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Eligibility

This page outlines the minimum requirements for admission into graduate studies with UBC Computer Science.  

Please note: meeting the minimum requirements is not sufficient for admittance. We have top students from around the world competing for our limited number of positions. But if you have a strong background and interest in computer science, please do not let this discourage you from applying.

All Applicants

The fundamental requirement is that you must have sufficient background. Most applicants meet this by holding a degree that is academically equivalent to a four-year UBC bachelor's degree (or more advanced degree) in Computer Science. Otherwise, there are a few other ways to meet this requirement.

Minimum academic requirements for specific countries:

Applicants to the Master's Program

Applicants to the Master's Program should hold a degree academically equivalent to a UBC four-year Bachelor's degree. Please refer to the above links for the grade requirement for a specific country.

Applicants to the Doctoral Program

You may enter our Doctoral Program by two routes: 

  • Direct entry to the PhD program: You should hold a Master's degree from a North American university that is academically equivalent to a UBC Master's degree. International students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Via the PhD Track Masters: Selected exceptional Master's applicants may be accepted to our fast-track to our PhD program. During the first year, students can decided whether they want to continue to the PhD program or remain in the Master's program.

Please refer to the above links for the grade requirement for a specific country. 

Applicants holding a Bachelor's degree, but not in computer science

We also welcome your application if you're an outstanding candidate from another field, provided you have sufficient background. For example, if you have a Bachelor's or higher degree in a related field (e.g. Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, etc.) and you've done sufficient computer science coursework, you would likely meet this requirement. 

If you have a more unusual academic background, you should still have strong evidence of a sophisticated grasp of computer science: for example, substantial work experience as a software engineer or architect, or involvement in research projects with a significant computational component. When considering an application, the Computer Science department normally expects that an applicant has successfully completed the list of required undergraduate courses   or their equivalents at other institutions.

If you don't have an adequate computer science background, yet hold a Bachelor's degree in a different discipline, we offer three options for acquiring the needed background:

1. Second Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

To earn a second bachelor's degree, you must meet all of the requirements for the degree (that have not already been met in your previous studies) and complete the equivalent of at least two years of full-time study (60 credits) beyond the first degree.

More information on our undergraduate degree programs.

You must follow the UBC admissions procedure.

2. Bachelor of Computer Science (Integrated Computer Science)

BCS (ICS) is a 20-month full-time academically-oriented program that allows university graduates to make a career transition into information technology or to combine your area of interest or specialty with computer science.

3. Complete further undergraduate courses to qualify for graduate admission

If you do not want to complete a second bachelor's degree, you can apply to UBC Enrollment Services to complete further undergraduate courses to qualify for admission. Since these are prerequisite courses, they must be completed prior to entering the graduate program and are NOT transferable to the graduate program.

Students interested in this option should follow the UBC admissions procedures and apply based on the classification.

FAQs

1.   My GPA/grades are below the minimum requirement. Can I still apply?

We strongly recommend that applicants have at least the minimum requirement before they apply. Applicants with less than the above requirement may apply at their own risk.

2.   I have attached my transcripts. Can you please review my qualifications and tell me my possibility of being admitted/can I apply?

We do not comment on the applicant's possibility of being admitted based on incomplete application. Our review process involves ranking applicants against one another in different areas of the department's research.  The department attaches the greatest weight to the letters of reference.  Transcripts and statement of interests are also of great importance. Applicants with less than the above requirement may apply at their own risk. 

Note:  Admission to our graduate program is very competitive.  Your application is being ranked with other applications in the same area of interests.  Simply meeting the minimum admission requirements will not guarantee admission.