Program
The deadline to apply if you wish to start in September is January 10.
| Program | Expected length | Thesis-based | Project-based | Course-based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. | 20 months | |||
| Ph.D. | 4 years |
The master's and doctoral programs in computer science offer students high quality, cutting-edge research opportunities and supervision by world leaders in their respective fields. Graduates of our program have gone on to work for industry leading companies such as HP Labs and Pixar Animation Studios.
Our master's program is ideally suited to students wishing to become senior professionals in the technology industry or to those seeking to prepare for a career in scientific research. Graduates of this program often become senior programmers or project leaders at companies that develop commercial software or game design studios.
Our doctoral program provides students with intensive training in the scientific enterprise for those wishing to pursue academic or industrial research careers. Graduates of this program are qualified to seek positions in the research and development units of large technology companies or to pursue independent research careers as university professors.
Research supervisors
It is not necessary to find a potential supervisor before you apply to this program. However, you can list three preferred supervisors which can indicate an interest in working with those individuals. Permission does not need to be obtained from these potential supervisors beforehand, and it merely signifies interest.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Accessibility; Usability; Software Engineering; e-Commerce; International Standards | |
| Empirical Software Engineering; Technical Debt; Software Metrics; Predictive Analytics (incl. Data Mining, Machine Learning); Software Quality | |
| Apps; Blockchain; Cloud Computing; Internet of Things; cloud; distributed systems; mobile; semantics; wireless sensor | |
| Game semantics; language; programming; semantics; type theory | |
| Content delivery; internet; multimedia; networks; video | |
| Applied Deep Learning; computer vison; image processing | |
| Cooperative; human computer interaction; interaction; surface computing; video games | |
| Artificial Intelligence; Cloud Computing; Concurrency; Distributed Systems; Formal Methods; Machine Learning; Multiagent Systems; Parallelism; Programming Languages; Reactive Design | |
| Bioinformatics; comparative genomics; computational genomics; formal language and automata theory; natural computing; plant genome evolution | |
| Genomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiome | |
| Data processing; data storage; energy efficiency; mobile devices; multiplayer; operating systems; security; wireless networks | |
| Automata Theory; Bioinformatics; Computational Biology; Formal Language Theory; Machine Learning; Natural Computing; Theoretical Computer Science | |
| Algorithm Design and Analysis; Big Data Analytics; Computational Geometry; Graph Drawing and Networks; Information Visualization | |
| Artificial intelligence; graphics; medical models; mobile computing; visualization | |
| Epidemiology; informatics; mathematical modelling; monitoring; public health | |
| Artificial Intelligence; Computer Vision; Deep Learning; Machine Learning | |
| Interactive Software Engineering; Program Comprehension; Software Analytics | |
| Clone detection; engineering; programming; software | |
| Human computer interaction; languages; modeling; simulation; software; visualization | |
| Applications to Hydrology; Bioinformatics; Electrophysiology; Numerical Analysis; Optimization; Plasma; Quantum Materials; Scientific Software; Scientific and High-performance Computing (with actors); Weather Prediction | |
| Software Security; Mobile Security; Malware Analysis & Attribution | |
| Applied AI; Computational Agriculture; Computer Graphics; Computer Vision; Human Computer Interaction | |
| AI in Education; Decentralized Architectures; Human-Centered AI; Multi-Agents Systems; Personalization; Persuasive Technology; Social Computing; Trust and Reputation Systems; User Modeling |
Tuition and funding
Funding
All applicants to both the Computer Science and the Applied Computing graduate program are automatically considered for financial support. The funding system for all students admitted to start in September 2024 or later is as follows:
M.Sc. students are normally funded for 20 months (the expected program length, with funding ending early if the student finishes earlier than 20 months) at a rate that covers the tuition/year at the time of admission plus an additional $18,000/year. Specifically, in the first 12 months of the program, they will receive enough to cover tuition plus $18,000, and in the next 8 months, they will receive enough to cover 8 months of tuition at the time of admission plus $12,000. Even though International Master's tuition rates are higher than domestic tuition, the funding package pays the difference as part of a fund called the International Student Tuition Offset Bursary.
Ph.D. students are normally funded for 4 years (the expected program length) at a rate that covers the cost of tuition per year at the time of admission plus $20,000/year.
Some sources of funding require that the student have a GPA of at least 80% at the time of admission and to maintain a GPA of at least 75% for the duration of their funding period. Most students will be required to provide service hours to the department as a lab instructor or marker.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for external funding such as an NSERC postgraduate scholarship. All students who are awarded an NSERC (CGS-D, CGS-M) or Vanier scholarship, and attend the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan will receive an additional $6,000 annual top-up scholarship from the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for each year that they hold the award. Furthermore, after the award is finished, they will continue to receive funding from the Department of Computer Science for the remainder of their funding term as listed above. For example, if a student is awarded an NSERC CGS-M award listing the University of Saskatchewan as an institution where they could hold the award, and they are admitted and attend the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan, they will receive $17,500 from NSERC plus a $6,000 top-up from the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for their first year; and will receive normal funds from the Department of Computer Science in their second year.
Tuition
Thesis or project-based master's program
Graduate students in a thesis or project-based program pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.
| Term | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2024 | ||
| January 1 - April 30, 2025 | ||
| May 1 - August 31, 2025 | ||
| Total per academic year |
Doctoral program
Doctoral students pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program. Both international and domestic Ph.D. students pay the same rate.
| Term | |
|---|---|
| January 1 - April 30, 2025 | $1,726.00 CAD |
| May 1 - August 31, 2025 | $1,726.00 CAD |
| September 1 - December 31, 2024 | $1,726.00 CAD |
| Total per academic year | $5,178.00 CAD |
Student fees
In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.
| Fall 2024 | Winter 2025 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $504.45 CAD | $666.08 CAD | $35.00 CAD | $35.00 CAD |
Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.
Admission requirements
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English. A minimum overall TOEFL score of 94 is required, or a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.0, or a minimum overall Duolingo English Test score of 120, or another approved test as outlined in the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Policies.
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 60 credit units)
- A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
- Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English. A minimum overall TOEFL score of 94 is required or a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.0, or a minimum overall Duolingo English Test score of 120 or another approved test as outlined in the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Policies.
- Master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of full-time study (e.g. 60 credit units)
- Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research
Note that these English language proficiency requirements supersede the minimum requirements of the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Furthermore, the Department of Computer Science does not use the WHED database to exempt students if the primary language of instruction at their previous institution was in English, and the Department of Computer Science does not accept letters from universities stating the medium of instruction is English. However, test exemptions may be possible in certain circumstances; please contact gradprogram@cs.usask.ca to inquire.
Application process
Submit an online application
Before beginning your online application, be sure that you have carefully reviewed all program information and admission requirements on this page.
During the application, you'll be asked for:
- Personal information such as your name, address, etc.
- Contact information of your three referees
- For your letters of recommendation, two of your referees must be academic contacts, and the third may be academic or professional
- Your complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions
- Other information requested by the Department of Computer Science
The application takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may save your application and return to it later.
At the end of the application, you will need to pay a non-refundable $120 application fee. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.
Submit required documents
Once you've completed an online application, you will need to upload the following documents:
Preliminary Statement of Marks
- Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
- The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college, and must include a grading key/legend.
- All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
- Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
Post-secondary Transcripts
If you receive an offer of admission, you will then be required to have your official post-secondary transcripts sent (by mail in a sealed envelope directly from the institution) to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.
College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9
- Transcripts usually indicate the institution’s name, grading scheme (typically on back of transcript), your name, course names, numbers, credits, and the grades you have received. Depending on the country or institution, some features may not be available.
- Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
- If you are a current University of Saskatchewan student completing your undergraduate program then a letter of completion of degree requirements will be required from your college.
Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English. The Department of Computer Science has additional English requirements beyond the University minimum requirements.
For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:
- It is your responsibility to have completed an official and approved test with the appropriate score before the application deadline.
- Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
- Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.
If you receive an Offer of Admission you may be required to have your official language test scores sent to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.
College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building - 110 Science Place
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9
- Your curriculum vitae or resume should be a one or two page concise summary of your skills, experience and education.
- A curriculum vitae or resume is essentially your full academic and professional profile. It should include a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honours, affiliations and other details.
- Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of their curriculum vitae or resume.
You must download and fill out the Supplemental Application form, which is your research statement. Save it as a PDF and upload it once it is complete.
Additional requirements can be found on the Department of Computer Science's Applications for admission page.
Contact
176 Thorvaldson Bldg.
110 Science Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9
Graduate Chair
Ian McQuillan
Email: mcquillan@cs.usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Maurine Powell
Email: gradprogram@cs.usask.ca
- Department of Computer Science
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements