The Department of Computing Science only accepts new graduate students for the Fall semester. We do not admit students in Winter, Spring or Summer terms.
The application deadline for Fall 2019 has now passed, and we will no longer be accepting applications for this year. Assessment of applications will be done from December 15, 2018 and continue to the end of April 2019.
Canadian students who hold major scholarships may contact the Department at any time via email (csgrad@ualberta.ca) - even if it is after the application deadline. Please attach a copy of your transcript.
Specializations
- Statistical Machine Learning: Applicants for Masters in Statistical Machine Learning should apply to the Masters Thesis-based program. You can indicate your interest in SML in your application when you choose your area of interest. We are not able to admit students directly into the SML program at the time of admission to the CS graduate program. Whether a student is eventually admitted into the SML program is conditional on his/her ability to find a supervisor in SML after arriving.
- Multimedia: Apply directly to FGSR only. Program requirements and application procedure.
Applying for Graduate Admission
- Minimum requirements
- Make sure you meet the background and minimum requirements for application. (M.Sc., Ph.D.).
- Gather the required documents
- Select a research area and potential supervisors
- Review the requirements for acceptance of uploaded transcripts
- Apply to FGSR
- Apply to the Department's review system (GARS)
- Please register with the same email address used on your FGSR application.
- You will require the 8-digit Admissions Number (beginning with "160") from your GSMS application in order to proceed.
Wait for a decision. Refer to the FGSR applicant portal for your application status. Bear Tracks is not used for reviewing applications so application status in Bear Tracks may not be accurate.
** NOTE: Your application will not be reviewed until both your U of A FGSR application (5) and Department review application (6) are COMPLETE. This includes the submission of all necessary documentation. **
- If you are admitted, send official documents to FGSR
- Official documents (transcripts, degree certificates, etc.) may be required upon receiving the conditional offer of admission letter.
- Documents must be sent directly from the post-secondary institution to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research office.
- If you have questions related to sending official documents to FGSR, please contact grad.admissions@ualberta.ca.
- Obtain your study permit
- To study in Canada, you must obtain a study permit from the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate.
- Depending on your country of origin, you (and your spouse and children) may also need to obtain a visitor visa. You will need to apply for these documents before you arrive in Canada.
- To apply for a Study Permit, you will need to wait for your official letter of admission (from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research) and a letter of financial support (provided by us, the Department of Computing Science).
- We suggest that you contact your nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate for more information immediately after submitting your application.
- Application to Study in Canada, Study Permits
Required Documents
Following is the list of documents and information required for your application.
- We do not require paper copies - please upload / add these documents / information to your online application or the Department's review system.
- You will only have to mail official documents to FGSR if you are admitted.
Three Letters of Reference
- Two of the referees should hold academic positions at an institution from which you graduated.
- If you have lost contact with your former professors or you are not able to obtain two academic references, then it is up to you to determine the best references to list under your circumstances.
English Language Proficiency
You must have a degree from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta in which the language of instruction is English. Otherwise you must take one of the following English Language Tests. (ELP exemptions)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Minimum score = 600 paper, 250 computer based, 100 internet with a minimum score of 20 per section.
- MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery)
Minimum score = 90.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Overall band score of 7.0, with a score of at least 5.5 on each test band.
- CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment)
Overall minimum score of 70 with at least 60 on each subtest.
- PTE (Academic)
Overall minimum score of 68.
The Department of Computing Science reserves the right to require a demonstration of English language proficiency.
Curriculum Vitae
Transcripts
- Scan and upload official marksheets/transcripts from all the post-secondary institutions that you have attended, in the original language and in English.
Final Degree Certificates (if applicable)
- Scan and upload final degree certificates in original language and in English. (See FAQs below for more about acceptable English translations.)
- Graduates from North American Universities are not required to submit degree certificates.
Additional Documents for Ph.D. Applicants
In addition, Ph.D. applicants are required to submit the following:
- Statement of Purpose: This statement should outline your research goals in relation to the research being done by the Computing Science faculty member(s) listed on your application.
- Abstract of M.Sc. Thesis
Optional Documents
GRE
- The GRE is not required, however, for applicants who have received their degree outside of Canada, we highly recommend taking the GRE (General).
- It can help your application if you do not have a degree from a well-known North American university.
- It can help if your GPA is not very high.
- Strong applicants obtain a minimum score of 155 on the quantitative and 4.0 on the analytical writing section.
- GRE Code: 0402
- Institution Code: 0963