Frequently Asked Questions

The deadline to apply for an MSc or PhD program in the 2025/26 academic year is December 15, 2024. For the MSc - Internetworking and MSc - Multimedia programs, the deadline varies. 

For more information, please see "2. MEET DEADLINES" on the  webpage for Applications & Admissions. 

All required documents and reference letters must be submitted by the posted deadline to be considered.

The GRE test is not required. However, for applicants who have obtained their degree outside of Canada, we highly recommend taking the GRE General. It can help your application if your degree is not from a well-known North American university or your GPA is not very high. We do not require the GRE Subject Test.

GRE at-home will be accepted for the 2024 intake due to ongoing complications from Covid-19. Prospective students should clearly indicate whether it's an at-home or "normal" score.

If the applicant elects to submit a GRE score, the standard GRE score may be weighted slightly more heavily than an at- home GRE score.

We do not provide a GPA calculator as transcripts and marksheets are widely varied. 

GPA is typically calculated using the last two years of post-secondary study or the last 60 credits. You can calculate your equivalent GPA to our university's 4.0 scale by visiting the FGSR Minimum Academic Requirements by Country, where every grade listed on that page is the equivalent to a B (or 3 out of 4). Prospective students can also review the Grading System. 

English proficiency tests are not required if:

1) You have received a degree from an academic institution within Canada or the United States, OR

2) You have received a degree from an academic institution recognized by the University in which the medium of instruction is English.

If you do not have either of the above, you must provide proof of English language proficiency. Accepted tests are TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, PTE, CAEL or Duolingo. Please refer to English Language Proficiency test scores to determine minimum English score requirements to apply. Applicants whose English test scores do meet meet minimum requirements will not be considered. 

For the 2023/24 academic year, TOEFL At-Home will be accepted due to circumstances surrounding Covid-19. Minimum TOEFL requirements listed here still apply.

Applicants must have an English test valid within 2 years from the time of admission decisions, which are made on a rolling basis from Feb-Apr. 

For example, if you are applying for Fall 2023 admission your English test must have been completed in or after April 2021.

Yes, there is a non-refundable application fee of $135 CAD. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discovery Card.

As of Sept 1, 2021 the fee for applications to all graduate programs has increased from $100 to $135 CAD. 

If you have any questions about fees, please contact grad.webadm@ualberta.ca.

The University of Alberta is no longer offering any fee exemptions, however the Department of Computing Science was able to dedicate some funding to support application fee waivers for a small number of students from underdeveloped countries.

For more information including criteria and how to apply, please visit 2025/26 Fee Waiver Application for Computing Science Graduate Program.

As of July 2021, the general Course-Based MSc in Computing Science is no longer offered and has been discontinued indefinitely. Other course-based programs such as MSc in Multimedia (MM) and MSc in Internetworking (MINT) are still available, as outlined here

We do not accept translated documents notarized by a notary public or endorsed by a lawyer, professor or judge. 

Official Certified English translations of original language documents such as degrees, certificates, and transcripts must be provided by the issuing institution or by a certified translator, and must be literal word-for-word translations presenting the same order of information and format as the original.

No information may be left out, altered, or added. This means that all grades, comments, dates, and discussion must be included. 

M.Sc. (General) applicants: 

Are required to select a research area and name up to 3 professors as potential supervisors when applying.  MSc. applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors directly through our people directory to discuss funding and supervision. Students will only be admitted if a professor agrees to supervise.

M.Sc. (Statistical Machine Learning) applicants: 

We currently don't have direct admission to our SML program. M.Sc. students are admitted into the mainstream Masters program but can apply to transfer to the Statistical Machine Learning program if a faculty member agrees to supervision and the thesis will be in an area related to statistical machine learning. This happens after the student arrives on campus and discusses this option in person with the potential supervisor.

Ph.D. applicants: 

Are required to select a research area and name up to 3 professors as potential supervisors when applying. Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors directly through our  people directory to discuss funding and supervision. Students will only be admitted if a professor agrees to supervise.  

An official document is issued by the institution awarding the degree and has been certified by an authorized official of that institution.

If official transcripts cannot be obtained, applicants should supply certified true copies of official transcripts and certified statements confirming degrees awarded and academic standing achieved. Certification of transcripts and degrees must be effected by imprinting them with the official seal of the institution or by endorsing them by hand with the original signature of the responsible university officer (eg, Registrar, Admissions Officer, President). Photocopies that are not certified in this way are not acceptable for official admission purposes.

Generally we do not accept copies of transcripts certified by notary public. Copies of transcripts certified by a notary public are only accepted in exceptional circumstances and never from a North American institution.

Tuition is based on the type of program, student status and whether you are registered for full or part-time­ studies. See FGSR's tuition and cost of living estimates.

Yes, there is financial aid for PhD and M.Sc Thesis-based students, most typically offered as a teaching (TA) or research (RA) assistantship. You do not have to make a special application for financial aid. The graduate application asks if you need financial aid, so an application for admission is also an application for financial aid.

Any funding that you are eligible to receive would be outlined in your letter of admission if you are accepted into the program. Most students in the PhD and M.Sc Thesis programs are admitted with a guaranteed funding rate in the form of a TA or RA throughout the academic years of their program. Students who receive funding generally get it for 5 guaranteed terms as that's the recommended timeline for the program.

Yes, there is an active Computing Science Graduate Students' Association (CSGSA). Please visit the CSGSA website for information on upcoming events, forums, general information and much more.

There is also a Graduate Students' Association (GSA) which carries out events involving all the graduate students at the University of Alberta. Please visit their website for information on events and activities that take place throughout the year.

There are several other student groups at the University of Alberta affiliated with the Students' Union. Explore these student groups for information on their interests and activities.

Edmonton is a vibrant city. In the summer, there are nearly non-stop festivals: the Jazz Festival, the Folk Music Festival (top-rated world wide), the Fringe Theatre Festival (also top-rated world wide), Capital Ex (carnival, parades, and miscellaneous fun), Heritage Days (international festival) and many more.

The river valley provides 100's of kilometers for hiking, biking, jogging, and cross-country skiing. If you are a runner, there are very active running clubs; there are marathons and races throughout the summer. There are lakes and provincial parks nearby. There is an active rowing club. Whatever sport or recreational activity you want to do, you'll be able to do it here, and also learn new ones!

In the winter, there are plays, concerts (Edmonton is on the rock concert circuit), symphonies, jazz clubs, sports bars, music & dance clubs (rock, alternative, blues, country). You name it, you'll find it here.

Edmonton is only 3.5 hours away from the resorts of Jasper, Banff, and the Canadian Rockies, places that people worldwide dream of visiting on vacation! Spending a few years of your life near these places is a real treat, and gives you constant access to world-class downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, hiking, and ice climbing.

To work in Canada after you graduate, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). Please visit the Government of Canada website and UAlberta - Work After Graduation for more details.