Best Computer Science Universities in Canada: Courses & Fees

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Mar 4, 2024 | 12 min read

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Get complete insights about Best Computer Science Universities in Canada. Check details about UG, Graduate, Doctorate Courses, Fees, Ranking & Eligiblity.

Best Computer Science Universities in Canada: Courses & Fees

The best computer science universities in Canada offer around 400+ courses in various specializations of computer science. The University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Alberta are some of the top computer science universities in Canada offering courses at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.

Around 30%- 35% of international students studying computer science get placed in MNCs according to the Employment and Social Development Society of Canada. Approximately 17,010 were employed in the computer science field in 2019 with software engineering being the most in-demand job for computer science graduates in Canada. Some of the best computer science universities in Canada along with the courses offered, fees, and eligibility criteria are discussed.

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Best Universities in Canada to Study Computer Science

Canada is home to some of the best universities in the world offering computer science programs at different levels of education. Around 6 Canadian universities offering computer science degrees are ranked in the top 100 universities of the world according to QS World University Rankings. Listed below are the best computer science universities in Canada for international students:

  1. University of Toronto
  2. University of Waterloo
  3. University of British Columbia
  4. University of Montreal
  5. University of Alberta
  6. McGill University
  7. Simon Fraser University
  8. McMaster University
  9. Concordia University
  10. University of Ottawa

University of Toronto (U of T)

U of T is one of the best universities in Canada to study computer science. It is a public educational institution founded in 1827. It is ranked #17 in Best Global Universities and #31 in Computer Science by the US News and World Report Rankings. It is also the #1 global university in Canada with 3 campuses in St. George, Mississauga, and Scarborough. U of T is ranked #26 in the QS Global Ranking 2022. It offers 4 bachelors, 1 master’s, and 1 doctoral degree in the field of computer science. The University of Toronto offers over 700 undergraduate programs and more than 200 graduate and doctoral programs in a range of disciplines. Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at the University of Toronto:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at U of T

  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Science: $41,332
  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Science (co-op): $44,475
  • Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A] in Management and Information Technology: $47,086
  • Bachelor of Applied Science [B.ASc] in Computer Engineering: $46,989

Graduate Computer Science Courses at U of T

  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computer Science: $20,379
  • Master of Engineering [M.Eng] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $47,416
  • Master of Applied Science [M.ASc] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $20,379
  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Applied Computing: $27,555

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at U of T

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $6,364

Read More: University of Toronto

University of Waterloo (UWaterloo)

The University of Waterloo is a public university founded in 1957. Its main campus is located in Waterloo, Ontario with its satellite campuses in Cambridge, Kitchener, and Stratford. It is ranked #210 in Best Global Universities and #40 in Best Universities for Computer Science by the US News and World Report Rankings. UWaterloo is ranked #149 in the QS Global Ranking 2022. It offers 4 bachelors, 7 master’s, and 4 doctoral degrees in the field of computer science.

Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at the University of Waterloo:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at UWaterloo

  • Bachelor of Computer Science [B.C.S]: $32,025
  • Bachelor of Applied Science [B.ASc] in Computer Engineering: $45,975
  • Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A]/ Bachelor of Computer Science [B.C.S]: $45,975

Graduate Computer Science Courses at UWaterloo

  • Master of Applied Science [M.ASc] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $10,881
  • Master of Engineering [M.Eng] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $9,925

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at UWaterloo

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $10,773
  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $10,773

Read More: University of Waterloo

University of British Columbia (UBC)

The University of British Columbia is a public educational institution located in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It was founded in 1908 and has two main campuses- the Vancouver campus and the Okanagan campus located in Kelowna. It is ranked #31 in Best Global Universities and #48 in Best Universities for Computer Science by the US News and World Report Rankings. UBC is ranked #46 in the QS Global Ranking 2022. It offers 5 bachelor’s, 4 master’s, and 2 doctoral degrees in the field of computer science. Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at the University of British Columbia:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at UBC

  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Science: $30,573
  • Bachelor of Applied Science [B.ASc] in Computer Engineering: $38,129
  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in Computer Science: $29,680
  • Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com] in Business and Computer Science: $38,404
  • Bachelor of Computer Science [B.C.S] in Integrated Computer Science: $30,574

Graduate Computer Science Courses at UBC

  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computer Science: $6,582
  • Master of Applied Science [M.ASc] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $6,714
  • Master of Engineering [M.Eng] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $15,792

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at UBC

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $8,952

Read More: University of British Columbia

University of Montreal (UdeM)

The University of Montreal is a public institution founded in 1878. It is ranked #140 in Best Global Universities and #70 in computer science by the US News and World Report Rankings. UdeM is ranked #111 in the QS Global Ranking 2022. Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at the University of Montreal:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at UdeM

  • Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Computer Engineering: $14,997
  • Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Software Engineering: $14,997

Graduate Computer Science Courses at UdeM

  • Master of Engineering [M.Eng] in Computer Engineering: $9,324

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at UdeM

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Engineering: $2,567

Read More: University of Montreal

University of Alberta (U of A)

The University of Alberta was established in 1908 and is located in the province of Alberta in Western Canada. It is ranked #138 in Best Global Universities and #101 in computer science by the US News and World Report Rankings. U of A is ranked #126 in the QS Global Ranking 2022. 

Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at the University of Alberta:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at U of A

  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Engineering: $29,625
  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Engineering - Software: $29,625
  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computing Science: $22,125
  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in Computing Science: $20,250
  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Engineering - Nanoscale System Design: $29,650
  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computing Science - Bioinformatics: $16,034

Graduate Computer Science Courses at U of A

  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $13,980
  • Master of Engineering [M.Eng] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $14,812
  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computing Science: $13,980
  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computer Science - Statistical Machine Learning: $7,875

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at U of A

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computing Science: $6,525

Read More: University of Alberta

McGill University

McGill University is a public university located in Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821, McGill has two campuses: the downtown campus in Montreal and the Macdonald campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. It is ranked #51 in Best Global Universities and #105 in computer science by the US News and World Report Rankings. McGill is ranked #27 in the QS Global Ranking 2022. Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at McGill University:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at McGill University

  • Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Computer Engineering: $34,242
  • Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Software Engineering: $34,242
  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Science: $34,242

Graduate Computer Science Courses at McGill University

  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computer Science: $13,470
  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computer Science (Project Option): $13,470
  • Master of Engineering [M.Eng] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $13,470

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at McGill University

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $12,091

Read More: McGill University

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Simon Fraser University is a comprehensive university established in 1965 and located in British Columbia, Canada. It is ranked #306 in Best Global Universities and #168 in computer science by the US News and World Report Rankings. SFU is ranked #298 in the QS World University Rankings 2022. Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at Simon Fraser University:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at SFU

  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computing Science: $22,035
  • Bachelor of Applied Science [B.ASc] in Engineering Science - Computer Engineering: $22,035
  • Bachelor of Applied Science [B.ASc] in Computer Engineering: $23,812

Graduate Computer Science Courses at SFU

  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computing Science: $11,880

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at SFU

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computing Science: $5,481

Read More: Simon Fraser University

McMaster University

McMaster University is a public educational institution founded in 1887. It is located in the suburban neighborhood of Hamilton, Ontario. It is ranked #133 in Best Global Universities and #207 in computer science by the US News and World Report Rankings. McMaster is ranked #140 in the QS World University Rankings 2022. Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at McMaster University:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at McMaster University

  • Bachelor of Applied Science [B.ASc] in Computer Science: $33,407
  • Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Computer Engineering: $33,407

Graduate Computer Science Courses at McMaster University

  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computer Science: $8,548
  • Master of Engineering [M.Eng] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $17,325
  • Master of Engineering [M.Eng] in Computing and Software: $17,325
  • Master of Applied Science [M.ASc] in Computational Science and Engineering: $8,548
  • Master of Science [M.Sc] in Computational Science and Engineering: $8,548

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at McMaster University

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $3,154

Read More: McMaster University

Concordia University

Concordia University was founded in 1974 and is located in Montreal, Quebec. It is ranked #670 in Best Global Universities and #226 in computer science by the US News and World Report Rankings. Concordia University is ranked #521-530 in the QS World University Rankings 2022. Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at Concordia University:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at Concordia University

  • Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] in Computer Engineering: $19,856
  • Bachelor of Computer Science [B.C.S] in Computer Applications - Computation Arts: $19,856
  • Bachelor of Computer Science [B.C.S]: $19,856
  • Bachelor of Computer Science [B.C.S] in Information Systems: $19,856
  • Bachelor of Computer Science [B.C.S] in Computer Applications - Mathematics and Statistics: $16,875

Graduate Computer Science Courses at Concordia University

  • Master of Computer Science [M.C.S]: $13,725
  • Master of Applied Computer Sciences: $13,725

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at Concordia University

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $12,091
  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $11,722

Read More: Concordia University

University of Ottawa (uOttawa)

The University of Ottawa is the largest bilingual university in the world located in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 1848, it offers education in both French and English languages. It is ranked #192 in Best Global Universities and #236 in computer science by the US News and World Report Rankings. uOttawa is ranked #230 in the QS World University Ranking 2022. Find below some of the popular computer science programs along with their fee details offered at the University of Ottawa:

Undergraduate Computer Science Courses at uOttawa

  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Science: $59,294
  • Bachelor of Applied Science [B.ASc] in Computer Engineering: $59,295
  • Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Computer Science - Management and Entrepreneurship: $59,294
  • Bachelor of Computer Science [B.C.S] in Computer Engineering: $59,295

Graduate Computer Science Courses at uOttawa

  • Master of Computer Science [M.C.S]: $20,639
  • Master of Engineering [M.Eng] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $25,403
  • Master of Applied Science [M.ASc] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $20,639

Doctorate Computer Science Courses at uOttawa

  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $5,294
  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $5,294

Read More: University of Ottawa

A wide range of computer science courses is available in Canadian universities offered in a variety of specializations. The courses are offered in the form of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in addition to several diplomae and certificate programs. Given below are a few popular specializations offered at the best computer science universities in Canada:

Artificial Intelligence Computer Graphics
Information Technology Mobile and Web Computing
Software Engineering Computer and Network Security
Software Development Cyber Security
Information Management Big Data Analysis
Bioinformatics Machine Learning
Hardware and Computer Architecture Computer Graphics and Visualization

Admission Requirements for Best Computer Science Universities in Canada

Some of the best computer science universities in Canada offer a wide range of specializations both for computer science and computer engineering. The courses are offered at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The eligibility for various courses differ based on the program type and level of study. Find below the eligibility criteria for international students willing to pursue an education in the best computer science universities in Canada:

Eligibility for Undergraduate Computer Science Courses in Canada

The duration of an undergraduate computer science course in Canada is 4 years (sometimes 3 years). Several short-term undergraduate courses (1-2 years) and major courses are offered in Canada in the field of computer science engineering. Listed below are a few requirements for admission to undergraduate computer science courses in Canada for international students:

  • The applicant should have completed senior school with at least 65% or more with mathematics as a compulsory subject
  • He/ she should have scored 70% or above in English and Mathematics in the final qualifying examination
  • The candidate should have scored well in the college/ university specific language and subject test conducted online
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • TOEFL: 580
  • MELAB: 82
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE: 60+
  • iTEP: 4.1+
  • CAE: 180+
  • Official academic documents
  • School leaving certificate
  • Letters of recommendation
  • CV/ Resume, if applicable
  • Migration certificate, if applicable

Eligibility for Graduate Computer Science Courses in Canada

The duration of a graduate computer science course in Canada is 2 years. An M.Eng. and MS in Computer Science in Canada leads to job roles such as Information Systems Analysts and Consultants, Computer Network Technicians, Software Developers, and many more. The eligibility requirements for admission to graduate programs in computer science in Canada are given below:

  • 4-year bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of study
  • More than 75% score in the last 4 semesters or the entire bachelor degree course
  • The applicant should have cleared the university-specific entrance exam for master degree programs
  • At least 1-year work experience in the relevant field chosen for the master’s program
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Diploma or certificate of part-time courses pursued earlier, if applicable
  • Statement of purpose
  • 2 or more reference letters
  • Proof of work experience
  • CV/ Resume, if applicable

Eligibility for Doctoral Computer Science Courses in Canada

The duration of a doctoral computer science course in Canada is around 4-5 years. It is one of the most popular courses among international students and is offered in the fields of Computer Algebra and Symbolic Computation, Computer Graphics, Human-Computer Interaction, Quantum Computing, etc. Given below are the eligibility criteria for admission to doctoral computer science courses in Canada:

  • A master’s degree in computer science with at least 78% in computer science or any other equivalent subject
  • GRE score
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • TOEFL: 100
  • IELTS: 7.5
  • GPA of the relevant courses
  • GMAT/ GRE scores
  • Masters thesis
  • Official academic transcripts from school level to masters including the documents of diploma programs, if applicable
  • 3 letters of recommendation including 2 academic references
  • Statement of purpose
  • Updated CV/ Resume
  • Proof of work experience

Best Universities in Canada for MS in Computer Science

An MS in Computer Science in Canada makes students ready for a host of job opportunities including Information Technology Specialists, Computer Science Researchers, Software Engineers, etc. It is a full-time course of duration 16-24 months. Some of the best universities in Canada for MS in Computer Science are listed below:

  1. University of Toronto
  2. University of Waterloo
  3. University of British Columbia
  4. McGill University
  5. University of Alberta
  6. University of Montreal
  7. Simon Fraser University
  8. Queen’s University at Kingston
  9. University of Ottawa
  10. McMaster University

Scope of Studying Computer Science in Canada

In terms of computer science job opportunities in Canada, the following are some of the highest paying roles:

  • Software Development Director: 179,517 CAD/year
  • Principal Software Engineer: 169,000 CAD/year
  • Site Reliability Engineer: 145,000 CAD/year
  • Security Consultant: 107,450 CAD/year
  • DevOps Engineer: 116,700 CAD/year
  • Cyber Security Engineer- 119,000 CAD/year

In addition to these roles, a master's degree in computer science from Canada also allows you to explore the following career paths:

Job Role

Salary (CAD/year)

Andriod Developer

110,000

AI Developer

137,000

C++ Developer

122,000

Computer Networks Architect

114,000

Database Analyst

121,000

Database Administrator

124,000

Information Security Administrator

136,000

Information Security Analyst

134,000

IT Manager

189,000

PHP Developer

100,000

Software Engineer

118,000

Web Designer

104,000

Web Security Manager

173,000

Windows System Administrator

101,000

Web Project Manager

127,000

Web Developer

99,600

Application developer

61,249

Cybersecurity analyst

65,000

Data analyst

53,483

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