How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan: Start in Arts and Science, Compete for the CS Major After First Year, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Science, leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.). USask states that you can start a B.Sc. right after high school, but selection for the Computer Science major in second year is competitive. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on USask’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 route into CS: one year first, then declare

• When applying: apply to a B.Sc. in the College of Arts and Science, choosing Arts and Science - Bachelor of Science - Undeclared Major or another B.Sc. option.
• First-year courses: CMPT 141 or 142, CMPT 145 or 146, and MATH 163 or 164.
• Declaring the major: after these courses, declare your interest in the CS major (or Applied Computing or the Certificate in Computing). Seats vary each year with course capacity, and selection is ranked by your average in those computer science and mathematics courses. The department’s declaration form is due 1 May each year; students still listed as “undeclared” cannot take all second-year CMPT courses.
• Degree types: four-year, three-year, Honours, Honours Software Engineering Option and Double Honours; USask suggests deciding with an academic advisor.
• Campuses: start in Saskatoon, Prince Albert or an off-campus location.

2. Program content and internships

• Areas: algorithmics, artificial intelligence, computational modelling, game development, graphics, computer systems, cybersecurity, information visualization, programming languages, social computing, software development and web development.
• Professional Internship Program: 12 or 16 months of paid work with a sponsoring company before the final year.
• Sample first year: Introduction to Computer Science, Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning, Ethics and Values, Canadian Indigenous Studies, Microeconomics, Linear Algebra and others.

3. Students at Canadian high schools

• BC students:
  • Foundations of Mathematics 12 or Pre-Calculus 12; Pre-Calculus 12 is encouraged for the B.Sc.;
  • students can be admitted with a mathematics deficiency and plan with the college how to clear it;
  • minimum admission average 70%; admission is rolling until seats are filled.
• Admission courses are not always those needed for the degree; for example, first-year chemistry needs high school chemistry.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Minimum admission average 70%, with international grades converted to the Canadian scale.
• Prerequisites: the page says they are “currently not available” and does not mention the Gaokao. Given the BC requirement and first-year courses, strong mathematics is advisable.
• Students below the minimum may be considered for the University of Saskatchewan Transition Entrance Program (USTEP).

5. English requirements

• IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 6 in each band;
• TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the new scale with 4 in each section (institutional TOEFL not accepted).

6. Timeline

• 1 December 2026: apply, pay the fee and submit transcripts by this date to be considered automatically for the CAD 5,000 USask Entrance Scholarship.
• 1 May 2027: international deadline for fall; documents by 1 June.
• 15 July 2027: Canadian deadline for fall; documents by 1 August.
• January, May and July starts are also possible (international deadlines 1 September 2026, 1 February 2027 and 1 March 2027).
• The application fee is CAD 120, non-refundable.
• 1 May of your first year: submit the CS major declaration.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• First-year international estimate (2026-27, full course load): tuition CAD 40,894, student fees CAD 1,331.66 (health and dental coverage, bus pass and more), books about CAD 1,500; total about CAD 43,725.66. Canadian tuition is CAD 8,449.
• USask Entrance Scholarship: 600 awards of CAD 5,000 a year, automatic for direct-entry high school applicants based on admission average, if the application and documents are in by 1 December.
• International awards: apply by 15 February for awards such as the International Excellence and IB Excellence awards; by 1 May for the BC International Student Award (CAD 10,000, one award) for international students who attended high school in BC and are temporary residents in their first year.

8. Transfer students

• University or college transfer: minimum admission average 60% (for both BC and Chinese institutions), with the same math requirement and rolling admission. With fewer than 18 transferable credits, you are assessed as a high school applicant.
• Into the CS major: complete CMPT 141/142, 145/146 and MATH 163/164 (or equivalents) and take part in the selection.
• Transfer credit: assessed during admission; each institution attended must send official transcripts directly.

Checklist

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

• Apply to a B.Sc. in Arts and Science (Undeclared Major) with Pre-Calculus 12; at least a 70% average
• Apply with documents by 1 December for the CAD 5,000 entrance scholarship; international students in BC should note the BC International Student Award

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 1 May 2027 and submit documents by 1 June; at least a 70% average
• IELTS 6.5 (6 each) or TOEFL 4.5 (4 each) on the new scale
• After entry, do well in two CMPT courses and a math course and declare CS by 1 May

Transfer students:

• At least a 60% post-secondary average; under 18 credits is assessed on high school grades
• Complete the required CMPT and MATH courses, then apply in the major selection

Sources: University of Saskatchewan, Computer Science program, requirements, tuition and deadlines; Computer Science: declaring a major; How admission averages are calculated; English language proficiency; International applicants; Transfer credit; Scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry (tuition at 2026-27 rates). Check USask for the latest details.