Bachelor of Computer Science: What it means for current students 

The University of Toronto will introduce a new Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS), an honours undergraduate degree, effective September 1, 2027. The degree will be offered through the Faculty of Arts & Science (St. George campus), University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), and University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC).  

The information on this page applies only to Faculty of Arts & Science students at the St. George campus. Students in UTM and UTSC computer science programs should consult information provided by their home campus. 

Who is eligible to graduate with the BCS? 

Faculty of Arts & Science students admitted before September 1, 2027, who are enrolled in an eligible computer science program and who will be graduating in June 2028 or later, may choose to graduate with either the new Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS) degree designation or the degree designation they originally expected to graduate with (HBSc or HBA), depending on their program combination. 

Programs leading to the Bachelor of Computer Science 

The following Faculty of Arts & Science programs lead to, or may contribute to, the requirements for the BCS: 

• Computer Science Specialist 

• Computer Science Major 

• Data Science Specialist 

• Bioinformatics & Computational Biology Specialist 

Which computer science programs do not lead to the BCS 

In the Department of Computer Science, the Computer Science Minor and the Applied Data Science Minor remain science offerings and do not lead to the BCS. Students enrolled in those programs may graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Science or Honours Bachelor of Arts, depending on their program combination. 

What is changing? 

The only change is the degree designation that students enrolled in the applicable programs receive upon graduation.   

The Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS) is an honours degree that builds on the longstanding tradition of the Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) while recognizing computer science as a distinct field of study. It is awarded for the same rigorous programs and academic standards that define a University of Toronto computer science education. 

Importantly, the introduction of the BCS does not change:  

• Curriculum  

• Academic standards  

• Admission requirements  

• Program completion requirements that lead to, or may contribute to, the BCS 

Program Combinations and Degree Outcomes 

Your degree depends on your program combination and applicable degree requirements. Some combinations allow students to choose between the BCS and the degree designation they originally expected to graduate with (HBSc or HBA), depending on their program combination. Degree requirements for the BCS will be published in the 2027-28 Academic Calendar, available in Spring 2027. Students should consult the Academic Calendar and their College Registrar’s Office for guidance. 

Note: The information below applies to students admitted to the Faculty of Arts & Science before September 1, 2027, who are enrolled in one of the eligible programs and will be graduating in June 2028 or later. 

Have any questions?

Drop-in, in-person advising is available Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in BA 4207. 

At other times, or if you have a more complex question and would like to schedule an advising appointment, please email cs.undergrad@utoronto.ca. 

You can also visit our Academic Advising page for additional resources. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Current Students and the Transition Period

Students who graduate before June 2028 are not eligible for the BCS degree designation. 

Faculty of Arts & Science students admitted before September 1, 2027, who are enrolled in an eligible computer science program and who will be graduating in June 2028 or later, may choose to graduate with either the new Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS) degree designation or the degree designation they originally expected to graduate with (HBSc or HBA), depending on their program combination. 

If you were admitted to the Faculty of Arts & Science before September 1, 2027, are enrolled in an eligible program and graduate in June 2028 or later, you will be eligible for the BCS, subject to applicable degree requirements and regulations. 

Yes. Students admitted before September 1, 2027, who are eligible for the transition period may request to graduate with an HBSc or HBA (depending on their program combination) instead of the BCS, subject to applicable degree requirements and regulations. Contact your College Registrar’s Office for guidance. 

No. The BCS is available only to students graduating in June 2028 or later and will not be awarded retroactively.  

No. The BCS cannot be conferred retroactively and is available only to students graduating in June 2028 or later. 

Each U of T division offers its own academic programs that lead to the BCS degree. If you transfer between campuses, your degree requirements will be determined by the program and regulations of your new division. Students should consult their Registrar's Office before transferring. 

Receiving the BCS or Choosing Another Degree

Faculty of Arts & Science students admitted before September 1, 2027, who are enrolled in an eligible computer science program and are expected to graduate in June 2028 or later, may choose to graduate with either the new Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS) degree designation or the degree designation they originally expected to graduate with (HBSc or HBA), depending on their program combination. We will communicate the process for eligible students to confirm which degree they wish to graduate with in Fall 2027. Eligible students will receive information in Fall 2027 about how and when to confirm their preferred degree designation. 

Students who graduate with the Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS) will have that degree designation recorded on their diploma and transcript. Students who choose to graduate with the degree designation they originally expected to graduate with (HBSc or HBA), will have that degree designation recorded on their diploma and transcript instead. 

Where degree choice is available, students who wish to graduate with a degree other than the default designation should contact their College Registrar's Office. 

Contact your College Registrar's Office to discuss available options and applicable deadlines. 

Contact your College Registrar's Office to discuss your options. 

Each U of T division offers its own academic programs that lead to the BCS degree. If you transfer between campuses, your degree requirements will be determined by the program and regulations of your new division. Students should consult their Registrar's Office before transferring.