Technology is rapidly evolving, leading to an increase in demand for professionals who know about artificial intelligence and intelligent technologies. Popular majors like computer science give students the knowledge and abilities they need to comprehend and use these cutting-edge technologies. Students pursuing this degree will be able to learn about topics like system architecture, software design, and programming languages. Companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Meta have demonstrated how computer science expertise can be applied to develop innovations that change the world and establish profitable enterprises. Several kids have been motivated by this to seek computer science degrees and help shape the direction of technology.
Canada offers excellent opportunities for computer science degrees, and graduates from these universities are highly sought after by top companies worldwide. Canadian universities have an edge with cooperative education programs, where students can explore potential career paths and create valuable networks with employers while pursuing their degrees.
To help prospective students choose the best university for their education, we have compiled a list of Canada's top 10 computer science universities. Start your journey towards a successful career in computer science with one of these prestigious universities.
McMaster University (Hamilton, ON)
The computer science program at McMaster University, administered by the Faculty of Engineering, offers students five computer science courses in their first year. This allows them to minor in something while preparing them for highly competitive co-op careers.
Students can personalize their learning because open electives comprise 25% of the program's courses. The degree concludes with a one-year capstone project that examines the whole lifecycle of a piece of software.
The McMaster Center for Software Certification, run by McMaster, encourages the creation of trustworthy, private, secure, and safe software for all applications where the failure of crucial systems can have adverse effects.
University of Quebec (Quebec City, QC)
The Universite du Quebec en Quebec oversees ten institutions throughout Quebec and is the hub of the province's university system. The University of Quebec at Montreal, one of its primary campuses, offers computer science programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Many funds have been awarded to the university's computer science programs, and the faculty there has developed close ties with more than 40 public and private businesses. UQAM offers graduate-level courses in computational biology, theoretical and quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.
For those pursuing master's and doctoral degrees, financial aid is available. Moreover, master's and doctoral degrees in applied computer science and other subjects are offered by the National Institute for Scientific Research, a separate organization under the Universite du Quebec en Quebec.
At the National Institute for Scientific Research, scientists and students employ artificial intelligence to tackle pressing societal issues.
University of Ottawa (Ottawa, ON)
The University of Ottawa's computer science programs are offered through its Faculty of Engineering's School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Undergraduates can earn a Bachelor of Science degree with options to specialize in areas such as entrepreneurship and management or data science. The school also offers a joint degree in computer science and mathematics. The university's co-op program provides students experiential learning opportunities, including internships with companies like Amazon, Electronic Arts, and Ubisoft Entertainment.
Graduate students can pursue their computer science degrees through the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Computer Science, a joint program between the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC)
The School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University is part of the university's Faculty of Applied Sciences and boasts 42 tenured faculty, adjunct professors and program associates.
Many internationally renowned faculty members hold Canada Research Chairs and IEEE Fellowships. The school has 2,200 undergraduate students and 400 graduate students.
Undergraduates can choose from computing science and software systems programs and a dual degree program offered jointly by SFU and Zhejiang University. Graduate students at SFU can conduct research in fields such as computer networks and systems, artificial intelligence, and graphics through PhD and Master of Science Thesis programs.
University of Toronto (Toronto, ON)
The University of Toronto is considered one of Canada's best computer science universities. It offers various undergraduate programs, including specializations in data science, artificial intelligence, game design, and computer vision.
At the graduate level, students can obtain a Master of Computer Science degree or a PhD in Computer Science. Additionally, the school offers a Master of Science in Applied Computing degree program with four concentrations: quantum computing, data science, artificial intelligence, and applied mathematics.
The University of Toronto is renowned for its research in neural networks and artificial intelligence, contributing to its esteemed reputation in computer science.
University of Waterloo (Waterloo, ON)
The University of Waterloo's David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science is Canada's top computer science university. With one of the country's most significant concentrations of computer science researchers, it is no surprise that many of its faculty members are fellows in prestigious institutions such as IEEE and the Royal Society of Canada.
Graduate students will graduate with either a Master of Mathematics (Computer Science) or a Master of Mathematics (Quantum Information). At the same time, undergraduates can select between a Bachelor of Computer Science and a Bachelor of Mathematics (Computer Science).
The university's Faculty of Mathematics provides computer science courses, highly regarded in research fields like quantum computing and artificial intelligence. The David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science's reputation for its academic concentration of computer science researchers is what puts it at the top of the list of computer science universities in Canada.
University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC)
The University of British Columbia, located in Vancouver, has multiple degree paths and types for students pursuing computer science undergraduate programs. The school offers options such as a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and combined majors with further specializations. These various paths allow students to tailor their degrees to their interests and career goals. The university's computer science programs are highly regarded, and students benefit from the strong faculty in the department.
The Cognitive Systems program at the University of British Columbia is one of the fascinating choices open to undergraduate students. It gives students an interdisciplinary grasp of how the world's intelligent systems function. The university's Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Psychology Departments collaborate in teaching this program, which is regarded as a computer science specialization. Students interested in exploring how several fields interact in the study of artificial intelligence, robotics, and other intelligent systems will find this program of great interest.
For graduate students, the University of British Columbia provides multiple paths to obtaining a PhD in computer science while completing their master's degrees. This allows students to tailor their research and coursework to their interests and career goals. Graduate students can specialize in a particular area of computer science and develop their research skills or explore a wider area of the field through the essay track. This flexibility provides students with the opportunity to customize their educational experience and build a strong foundation for their future careers in the field of computer science.
University of Alberta (Edmonton, AB)
The University of Alberta's Faculty of Science allows students to tailor their computer science degrees to suit their interests and goals. The undergraduate Computing Science degree track will enable students to focus solely on computer science or combine it with another field of study. Students interested in entrepreneurship may pursue a business minor, while those interested in software development can specialize in this area.
The University of Alberta is one of Canada's best computer science universities. Students have various degree options and research fields, enabling them to follow a path that best meets their interests and objectives.
