Study Computer Science and Information Technology in Canada

From phone calls to instant messaging, evolutionary technology is bringing ease to everyone. Everything is being digitised. Organizations all over the world are competing for cutting-edge technology to satisfy consumers’ needs and create more value for customers. The demand for IT graduates has drastically increased, which means, you are on the right path if you are considering a degree in this field.

Interested in pursuing Computer Science and Information Technology studies in Canada? Read more to find out!

Also read: 

• Why study in Canada?
• Lifestyle in Canada

What is Computer Science and Information Technology about?

The field of Computer Science and Information Technology is very wide, covering almost everything related to a computer, including hardware and software. You will learn the science of computation, data structure, data logic, system architecture, programming language and many many more! 

What are the major fields in Computer Science and Information Technology?

The courses available in this field can be quite confusing because most of the courses overlap with each other. Anyway, there are some distinct differences that make each course unique. First, let’s look at the most common courses:

1. Computer Science
Just like the name, you are the scientist of computer. In this course, you will learn how a computer works, from the perspective of theory and mathematics so you can expect a lot of theories, algorithms and programming languages. 

2. Software Engineering
You will learn the life cycle of software development, as well as project management, quality assurance and software testing. This course involves more hands-on work.

3. Computer Engineering
This course involves several majors in computer science and electronic engineering, allowing a student to understand software and hardware. You can expect to learn to assemble and disassemble a computer.

4. Information Technology
This course is quite a general course that allows students to understand software, database, system and architecture without diving deep into any of them. It teaches you the foundation of computing, giving you a wide range of opportunities in this field. 

Now, you have the basic idea of the common courses in this field. It is time to learn more about the specialized disciplines in this field.

5. Data and analytics
This major focus on data. With the enormous of data available on the Internet, data is very valuable to organizations because with proper tools and techniques, knowledge and pattern can be extracted from data. This major brings life to data, creating values from data.

6. Networking
Internet is easy with only one click but there is a great philosophy behind the blinking modem This major teaches you to create connections between computers while maintaining the security of network so that hackers stay out of ways.

7. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI lies everywhere in our generation, improving our quality of life. AI humanized computers to help us with daily routine and problems. This major will teach you on deep learning, image processing and even robot programming!

What are the entry requirements and qualifications?

The minimum entry requirements vary between programs and level, so read the course information on the website of the institution of your choice carefully and contact them to ask for advice if you need. Generally, in order to study computer science and information technology in Canada, there is a range of entry requirements that you have to take note of.

English language requirement
You may need to submit the results of an English language test to apply for the course. The level of English language skill required can be different for your student visa application and institution enrolment. IELTS is one of the English language tests you can consider as it is widely accepted including Canada. 

Academic requirements
Again, the minimum requirements for each institution are different so make sure that you check with the institution.  A Foundation Course, also called a bridging study, can help you meet the entry requirements that are same as the academic requirements of a Canada high school qualification. It is usually a year-long and is offered by most tertiary education institutions. 

Also read: General Visa Requirement for Canada

How long will I be studying this programme?

Computer Science and Information Technology programme is available for a different level of studies including Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and PhD and the duration of study for these levels are different. The duration of study for a programme of the same level offered by different institutions could be different too.

How much does it cost to study Computer Science and Information Technology?

The cost of studying a Computer Science related course depends on your level of study level and institution. Studying in Canada can be relatively more expensive. Here are the estimated fees of studying Computer Science and Information Technology  in Canada according to study levels:

Also read: Economic outlay of Canada

What are the job opportunities?

The available opportunities in this field are so wide that it is often difficult for students to decide which aspect of IT to focus on. Here are the job opportunities in the field of Computer Science and Information Technology:

• Software Engineer
• IT Support
• Business Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Network Engineer
• Project Manager
• Software Tester
• Web Designer
• IT consultant

Also read: 

• Salary outlay in Canada
• Study and Work in Canada

Universities in Canada that offer Computer Science and Information Technology courses

The demand for Information Technology graduates is on the rise. Many universities and colleges offer related programmes to produce more experts for the industry. Here are some institutions in Canada that provide programmes in this discipline:

1. University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo started operations in 1957 at the height of the Cold War. The University was among the first in the world to offer students access to powerful computers of that era. Today, it is ranked 173 in the QS World University Rankings 2020. Studying for a degree at the University of Waterloo can cost a whopping RM160,000 per year!

2. Thompson Rivers University

Thompson Rivers University is a university located in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. The University offers over 140 on-campus programs across its nine faculties and schools. International enrolment exceeds 1,750 students per semester, with students coming from 85 nations worldwide.It offers a great variety of Computer Science related programmes which have 2 intakes annually.

3. University of Alberta

University of Alberta is one of the top five universities in Canada and the top 100 in the world. There are more than 200 undergraduate programs and 18 faculties across five campuses with more than 7,000 international students. 

4. Queen’s University

Queen’s University is located in Kingston Ontario. The school is home to international students from more than 100 countries. Queen's is a co-educational university with more than 23,000 students and over 131,000 alumni living worldwide.

Students may apply for financial aid such as the Ontario Student Assistance Program and Canada Student Loans and Grants through the federal and provincial governments. The financial aid provided may come in the form of loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, fellowships, debt reduction, interest relief, and work programs.

According to Maclean’s magazine, it is in the top ten for Canadian universities in major subjects such as Computer Science, Math, Engineering, Nursing, Environmental Science, Education, and more.

5. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a public research university with campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, UBC is British Columbia's oldest university. The university has ranked among the top three universities in Canada.

6. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. As of Fall 2017, the University of Toronto offers over 700 undergraduate programs in Humanities & Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Commerce & Management, Computer Science, Engineering, Kinesiology & Physical Education, Music and Architecture.

7. Western University

The University of Western Ontario, corporately branded as Western University as of 2012 and commonly shortened to Western, is a public research university in London, Ontario, Canada. Campus life there mirrors the variety of the city itself with numerous clubs and organisations offering students everything from career services to health and wellness to competitive athletics.

8. McMaster University

McMaster University is a public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It operates six academic faculties: the DeGroote School of Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Social Science, and Science. It is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada. McMaster University is co-educational, and has over 27,000 undergraduate and over 4,000 post-graduate students. Alumni and former students reside across Canada and in 139 countries.

Also read: University Rankings in Canada