Computer science admission requirements and averages in Canada: 18 programs for Fall 2027

A range is not a promise. Each school describes its number in its own words. U of T St. George calls it an approximate admission range. Waterloo says individual selection, with no absolute cut-off. Queen's posts the minimum average for consideration last September and says yours could need to be higher. Western shows the typical range of last year's class. uOttawa lists a minimum admission average. SFU shows the past three years.

So compare like with like. A minimum, like uOttawa's 90%, gets you considered. A typical range, like Western's low to mid 80s, shows where past students landed. Plan for the top of a range, not the bottom.

McGill files computer science under its Physical, Environmental, Math and Computer Sciences Group. Its Ontario page lists last year's cut-offs as low 90s for the Top 6 average and high 80s to low 90s in math and science.

English and Advanced Functions (MHF4U) appear almost everywhere. Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) is required at U of T, Waterloo, McMaster, McGill, Queen's, Western, uOttawa and Carleton. York and TMU let you use Data Management (MDM4U) instead. UBC's Science requirements for Ontario students don't list MCV4U at all, and SFU only recommends it.

Some programs want a science. UBC and SFU ask for one of biology, chemistry or physics, and York's BSc asks for chemistry or physics. Waterloo Software Engineering needs both Chemistry and Physics at 70% or more. Western asks for a fourth course from a list that includes Computer Science (ICS4U).

Taking ICS4U is a good idea but rarely required. Waterloo recommends Grade 11 Introduction to Computer Science, and Software Engineering requires some programming experience. Use our course planner to check your Grade 11 and 12 plan.

U of T St. George asks four untimed short-answer questions about your experiences and qualities. They aren't about computer science. U of T Mississauga asks one question: list achievements or experiences your transcript doesn't show. Both are due February 1, 2027, and St. George recommends December 1, 2026.

Waterloo's AIF has four short answers of up to 150 words, plus a list of your activities. You submit it once for every Waterloo program that uses it. Math programs add a form about contests. Software Engineering also needs an online video interview and a form about your programming experience. See our Waterloo AIF guide.

McMaster's Computer Science supplementary application is due January 28, 2027. UBC's personal profile needs two referees, and one must be a school official if you're in high school. Our supplementary applications guide covers how to prepare.

Waterloo says the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest and the Euclid Contest are not required for Computer Science or Software Engineering admission. Writing one is required for some Faculty of Mathematics scholarships, and the math form asks which contests you wrote.

Computing and Financial Management is different. Waterloo strongly encourages CFM applicants to write the Euclid or the Senior Math contest and says results may be used in admission decisions.

The registration deadlines are October 22, 2026 for the Senior Math contest, February 11, 2027 for the Canadian Computing Competition and March 11, 2027 for Euclid. Your school usually registers you. None of the other admission pages in this guide mention contests.

At U of T St. George you join the Computer Science admission category. If you meet minimum requirements in first year, you're guaranteed a place in a CS program. U of T Scarborough and Mississauga take CS students straight from high school only.

UBC works differently. You're admitted to the Bachelor of Science and apply for a computer science specialization at the end of first year. UBC Science's application opens in late May. UBC's CS department says the major has historically needed a low 80s first-year average and suggests aiming for the high 80s. That number is your university average, not your high school one.

Waterloo's CFM page says you apply to Mathematics and choose CFM at the end of first year. Alberta admits you to its Faculty of Science.

In Ontario, the OUAC deadline for high school students is January 15, 2027. Some schools go later: Waterloo Computer Science and TMU use February 1, 2027 and Queen's uses March 1, 2027. Outside Ontario, UBC closes January 15, 2027, SFU January 31, 2027, and Alberta and Calgary March 1, 2027. McGill's Ontario page lists February 1.

OUAC adds a $52 program fee for U of T Computer Science at St. George and at Mississauga. See every date in one place on our Ontario deadlines page and Canadian deadlines page.

We have full guides for the most searched programs. Read Waterloo Computer Science vs Software Engineering, U of T Computer Science at three campuses and UBC Computer Science admission requirements.

To compare programs on co-op, structure and outcomes rather than admission, use our computer science programs comparison.

Many ranges in this guide sit in the high 80s or 90s, so build a balanced list. Pair one or two reach programs with schools whose published range sits below your child's current average.

Mark the extra deadlines too. Supplements and forms often fall after the application date, between January 28 and February 15, 2027.