How to Apply to Computer Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland: Enter Science or Humanities and Social Sciences, Then Apply to the Major After First Year, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science as a major, minor or honours program within a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or Bachelor of Arts (BA). The key point: high school applicants cannot choose the computer science major on the application; you enter a faculty first and apply to the major after university courses. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Memorial’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Program structure

• Degrees: computer science major, minor and honours in the B.Sc. or BA. Joint programs: Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Computer Science and Economics, Computer Science and Physics, Computer Science and Pure Mathematics, and Computer Science and Statistics (the last three also with honours).
• Concentrations: electives can lead to artificial intelligence, data-centric computing, theory of computation, or visual computing and games.
• Paid internships: the Co-operative Internship in Computer Science (CICS) offers a paid placement of 8 to 16 months. Memorial does not state work-permit requirements for international students; check with the department.

2. How to get into the major

• Step 1: enter a faculty. Choose the B.Sc. (Faculty of Science) or BA (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences). The B.Sc. requires Memorial’s general admission requirements with appropriate math and a laboratory science; applicants without a lab science should apply for the BA.
• Step 2: first-year courses. Memorial’s sample B.Sc. first year includes two critical reading and writing courses, Mathematics 1090 or 1000 plus 1000 or 1001, Computer Science 1001 and 1002, and electives. Math placement depends on your background; students taking 1090/1000 also need 1001. Memorial suggests taking 1001 and 1002 in separate terms, as each has a weekly three-hour lab.
• Step 3: apply to the major. Complete 24 credit hours (8 courses): Computer Science 1001 and 1002 (at least 65% in both), six credit hours of critical reading and writing (at least three in English), Mathematics 1000 or 1006 plus one of 1001, 1090, 2000 or 2050, and six credit hours of other courses; you also need at least five numeric grades in Memorial courses.
• Competitive entry: spaces are limited and selection is normally based on cumulative average and recent performance; Memorial says no minimum average guarantees acceptance.
• Dates: apply on the Department of Computer Science website from March 1 to May 31 for fall, and August 1–31 for winter.

3. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• British Columbia: Grade 12 completion with a Grade 12 course in each of five areas: English (English First Peoples 12 or English Studies 12), math (Foundations of Mathematics 12, Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12), lab science (Anatomy and Physiology 12, Chemistry 12, Geology 12 or Physics 12), social science or language, and an elective.
• Minimum average 70%, with a pass in each. Computer science uses general admission with no higher cut-off listed, but first year includes university calculus, so a strong math background helps when applying to the major.
• No supplementary essay or interview.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Credential: Senior Secondary School Certificate.
• Subjects: English, mathematics, a lab science (biology, chemistry or physics), a social science or modern/classical language, and an elective, with a minimum average of 75 and a pass in each. Memorial does not mention the Gaokao.
• Documents: current transcripts with certified English translations can lead to early admission; after graduation, send certified copies of your certificate and translations. Memorial may require CDGDC or CHSI verification. An English test is required.
• A-Level, IB, AP: not covered here; see Memorial’s international curriculum pages.

5. English requirements

• IELTS Academic 6.5 with reading and writing at least 6; TOEFL 4.5 on the new scale with reading and writing at least 4.0, or for valid scores before January 2026, 83 with reading and writing at least 20.
• Duolingo 115; PTE Academic 60; CAEL 60. Tests must be taken within two years of applying.

6. Dates

• Rolling admission: apply by March 1 for fall, October 1 for winter and February 1 for spring. High school students who want early entrance scholarship consideration should also apply by March 1.
• Memorial advises international students to apply at least 12 weeks ahead for the study permit.

7. Transfers

• Admission: transfer applicants enter a faculty under general transfer rules: good standing at the last institution, eligibility to continue and the English requirement; transfer credit is assessed after admission.
• Applying to the major: transfer credits are accepted for the required courses, but you need at least five numeric grades in Memorial courses to be considered.

8. Tuition and awards

• Per-course tuition: international students starting in fall 2026 pay CAD 2,250 per three-credit-hour course (during the tuition freeze); Canadian students pay CAD 675. Ten courses a year is about CAD 22,500 for international students (our calculation). Fall 2027 rates are not yet published.
• International entrance scholarships: eligible students are considered automatically after admission, with no guarantee; first year only. International transfer students are considered only with fewer than 31 transfer credit hours.

Checklist

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

• Grade 12 courses in English, math, lab science, social science or language, and an elective, with at least a 70% average; apply for the B.Sc.
• Apply by March 1, 2027 for early scholarship consideration
• In first year, take Computer Science 1001 and 1002 (65%+ each) and math; apply to the major by May 31

Students at high schools in China:

• English, math, lab science, social science or language, and an elective, averaging at least 75; apply for the B.Sc.
• IELTS 6.5 (reading and writing 6) or TOEFL 4.5 (reading and writing 4.0)
• Apply by March 1 and at least 12 weeks ahead for the study permit

Transfer students:

• Apply for admission first; credit is assessed after admission; apply to the major after at least five numeric grades at Memorial

Sources: Memorial University of Newfoundland, Computer Science; Bachelor of Science; British Columbia requirements; China requirements; English proficiency tests; Transfer applicants; Tuition framework; International entrance scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry; tuition is the fall 2026 rate. Check Memorial for the latest details.