Comprehensive Research-Focused Curriculum

In this two-year Thesis-based program, students will complete six graduate-level courses, including three core courses and three elective subjects. The Master’s Thesis Project allows students to conduct independent and in-depth research in areas such as:

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Cybersecurity & Privacy
• Software Engineering & Development
• Big Data Analytics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Computer Networks & Cloud Computing

The program emphasizes hands-on research and development through the thesis project guided by expert faculty. Students will tackle real-world computing challenges and contribute to cutting-edge technological advancements.

Students admitted into the program will maintain full-time status throughout the entire duration of the program. They will be registered as full-time students and will pay applicable tuition, ancillary and insurance fees for all three semesters of both full years of study.

For detailed program guidelines, academic policies, and more, please consult our Graduate Student Handbook.

Academic Qualifications

To be considered for admission to the MSc in Computer Science Program, applicants must hold a Four-year Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited university, with a minimum 75% (B+) average in the last two years of full-time undergraduate study. Previous research experience is preferred but not required.

Course Prerequisites

Applicants should have completed the following foundational courses:

• Introductory Programming (Java, Python, C, C++, C#)
• Introductory Statistics
• Computer Organization
• Data Structures
• Theory of Computing
• Computer Networks

Applicants missing required courses may need to complete make-up courses before full admission.

Alternative Pathways

Candidates with non-computer science degrees but strong computational backgrounds may be considered if they have taken at least four equivalent computer science courses.
Applicants with a three-year computer science degree need to complete the Honours Diploma in Computer Science (HDIP.COSC) before entering the program. This Diploma program may be taken at Algoma University. Work experience in a relevant field may be considered for applicants with a three-year degree or those missing key prerequisites.

English Language Requirements

Proficiency in written and spoken English is required for international applicants whose primary language of instruction was not English. Applicants must submit a valid test score to complete their application.

Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency through one of the following:

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, no band lower than 6.0 (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
• TOEFL (IBT): 93 overall, minimum 20 in each band
  
• Cambridge Assessment Test (CAE): 176
• Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL): 70 no band below 60
• Pearson Test of English (PTE):  65 overall, minimum 60 in each band
• Duolingo English Test (DET): 115 overall, no band lower than 95
• ILAC Pathway: Successful completion of ILAC’s University Pathway Program (PW 3.3)
• RCIIS Pathway: Completion of the IELTS Preparation Course with a 6.5 overall and a minimum of 6.0 (each band) on the RCIIS Mock IELTS exit test Or Received a final overall grade of 70% or higher in the EAP Course with and an IELTS minimum overall band score of 6.0 and have a score no lower than 6.0 on each band.

Applicants are exempt from testing if they have:

• Completed four or more years of full-time studies in a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada.
• Completed four or more years of full-time studies in an approved post-secondary institution outside Canada where English was the primary language of instruction.

Note: English proficiency test scores must have been taken within 24 months of the application submission date. Algoma University reserves the right to request English language proficiency results from any applicant.

Those who submit an application and meet all the minimum admission requirements will receive an emailed notification and instructions regarding the next steps of the application process and submission of additional documentation, which includes:

• Three Letters of Recommendation
• A current CV or Resume
• A 500-word Statement of Research Interest
• An Official Transcript of the undergraduate degree program

FALL 2025 INTAKE:

Application opens on March 10, 2025

Domestic applicants:

• Application deadline: August 1st, 2025
• Documents are accepted August 15th, 2025

International (onshore and offshore) applicants:

• Application closes on June 1, 2025
• Documents are accepted until June 15, 2025

Application processing timelines:

• Expected time for application processing, review and issuing decision notices and Letters of Offer between two and six weeks.
• Only complete applications are assessed for admission.
• Incomplete applications will be closed or deferred to the next  intake.

Application deadline for entrance and donor-sponsored scholarship consideration:

• May 1, 2025 (applicants must complete in full all application requirements for admissions)

WINTER 2026 INTAKE: opens on May 15th, 2025

Application deadlines will be posted in advance.

* Given the high volume of applications received and to maintain integrity of the admission process, we do not issue application status updates prior to the completion of the review process and outside the above posted timeframes.

Please review our Tuition and Ancillary fees for the Master’s Programs

There is no guaranteed funding in this program. Students may be eligible for entrance scholarship under certain conditions and only if they complete in full all application requirements for admission by the specified deadline of their intake. For information on tuition fees and all other types of financial support, please visit the above website.

In order to apply for the Master of Science in Computer Science program we require the following documents to be submitted through the Application Portal by the specified deadline:

• A completed Application form.
• Payment of a non-refundable application fee ($70 for domestic applicants, and $125 for International applicants).
• Undergraduate Bachelor degree transcript
• Language test result (for international applicants that completed their undergraduate degree in a country where English is not an official language)

Each application is pre-screened for eligibility for admission. Email notification will be issued to all applicants to update them on the status of their application within two weeks of submitting their application. Additional documentation will be required if all qualifications for admission are met. This includes the following:

• A current CV or Resume
• Three Letters of recommendation
• A 500-word statement of research interest

All applicants are advised to arrange to have an Official Transcript sent by their university directly to the Graduate Admissions office at [email protected]. Official transcripts will be requested via email following the pre-screening of the application and it is a requirement for admission to the program.

Algoma University students are not required to submit transcripts as that is provided on their behalf by the Office of the Registrar.