Graduate Admissions

For admission to the course-based Master of Cybersecurity & Threat Intelligence (MCTI) program, entrants require the following:

1. Four-year honors degree in computer science: Admission to the MCTI program requires a four-year honours degree in computer science or computer engineering (or related discipline), or a four-year honours degree in another discipline with a minor in computer science or computer engineering (or related discipline). Entrants who have a four-year honours degree in another discipline and a minor (or equivalent) in computer science must have taken a minimum of 10 computer science-related courses.
    
2. Relevant experience: Applicants must also have relevant experience or background knowledge of Data Communication and Networking and Computer Programming.
    
3. A minimum B admission average: Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements of both the University and the School of Computer Science (SoCS), including at least a 75% average during the previous two years (4 semesters) of full-time university study for an undergraduate degree. For information on international degree admission requirements, please see: International Credential Evaluation  and select country.  Admission average needs to be equivalent to a ‘B’ at the University of Guelph.
    
4. English proficiency test: An English proficiency test will be required for any applicant whose first language is not English.

Applicants with proven skills and working experience in cybersecurity may be considered.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Requirements, the School of Computer Science (SoCS) requires all of the documentation noted on the application page including:

1. Academic Transcripts
2. A current resume or CV
3. Statement of Interest detailing what you are looking to achieve with a graduate degree and what your interests are from a course or project perspective.
4. Two Academic References
5. A test of English proficiency is required of all applicants whose first language is not English*
   
   *Please note that the test may not be more than two years old. The proof of English proficiency requirement may be waived in exceptional circumstances (e.g. applicants who have studied full-time for two years in a country where English is the native language AND in a university where English is the language of instruction). SoCS Graduate Committee approval is required. If you wish to apply for a waiver, please submit a written letter requesting this along with your application. We will not be able to review requests for waivers until all documentation has been received

Please note, offers of admission to this new program may be made only after the Quality Assurance has approved the program.

For admission to the thesis-based MSc in Computer Science program, entrants require the following:

1. Four-year honors degree in computer science: Admission to the MSc in Computer Science requires a four-year honours degree in computer science, or a four-year honours degree in another discipline with a minor in computer science. Entrants who have a four-year honours degree in another discipline and a minor (or equivalent) in computer science must have taken a minimum of 10 computer science-related courses.
    
2. A minimum B admission average: Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements of both the University and the School of Computer Science (SoCS), including at least a 75% average during the previous two years of full-time university study for an undergraduate degree.
   
   For information on international degree admission requirements, please see: International Credential Evaluation  and select country.  Admission average needs to be equivalent to a ‘B’ at the University of Guelph.
    
3. A faculty supervisor: Finding a suitable MSc faculty supervisor is required for admission to the MSc in Computer Science program. Therefore, we strongly encourage all applicants to get in touch with prospective Graduate Faculty Supervisors prior to applying. This will greatly enhance your visibility, and thus your chances of being accepted into our programs.
   
   You can review SoCS Faculty Areas of Research to assist you in finding a suitable MSc graduate faculty supervisor.
   
   Tips for Finding a Supervisor
    
4. English proficiency test: An English proficiency test will be required for any applicant whose first language is not English.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Requirements, the School of Computer Science (SoCS) requires all of the documentation noted on the application page including:

1. Academic Transcripts
2. A current resume or CV
3. Statement of Interest that lists specific computing science topics (3-5) that you wish to research and explains why these topics are of particular interest to you. This document will help us direct your application to the appropriate professor(s). Please refer to the faculty research areas for specific topics. The Statement of Interest should be a maximum of one page in length.
4. Two Academic References
5. A test of English proficiency is required of all applicants whose first language is not English*
   
   *Please note that the test may not be more than two years old. The proof of English proficiency requirement may be waived in exceptional circumstances (e.g. applicants who have studied full-time for two years in a country where English is the native language AND in a university where English is the language of instruction). SoCS Graduate Committee approval is required. If you wish to apply for a waiver, please submit a written letter requesting this along with your application. We will not be able to review requests for waivers until all documentation has been received.

For more information regarding requirements and supporting documentation, please visit the MSc Graduate Calendar.

For admission to the thesis-based PhD in Computational Sciences program, entrants require the following:

1. Thesis-based masters degree: Admission to the PhD program normally requires a recognized thesis-based master’s degree and/or equivalent independent research experience demonstrated through publications in scholarly journals or conferences.
    
2. A minimum B admission average: Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements of both the University and the School of Computer Science (SoCS), including at least a 75% average during the previous two years of full-time university study for a graduate degree. For information on international degree admission requirements, please see: International Credential Evaluation  and select country.  Admission average needs to be equivalent to a ‘B’ at the University of Guelph.
    
3. Two faculty supervisors: Each PhD candidate will conduct thesis research by working closely with two chosen faculty thesis supervisors, a School of Computer Science (SoCS) Advisor and an Application Discipline (AD) Advisor, who will share equal responsibility in advising the student. At least one of the Co-Advisors must be Regular Graduate Faculty at the University of Guelph.
   
   A chosen SoCS Advisor and AD Co-Advisor must be established PRIOR to applying to the PhD.CSCI program. You can review SoCS Faculty Areas of Research to assist you in finding a suitable SoCS graduate faculty supervisor.
   
   Tips for Finding a Supervisor
    
4. English proficiency test: An English proficiency test will be required for any applicant whose first language is not English.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Requirements, the School of Computer Science (SOCS) requires all of the documentation noted on the application page including:

1. Academic Transcripts
2. A current resume or CV (including publications)
3. A Statement of Interest (maximum 1500 words):
   • The applicant must identify their potential supervisors (School of Computer Science Advisor and Application Discipline Advisor) and explain their choice
   • They should describe the general area of research in which they are interested
   • The area must be at the crossroads between computer science and another discipline (the “application discipline”) in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, etc.
   • They may also describe a specific research problem in the area and their initial ideas on how to approach it
   • They should clearly explain the importance and interdisciplinary nature of the area or problem
   • They should summarize the related research and refer to publications where appropriate
   • As an appendix (not included in the 1500-word limit):
     • An applicant without a master’s or bachelor’s degree in computer science should highlight their computational knowledge and experience (e.g., computer science courses taken; use of Matlab, Mathematica, R, Maple, Weka)
     • An applicant without a master’s or bachelor’s degree in the application discipline should highlight their knowledge and experience in that discipline
     • The applicant should list any other reasons why they consider themselves a strong applicant
4. Three Academic References
5. A test of English proficiency is required of all applicants whose first language is not English. The English language requirements for the PhD program are higher than other programs in the university as described in the PhD Graduate Calendar*
   
   *Please note that the test may not be more than two years old. The proof of English proficiency requirement may be waived in exceptional circumstances (e.g. applicants who have studied full-time for two years in a country where English is the native language AND in a university where English is the language of instruction). SoCS Graduate Committee approval is required. If you wish to apply for a waiver, please submit a written letter requesting this along with your application. We will not be able to review requests for waivers until all documentation has been received.

For more information regarding requirements and supporting documentation, please visit the PhD Graduate Calendar.

• Information for International Applicants
   
• Applying for a Study Permit
   
• International Student Experience:  A hub for support and advice for international students. International students and applicants are encouraged to visit this helpful resource.
   
• International Student Funding:  The following opportunities for funding may be available to international students:
  • Graduate Teaching Assistantships: International Masters or PhD applicants may be eligible to receive up to two teaching assistant positions per year of study.
  • Graduate Research Assistantships: International Masters or PhD applicants may recieve funding for collaborating with faculty supervisor(s) in current research projects.
  • International Doctoral Tuition Scholarship (IDTS): International PhD applicants may be eligible to recieve this scholarship upon entry to the PhD.CSCI program.
     
• PhD applicants who have obtained a Masters degree from a university outside of Canada are encouraged to supply GRE scores.
  • GRE scores are not a requirement for PhD admissions.
  • This can be GRE General and/or GRE Subject in CS.
  • The test may not be more than two years old.
  • For GRE our institution code is 0892 and SoCS's code is 0402