VisabuddiesVB
ExploreGuidesQuestionsHow it works
Sign inStart selling
GuidesCanadaStudy Permit

Choosing a Canadian program with 5+ years of maintenance/engineering experience? Members say go for a master's, not a college diploma

Canada • Study Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Step-by-Step

A mechanical engineering graduate with 5 years of maintenance-related work experience (in India and the UAE) asked for course suggestions related to their field for studying in Canada.

What the thread suggested:
  1. With relevant work experience and a bachelor's degree, a master's program was recommended over a college diploma. A member argued that many universities accept candidates with this kind of relevant experience, and that going for a college-level program instead can actually reduce visa approval chances by looking like a step down from your qualifications.

  2. Research specific universities and programs that match your maintenance/engineering background rather than picking a generic course — the advice was general (research a few good universities) rather than naming specific institutions with justification.


The practical takeaway: candidates with solid work experience and a relevant bachelor's degree are generally better positioned applying for a master's program than a lower-level diploma, since program level mismatches with your background can hurt visa approval chances.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: A college-level program can look like a step down from your existing bachelor's degree and work experience, which may hurt visa approval odds.
  • Do: With relevant work experience, look at master's programs that build on your background rather than defaulting to a diploma.

Have a question about this? Join the discussion.

View Thread

Related Guides

immigration

Study permit and studies end almost simultaneously: why you likely still need a study permit extension before applying for PGWP

immigration

CRS too low at 33 despite IELTS 8777? Study route vs learning French — how families weighed it

immigration

When can you start your spousal open work permit application relative to your spouse's landing?

immigration

Lost access to an old application account? Order your case notes to recover what you submitted

immigration

Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) refused for insufficient common-law proof — how to strengthen a reapplication