A member in India with a CRS of 430 (NOC 2173) doubted he'd get a provincial nomination on that score alone, and asked whether he could pursue a study visa (for an MS) and a provincial nomination at the same time, in case a nomination came through unexpectedly.
What the thread clarified:- Running both tracks in parallel is a common approach when your CRS score is borderline for PNP. There's no conflict in having an active EE/PNP profile while also applying for a study permit — if a nomination happens to come through, you can decide how to proceed at that point.
- Most provincial nomination streams favour applicants with French language ability, or prior work experience/residency in that specific province. With a plain CRS-based profile and no such ties, members were skeptical that a nomination from provinces like Alberta or Saskatchewan was likely at 430.
- Between a PGDM and a Master's, members recommended the Master's route as generally the stronger option for someone in this position, though the thread didn't go into the specific reasoning in detail.
The practical takeaway: it's reasonable to pursue a study permit and keep your PNP/EE profile active simultaneously — just go in with realistic expectations that a low-CRS, no-French, no-provincial-ties profile is unlikely to get nominated, and lean toward a Master's over a PGDM if choosing a program.