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Admissions

Are you SFU Computing Science?

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS  

To be considered for admission, you must meet SFU’s general admissions requirements, including English language requirements and the specific School of Computing Science requirements for the program you want to apply for.

Please also note the following:

Which category below best describes you? Click on a category to get full details.

High School Student

For entrance requirements directly from high school (BC and others), please visit https://www.sfu.ca/students/admission/programs/a-z/c/computing-science/requirements.html

Our programs are taught at SFU’s Burnaby and Surrey campuses. You can be directly admitted into the School of Computing Science through either campus as follows:

B.Sc. Computing Science (Burnaby Campus)

  1. Visit https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca/apply/complete-application/sfu
  2. Select Applied Sciences as your faculty
  3. Select B.Sc. Computing Science as your program
  4. Follow the online instructions

To enter one of our joint major programs, contact an advisor after completing the steps above and once you have been admitted.

B.Sc. Software Systems (Surrey & Burnaby Campuses)

  1. Visit https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca/apply/complete-application/sfu
  2. Select Applied Sciences as your faculty
  3. Select B.Sc. Software System - Surrey as your program
  4. Follow the online instructions

B.Sc. SFU-Zhejiang University Dual Degree Program in Computing Science (Burnaby Campus)

  1. Visit https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca/apply/complete-application/sfu
  2. Select Applied Sciences as your faculty
  3. Select B.Sc. CMPT Zhejiang Dual Degree as your program
  4. Follow the online instructions
  5. Follow the additional application requirements


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS >

TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

 

If you have completed our three qualifying courses as part of 24 or more credits hours of transferable coursework, you can apply for direct admission into the School of Computing Science. 

  1. Visit https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca/
  2. Select Applied Sciences as your faculty
  3. Select B.Sc. Computing Science or B.Sc. Software System - Surrey as your program
  4. Follow the online instructions

 

Transferring from VCC?  Click here for information on the Computing Science and Software Certificate

VCC students have the opportunity to transfer to second-year SFU programs once they satisfy requirements in the certificate programs listed above. These transfer programs allow students to explore options and demonstrate success at the first year level of university studies while enrolled at VCC.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS >

TRANSFER FROM A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

If you have taken a technical diploma in computing, you may be eligible for admission on the basis of that diploma.  Diploma transfers are individually assessed for placement in the program based on their background.

INTERNAL TRANSFER (CURRENT SFU STUDENTS)

 

The internal transfer application is for current SFU students who wish to:

Students who wish to apply to the Mathematics and Computing Science (MACM) Joint Major should do so through the Department of Mathematics. Please refer to this link for information - Internal Transfer Requirements - Department of Mathematics - Simon Fraser University (sfu.ca)

Effective immediately, students interested in the Geographic Information Science major program (GIS), with a start term of Summer 2024 and later, will need to contact the Department of Geography (geogadv@sfu.ca) for assistance. 

Internal Transfer applications are accepted three times each year. The deadlines to apply for each term is indicated below. Applications received outside of this application period will be closed without review. See all application periods below.

UPDATE: ** Prospective Software Systems Major (SOSY) students: The SOSY  program will now strictly follow the same internal transfer requirements as the Computing Science Major. 

UPDATE: ** Students interested in the Geographic Information Science major program (GIS), with a start term of Summer 2024 and later, will need to contact the Department of Geography (geogadv@sfu.ca) for assistance.

UPDATE: **the P/F grading scheme has been added to the transfer application. Choose this option if you are submitting a course with this notation.

Internal Transfer requirements for the Computing Science Major (CMPT), Software Systems Major (SOSY), CMPT Honours, CMPT Minor, Business Joint Major (BUS), or Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Joint Major/Honours (MBB):

Admission is based on a Computing Related Grade Point Average (CRGPA) along with consideration of an SFU Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). The average for admission based on internal transfer is competitive. The school sets a competitive average each term. The CRGPA minimum average is 2.67 and the CGPA minimum average is 2.4 - the competitive averages are higher than these minima.

In the case of repeated courses--at SFU or elsewhere--the first attempt will be calculated in the CRGPA. If more than one application of the same student number is submitted, the most recently-dated application is evaluated. To determine the best CMPT program option for you, please review all programs before submitting your ONE application. Duplicate applications will be closed without review.

The CRGPA is computed from ALL courses taken from the immediate lists below. Applicants must have completed at least two CMPT courses and one MACM course. At least two of all courses submitted must have been taken at SFU:

  • Computing list: (CMPT 120, 128, 130, or ENSC 151), (CMPT 125, 129 or 135), CMPT 225, (CMPT 275 or 276), CMPT 295*, CMPT 300, CMPT 307
  • Mathematics list: MACM 101**, (CMPT 210 or MACM 201), MACM 316 

* ENSC major students may use ENSC 251 and ENSC 254 in place of CMPT 295. Enter your average grade between the two ENSC courses. 

** ENSC major students may use ENSC 251 and ENSC 252 in place of MACM 101. Enter your average grade between the two ENSC courses.

Note: students with CMPT 213 may appeal to use this course by attaching a letter to their application.

Internal Transfer requirements for Joint Major Linguistics, Dual Degree with Zhejiang University, and the Computing Studies Certificate: please contact asadvise@sfu.ca with your advising transcript, RE: Internal Transfer Calendar Requirements. 

APPLICATION PERIODS BELOW:

Students seeking transfer into Computing in the Spring term must submit their application for transfer between September 2ndand October 1st (inclusive). The Admissions Committee will review the student’s transcript, evaluate the prior term records, and make their decision before 1st of November.  

Students seeking transfer into Computing in the Summer term must submit their application for transfer between January 2nd and February 1st (inclusive). The Admissions Committee will review the student’s transcript, evaluate the prior term records, and make their decision before 1st of March.  

Students seeking transfer into Computing in the Fall term must submit their application for transfer between May 2nd and June 1st (inclusive). The Admissions Committee will review the student’s transcript, evaluate the prior term records, and make their decision before 1st of July. 

Application for CMPT MAJOR/HONOURS/MINOR, SOSY Major, BUS/MBB JOINT MAJOR

Note: Please make sure to report your grades correctly, any misrepresentation will render your application void and ineligible for consideration.

DEGREE HOLDERS - External Students (Students who completed their first degree outside of SFU)

 

External Students (Students who completed their first degree outside of SFU)

Step 1: Review the Admission Requirements.

For complete admission requirements please visit the program’s calendar page:  

For additional admissions information including deadlines and requirements, visit here.

Step 2: Apply to SFU

SFU external students should apply through EducationPlannerBC as a University graduate and select the Computing Science Second Degree program or the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma as first choice.

Please select Faculty of Applied Sciences non-degree as your second choice. If you are not admissible to your first choice program, you will be considered for admission to your alternate choice. If admitted to your second choice, you may then internally transfer into Computing Science. The details on this process may be found above. Please select 2nd Degree - CMPT Major  from the list of selections.

For additional information, please refer to the Student Services website. Choose University Graduates (Degree Holders). Follow the steps outlined.

Please note that MACM 101 and CMPT 125 (or their equivalent course) must be completed in order to evaluate your Second Degree application.

Step 3: Check your To-Do List and Submit Supporting Documents

After applying to SFU, you will want to follow the next steps outlined on this website: https://www.sfu.ca/students/admission/apply/applied

In general you will:

Step 4: After admission, submit course waivers for lower division courses (School of Computing Science level)

Once you have accepted your offer to SFU, complete the Second Degree / Post Baccalaureate Course Waiver Form.  You will need your SFU computing ID, as well as a copy of your unofficial college/university transcript(s)* and any relevant course outlines. If you have any questions, please contact an Applied Sciences academic advisor.

In addition to submitting the School of Computing Science Course Waiver Form (noted above), students will want to contact the Math Advising Department to waive lower division Math courses based on their previous degree: https://www.sfu.ca/math/undergraduate/advising.html

DEGREE HOLDERS - SFU Alumni (Students who completed their first degree at SFU)

 

SFU Alumni (Students who completed their first degree at SFU)

Important: If you have completed any further academic studies at a recognized post-secondary institution (outside of SFU) after graduating from SFU please follow the External Students application process listed above.

Important: If you currently at SFU as a Non-Degree seeking student please follow the Internal Transfer process.

Step 1: Review the Admission Requirements.

For complete admission requirements please visit the program’s calendar page:  

Please note that MACM 101 and CMPT 125 must be completed prior to applying to the Second Degree program.

Step 2: Reactivate your Student Account

To reactiveate your student account please visit: https://www.sfu.ca/students/admission/admission-requirements/reactivation-form.html

For additional information on reactivation please visit: https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/fees-and-regulations/admission/reactivation-and-readmission.html#reactivation

Step 3: Computing Science application requirements (School of Computing Science level)

If you are reactivated into a program outside of Computing Science, please follow the internal transfer process. Once you have met the course requirements, please apply for an internal transfer; from the selection, choose 2nd Degree - CMPT Major. Once you have been admitted to the program, please complete the waiver form here.

*Previous SFU students: SFU advising transcripts can be obtained from the Student Information System. Please sort by Term. Instructions on printing the advising transcript can be found under the section titled My Academic Information on the Student Information System Help files link found on the left-hand side menu.

OTHER STUDENTS  

 

Students interested in the computing science certificate program should contact an advisor for more information.  

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