ADMISSION
Application Deadlines
| Intake Term | Applications Open |
Application Deadline |
| Fall 2024 (September) | October 17, 2023 | January 18, 2024 |
| Spring 2025 (January) |
TBD | TBD |
- Application deadlines for the Master of Science in Professional Computer Science Program can be found here.
Before Applying
Before submitting an application, you should read carefully about:
- SFU's Graduate Studies Application Process - You will need to submit your application through SFU's graduate application system, goGRAD.
- Becoming an SFU Graduate Student
- Graduate Studies Admission Requirements for Graduate Programs
- School of Computing Science Admission Requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions about the program
- Information about Financial Support
- Application Checklist
Please note that you are required to fulfill admission requirements as laid out by both Graduate Studies and the School of Computing Science.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the graduate programs in computer science is competitive: only the best qualified applicants are offered a seat. Therefore, it is imperative that students familiarize themselves with the admission requirements in order to ensure they submit a strong application.
PhD
The minimum requirements for admission to the doctoral program:
a) a master's degree in Computing Science or related field from Simon Fraser University or its equivalent from a recognized institution
or
b) The School's Graduate Admissions Committee may offer, at its discretion, PhD admission to exceptional students holding only a bachelor's degree and without a master's degree or equivalent in computer science or a related field.
In this case, the student should have obtained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5/4.33, or a grade point average of at least 3.67/4.33 (A-) based on the last 60 units of undergraduate courses.
The minimum requirements for admission to the MSc (Thesis) program:
a) a bachelor's degree from Simon Fraser University or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0/4.33 (B),
or
b) The School's Graduate Admissions Committee may offer, at its discretion, M.Sc. admissions to exceptional students without an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field. Students must demonstrate, at a minimum, competence in computer science at the third year level equivalent to CMPT 300 (Operating Systems 1), CMPT 307 (Data Structures and Algorithms) and CMPT 354 (Database Systems and Structures).
The minimum requirements for admission to the MSc (Accelerated) program:
a) Students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at SFU are qualified to be admitted into the Accelerated Master's program in the School of Computing Science provided that they have satisfactorily completed at least 90 credits of undergraduate work with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.67/4.33 including at least 24 credits of upper division CMPT course work.
b) To be admitted to the program, the student must submit evidence, usually reference letters, from qualified referees demonstrating the student’s ability to undertake advanced work in the area of interest. Students must also satisfy typical admission requirements set by the graduate program committee.
MSc (Professional Master’s Programs)
Please visit the Professional Master's Program admission requirements page
Applicants must be admitted to one university, and then apply and be admitted to the partner university.
To qualify for admission, students must satisfy the usual admission requirements as specified by each university. The university of first admission will be referred to as the student's 'home' university. Students whose home university is SFU are called SFU students, while those whose home university is Zhejiang University are called ZJU students.
For Masters within the GDDP with SFU as your home university, please refer to MSc (Thesis) admissions requirements.
For PhD within the GDDP with SFU as your home university, please refer to PhD admissions requirements.
Application Checklist
All those interested in a graduate program at SFU must complete an online application to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Each application must include all of the following:
- Online application form
- All post-secondary transcripts
- CV/Resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- English language competence exam results
English Language Competency
The language of instruction, examination, and communication in the professional master's program in computer science is English. Students whose primary language is not English must meet SFU's English proficiency requirements as set out in the Graduate General Regulation 1.3.3. Applicants who have completed a degree at a recognized post-secondary institution where the language of instruction and examination is English in a country where English is the primary language are not required to submit proof of English proficiency. Please view the list of accepted countries here.
All other applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. For more detailed information on the requirements, please visit the Graduate Studies page on English Language Requirements.
Conditional and Qualifying Admission
In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower formal qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship. Please do not contact us about waiving the requirement. Instead, use your application materials (your CV, statement of purpose, etc.) to make the case that your professional experience is relevant and should be considered along with your GPA.
The School's graduate admissions committee may also, at its discretion, offer admission to the program to exceptional students whose undergraduate degree is not in computer science or a related field. Such students typically make up for the lack of program-specific education through relevant work experience, course work, or certificates, diplomas, etc.
For more information on qualifying and conditional admission, please view Graduate Admissions Regulations 1.3.8 and 1.3.9
Please note: Conditional and qualifying admission is offered only in exceptional circumstances.
Application Fee Waivers
The SFU School of Computing Science will consider waiving the application fees for applicants from least developed countries, as identified by the UN, as well as applicants from countries affected by crisis, who have a strong likelihood of being admitted. If you wish to be considered for a need-based fee waiver, please reach out to your potential supervisor to nominate you to be considered for one. Please do not contact the School directly to request a waiver, the nomination must be made by your potential supervisor.
You can review all current faculty in the School of Computing Science here.
Decision Timeline
Admission offers are sent out on a rolling basis following the application deadline. Please note that we are unable to provide application status updates. Applicants will be notified via email once a decision has been made. All Fall applicants should receive a decision by the end of April. All Spring applicants should receive a decision by the end of November.