How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Manitoba: Enter the Faculty of Science, Then Declare Honours or Major After 24 Credit Hours, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Manitoba (UM) in Winnipeg, computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science, as a Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) (B.C.Sc.) or a B.Sc. Major in Computer Science. You apply to the Faculty of Science without choosing a major and declare later. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on UM’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

• Options: Computer Science Honours, Computer Science Major, and Joint Honours with Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy or Statistics, all with a co-op option; plus a Computer Science minor.
• Length: Honours and Major each take about four years and 120 credit hours. Honours requires a degree GPA (DGPA) of at least 3.00 and full-time study; the Major requires 2.50 and can be part-time. UM says Honours offers deeper study and a smoother path to graduate school.
• Sample courses: Human-Computer Interaction, Automata Theory, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Computer Graphics, Cryptography, Machine Learning, Real-time Systems, Computer Security and Data Mining.
• Co-op: Science co-op usually turns a four-year degree into about five years with three or four four-month work terms starting in January, May or September. Computer science co-op entry is at the end of second year, and students must finish first- and second-year courses plus COMP 3380 before the first work term.

2. How to get into computer science

• Step 1: enter the Faculty of Science. High school students, or those with fewer than 24 post-secondary credit hours, apply as direct entry. Students who do not meet direct entry can apply to University 1 and move to Science later.
• Step 2: declare after at least 24 credit hours (usually at the end of first or second year):
  • Honours: DGPA of at least 3.00, a B in COMP 1020, C+ in MATH 1220, B in MATH 1240 and C in MATH 1700 (some substitutions allowed); then maintain a 3.00 DGPA and at least 9 credit hours each fall and winter term.
  • Major: DGPA of at least 2.50, C+ in COMP 1020, C+ in MATH 1300 and MATH 1240, and C in MATH 1700.
• First programming course: COMP 1010 and similar courses require any 40S math at 50%; students with Computer Science 40S at 75% can start in COMP 1020.

3. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• British Columbia (Science direct entry): English 12, Pre-Calculus Math 12 or Foundations of Math 12, one of Anatomy and Physiology 12, Chemistry 12, Computer Programming 12 or Physics 12, and one Grade 12 university-preparatory academic course, with an average of at least 80% and at least 60% in each.
• Manitoba: English 40S, Applied or Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S, one of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or Physics 40S, and an academic 40S course, also 80% average and 60% each.
• UM notes these are minimums; higher averages may be needed when applicants exceed spaces.
• Deadline: March 1 for fall direct entry; application fee CAD 100 (Canadian) or CAD 130 (international).

4. Students at high schools in China

• Credential: high school graduation with five senior-level credits; UM does not mention the Gaokao.
• Science: English, senior-level mathematics or pre-calculus, one of biology, chemistry, computer science or physics, and a fourth academic course, with an equivalent average of at least 80% and at least 60% in each.
• Documents: non-English transcripts need English translations from the school or a certified translator.
• A-Level, IB, AP: not covered here; check UM’s international requirements by country or curriculum, or email international.applications@umanitoba.ca.

5. English requirements

• IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (One Skill Retake accepted); TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the new scale (no section below 4.0), or 86 (no section below 20) for tests before January 21, 2026; Duolingo 120.
• Scores are valid for two years and must still be valid at the start of classes; three consecutive years of high school or college in Canada, among other cases, can exempt you.

6. Transfers

• Advanced entry: applicants with 24 or more credit hours at UM or another recognized institution apply to the Faculty of Science as advanced entry and must meet its general and specific requirements; see UM’s advanced entry information. The computer science page does not list a minimum GPA for transfers.
• Declaring: once in Science, declare Honours or Major under the conditions above.
• University 1 students: eligible students can move to Science in Aurora Student without a new application or fee.

7. Tuition and awards

• Estimates (full-time fall and winter, including associated fees): Science about CAD 8,200 for Canadians and CAD 28,000 for international students. UM notes these are estimates; actual fees depend on credit hours and the faculty offering each course.
• International entrance scholarships: international students graduating from high school abroad who apply by March 1 are considered by average; in 2024–25, CAD 3,000 for 95%+, CAD 2,000 for 90%+ and CAD 1,000 for 85%+.

Checklist

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

• English 12, Pre-Calculus 12 or Foundations of Math 12, one science or Computer Programming 12, and one more academic course; 80%+ average and 60%+ each
• Apply to the Faculty of Science by March 1, 2027
• Declare after 24 credit hours: Honours needs a 3.0 DGPA and a B in COMP 1020; Major needs 2.5

Students at high schools in China:

• Graduation certificate and transcripts (with translations); English, math, one science and one more course averaging the equivalent of 80%
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 per band), TOEFL 4.5 (new) or Duolingo 120
• Apply by March 1 for international scholarship consideration

Transfer students:

• With 24+ credit hours, apply to Science as advanced entry, then declare Honours or Major under the conditions above

Sources: University of Manitoba, Computer Science program; Academic Calendar: Computer Science; B.C.Sc. Honours requirements; B.Sc. Major requirements; Direct entry requirements; International admission requirements; English language proficiency; Tuition estimates; International awards. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check the University of Manitoba for the latest details.