Grad School¶
Last verified: October 2026.
Is it worth it?¶
Probably yes if you want to do research (in academia or as a research scientist at an industry lab), or you want ML/AI roles where a thesis-based MSc is increasingly the floor.
Probably no if you want to be a software engineer and don't have a specific area that needs it. Two good internships will do more for you than two more years of school. The worst reason to go is that the job market is scary and school feels safe.
Not sure? Do a summer of research first (Getting Into Research). If you love it, apply. If it feels like a grind, you have your answer.
MSc vs PhD¶
- Thesis MSc: about two years at UofA. Coursework plus a thesis you defend. You become an expert in a narrow area; it's also the usual route into a PhD.
- PhD: you produce something genuinely new and defend a dissertation. It takes several years and makes sense mainly if you want a research career.
At UofA CS, the admissions page says PhD applicants must already have an MSc in CS or a related field.
UofA CS specifics¶
From the department's Applications & Admissions page and FAQ:
| Intake | Fall only, once a year |
| Deadline (Fall 2027 start) | Applications open October 15 and close December 15, 2026; supporting documents by January 15, 2027 |
| Decisions | Rolling, December to April |
| GPA | 3.0 minimum (last two years / 60 credits), but the committee "often selects students with a 3.5 GPA or higher" |
| GRE | Not required; recommended if your degree is from outside Canada |
| Supervisor | You name up to three potential supervisors, and you're only admitted if one agrees to supervise you |
| Application fee | $135 |
| Programs | Thesis MSc, PhD, and MSc/PhD with a Statistical Machine Learning specialization (MSc students transfer into it after arriving). The general course-based MSc has been discontinued |
The thesis MSc is 15 units of coursework (four graduate CMPUT courses plus CMPUT 603) and a thesis, and students are expected to finish in under two years (program requirements).
Funding¶
- Department minimum: full-time thesis MSc students get at least $30,800 and PhD students at least $31,800, through TA and RA positions. MSc funding covers up to five terms, PhD up to eleven. International students get an extra component to offset higher tuition (Financial Support + Awards). Applying for admission is also your application for this funding.
- University PhD guarantee: since Fall 2025, at least $100,000 over years one to four and at least $25,000 in year one (GPS).
- First-year MSc students are expected to have a supervisor by April to keep guaranteed funding through the summer term.
- Don't go unfunded. Funded thesis positions are the norm in CS. An offer with no funding plan is a red flag.
National scholarships (Canadian citizens, PRs, Protected Persons)¶
The old NSERC CGS/PGS awards have been replaced by the tri-agency Canada Graduate Research Scholarships:
| Award | Value | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| CGRS-M | $27,000 for 12 months | December 1, through the Research Portal. Normally needs a first-class average in each of your last two years |
| CGRS-D | $40,000/year for 36 months | Set by your institution (often well before the agency's October 17 direct deadline). Up to 15% of awards can go to international students already registered in a Canadian PhD |
Holding one makes you cheaper for a supervisor to take on, which makes you a more attractive applicant. CGRS-M is due December 1, the same month as UofA's application deadline, so plan your fall of fourth year around both.
Picking a supervisor¶
At UofA you're admitted to a supervisor, not just a program, so this is the real decision.
- Start from the research, not the name. Use Research Areas and Groups and read recent papers. Name specific people and specific problems in your statement of purpose.
- Email before you apply. The department encourages applicants to contact potential supervisors about funding and supervision.
- Talk to their current students. Ask how often they meet, how long students take to finish, and where graduates went. Students will tell you things the professor won't.
- Undergrad research is the best audition. A USRA or URI project with a professor shows you both whether you work well together, and a research supervisor's reference letter is worth far more than one from a course you aced.