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Increase your CRS Score with 1-year Master's in Canada

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By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Jun 11,2024 05:53 PM IST

A higher CRS score can boost your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
You must study in Canada for at least 8 months to get CRS points for Canadian education.
Getting nominated under the PNP program can increase your score by 600 points.

boost CRS Points with 1 year Masters.webp

Canadian immigration aspirations stalled by a low CRS score? Don't lose hope! Explore the strategic approach to boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and potentially accelerate your path to permanent residency in Canada. Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, this blog post will equip you with valuable insights to optimise your CRS score and unlock exciting immigration possibilities in Canada. Let's delve into how you can propel your CRS score with a 1-year master's degree in Canada.

What is a Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS)?

Canada has an Express Entry system that offers a pathway to permanent residency to foreigners on the basis of a merit points system. This merit points system assigns scores to each candidate in the Express Entry pool. Yes, you guessed it right! This point system is called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), under which candidates are given a CRS score. This is a tool used by the Canadian government to manage, assess and rank the profiles of candidates in the Express Entry pool. The assessment is based on various factors like age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.

To get a CRS score, you first have to be eligible under one of the following programs:

Canadian Experience Class	This is for skilled workers with at least 1 year of Canadian work experience. At least 1 year of work experience within the last three years.
Federal Skilled Worker Program	This is for skilled workers with foreign work experience. Candidate must meet the criteria for education and other factors.
Federal Skilled Trades Program	This is for skilled workers who have qualified in a skilled trade. Candidates must have a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification.

IRCC gives you a CRS score out of 1200, and the selected top candidates become eligible for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Also, if you are eligible for one of the programs mentioned above, you can apply through the Express Entry for the Provincial Nominee Program. The Provincial Nominee Program allows Canadian territories and provinces to nominate individuals who want to immigrate to Canada in that specific province.

Importance of High CRS Score

The CRS score is crucial to your Express Entry profile as it makes your application more appealing to the Canadian immigration authorities. The higher the score, the more likely you will become eligible and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Another noteworthy point is that you must meet the CRS cut-off to enter the Express Entry pool, but if you want an invitation, that's a whole different scenario. You need to do much better than just meeting the CRS cut-off; you must score well to become one of the top candidates. You may also need a high CRS score to:

Get a competitive advantage	Thousands of international students apply annually to receive an ITA for permanent residency. More applications equals more competition. That is why you need to get a higher CRS score to place yourself ahead of other candidates in the pool and become eligible to receive ITA for permanent residency.
Receive an ITA	IRCC issues a limited number of ITAs during each draw; hence, having a high CRS score may help you get selected during the draw.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Points Per Factors

The Canadian immigration authorities use more than 10 factors to calculate your CRS score, which opens the window for you to improve your score. If you don't know your CRS score, you can use the CRS tool, which is available on the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC). The tool is easy and simple; you only have to answer some questions and hit the calculate button. Here's a breakdown of the maximum points you can expect depending on 4 main factors:

Factors	Points per factor- with a Spouse or common-law partner	Points per factor - without a Spouse or common-law partner
Age	100	110
Level of Education	140	150
Official Languages Proficiency	150	160
Canadian Work Experience	70	80

How to Study a 1-Year Masters in Canada?

If you are already done with your bachelor's degree and are still short on the CRS points, you can pursue 1-year master's program. Once you identify your target 1 year masters program in Canada, it's time to delve into the application process, starting with the eligibility criteria:

Eligibility Criteria

To pursue a master's degree in Canada, you must meet the eligibility criteria set by the university. These eligibility criteria ensure you meet all the required qualifications to pursue and understand the programs and make the most of the facilities the universities provide. Here are some general eligibility requirements that you can expect while applying for a master's program in Canada:

$eligibility for 1 year masters in canada.webp$

A Bachelor's Degree	You must have done a bachelor's degree in a relevant program from a recognised university.
3-year Bachelor's	In some cases, the university may consider a three-year bachelor's degree if an additional qualifying program or relevant work experience follows it. However, it is not guaranteed, so check with an expert study abroad consultant for the requirements of the program you're interested in.
Academic Performance	Strive to aim for a GPA of 3.0 or higher in your bachelor's program to demonstrate your ability to handle challenging academic coursework in a graduate program.
English Language Proficiency Test Score	Completing an entire bachelor's degree in Canada at an English-language institution typically waives the English language test scores requirement. However, some exceptions exist: University Policy: Some universities might have stricter policies requiring English language test scores despite your educational background. Time Gap: A significant gap between your bachelor's and master's application might necessitate an updated test score.
Work Experience	While not mandatory for all programs, having relevant work experience can help to strengthen your application and provide practical insights for your master's studies.
Standardised Tests (GMAT/GRE)	Some programs, particularly in business (GMAT) or engineering (GRE), may require these tests to assess quantitative and analytical skills.

Next up are the Documents required.

Documents Required for 1 Year Masters in Canada

Once you are sure you meet all the eligibility criteria, you can start collecting the necessary documents. Collecting the documents before applying to any university is important to keep the application process smooth. Here are some of the documents that you can expect to provide while applying:

Document	Description
Bachelor's Degree	You must prove that you completed your bachelor's degree from a recognised institution.
SOP	Craft a well-written essay outlining your academic background, research interests, and career aspirations.
Letter of Recommendation	Get your Recommendation from professors who can vouch for your academic capabilities and potential for success in graduate studies.
Updated Resume or CV	An updated CV may be required to showcase your academic and professional achievements.
Proof of English Language Proficiency	Scores of your English language tests (if required).
GMAT/GRE Scores	You may have to submit your GMAT/ GRE scores if the program requires them.
Proof of Financial Support	Proof of funds may be required to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses.

Application Process

Now, onto the main part, the application process to apply for a Master's degree in Canada. You can breeze through the application process if you know the nitty-gritty of the process. Here are the general steps that you can follow to apply to a university in Canada:

Program Exploration	Research the universities and check if they offer the program you are looking for.
Check the Eligibility	Ensure you are eligible for a program at the university of your choice.
Gather Documents	Look for the documents required by the university and keep them on hand for easy access.
Application Submission	Complete the application form and submit it through the university portal with the required documents. Avoid late applications or missed deadlines.
Interview	If shortlisted, the admission committee will invite you to an interview. This interview gives you a chance to make a personal connection with the program faculty and showcase your enthusiasm and qualifications.
Canadian Study Permit	Once you receive your application letter, apply for the permit, as you'll need to study legally in Canada.
Secure Funding	Check if your university provides any scholarship or bursary.

1 Year Master's Program and CRS Points

To get the maximum skill transferability points, you must complete two or more post-secondary credentials, one of which has to be a program of three years or longer. It is easier for international students like you who are already studying for a bachelor's degree in Canada. As soon as your bachelor's ends, you can apply for and complete a one-year master's program to get extra CRS points.

Here are a few things that you can consider for studying 1-year Master's degree program in Canada:

Apply for a Recognized Canadian Education Institution

Completing a recognised degree or diploma from a recognised Canadian education institution is essential to getting extra CRS points under Express Entry.

Here's a breakdown of points awarded for Canadian education under Express Entry:

Level Attained	Points Awarded
High school	0
One or two-year post-secondary	15
Three-year post-secondary, master's, professional degree or doctorate	30

Candidates can only score Canadian education points if they have:

Completed their studies in Canada at a Canadian educational institution.
Studied or enrolled in a full-time study or training for at least 8 months.
Attended the classes physically in Canada for at least 8 months.

Pursuing studies while in the pool

If you have achieved your qualification from outside Canada, you must first get it verified through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) and send it to IRCC. However, no restrictions on candidates stop them from completing an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree. The higher the level of education, the higher your score.

While Getting your Qualifications Assessed

Sending only the highest qualification forward for an ECA decreases your chances of getting a high score. Sending all your qualifications allows the authorities to select the qualification that may score better than others in the ECA or have more relevant skills required in a province. So sending in all your qualifications, not just the highest ones, is better.

Note that Canadian Experience Class applicants don't have to get their qualifications assessed through an ECA if they can prove that they completed their secondary or post-secondary educational program in Canada.

Other Ways to Increase Your CRS Scores

If, like many other international students, you also aim to land the status of Permanent Resident in Canada, then increasing your CRS score is the only way around. And there are both fast and slow pathways that lead to the same destination. Let's learn about both paths one by one:

how to increase crs score.webp

Faster option

Increase your language test score

If you want to get a competitive CRS score and be done with the process within a few weeks, then increasing your score on the language test is the best way. You might have noticed in the tables above that language ability is worth up to 260 or 270 CRS points for singles and couples, respectively. This means you can get extra CRS points with each improvement in your test results. It also increases your points under skills transferability factors.

Slower options

If you are bent on immigrating to Canada through Express Entry, you can choose from the options that take a few weeks, months or even years. The more experience you have, the closer you may get to a permanent residency. Here are some of the ways that you can check out:

Gain Work Experience

It is important for candidates studying and working in Canada to stay employed as there are more points for Canadian work experience. Ensure you maintain legal work status as long as you work in Canada. If you can indicate on your Express Entry profile that you are working in Canada, your score will update automatically.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

You earn 600 points straight if you manage to receive a nomination from a province. PNP provides a pathway to permanent residency to people with low CRS scores in the Express Entry pool. Getting a nomination from a province also increases your chances of getting an ITA. However, remember that each province sets their own criteria for nominee programs. Usually, provinces require you to have some type of connection with the province to become eligible to apply, but many provinces look for candidates who can fill the labour market or demographic gaps.

Conclusion

Let's sum it up! So basically, a low CRS score can botch up your plans of staying and building a life in Canada. You can, however, use different strategies to boost your CRS score and unlock exciting immigration possibilities. An improved score means you may become eligible to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency through Canada's Express Entry system. This system provides equal opportunity whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional. You can increase your CRS scores by improving your language skills, getting Canadian work experience, getting nominated under the Provincial Nominee Program, or pursuing another educational program.

These strategies can transform your CRS score from a roadblock into a stepping stone towards your Canadian dreams, and Canam Consultants is here to help you achieve your goals. Reach out to the study abroad consultants at Canam for more information and guidance on increasing your CRS score and pursuing further studies in Canada.

FAQ

What is CRS, and why is it important?

It is a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a point-based system used by Canada's Express Entry immigration program. It assigns points to candidates based on age, education, language skills, and work experience. It would help if you got a high CRS score to receive an ITA for permanent residency.

How can I improve the CRS score?

Many ways can help you boost your CRS score, such as increasing your language skills, gaining Canadian work experience, getting nominated under the Provincial Nominee Program or pursuing a one-year master's degree in Canada.

How does the one-year Master's program help to increase the CRS score?

A one-year master's program allows you to get points under skill transferability and Canada education.

What are the requirements for getting points for Canadian education?

To be eligible for points for Canadian education, you must complete your studies at a recognised Canadian institution for at least 8 months. Also, you need to physically attend the classes in Canada for at least 8 months.

Can I improve the CRS points while waiting in the Express Entry pool?

Yes, you can improve your CRS points by gaining work experience, enhancing your language skills, etc.

Is there anything else that I can do to increase my CRS score?

You can try to get nominated under the Provincial Nominee Programs, as it can significantly increase your CRS score and chances of receiving an ITA.

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Increase your CRS Score with 1-year Master's in Canada

Table of Contents

What is a Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS)?

Importance of High CRS Score

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Points Per Factors

How to Study a 1-Year Masters in Canada?

Eligibility Criteria

Documents Required for 1 Year Masters in Canada

Application Process

1 Year Master's Program and CRS Points

Apply for a Recognized Canadian Education Institution

Pursuing studies while in the pool

While Getting your Qualifications Assessed

Other Ways to Increase Your CRS Scores

Faster option

Slower options

Conclusion

FAQ

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