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Computing Science Graduate Admissions
Before Applying
Before submitting an application, you should read carefully about:
- SFU's Graduate Studies Application Process
- Becoming an SFU Graduate Student
- Graduate Studies Admission Requirements for Graduate Programs
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.
Master's in Professional Computer Science (MPCS)
Master of Science in Big Data | Master of Visual Computing | Master of Cybersecurity
Admission to all three master's programs 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. Since conditional and qualifying admission offers are made very rarely and only in exceptional cases, students who qualify for regular admission have higher chances of acceptance than those who only qualify for conditional or qualifying admission.
Foundations
In order for students to succeed in any of our three programs, it is expected that they have the following knowledge/experience prior to beginning their studies:
- Ability to program in Java, Python and C++. Familiarity with programming and ability to learn new languages. Students planning to take courses in computer graphics, computer vision, etc. may not need Java and C++ but need Matlab.
- Knowledge of advanced math - calculus, linear algebra and advanced statistics.
- Knowledge of data structures and algorithms, databases, and operating systems.
Regular Admissions
Students who completed their degrees in Canada Students must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in computer science or a related field with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.00/4.33 (B) or the equivalent. Alternatively, a minimum GPA of 3.33/4.33 on the last 60 credits of undergraduate courses will also meet the GPA requirements for admission to the program. All graduate work is also considered. |
Students who completed their degrees outside of Canada Students applying to this program must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in computer science or a related field. Please see here for minimum equivalent qualifications, academic standing and required credential for students who have completed their degree outside of Canada. The academic requirement is listed by country. |
Required Documents
In addition to the formal requirements outlined here, candidates must submit relevant documentation with their application. In order to complete your application for the program, you are required to submit the following documents. Please note that all documents are submitted online via the application system, with the exception of the official IELTS/TOEFL score. Please do not mail any of these documents.
Reference letters
Three reference letters from professors, employers, and/or mentors who can speak to your suitability for the program. Your referees must have a strictly professional relationship with you (no friends, family members, etc.). We are looking for evidence of your academic ability, professionalism, related work experience, and any other information that would make you a strong candidate for the Master of Science in Professional Computer Science.
Evidence of a completed IELTS or TOEFL exam
If English is not your primary language, you must provide proof of English proficiency. Please view Admission Requirements for more information. IELTS or TOEFL test scores need to be sent directly to SFU's Graduate Studies Office by Educational Testing Service. Electronic submission is preferred.
The Graduate Studies Office's address is:
Graduate Studies
Maggie Benston Student Services Centre 1100
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada V5A 1S6
The codes required are: TOEFL=Institution Code 0999; Department Code=78 | IELTS= Organization name: Simon Fraser University - Graduate Studies
Curriculum vitae (CV)
An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) outlining your academic achievements and professional experience. You should include information about any scholarly work you have carried out. You should also include noteworthy volunteer work, scholarships and awards, and anything else that would make you a great candidate for the program.
Statement of purpose
Your statement of purpose is your chance to explain why you would be an excellent candidate for the program by highlighting your strengths, aspirations, and anything else that might set you apart from other applicants. You can also use your statement of purpose to indicate the foundational knowledge you possess that will make you a suitable candidate for this program (please see here for more information). The statement of purpose should be no longer than two pages double-spaced.
Post-secondary transcripts
Applicants are required to upload digital transcripts (e.g. scanned copy, photocopy, etc.) showing course titles and grading scales as part of the online application. Please note that all transcripts uploaded by applicants are considered unofficial.
You are only required to submit your official transcripts to Graduate Studies if you receive an admission offer. Official transcripts can be mailed or emailed directly from the issuing institution to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Simon Fraser University. Your official transcripts are required prior to enrolling at SFU. Enrollment begins approximately two months before the first day of classes. If you previously attended SFU, you do not need to submit official SFU transcripts.
Please refer to the details about the requirements for official transcripts (via mail or email).
SFU does not accept the following:
- photocopies that have not been stamped, attested and endorsed by the Registrar at your home university
- documents in envelopes that have been opened
- documents that do not arrive in sealed envelopes endorsed by the issuing institution or certified translator
- documents that arrive without the official seal of the university
- photocopies notarized by a notary public
- photocopies endorsed by a lawyer, professor, judge etc.
- unofficial translations
- non-literal translations
If you receive an offer, arrange for official transcripts to be mailed to:
Graduate Studies
Maggie Benston Student Services Centre 1100
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada V5A 1S6
E-mail us at cspmp@sfu.ca if you have any questions about transcripts that are not answered here.
Master of Science (MSc) - Thesis Option
The Master of Science (MSc) in Computing Science is a research-intensive program that has a primary emphasis on the MSc thesis.
Regular Requirements
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).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
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 (if applicable)
Master of Science - Accelerated Option (undergraduate students)
The Accelerated Master's allows undergraduate students to take graduate level courses and apply these to both their undergraduate and graduate course requirements. This is not a degree program, but a route that enables SFU undergraduate students who are looking to progress on to a Master's degree program to complete their graduate coursework in less time. Students typically complete their Master's program 4-12 months faster by entering through the Accelerated option.
Regular Requirements
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.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Computing Science
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computing Science is a research-intensive program that has a primary emphasis on the thesis.
Regular Requirements
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.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
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 (if applicable)
Dual Degree (MSc & PhD)
Students in the GDDP program will acquire two graduate degrees. Graduates will receive a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree from Simon Fraser University, and a Master of Software Engineering (MSE) degree from Zhejiang University. Students will study and conduct research at both universities.
Regular Requirements
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.
Professional Masters
| Intake Term | Applications Open | Application Deadline |
| Fall 2025 (September) | October 1, 2024 | January 18, 2025 |
M.Sc. & Ph.D.
| Intake Term | Applications Open |
Application Deadline |
| Spring 2025 (January) |
May 15, 2024 | August 9, 2024 |
| Fall 2025 (September) |
October 1, 2024 | January 18, 2025 |
Other Requirements
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 & 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 are offered only in exceptional circumstances.