How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Calgary: Direct Entry From High School to the Faculty of Science, an Estimated Average in the Low 80s for BC Students, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is in Calgary, Alberta. Computer Science is offered by the Faculty of Science, leading to a Bachelor of Science (BSc), and high school students can apply directly. Here is what you need to know for Fall 2027 entry, based on the University of Calgary’s official information, for students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), students at high schools in China, and transfer students.

1. The program

• Areas: the university highlights areas from game design to information security and privacy, computer graphics and human-computer interaction, with courses such as Computer Animation and Artificial Intelligence.
• Internships: the Faculty’s Science Internship Program; students have worked as software developer, cloud architect and software engineer (UX/AI/ML) interns.
• Research and exchange: students can do research with faculty in second to fourth year; there are 200+ international opportunities, such as a Computer Science exchange to NTU in Singapore.

2. Students at Canadian high schools

• BC students:
  • English Studies 12 (or English 12 First Peoples);
  • Pre-Calculus 12;
  • two of Anatomy and Physiology 12, Chemistry 12, Physics 12, Calculus 12 or Computer Science 12;
  • one approved course or option (only one of Art, Dance, Drama or Music counts).
• Estimated competitive average: low 80s for the BC curriculum. Early admission uses four courses and standard admission five. Equivalent IB and AP courses are accepted.
• How to apply: students in Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Yukon apply through ApplyAlberta; BC students should enter their PEN. The application fee is CAD 125 with only Canadian credentials and CAD 145 with international credentials.
• Dates: Canadian applicants, 1 October 2026 to 1 March 2027.

3. Students at high schools in China

• Documents: a Senior Middle School transcript; the Gaokao is not required.
• Subjects: English; mathematics equivalent to Alberta Math 30-1; two of Biology, Calculus, Chemistry or Physics; and one approved course or option. Twelfth-year mathematics may count as two subjects (Mathematics and Calculus).
• Average: no figure is given for China; averages are competitive and meeting requirements does not guarantee admission.
• Dates: international applicants, 15 August 2026 to 1 April 2027.
• IB: English A Literature or Language and Literature (HL or SL) or English B HL; Mathematics AA or AI (HL or SL, counting as Mathematics and Calculus); two of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics (HL or SL) or Calculus. Diploma holders are assessed on the overall score, with an estimated competitive score of 33–34.
• A-levels: five academic courses, either two A Levels plus three GCSE/O Levels or four AS Levels plus one GCSE/O Level; GCSE grades D or E (or 1–3) are not accepted. A or AS Level Mathematics satisfies both Mathematics and Calculus. Students still taking AS or A Levels submit predicted grades; approved A Levels with A, B or C earn advanced credit automatically.

4. English requirements

• IELTS Academic 6.5; TOEFL 4.5 on the new scale (tests after 21 January 2026) or 86 before; Duolingo 120. Applications are reviewed once the requirement is met.
• A-level students who have taken only ESL must submit an English test.

5. Timeline

• 15 August 2026: applications open for international students; 1 October for Canadian students.
• 1 December 2026: deadline for high school awards, including the International Entrance Scholarship.
• 1 March 2027: deadline for Canadian and transfer applicants.
• 1 April 2027: deadline for international applicants.

6. Tuition and awards

• Tuition: the program page does not list Computer Science tuition, so no figure is published there; use the university’s Undergraduate Student Cost Estimator for a first-year estimate.
• President’s Admission Scholarship: CAD 5,000 automatically for students entering from high school with a final admission average of 95% or higher, regardless of citizenship.
• International Entrance Scholarship: CAD 20,000, renewable, for new students paying international tuition, based on academics and extracurricular achievement; apply through high school awards by 1 December.

7. Transfer students

• Who counts: applicants with 12 or more units of academic post-secondary coursework; the competitive GPA uses the most recent coursework up to 30 units, and high school grades are not included.
• Estimated competitive GPA: 3.1–3.4 (4-point scale). Applications below the waitlist GPA are cancelled and not reconsidered with grades after winter.
• Prerequisites: no specific post-secondary courses, but you need the high school requirements (for BC: English Studies 12, Pre-Calculus 12 and two of the listed grade 12 sciences or Computer Science), or equivalent post-secondary courses.
• Dates: 1 October 2026 to 1 March 2027.
• Transfer credit: granted automatically per the Transfer Credit Search Tool; courses from accredited Canadian or US universities not in the tool receive generic credit.

Checklist

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

• Apply through ApplyAlberta between 1 October 2026 and 1 March 2027
• English Studies 12, Pre-Calculus 12 and two grade 12 sciences, Calculus or Computer Science; aim for the 80s
• Apply for the International Entrance Scholarship by 1 December if eligible

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 1 April 2027 (from 15 August 2026); no Gaokao needed
• Senior Year 3 math plus at least one of biology, chemistry or physics (twelfth-year math counts as math and calculus)
• IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 4.5 (new scale) or 86, or Duolingo 120

Transfer students:

• A competitive GPA on your most recent 30 units (estimated 3.1–3.4)
• Apply by 1 March 2027

Sources: University of Calgary, Computer Science program page; BC high school requirements; China requirements; GCE requirements; IB requirements; Transfer requirements; Application dates; English language requirements; Entrance awards; International Entrance Scholarship; Undergraduate student cost estimator. Information is for Fall 2027 entry. Check the University of Calgary for the latest details.