How to Apply to Computer Science at UBC: Enter the Faculty of Science, Apply for the CS Specialization in Second Year, Historical Admission Averages, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Computer Science at UBC’s Vancouver campus is taught by the Department of Computer Science. The main degree is the Bachelor of Science (BSc) with a Computer Science major, four years long, with Honours and Co-op options. Unlike many universities, UBC Computer Science states that high school students cannot apply directly to the department: you enter through the Faculty of Science, Arts or Commerce and then follow that route into CS. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on UBC’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC students and international students in Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Three routes into CS

• Faculty of Science (BSc, the main route): apply to Science (Vancouver), complete first-year Science, and once promoted to second year, list Computer Science in the Faculty’s second-year specialization application. You must be in good standing and have taken CPSC 107 or CPSC 110; this is a minimum and does not guarantee admission.
• Faculty of Arts (BA): complete first and second year Arts, then apply to the BA Major in Computer Science. The minimum is a 70% average across CPSC 110 (or 107), CPSC 121 and CPSC 210, which does not guarantee admission.
• Sauder School of Business: once admitted to the BCom, apply to the Combined Major in Business and Computer Science (BUCS); this route is open directly from high school.
• Note: Applied Science’s Computer Engineering degree is not part of the Department of Computer Science.

2. How the second-year specialization application works

• Timing: applications run each May and June; results come about three weeks after closing. It reopens in May 2027.
• Ranking: in Round 1, applicants are ranked by their most recent winter session average (admission average for students transferring in) and placed in their first choice while seats remain, then their second and third. There is no preset cut-off; the cut-off is the average of the last student admitted.
• The CS umbrella: the Computer Science major, Cognitive Systems (Computational Intelligence and Design), Mathematical Sciences, and combined majors of CS with Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Microbiology and Immunology, Physics and Statistics share the CS seats. You may choose at most two CS-umbrella specializations among your three choices.
• Historical admission averages (CS umbrella, as published by the Faculty of Science; “+” means admitted students had this average or higher):
  • 2022: 81.6 domestic, 83.0 international;
  • 2023: 83.5 domestic, 84.5 international;
  • 2024: 82.6 domestic, 83.5 international;
  • 2025: 78.9 (no domestic/international distinction that year);
  • 2026: 76.5.
  Provincial funding added domestic CS seats, which sometimes makes the two groups’ averages differ slightly. UBC notes that past averages cannot predict future ones.
• The department’s guidance: the CS “How to apply” page (updated December 2023) says the required average has historically been in the low 80s and recommends aiming for the high 80s. Read it alongside the Faculty’s newer figures above.
• If unsuccessful: students not placed in any of their three choices go into Round 2, first come, first served, among specializations with space; you can try for CS again the following year.

3. Program content and co-op

• Courses: general Science requirements plus mathematics choices and a thorough grounding in software design, with options such as Software Engineering or combined honours with sciences, mathematics or statistics. From 2026, CS majors can also take the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Option.
• Co-op: optional; academic terms alternate with paid work terms, for 8 to 20 months of work depending on the program. International students need a co-op work permit.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• BC (applying to Science):
  • Grade 12: English Studies 12 (or English First Peoples 12), Pre-Calculus 12, and one of Anatomy and Physiology 12, Chemistry 12 or Physics 12;
  • Grade 11: Chemistry 11 and Physics 11;
  • at least 70% in Grade 11 or 12 English; six Grade 12 courses are recommended. UBC considers all academic Grade 11 and 12 courses, especially those related to Science.
• Ontario: ENG4U, MHF4U and one of SBI4U, SCH4U or SPH4U; plus SCH3U and SPH3U (SPH3U may be waived with 86% or higher in senior math and chemistry).
• Fee status: students at Canadian high schools who are not citizens or permanent residents pay international tuition but are assessed on their province’s curriculum.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Graduation and exams: graduation from a university-preparatory senior secondary program, the Upper Middle School Report of Grades, Huikao or academic proficiency results via CSSD, and Gaokao results via CSSD. UBC expects at least the provincial Tier 1 cut-off; students not writing the Gaokao must submit three or more AP exams in distinct subjects with competitive results.
• Science prerequisites: senior-level Math (Pre-Calculus), two years of Chemistry and two years of Physics (Physics may be waived with A grades in senior Math and Chemistry).
• Average: required grades vary by degree and year; UBC says an 84% average (60% pass) was required in past years.
• IB: the full Diploma with at least three HL courses; Math AA (SL or HL) or AI HL (AI SL and Math Studies are not accepted); one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics; plus Grade 11-equivalent Chemistry and Physics if not taking them in the Diploma (Physics may be waived with 5s in IB Chemistry and Mathematics).
• A-levels: at least six academic subject areas (GCSE, AS, A Level) including at least three A Levels or six AS Levels; Math at A or AS Level; GCSE Chemistry and Physics (Physics may be waived with As in A-level Math and Chemistry); at least C in English. UBC cites a past B average (mainly As and Bs).

6. English requirements

• UBC lists nine ways to meet the requirement, such as four years of full-time study in English in an English-speaking country other than Canada, or at an English-medium international school.
• Test scores: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band; TOEFL iBT 90 (22 reading and listening, 21 writing and speaking) or 4.5 on the new scale; Duolingo 125. Submit by 15 February 2027.

7. Timeline

• 15 November 2026: international students applying for the International Scholars Program submit the UBC and scholarship applications; the award requires school nomination and considers financial need.
• 15 January 2027: application deadline.
• 15 March 2027: document deadline for high school applicants outside Canada.
• May–June of your first year: apply for the CS specialization through the Faculty of Science.

8. Tuition

• UBC’s first-year cost estimator lists Vancouver Computer Science tuition of CAD 53,082 for international students and CAD 6,201 for Canadian students, plus about CAD 1,358 in student fees and CAD 2,500 for books and supplies (the estimator does not state the year; check the current tuition schedule).
• Application fee: CAD 173.25 for international students and CAD 78.50 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, non-refundable.

9. Transfer students

• Get admitted to UBC first: apply to the Faculty of Science, Arts or Commerce. The basic transfer minimum is a C (60%) average, and with 24 or more credits only post-secondary grades count; actual requirements are much higher.
• Getting into CS from Science: students entering second year apply through the Faculty of Science specialization application; students entering third year apply through the CS department’s own admission process. Transfer students are ranked by admission average.
• Not accepted: the department does not accept students with fourth-year standing, or with third-year standing and more than 90 credits completed.
• Students at BC colleges can check course equivalencies in the BC Transfer Guide.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply to Science (Vancouver) by 15 January
• Senior math (Pre-Calculus), two years of chemistry and physics; Gaokao at the Tier 1 cut-off, or three or more APs
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each), TOEFL 90 or Duolingo 125, by 15 February
• After entry, take CPSC 107 or 110 and aim for a first-year winter average above recent CS averages

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students):

• English Studies 12, Pre-Calculus 12, a grade 12 science, plus Chemistry 11 and Physics 11
• Apply to Science by 15 January; the Sauder BCom with BUCS is another route

Transfer students:

• Get admitted to Science (or Arts or Commerce), then use the Faculty specialization application or the CS department process depending on your year
• Students with fourth-year standing, or third-year standing and more than 90 credits, are not eligible

Sources: UBC, Computer Science (BSc), Vancouver: program page and requirements; CS: high school applicants; CS: how to apply and averages; CS: majors; CS: transfer students; CS: co-op; Science: BSc specialization application; Science: historical specialization averages; Science: specialization application tips; Dates and deadlines; English language competency; Transfer students; First-year cost; International Scholars. Information is for September 2027 entry (2027/28 Winter Session). Check UBC for the latest details.