We offer competitive funding to qualified graduate students and are committed to promoting excellence in research and teaching. Learn more.
Admission requirements听
To be considered for a graduate program with the Faculty of Computer Science, all applicants must have the equivalent of a four-year undergraduate university degree, a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0, and meet program-specific admission requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
The deadlines stated permit applicants to begin their studies on time, allowing sufficient time for the university to process the academic application, as well as the government to process requests for study permits required by inernational students. If the application is completed after the deadline, it will continue to be processed but potentially with a change to the intake date.
Master of Applied Computer Science (MACS)
Please note, applications received after the deadline stated below may not be considered for the term applied for. Any applications received by the deadline must be complete to be considered, which means that all components of the application must be received by the deadline, including but not limited to unofficial transcripts, reference letters, language test scores for international students, etc.
At a minimum, applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in technical courses and a four-year undergraduate degree.
Applicants are expected to have a knowledge base equivalent to our second-year core computer science . If applying from a non-CS background, qualifying year courses may be necessary.
Applicants who have been away from academia for a few years should demonstrate industry experience that has maintained or improved their technical skills.
Please note:
MACS applicants are required to complete an admissions interview
If you are invited to an admissions interview and do not respond to a scheduling request within 1 month, your application can be closed.
Master of Computer Science (MCS)
Applicants must have a strong Grade Point Average (GPA) among their technical courses and a four-year undergraduate degree in computer science or a related technical discipline. Applicants with a GPA at or below 3.4 generally need a connection with a faculty member or need relevant industry experience for their application to succeed.
Applicants are expected to have a knowledge base equivalent to our third-year core computer science undergraduate curriculum.
Master of Digital Innovation (MDI)
Applicants can have an undergraduate degree or graduate degree in a diverse range of disciplines including computer science, business, law, health, or other related programs. We will also consider a combination of education and relevant work experience.
Courses in introductory programming are recommended but not required.
Please note: The MDI program has a single annual intake starting in September. Please follow the application deadlines for September.
PhD in Computer Science
Applicants must have a strong Grade Point Average (GPA) in a master's degree in Computer Science or a related technical discipline.
Applicants should provide evidence of research experience, such as publications and thesis summaries.
Applicants will only be admitted with the support of a supervisor. We encourage applicants to identify and connect with faculty members before applying to the program.
Applicants are expected to have a knowledge base equivalent to our third-year core computer science undergraduate curriculum.
PhD in Computer Science, Post-Bachelor
A PhD, Post Bachelor is reserved for outstanding graduates of a four-year program with demonstrated research experience and/or excellent research potential.
Students must have a strong Grade Point Average (GPA) in Computer Science or a related technical discipline.
Applicants should provide evidence of research experience, such as publications and thesis summaries.
Applicants will only be admitted with the support of a supervisor. We encourage applicants to identify and connect with faculty members before applying to the program.
Applicants are expected to have a knowledge base equivalent to our third-year core computer science undergraduate curriculum.
Master of Science in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CBBI)
路 Must have a four-year undergraduate degree
路 A research proposal - We hope to gain insight into the research potential of the candidate through the research proposal. Notably, we are seeking to find out what kind of research interests the student; how they structure their thoughts; what curiosity, independence, or background they bring to bear; and whether there is a reasonable expectation of finding a fit with a supervisor within the faculty. The student is not bound to follow on the research proposal as their thesis. The curriculum vitae lets us assess non-academic aspects of the student that could offset perceived shortcomings of the application, such as poorer course performance or potential knowledge gaps on the transcripts.
路 The applicant must have past research experience, typically an Honours degree but also potentially fulfilled through research internships or other experiences.
路 The applicant must have an identified supervisor who is willing and able to fund them.
A key objective of the CBBI program is to allow students to work with supervisors in a discipline that is different from the prospective student鈥檚 degree. Minimum requirements must be met under all circumstances, but it is the responsibility of the prospective supervisor to decide on the student鈥檚 suitability. The funding requirement ensures that the supervisor has a significant stake in the student鈥檚 success.
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Application process
Submit your online Graduate Studies Application in Slate
Supporting documents are submitted online and include:
Unofficial transcripts for each post-secondary institution that you have attended (the unofficial transcript of any transfer credit grades must be uploaded also)
Research proposal (required for MCS, PhD and CBBI programs)
Statement of intent (required for MACS and MDI)
2 reference letters:
You must enter the听university, college or comapny email address听of your academic referee in your online application. Once your application has been submitted, your academic referee will receive an email within one week requesting that they submit their reference letter online. If your referees are unable to submit through that system, we can accept letters through听graduate@cs.dal.ca. Kindly ask your referees to include your Banner ID in the subject line of the email and sign the letter.听
Please ensure that the letters meet at least one of the following two requirements:
The letter should be sent from a university/college or company email address.
The letter should be written on an official letterhead.
If your application has been rejected during the current admission cycle, you may consider taking a year to improve your application before reapplying.听
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Application deadlines
Applications received by the deadline must be complete and include your unofficial transcript to be considered for the admission specified. By complete application packages, we mean all components of the application must be received by the deadline, including transcripts, reference letters, language test scores for international students, etc.听听
Deadlines for applications from Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents
September admission
January admission
May admission
Master of Applied Computer Science
June 1听
October 1
February 28
Master of Computer Science
June 1*听
October 1
N/A
PhD
June 1*听
October 1
February 28**
Master of Digital Innovation
June 1
N/A
N/A
Deadlines for international applications
September admission
January admission
May admission
Master of Applied Computer Science
April 1听
August 1
January 15
Master of Computer Science
April 1*
August 1
N/A
PhD
April 1*
August 1
December 31**
Master of Digital Innovation
April 1
N/A
N/A
*Consideration for funding is done on a rolling basis starting on November 30. As such, all applicants are encouraged to submit their complete application as early as possible.
** Summer admissions to research-based graduate programs are by special arrangement only.
Please note:
There is only September admission for the Master of Digital Innovation.
Admission for the Master of Applied Computer Science (MACS) has a limited enrolment for May and is not offered for students required to take CSCI 5990.
The Faculty of Computer Science will consider only one deferral request per student. Please send your request to听graduate@cs.dal.ca.听The deadline for submission is the 18th of the month preceding the start of your admitted term:听
Fall term (beginning September): deadline is August 18
Winter term (beginning January): deadline is December 18