Studying in Ontario, Canada opens many opportunities in academics and professional development. The province is filled with vibrant culture and multicultural communities that can expand a student’s horizons. It is also the location of many world-leading universities, primarily dominated by research-intensive institutions that are publicly funded.
Ontario’s commitment to higher education is evident in the quality of its programs, especially in computer science. Here, innovation thrives because of the student population and the strong ties with industry leaders.
Whether you are an aspiring software developer, data scientist, or academic researcher, the below universities in Ontario can provide a solid foundation for a successful career in computer science.
Read on to acquire more information on how to make it in this career through the top schools discussed below.
Top Schools Offering Computer Science in Ontario
1. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is the leading public research university and a top university for computer science in Canada founded in 1827. The university offers more than 700 undergraduate programs and 200 graduate programs that accompany world-renowned faculties and facilities. The university ranks 26th in the QS World University Rankings 2022 and is a member of the Association of American Universities and consistently receives funds that support intensive research undertakings by the students and faculty. The University of Toronto has produced five prime ministers of Canada and is affiliated with 12 Nobel Laureates.
The Department of Computer Science offers a wide variety of areas for students to explore in computer science. Undergraduate students can customize their introductory courses for the program based on their preferences and proficiency. Students gain access to comprehensive resources including mentorship programs, learning communities, and Innovation Lab to enhance their learning experience. The bachelor’s degree can be completed within four years of full-time study.
The graduate program includes a Master of Science, Master of Science in Applied Computing, and Ph. D. The Master of Science in Applied Computing has four specializations including data science, quantum computing, and applied math. It is intended for students who wish to pursue professional experience in advanced development and research within the industry. The other two degrees heavily focus on research undertakings.
2. University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a public research university and one of the best universities for computer science in Canada that has one of the most thorough academic programs. Aside from the main campus in Waterloo, there are satellite campuses spread across Southern Ontario. The university has 13 institutes distributed among the six faculties including health, engineering, and mathematics. The University of Waterloo is 149th in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
The David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science offers various programs for computer science students. Undergraduate programs let the students customize their study plans based on their chosen specialization such as digital hardware, software engineering, and bioinformatics. The first year consists of a combination of math and computer science courses that will provide a strong foundation of knowledge. Students can also join a co-op program where they gain professional experience while working on their bachelor’s degrees. In addition, fourth-year students can enroll in the accelerated master’s program where they can take graduate courses while completing their bachelor’s degree.
The master’s programs include a Master of Mathematics where students can choose between completing coursework or a thesis in earning their degree. Pursuing the coursework will last around twelve to sixteen months while the thesis is expected to be completed within one to two years. The Ph. D. program involves working with a supervisor in developing a thesis on advanced topics such as quantum algorithms and complexity.
3. University of Ottawa
Established in 1848, the University of Ottawa is an excellent computer science school in Canada and the largest English-French bilingual university in the world. It is a public research university that has 10 faculties and is a member of U15, a group of research-intensive institutions in Canada, and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. It currently ranks 230th in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
The Faculty of Engineering has various undergraduate degrees for computer science including an Honours Bachelor’s degree with an option to specialize in either Entrepreneurship or Data Science and a Joint Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics. All the mentioned degrees can be completed within four years and taught in French and English. An accelerated program is also available which involves completing the bachelor’s and master’s degrees within five years.
The master’s program also has a specialization in applied artificial intelligence or bioinformatics. The degree can be completed within two years of full-time study although there’s a part-time option for students. The doctoral study program is available for full-time studies, with an expected duration of four years. Students should be able to present two seminars before the thesis submission which will be defended during an oral examination.
4. Queen’s University
The Queen’s University is a public research university and one of the leading universities for computer science in Canada established by the Church of Scotland in 1841. The institution has produced 57 Rhodes scholars and is affiliated with four Nobel Laureates. It has five faculties and three schools including engineering, education, health sciences, and law and it is included in U15, a group of Canadian research-intensive universities. The Queen’s University ranks 240th in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
The School of Computing offers a broad education for undergraduate students in computer science with six specializations including game development, security, and data analytics. Students complete 120 units, including electives, to earn the Honours Bachelor’s degree. They can choose the courses according to the specialization they have selected.
The master’s degree offers three ways of completing the degree including research, project, and coursework. Unlike the project and coursework, the research option is funded and qualifies the student to continue a Ph. D. study. The Ph. D. program involves a six-step process in completing the degree including finding a supervisor and topic proposal. In addition, students should meet the four requirements including a breadth requirement and a comprehensive examination.
5. Carleton University
Founded in 1942, Carleton University is a public research university and one of the top computer science institutions located in Ottawa, Canada. It has six faculties offering a diverse academic experience and opportunities to its students. Located in Canada’s capital, students gain a rich multicultural learning experience and personal development throughout their studies. Currently, Carleton University is within the 601-650th range in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
The School of Computer Science offers six specializations including algorithms, security, and game development, and two degrees between Major and Honours Bachelor’s degree. The Honours degree is highly favored by students interested in undertaking research works due to the additional courses involving advanced problem-solving techniques and reports that are required to be completed.
The graduate programs are conducted jointly with the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science of the University of Ottawa. The master’s program allows students to combine coursework and research in computer gaming, robotics, and geographic information systems. They may also enroll in a co-op program to gain professional experience within the industry for eight months. The master’s degree can be completed within two years. The Ph. D. program is research-intensive involving areas similar to the master’s program. Students may conduct a joint research project with public and private companies. The doctorate can be completed within four years.
6. Ontario Tech University
Ontario Tech is a public research university located in Oshawa and is one of the top universities for Computer Science in Ontario. This university began its activities in 2002, and to date, has seven facilities and 14 campuses distributed across North Oshawa and Downtown Oshawa.
Ontario Tech is flexible with its students; undergraduate students can choose to enroll in a Computer Science program with or without co-op experience. It also lets you pick between an Honours Computer Science program or specializing in Data Science and Digital Media.
The Master’s degree is a research-based program that covers aspects of engineering while also introducing the business and economic side to it. It’s a 24-month course on a full-time status. This master’s degree is intended to breed high-quality software professionals. The Ph.D. program, on the other hand, has a different focus; the 48 months of coursework is intended to produce exceptionally trained researchers for industry and academia.
7. Lakehead University
Lakehead University is a well-renowned public research university based in Ontario, deemed the second-best in Ontario and one of Canada’s top universities by Maclean’s rankings. Its Computer Science program is regarded as one of the top Computer Science programs in Canada.
This remarkable university is a great choice for students pursuing a career in Computer Science, as its Department of Computer Science has been a functional area at Lakehead for over 25 years. Undergraduate students can choose to either pursue a bachelor’s degree or an Honours bachelor’s degree and then select between a business focus or a science focus. Moving over to a graduate level, the master’s degree offers a broad selection of advanced courses that match their student’s interests and desires.
8. Brock University
Brock University is a public research university situated in St. Catherines. This university has grown from being an undergraduate institution to a full-scale institution and has very extensive offerings of programs in Computer Science. Its Department of Computer Science offers a wide breadth of programs for every type of degree level.
There are five undergraduate programs of four years, a Master of Science (MS) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). This university is not only a good fit for a freshman but also for students seeking postgraduate studies as its Master’s degree provides options for research topics such as computational logic and algebra, artificial intelligence, and data mining while its Ph.D. degree covers the area of Intelligent Systems and Data Science.
9. Georgian College
Georgian College is a public institution formed two years after the development of Ontario’s college system. Over time, Georgian has gone through a lot of expansion, and up to this day, this university has seven campuses distributed across Ontario. The Georgian College doesn’t offer a Computer Science degree by itself instead it imparts a Lakehead-Georgian collaborative degree-diploma program.
This collaborative program is a Full-time course of 4 years in which the prospect can earn credentials in Honours Bachelor of Computer Science Degree, from Lakehead University, and a Computer Programming Diploma from Georgian College. With all these, Georgian College makes it to the top Ontario universities for Computer Science.
10. University of Windsor
The University of Windsor is one of the best colleges to start a degree in the field of computer science. This promising institution offers a lot of options when it comes to Computer Science. For undergraduate students, they can choose from a variety of programs that include co-op. Currently, this college offers six undergraduate programs, some of them with business, Applied Computing, and Software Engineering specializations.
The School of Computer Science at UWindsor offers two distinct master’s programs an MSc in Computer Science, a Master of Applied Computing (MAC), and a Ph.D. in Computer Science.
11. Trent University
Trent University is a public university, situated in Southeastern Ontario, in Peterborough. It is commonly known nationally for its leadership in teaching and research, and for providing a high level of gratification to students.
Trent’s Computer Science Department offers two interesting programs: the Computer Science program and the Information System program. Their Computer Science degree offers three specializations for the Bachelor of Science (B.sc): Theoretical Computer Science, Data Analytics, and Software Engineering.
12. Algoma University
The Algoma University is a public university, founded in 1965, located on the Canada-US border, in Sault Ste. Marie. It has three campuses, each one with its benefits and disadvantages. Despite the latter, it’s still one of the best Ontario universities for Computer Science.
Algoma U offers one of the most comprehensive Computer Science degrees for those who are interested in video gaming. Its Computer Science program is globally recognized as one of the most complete and up-to-date in its computer games specializations. It recently introduced a Master of Computer Science program designed for Bachelor’s degree graduates in computer science, information technology, and related areas.
13. Sheridan College
Sheridan College of Applied Arts and Technology is a public college, established in 1967, known for its success in imparting animation studies. It has three campuses in three Ontario cities: Brampton Oakville, and Mississauga.
Sheridan College is a great university to acquire a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science as it offers many fields of specialization including Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, Game Engineering, and Network Engineering.
14. Nipissing University
Nipissing University is a public university based in Northeastern Ontario. It’s regarded as a top 3 in student satisfaction among primarily undergraduate universities by Maclean’s 2020 rankings.
Nipissing University is a great place for an undergraduate to study Computer Science. It offers two degrees based on the student’s preference. Students can opt to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) if they want a CS degree customized to be more practical and applied, or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) if they feel more disposed to the theoretical side.
15. Laurentian University
Laurentian University, also known as The Laurentian University of Sudbury, is a public university, founded in 1960 in Northern Ontario, Sudbury. It is acknowledged for its remarkable higher education and research experience in English and French as well.
Laurentian is distinguished by its small class sizes, excellent professors, and stunning opportunities for cooperative education and study abroad. Its Computer Science program for undergraduate students comprises an on-campus delivery method and many specializations. They offer two specializations: Specialization in Computer Science and Specialization in Game Design.
If you want to pursue computer science at any level, Ontario is a prime destination with several programs tailored to different interests and career goals. You will not only gain access to top-tier education but will also become part of an innovative community. Don’t hesitate to begin your journey in one of the mentioned institutions.
We hope this article on Best Universities for Computer Science in Ontario was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in Canada and Available Computer Science Programs for International Students pages for more articles.
