Prospective Students

Studying computer science as an undergraduate at the University of Toronto opens up a world of possibilities for both academic exploration and future career pathways. Undergraduate courses cover a wide range of topics in computer science, reflecting the breadth of innovative research conducted by our faculty.

Students can combine their studies in computer science with many other fields offered across the Faculty of Arts & Science, making U of T an ideal place to pursue interdisciplinary study.

Our graduates are well prepared for success in their next chapters, from advanced study to careers in the technology industry and beyond.

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto has consistently ranked among the most renowned computer science departments worldwide, and first in Canada, according to QS World and Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. 

Options for studying computer science at U of T

The University of Toronto offers several options to study computer science and computer engineering. Our program is part of the Faculty of Arts & Science on the St. George campus.

• The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) also offer undergraduate programs in computer science

• The Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering offers programs in electrical & computer engineering

If you are interested in the programs at UTM, UTSC or Engineering, you would apply directly to those divisions.

Applying to Computer Science programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science

In Arts & Science, you are not admitted directly to a Computer Science program.

Instead, you must first be admitted to the Faculty of Arts & Science. You may be admitted to the Computer Science admission category, or to another admission category. Details about eligibility for admission categories and the process to apply are available through the Faculty of Arts & Science. You can also find out more about applying to Arts & Science at one of U of T's upcoming prospective student events.

Depending on your admission category, you will complete specific courses in your first year, and apply to a Computer Science program at the end of your first year.

Students in the Computer Science admission category have guaranteed admission to Computer Science programs at the end of first year, provided they meet certain minimum requirements. Students in other admission categories apply for competitive admission to Computer Science programs.

Your admission stream also determines which programs you are eligible to apply to. Students admitted to an admission category other than Computer Science are eligible to apply to a CS Major or Minor, and the Data Science Specialist. In addition to those programs, students in the Computer Science admission category are also eligible to apply to a CS Specialist.

Details about the process of applying to Computer Science and Data Science programs for students in the Faculty of Arts & Science are available on our How to Apply to a CS Program page.

Studying computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science at U of T

Our programs

Students entering Computer Science from any Arts & Science admissions category can pursue a Major or Minor program in Computer Science, or a Specialist program in Data Science. Additionally, students entering Computer Science from the computer science admission category are also eligible to pursue a Computer Science Specialist program. Details about our programs are found in the Arts & Science Academic Calendar.

A Minor in computer science provides an introduction to theoretical and applied computer science as a complement to your studies in other areas, and allows you to take up to three 300+ level computer science courses.

A Major in computer science builds on the content of the Minor, preparing you for upper-year computer science study with options to explore a few topics more deeply. Students enrolled in the Computer Science Major can integrate their studies with another discipline.

A Specialist in computer science goes beyond the Major, providing a broad and deep foundation to computer science, and exposes you to a broad range of upper-year computer science topics.

Students enrolled in the Major or Specialist can choose to complete an optional Focus in a particular area of computer science, including:

• Artificial Intelligence

• Computational Linguistics and Natural Language Processing

• Computer Systems

• Computer Vision

• Game Design

• Human-Computer Interaction

• Scientific Computing

• Theory of Computation

• Web and Internet Technologies

Data Science is a combination of statistics and computer science methodologies that enable "learning from data." Students in the Data Science Specialist program will benefit from a range of advanced courses in computer science and statistics offered by the University of Toronto, as well as from a sequence of three integrative courses designed especially for the program.

As a student in the University’s Faculty of Arts & Science, you will also be able to pair your studies in computer science with courses from any other Faculty of Arts & Science field of study, from biology to English to physics. Learn more about programs offered through the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Outside the classroom

Our undergraduates also enjoy access to:

• Opportunities to interact with our alumni, including panel talks, industry nights and our Alumni-Student Mentorship Program

• Professional development, such as the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP), the Technology Leadership Initiative (TLI), and undergraduate research opportunities

• Our Innovation Lab (DCSIL), which brings together students from across Arts & Science disciplines to develop software-based innovations

• U of T's entrepreneurship resources, including customized accelerators and a growing network of entrepreneurship courses, programs, office space and more

• Department of Computer Science events such as lectures and competitions

• Learning communities help you meet classmates, develop friendships, form study groups and hone your academic and personal skills

Our undergraduate community

An undergraduate program is not just about the courses you will take. Studying computer science at U of T means joining a tight-knit community of students, faculty and alumni who share common interests.

Many of our undergraduates tell us that they feel like they are part of a cohort. They typically graduate with the same students with whom they began their program, and in the years between develop a strong network of friends and study partners.

Arts & Science College communities

In addition to being a member of our community, you will also join one of seven college communities within the Faculty of Arts & Science. Colleges give you access to even more services, including academic advising, residence, student clubs and activities.