Should I pursue a 1 year Postgrad Cert/Diploma or a 2 year Master's given my circumstances?

[taq12345]

Hey guys. I need some help. Will be grateful to anyone who replies.

I have a bachelor's in Computer Science (2.92/4 GPA), have 1 year of experience and am 25 years old. Hopefully I will have 2 years of experience before enrolling in college/uni (at age 26). These are my expected outcomes for CRS after study in Canada:

• 479 points if I finish a 1 year cert/diploma
• 501 points if I finish a 2 year master's degree

Obviously Master's is giving me more points but I don't want to spend 2 years and extra money on Master's. If I work for a year after my cert/diploma, I can get to 500+ points anyway.

Also, is it easy to get work and work more than a year after getting only a 1 year PGWP? Even just getting a job offer would bag me 200 points right?

What would you guys recommend?

 

[primaprime]

You should almost always pursue a master's over a diploma, not least because it will improve your application for a study permit, and it is not as easy as you make it sound to become a PR based on a one year PGWP. You can't extend it or get points for a job offer unless you find an employer willing to spend time and money applying for an LMIA.

 

[scylla]

Hey guys. I need some help. Will be grateful to anyone who replies.

I have a bachelor's in Computer Science (2.92/4 GPA), have 1 year of experience and am 25 years old. Hopefully I will have 2 years of experience before enrolling in college/uni (at age 26). These are my expected outcomes for CRS after study in Canada:

• 479 points if I finish a 1 year cert/diploma
• 501 points if I finish a 2 year master's degree

Obviously Master's is giving me more points but I don't want to spend 2 years and extra money on Master's. If I work for a year after my cert/diploma, I can get to 500+ points anyway.

Also, is it easy to get work and work more than a year after getting only a 1 year PGWP? Even just getting a job offer would bag me 200 points right?

What would you guys recommend?

Job offer will get you 50 points.

Assume it will be very difficult to extend a 1 year PGWP since you would need a job offer and approved LMIA.

 

[taq12345]

You should almost always pursue a master's over a diploma, not least because it will improve your application for a study permit, and it is not as easy as you make it sound to become a PR based on a one year PGWP. You can't extend it or get points for a job offer unless you find an employer willing to spend time and money applying for an LMIA.

Can't my pgwp be converted to a work visa if I'm working a full time job in NOC A? Or will I have to leave the country as soon as my pgwp expires?
Also, do you think I'll be able to get a master's admission given my 2.92/4 GPA?

 

[taq12345]

Job offer will get you 50 points.

Assume it will be very difficult to extend a 1 year PGWP since you would need a job offer and approved LMIA.

So what other options would I have with a diploma? Given I would be standing at 479 points.

 

[scylla]

Can't my pgwp be converted to a work visa if I'm working a full time job in NOC A? Or will I have to leave the country as soon as my pgwp expires?
Also, do you think I'll be able to get a master's admission given my 2.92/4 GPA?

Again, your employer would need to obtain an approved LMIA in order for you to be able to get a work permit after your PGWP is finished. Generally speaking, it's extremely difficult to find employers willing to go through this process.

 

[taq12345]

Again, your employer would need to obtain an approved LMIA in order for you to be able to get a work permit after your PGWP is finished. Generally speaking, it's extremely difficult to find employers willing to go through this process.

I see. So after a diploma I could probably work back home for a year to get 3 years of foreign experience. That way I could have 504 points.
Btw, if I work for lets say half a year in Canada, do I just need to have 2.5 years of foreign experience or 3 years to get full points for foreign work?

 

[scylla]

I see. So after a diploma I could probably work back home for a year to get 3 years of foreign experience. That way I could have 504 points.
Btw, if I work for lets say half a year in Canada, do I just need to have 2.5 years of foreign experience or 3 years to get full points for foreign work?

If you want points for 3 years of work experience, then you need to have at least 3 years of work experience. If you have 2.5 years of work experience, this will be counted as 2 years.

 

[taq12345]

If you want points for 3 years of work experience, then you need to have at least 3 years of work experience. If you have 2.5 years of work experience, this will be counted as 2 years.

So working in Canada for half a year is virtually useless in this regard.

 

[primaprime]

Yes.

 

[taq12345]

Thanks a lot guys. Appreciate it