The program aims at providing a solid foundation in engineering management with the flexibility of opting for technical courses. MSc and PhD programs in Mechanical Engineering are thesis-based and take an average of 2.5 to 6 years for completion.
Program List :
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 2 years
  • Admission Semester: Fall & Winter

7. Queen's University at Kingston

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Established by the Church of Scotland in 1841, Queen's University at Kingston (also known as Queen's University) is a reputed public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Queen's University sprawls across 3,500 acres of land in Ontario, comprising eight faculties and schools. Over 24,000 students are enrolled into Queen's research-intensive and interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs in faculties of physics, geo-engineering, cancer research, data analytics and social sciences. The university takes pride in its global network of 159,000 accomplished alumni across 153 countries.
The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Queen's offers Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Applied Science (MASc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in Mechanical Engineering that are course and research-based programs. The department comprises four research core groups covering Design and Manufacturing, Biomechanical Engineering, Energy and Fluid Systems and Materials Engineering. MEng is a professional course-based program that provides advanced professional knowledge and technical skills, with a program duration of 1 year or three semesters. MASc and PhD programs are research-based programs that provide advanced knowledge in the chosen area of specialisation. MASc typically takes two years to complete, and PhD program takes an additional duration of four years.
Program List :
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 1 – 2 years (for Master’s)
  • Admission Semester: Fall

8. University of Calgary

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The University of Calgary is a top comprehensive research university established in 1966 with origins as early as the 1900s in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The institution's exuberant campus is an amalgamation of Calgary's vibrant energy and diversity with the university's strong history and tradition. The main campus of UCalgary is a beautiful setting covering over 200 hectares with a backdrop view of the Rocky Mountains. Over 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled in 250 plus programs offered by 14 faculties. The university has produced more than 170,000 alumni across 152 countries.
The Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Calgary offers Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programs in Mechanical Engineering. MEng is a course-based program that focuses on enhancing technical core competencies and typically takes 1 to 2 years to complete. The MSc program is thesis-based that provides a strong foundation in academic research, typically completed in 2 years. A PhD is again a research-intensive degree, completed in 4 years.
Program List :
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 2 years
  • Admission Semester: Fall & Winter

9. Western University

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Instituted in 1878 by Bishop Isaac Hellmuth, the University of Western Ontario (commonly known as Western University) is a renowned public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. Consistently ranked among the top 1% of higher education institutions globally, Western University is a founding member of the U15, Canada’s most acclaimed research university. The university has more than 40,000 students, including 5,800 international students from 128 countries, enrolled in 88 different graduate programs and a range of interdisciplinary programs. The institute has 12 faculties, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and professional programs in Law, Business, Engineering and Medicine. Western University has over 328,000 alumni living in 160 countries.
The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Western University offers programs such as Professional Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Engineering Science (MESc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering. The Professional MEng program is a course-based degree that can be completed in 1 year. The program is a combination of projects and coursework or complete coursework. MESc and PhD programs are research-intensive and thesis-based, conducted at state-of-the-art experimental and computational research facilities. MESc can be completed in 2 years and PhD in 4 years.
Program List :
  • Professional Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Masters of Engineering Science (MESc) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 1 – 3 years
  • Admission Semester: Fall & Winter

10. Concordia University

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Concordia University (commonly known as Concordia) is a leading public comprehensive research university established in 1974 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Concordia is one of the three universities in Quebec where the primary language of instruction is English. Located in the multicultural and vibrant city of Montreal, Concordia has two campuses, Sir George Williams Campus - the main campus located in Downtown Montreal and Loyola Campus situated in the residential district of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. More than 50,000 students are enrolled in 200 graduate and 400 undergraduate programs offered by Concordia. The university has around 230,000 alumni, including top professionals and eminent personalities residing all over the world.
The Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering (MIAE) at Concordia offers Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Applied Science (MASc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programs in Mechanical Engineering. MEng is a course-based program that focuses on developing analytical skills, solving complex problems and advanced technology concepts. MASc is a thesis-based program that focuses on research and advancing the design of technological systems. PhD is a thesis-oriented program that will give the theoretical knowledge and significant research experience for problem solving and innovative system design. Master's programs typically take two years to complete, and the PhD program takes an additional four years for completion.
Program List :
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Course Details :
  • Program Duration: 1 – 3 years
  • Admission Semester: Fall & Winter

Conclusion

International students opting to study Mechanical Engineering in Canada are presented with enormous opportunities to hone their skills in specialised areas. Canadian universities offer both professional course-based programs as well as thesis-based degree programs in Mechanical Engineering. Students can either opt for professional degrees that help them procure jobs in industry and corporate setups or pursue thesis-oriented programs and get into the industry, research or academia. This blog provides essential information on the top 10 universities that offer Master's and PhD programs in Mechanical Engineering in Canada. We hope you find the right program that fulfils your objectives and requirements.