Affordable Canadian Universities with Strong Physics Programs for Grad School"

[MedLam]

Hey guys,
I was wondering what are some good and affordable universities in Canada that have good physics faculties (my goal is to go to theoretical physics in Grad school.)
I have so far looked at the Memorial university, and Concordia, what do you think? And what are the chances of getting to a top US grad school after it?
The reason I didn't look at UofT or UofW is because it's too expensive, and I am not sure if there are ways to pay it off by working or getting a scholarship? Correct me if I am wrong

 

[George Jones]

Hey guys,
I was wondering what are some good and affordable universities in Canada that have good physics faculties (my goal is to go to theoretical physics in Grad school.)
I have so far looked at the Memorial university, and Concordia, what do you think? And what are the chances of getting to a top US grad school after it?
The reason I didn't look at UofT or UofW is because it's too expensive, and I am not sure if there are ways to pay it off by working or getting a scholarship? Correct me if I am wrong

In another thread, you said are Algerian, so you will have to pay international student tuition, which, I think, varies from university to university.

By "UofW", do you mean University of Waterloo, and not, for example, University of Windsor or University of Winnipeg? Is Waterloo really that expensive?

With regards to affordability, what are you taking into account? Tuition fees? Cost of living in a particular city? Chance of getting a scholarship? Other criteria?

Another possibility is Queen's University in Kingston Ontario, a beautiful small city on Lake Ontario.

 

[MedLam]

In another thread, you said are Algerian, so you will have to pay international student tuition, which, I think, varies from university to university.

By "UofW", do you mean University of Waterloo, and not, for example, University of Windsor or University of Winnipeg? Is Waterloo really that expensive?

With regards to affordability, what are you taking into account? Tuition fees? Cost of living in a particular city? Chance of getting a scholarship? Other criteria?

Another possibility is Queen's University in Kingston Ontario, a beautiful small city on Lake Ontario.

Yes, I meant the university of Waterloo, and it is expensive for an international student, it costs somewhere between 31 and 32000$ a year for tuition. And yes that is the biggest issue, I can probably do with a very basic lifestyle.
I am not sure if getting a scholarship is possible, or of it would be helpful anyway? If you know something else it might be helpful
There are some universities that I can probably afford on a very tight budget, like memorial university, but I am not sure about its physics program?

 

[StatGuy2000]

To the OP:

In all honesty, the probability of getting accepted into top US graduate program in physics doesn't depend all that much from what undergraduate program you complete in Canada (the same is also true of other science and engineering programs as well).

My understanding is that both Memorial and Concordia have solid undergraduate programs in physics and other STEM fields, and either school would be a good choice for you. Here are some other schools that you may want to consider:

1. McMaster University
2. Dalhousie University
3. Simon Fraser University
4. University of Calgary
5. University of Victoria

All of the above schools have tuition rates that are comparable to Memorial and Concordia, and all have solid science programs.

As far as scholarship is concerned for international students, you'll want to check with the different schools whether they are available, as well as check with any special scholarships offered by your government (many international students who attend universities in Canada or the US have their tuition paid for by special scholarships paid for by their respective governments -- does Algeria offer anything of the kind?)

Also, since you are Algerian, what is the possibility of you attending an university in Europe (say, in France, Belgium or Germany)? In a thread you posted last year, you had stated that you were in Germany.

 

[nrqed]

Hey guys,
I was wondering what are some good and affordable universities in Canada that have good physics faculties (my goal is to go to theoretical physics in Grad school.)
I have so far looked at the Memorial university, and Concordia, what do you think? And what are the chances of getting to a top US grad school after it?
The reason I didn't look at UofT or UofW is because it's too expensive, and I am not sure if there are ways to pay it off by working or getting a scholarship? Correct me if I am wrong

As someone else mentioned that you are Algerian, you should consider French speaking universities too. Consider Université de Sherbrooke, Université Laval which are relatively inexpensive and have strong physics department (and they are in inexpensive cities to live especially Université de Sherbrooke). You mention wanting to go in theoretical physics but this is still extremely wide, do you have a specific topic in mind? Sherbrooke is very strong in quantum computing, condensed matter physics and superconductivity in particular. Laval is very strong in optics.

 

[MedLam]

To the OP:

In all honesty, the probability of getting accepted into top US graduate program in physics doesn't depend all that much from what undergraduate program you complete in Canada (the same is also true of other science and engineering programs as well).

My understanding is that both Memorial and Concordia have solid undergraduate programs in physics and other STEM fields, and either school would be a good choice for you. Here are some other schools that you may want to consider:

1. McMaster University
2. Dalhousie University
3. Simon Fraser University
4. University of Calgary
5. University of Victoria

All of the above schools have tuition rates that are comparable to Memorial and Concordia, and all have solid science programs.

As far as scholarship is concerned for international students, you'll want to check with the different schools whether they are available, as well as check with any special scholarships offered by your government (many international students who attend universities in Canada or the US have their tuition paid for by special scholarships paid for by their respective governments -- does Algeria offer anything of the kind?)

Also, since you are Algerian, what is the possibility of you attending an university in Europe (say, in France, Belgium or Germany)? In a thread you posted last year, you had stated that you were in Germany.

As someone else mentioned that you are Algerian, you should consider French speaking universities too. Consider Université de Sherbrooke, Université Laval which are relatively inexpensive and have strong physics department (and they are in inexpensive cities to live especially Université de Sherbrooke). You mention wanting to go in theoretical physics but this is still extremely wide, do you have a specific topic in mind? Sherbrooke is very strong in quantum computing, condensed matter physics and superconductivity in particular. Laval is very strong in optics.

Thanks for the replies.
First of all, the reason I chose Canada imstead of France or Germany is the fact that I studied medicine for a year here, and I have done my research and realized that they might care about that, and Canadian universities probably won't (my high school final exam was almost 2 years ago) , correct me if I am wrong here.
And I don't mind going to the French speaking universities either, if it has more advantages, and looking at the universities you have suggested to me, and knowing that I am interested in both Quantum mechanics, and Cosmology and particle physics, so either choices would be fine, I have narrowed it down to:
1.Calgary University (the tuition fees are low and the this university is rater 7th in Canada, I am not sure about its physics reputation though?)
2.Memorial university.
3.Sherbrooke (the price isn't high, and I am interested in Quantum computing research in the future, I quite like this university, but I don't understand why the rating isn't higher?)
4.University of Victoria (The price is a lot higher than the other universities, but if you convince me it's that good, I would probably be able to afford it.)
Now it's getting harder to choose

 

[nrqed]

Thanks for the replies.
First of all, the reason I chose Canada imstead of France or Germany is the fact that I studied medicine for a year here, and I have done my research and realized that they might care about that, and Canadian universities probably won't (my high school final exam was almost 2 years ago) , correct me if I am wrong here.
And I don't mind going to the French speaking universities either, if it has more advantages, and looking at the universities you have suggested to me, and knowing that I am interested in both Quantum mechanics, and Cosmology and particle physics, so either choices would be fine, I have narrowed it down to:
1.Calgary University (the tuition fees are low and the this university is rater 7th in Canada, I am not sure about its physics reputation though?)
2.Memorial university.
3.Sherbrooke (the price isn't high, and I am interested in Quantum computing research in the future, I quite like this university, but I don't understand why the rating isn't higher?)
4.University of Victoria (The price is a lot higher than the other universities, but if you convince me it's that good, I would probably be able to afford it.)
Now it's getting harder to choose

I know Université de Sherbrooke quite well. In most disciplines it is not highly ranked but I can attest that in the field of quantum computing, it near the very top of Canadian universities and I am sure it ranks very well internationally. And the cost of living is very low here.

 

[bentleyghioda]

I know you aren't looking at Simon Fraser University anymore, but seeing you have interests in particle physics and cosmology, I think it may be a good school for you. SFU has a research group working with the ATLAS detector at CERN, as well several research groups studying cosmology. I will be going to SFU for physics this year, so if you have any questions I can help. I don't know much about Calgary University, Sherbrooke or Memorial University, but I know University of Victoria has a few decent particle physics research groups, and the campus there is very nice.

 

[MedLam]

Any last thoughts before I make the final decision?

 

[Mondayman]

I think If Sherbrooke appeals to you as a good place to live and study, and they have research in field that's interest you, I say disregard the ranking thing and go for that.

Victoria is a nice city and the campus is beautiful IMO, but living on the island or in the Van area is pricey. Personally UVic was my first choice but I couldn't afford the move.

I spent a year at UofC before transferring to a smaller university in BC, but I quite liked it while I was there. I live in Calgary all my life and it is generally a pleasant city to live.

 

[nrqed]

Any last thoughts before I make the final decision?

Just to add to my earlier comments: in the field of quantum computing, University of Sherbrooke is extremely strong, there are several professors here who have won awards in the field. An they are growing and the "Institut Quantique" here is getting quite a lot of money.

 

[ad infinitum]

The reason I didn't look at UofT or UofW is because it's too expensive, and I am not sure if there are ways to pay it off by working or getting a scholarship? Correct me if I am wrong

For some scholarships you have to be an Ontario resident. But there are some that are solely dependent on grades; unfortunately at U of T most of those in the physics/math require a GPA of 3.9+ if you want one of any significant amount; the situation a Uinversity of Waterloo is even worse.

 

[MedLam]

Thank you for all of these suggestions, I actually realized that's it too late for the university of sherbrooke. But I did send an admission to memorial university or Simon fraser.
I am thinking about the French side too, most universities are still open, but I am not sure about their reputation when it comes to physics. And it seems there isn't much information about the French side whem it comes to this online.
Université Laval seems good, any other suggestions?