Minimum requirements
Applicants to both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree programs must complete an undergraduate degree equivalent to a four-year program at the University of Toronto with a standing equivalent of at least B+ in the final year of study. Preference will be given to applicants who have studied computer science or a closely related discipline.Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination is not English must provide proof of English language facility. The required minimum scores are listed on the School of Graduate Studies web site. Please consult that web page for details.
Applicants from outside Canada are required to submit scores from the GRE General Test, and are encouraged to also submit scores from the GRE Subject Test in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related discipline.
Prospective applicants should note that we receive over a thousand applications to our graduate program each year and only the very best Canadian and international students get admitted. If you feel that your background is strong enough to compete with such a group, you are most welcome to apply.
M.Sc. versus Ph.D.
The department of computer science offers two graduate degrees: Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy.If you wish to pursue a Ph.D degree but do not already have an M.Sc. degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, you should note the following:
- Students with a Bachelor degree in Computer Science or related discipline (e.g., computer engineering, mathematics) are strongly encouraged to apply to the M.Sc. program.
- Our M.Sc. program is not a 'terminal' program. Quite the opposite, many of our Ph.D. students completed their M.Sc. degree here.
- Applications to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs are evaluated jointly by the admissions committee. While it is possible to apply directly to the Ph.D. program without having an M.Sc. degree, your application may be held at a higher standard and you will be required to complete an M.Sc.-equivalent course of study in your first 18 months. See the Department of Computer Science Graduate Handbook for more information.
Part-time versus full-time
Only students applying for an M.Sc. degree can be part-time students in the department.We do not offer a part-time Ph.D. program.
Non-CS applicants
It is certainly possible to apply to our program without a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. Successful applicants, however, must possess a demonstrably strong background in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, and a basic background in Mathematics, that includes at a minimum the following University of Toronto courses (or their equivalents): - Computer Science: CSC 148H, CSC238H, CSC 258H, CSC270H, CSC 324H, CSC350H or CSC336H, CSC 364H, CSC 378H, and at least two CSC 400-series courses
- Mathematics: MAT 137Y/157, MAT 237, MAT 223H and MAT 224H
- Statistics: STA 107H and 250H/257H
It is not possible to evaluate a prospective applicant's background without having all application materials at hand. Please do not email the department's graduate office with questions about whether your background is sufficient for our graduate program.
For detailed descriptions of these courses, refer to the University of Toronto's Arts & Sciences Course Calendar.
For more information
For information about our graduate program, consult our department's Graduate Handbook. For information on application fees, eligibility requirements, etc please consult the School of Graduate Studies application FAQ page.
For all other inquiries, you can contact the Department of Computer Science Graduate Office at gradAdmissions@cs.toronto.edu