How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Ottawa: Direct Entry to the Honours BSc in the Faculty of Engineering, an 80% Minimum Average and a January 15 International Deadline, With Requirements for Chinese, Canadian and Transfer Students

The University of Ottawa is in Canada’s capital. Computer science is taught by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the Faculty of Engineering, and the degree is the Honours BSc in Computer Science, OUAC code ORC, offered in English and French. You apply directly to computer science, and the program has limited enrolment. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry to the English-language program, based on uOttawa’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Program structure

• Options: the Honours BSc with Specialization in Computer Science; the Management and Entrepreneurship Option and the Data Science Option; the Joint Honours BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics; and Mathematics and Computer Science (Data Science).
• Curriculum: the honours curriculum includes advanced topics such as databases and artificial intelligence, and the degree can be combined with options, minors or a major in other fields.
• Accreditation: uOttawa states that the program is accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Council.
• Co-op: an optional co-op program adds paid work terms.
• French immersion: the French Immersion Stream lets you take one third of your courses in French; all compulsory courses are offered in both languages.
• Accelerated stream: complete the honours BSc and a Master of Computer Science within five years.

2. Students at high schools in China

• Diploma: a general high school diploma that gives access to university in your country; vocational or technical diplomas are not accepted. The prerequisites tool does not mention Gaokao requirements.
• Prerequisites: English and mathematics (preferably calculus), with at least 70% in mathematics.
• Minimum admission average: 80%. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• IB, A-Levels and AP: the tool gives only these general requirements for high schools abroad and does not list separate IB, A-Level or AP requirements; check with uOttawa admissions.
• English: see section 4.

3. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• BC students: English 12 (or Français 12) and Calculus 12, with at least 70% in the math prerequisite; minimum admission average 80%.
• Ontario students: ENG4U (or FRA4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), with a combined average of at least 70% in the math prerequisites; minimum admission average 80%.
• Deadline: Canadian applicants apply by June 1, 2027, with documents by June 15.

4. English requirements

• IELTS Academic 6.5 overall and 6.5 in writing; One Skill Retake accepted; an overall 6.0 lets you start your program directly with extra ESL courses.
• TOEFL: 4.5 overall and 4.5 in writing on the new scale; for tests before January 21, 2026, 86 overall and 22 in writing.
• Duolingo English Test 120 overall.

5. Deadlines (fall 2027)

• International applicants: apply by January 15, 2027, with documents by February 15. This is earlier than for many uOttawa programs.
• Canadian applicants: June 1, 2027, with documents by June 15.
• Winter and spring-summer: no admission to computer science in these terms.

6. Scholarships and tuition

• International English Admission Scholarship: automatic for international students newly admitted to an English-language program in an approved faculty (including Engineering) with an admission average of at least 80%, studying full time and not in French immersion: $7,500 per term, up to 12 instalments ($60,000 over four years).
• International English Academic Excellence Scholarship: admission average of 95% or more; $10,000 ($5,000 per term), not renewable, and can be combined with the admission scholarship.
• uOttawa admission scholarships (automatic): $3,000 for 95–100%, $2,000 for 90–94.9% and $1,000 for 85–89.9%. Not available to university transfer students.
• Tuition: international tuition is shown in a dynamic table on uOttawa’s international tuition page, and we could not obtain the computer science figure from a readable page; select the program on that page. uOttawa states that, for international students admitted from fall 2022, annual tuition increases are capped at 7%.

7. Transfer students

• From university: prerequisites are still English and mathematics (preferably calculus), from high school or university; minimum admission average 73%, based on university courses.
• From college: English and calculus, with at least 70% in math; minimum average 79% after two years of a college program or 84% after one year, based on college courses.
• Deadlines: the same as first-year applicants (January 15 for international, June 1 for Canadian).
• University transfer students are not eligible for uOttawa admission scholarships.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• English and mathematics (preferably calculus), at least 70% in math, and an 80%+ average
• Apply by January 15, 2027 and send documents by February 15
• IELTS 6.5 (6.5 writing), TOEFL 4.5 (4.5 writing) or Duolingo 120

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

• BC: English 12 and Calculus 12 (70%+ in math), with an average of 80% or more
• Canadian applicants apply by June 1; if you attend a Canadian school on a study permit, confirm which deadline applies, and to be safe prepare for January 15

Transfer students:

• University transfer average of 73%, college 79% or 84%; English and math prerequisites

Sources: University of Ottawa, Faculty of Engineering: Computer Science; Program prerequisites, minimum averages and deadlines; Language requirements; International English scholarships; Admission scholarships; International tuition; Co-op. Information is for September 2027 entry to the English-language program. Check uOttawa for the latest details.