All students must meet the minimum admission requirements set forth by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Applicants will have completed a four-year undergraduate degree in Computer Science with high standing. Students with other backgrounds may also be considered for admittance in exceptional circumstances, but will be required to make up background deficiencies through additional courses. Applicants can also be guided in the appropriate selection of preparatory courses that would qualify them for admission consideration.

All international applicants will be required to provide proof of an adequate level of English Language Proficiency prior to admission. This can be done by demonstrating:

• An aggregate TOEFL score of at least 94 (TOEFL iBT –  this includes the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition), with no individual score below 20; or
• An aggregate IELTS (Academic Module) score of at least 7.0, with no individual score below 6.5; or
• An aggregate Duolingo English Test (DET) (link to https://englishtest.duolingo.com/) score of at least 120 with no individual score below 115; or
• An acceptable score from another approved proficiency test.

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.

Although not compulsory, GRE results can be submitted and may enhance your application.

We strongly recommend that applicants have at least the minimum requirement before they apply. Applicants with less than the above requirement may apply at their own risk.

For students without a B.Sc. in computer science, or a related discipline, the requirements for M.Sc. admission is that they take, by the end of their M.Sc. studies, two (2) 300-level courses from the seven (7) core courses in the Computer Science undergraduate curriculum where these courses are selected by the Advisory Committee, and at least one (1) grad course numbered 800 to 829 in Computer Science.

All students must meet the minimum admission requirements set forth by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. To be admitted to the Ph.D. program an applicant must hold a thesis-based M.Sc. in Computer Science (or an equivalent background) and a University of Saskatchewan equivalent grade point average (GPA) of 80%. The applicant must show an ability to work independently and engage in original research. In addition, all applicants must satisfy the regulations for admission to the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies as set out in the University Calendar.

Although not compulsory, GRE results can be submitted and may enhance your application.

We strongly recommend that applicants have at least the minimum requirement before they apply. Applicants with less than the above requirement may apply at their own risk.

All students must meet the minimum admission requirements set forth by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Applicants will have completed a 4-year BSc degree in Applied Computing, or Computer Science (or equivalent), or a 4-year undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline from a recognized institution, with a minimum overall average of 70%. 

All international applicants will be required to provide proof of an adequate level of English Language Proficiency prior to admission. This can be done by demonstrating:

• An aggregate TOEFL score of at least 94 (TOEFL iBT –  this includes the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition), with no individual score below 20; or
• An aggregate IELTS (Academic Module) score of at least 7.0, with no individual score below 6.5; or
• An aggregate Duolingo English Test (DET) (link to https://englishtest.duolingo.com/) score of at least 120 with no individual score below 115; or
• An acceptable score from another approved proficiency test.

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.

Although not compulsory, GRE results can be submitted and may enhance your application.

We strongly recommend that applicants have at least the minimum requirement before they apply. Applicants with less than the above requirement may apply at their own risk.

All students must meet the minimum admission requirements set forth by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. To be admitted to the Ph.D. program an applicant must hold a thesis-based MSc in Applied Computing, Computer Science or equivalent, or a thesis-based Masters-level credential in a relevant cognate area with a minimum overall average of 80%.

The applicant must show an ability to work independently and engage in original research. In addition, all applicants must satisfy the regulations for admission to the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies as set out in the University Calendar.

Although not compulsory, GRE results can be submitted and may enhance your application.

We strongly recommend that applicants have at least the minimum requirement before they apply. Applicants with less than the above requirement may apply at their own risk.

After you have submitted your online application and paid the non-refundable application fee of $120, you will receive an email with instructions on how to upload your documents. Please note that this may take 1-2 business days from the time your application fee has been processed to receive this email.

After you receive the email, you will be able to upload all of the documents required for your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that your documents are readable. Do not mail any application materials to the Department of Computer Science. You must upload a PDF copy of your required documents as described below! Failure to do so will delay the processing of your application.

The graduate committee is unable to process incomplete applications. It is your responsibility to ensure that your online application with payment and all required documentation is submitted before the application deadline.

• Copies of your academic transcript(s) and degree certificate(s) from each post-secondary institution that you attended (past and/or current), showing all courses and marks are required.
• Transcript(s) must be in the original language and include a certified translation if the transcript is not in English.
• Only one complete file per institution should be uploaded. (e.g. do not create an individual document for each page of your transcript.)
• Transcript(s) must display your full name, academic program and the university’s name along with transcript legends/keys/grading scales.
• Current University of Saskatchewan students can download an unofficial transcript through PAWS.

There is no need to upload the certificates from other programs such as Microsoft certified programs.  You may list them in your resume.

Official academic transcript(s) are only required if you are offered admission. You will be notified at that time, if this is the case.

• Three letters of reference are required. A referee should be a faculty member with whom you have studied and is able to assess your potential for graduate level study and research. References from non-academic supervisors may be accepted in certain cases.
• Contact your referees before you apply online to confirm their availability and their preferred email address. When you create an online application, you will enter the names and email address of your referees. Your referees will receive an automatic email notification with instructions for accessing our online recommendation system. This is our preferred method of receiving recommendation letters so please do not submit paper references.
• It is your responsibility to follow up with your referees to ensure they have received the email and that they submit the reference before the application deadline. The email is sent from grad.applications@usask.ca with the subject line “Confidential Letter of Recommendation”. Referees may need to check their spam or junk mail folders.
• Apply early to allow time for your referees to submit their recommendation by the deadline.

*Adding a Referee

Once you have submitted your online application, containing email addresses for your referees, you cannot change that information. If it is necessary for you to add a new reference, please email the information to Graduate Program Assistant.

All applicants must submit a brief statement of research interest (approximately 1-3 pages in length). A statement of research interest outlines your academic background and other relevant information, as well as your proposed area of graduate research, identifying as much as possible your research problem, theoretical interests, and proposed data sources or methodological approach.

Please use the FORM provided. (Signature not required)

Your Statement of Research Interest allows you to explain your personal interest in the program to which you are applying. It should include:

• Specific areas of interest that could lead to a thesis topic;
• A statement of education and employment history and how it relates to the proposed area of study;
• A description of your educational and career goals; and
• An assessment of how the graduate program in Computer Science will help achieve these goals.

Things to keep in mind when writing your Statement of Research Interest:

• Proper spelling and grammar are important.
• Avoid plagiarism.
• Focus on specific points that only you could have written, and which show your unique personality. Avoid general statements.
• Keep the language simple. Avoid quotes because the graduate committee wants to hear your words. Avoid using flowery language or uncommon words.
• Keep it short. Concise writing is always appreciated. Put your ideas forward in a logical manner without wasting words. Cut out any sentences that are not absolutely necessary.

A resume for your application for admission should be a one or two page concise summary of your skills, experience and education as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honours, affiliations and other details.

• We do not offer conditional admission subject to English language proficiency requirement.  Applicants must meet the minimum requirement set by the department. This Department does not allow the remedial minimum noted on the CGPS website.
• It is your responsibility to have completed a relevant test (IELTS or TOEFL) with the appropriate score before the application deadline.
• English-language proficiency test scores must be taken within the last two years of receipt of your application.
• Even if you meet the remedial minimum requirements, we will often recommend that you retake your TOEFL or IELTS test if there is sufficient time before admission so that you can present a passing score and do not have to take a part-time English class during your first term.

**The Department of Computer Science does not accept letters from your universities stating the medium of instruction is English.

Official ESL test scores may be required if you receive an offer of admission. You will be notified at that time, if this is the case.

GRE

A GRE test score may enhance your application and PDF copy of the test score can be submitted.

Thesis Abstract

It is recommended that applicants to the Ph.D. program submit the abstract of their M.Sc. thesis. In some cases, the admission committee may request the submission of the complete M.Sc. thesis.

Publications

It is recommended that applicants to submit any previous publications to demonstrate his or her ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research.  

Funding Sponsorship

Applicants receiving a scholarship/sponsorship from an external agency must email a PDF copy of the letter to Graduate Program Assistant detailing the duration and level of funding. Personal letters of sponsorship, such as those from family members and banks, are not required.

Release of Information Authorization

A Release of Information Authorization must be submitted by applicants who wish to be represented in any matters related to the application process by a third party (parents, friends, etc.). Therefore, if the applicant would like someone else to inquire about their application, the form must be filled out and a PDF copy emailed to Graduate Program Assistant.

Complete applications for admission to our graduate programs may be submitted at any time before the application deadline. However, applicants who apply early may increase their chances of securing financial support for their graduate studies.

Applicants are admitted on an individual basis when a match is made between the application and an interested faculty member. This is a competitive process and as each faculty member can only supervise a limited number of graduate students, not all applicants in a given research area will be accepted into the program.

Admission decisions based on a number of criteria, including your degree, courses, grades, recommendation letters, previous experience, research capability, statement of research interest, suitability to current projects, and availability of positions in a research group. When a faculty member is interested in an application, they normally contact the applicant and conduct a semi-formal interview, either by phone, by email or in person.

NOTE: After an applicant has finished applying, faculty members can examine the completed applications. After examining the completed applications, students are only admitted if a faculty member provides a recommendation to serve as their academic supervisor.

For further information, please contact our Graduate Program Assistant by e-mail.

Once a final decision is made, you will be notified via the online application system whether your application has been accepted or declined.