Skip to main content
All countries for Computer Science & Engineering

Computer Science & Engineering · 🇨🇦 Canada

Best Universities for Computer Science & Engineering in Canada 2026

Top universities for computer science and engineering in Canada include University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia (UBC). BrightKey has evaluated 12 institutions with relevant programs.

Evaluation draws on BrightKey's 6-dimension ratings and universities' publicly disclosed notable programs. Editorial standards.

Visa & post-study work

PGWP: 1–3 years; 75% convert to PR within 5 years

Application system

Direct + OUAC (Ontario)

International tuition

CAD 30,000–55,000/year

More on the full Canada country guide →

12 recommended universities, sorted by BrightKey rating

University of Waterloo

Waterloo · Founded 1957 · 18% intl

ASA

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • Computer Science (Co-op)QS 2026 #27 globally. Canada's largest CS school with 4,000+ undergrads. Six co-op terms feed directly into FAANG and startup roles.
  • Mechatronics EngineeringQS 2026 #38 in Engineering and Technology. Combines mechanical, electrical, and software engineering with mandatory co-op at firms like Tesla and Apple.
  • Quantum Computing (Graduate)Housed at the Institute for Quantum Computing, backed by CAD 122 million from the Lazaridis family. Partners with Perimeter Institute for theoretical physics.
  • Software EngineeringJoint program between Math and Engineering faculties. Cohort-based with six co-op terms. Graduates report among the highest starting salaries in Canada.
University of Toronto

Toronto · Founded 1827 · 26% intl

SAB

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • Engineering ScienceCanada's most selective undergraduate program (93-97% admission average) with interdisciplinary streams in machine intelligence, robotics, and biomedical engineering
  • Computer Science (St George)ARWU #3 globally in AI; home to Vector Institute collaboration and Hinton's legacy lab; median starting salary CAD 69,884
University of British Columbia (UBC)

Vancouver · Founded 1908 · 25% intl

AAA

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • Engineering & Applied ScienceTop 3 Canada. 94% full-time employment, median CAD 78,500. CAD 98M research funding in 2024-25 for the faculty alone. International tuition CAD 66,200/yr (USD 48,326).
  • Computer ScienceTop 3 Canada. Graduates earn 38% above all bachelor's holders at 2 years. Strong co-op pipeline into Vancouver tech corridor. Tuition CAD 53,082/yr (USD 38,750) international.
University of Alberta

Edmonton · Founded 1908 · 18% intl

AAA

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • Faculty of EngineeringRanked top 3 in Canada with Petroleum Engineering among the best globally; strong co-op program with 90%+ placement rates in Alberta energy companies
  • Department of Computer ScienceRanked top 5 in Canada for AI and machine learning research, benefiting from Google DeepMind Edmonton presence and strong NSERC funding
McGill University

Montreal · Founded 1821 · 31% intl

AAA

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • Engineering and Computer ScienceQS Engineering top 50 globally. Strong computer engineering, aerospace (Bombardier, CAE, Pratt & Whitney Canada connections), biomedical, and chemical programs. Mila AI research partnership for ML/AI specialisations. Montreal aerospace industry provides direct employment pipeline. Software engineering benefits from city's AI cluster density.
University of Victoria

Victoria · Founded 1963 · 16% intl

BAA

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • BSc Computer Science (Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science)Solid mid-tier Canadian CS program with strong co-op participation (one of the largest co-op programs in North America with 4,000+ annual placements). Placement into Microsoft Vancouver, Amazon Vancouver, Hootsuite, Telus, BC Hydro, federal government IT, and various BC startups. Not Waterloo-tier in selectivity or brand, but respectable mid-tier with strong applied focus.
McMaster University

Hamilton · Founded 1887 · 18% intl

BAA

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • BSc Nuclear EngineeringSupported by the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (commissioned 1959) — only operating university nuclear reactor in Canada. Direct pipelines into Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, AECL.
  • BEng Engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, materials, chemical)Co-op program available across all engineering streams; strong placement into Ontario manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure firms.
Queen's University

Kingston · Founded 1841 · 14% intl

BAA

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • BSc EngineeringIron Ring tradition; mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, mining streams. Strong placement into Ontario manufacturing, energy (OPG, Bruce Power), infrastructure.
Western University

London, ON · Founded 1878 · 17% intl

BAB

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • BSc EngineeringSolidly top-10 Canadian engineering program. Faculty of Engineering offers programs in chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, software, and integrated engineering. Not in the Waterloo-Toronto-McGill top-tier engineering pipeline, but strong undergraduate research opportunities, accredited by Engineers Canada, and competitive co-op programs available. The 2024 Western AI Initiative is expanding engineering AI integration.
Simon Fraser University

Vancouver · Founded 1965 · 17% intl

BAB

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • BSc Computer Science (School of Computing Science)Substantial AI, computational biology, visualization, and data science research capacity, supported by the SFU Big Data Hub infrastructure. Vancouver tech corridor placement (Hootsuite, Slack Vancouver, Microsoft Vancouver, Amazon Vancouver, Apple Vancouver, Electronic Arts Vancouver) accessible via the Pacific Northwest cross-border tech recruiting funnel. Graduate research depth in machine learning, human-computer interaction, computational biology, and visualization. Not U15-tier in selectivity or brand, but research-respectable mid-tier with Vancouver tech corridor proximity.
University of Ottawa

Ottawa · Founded 1848 · 15% intl

BAB

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • BSc Computer Engineering (Faculty of Engineering / École de génie)Research-strong computer and electrical engineering program with structural placement into Ottawa's tech corridor (Shopify Ottawa, BlackBerry, Mitel, federal cybersecurity roles). Substantial AI, cybersecurity, and machine learning research capacity. Federal government cybersecurity recruitment is structurally significant. Bilingual program offered in both English and French.
Dalhousie University

Halifax · Founded 1818 · 20% intl

BAB

Computer Science & Engineering programs

  • BSc Engineering (Faculty of Engineering)Research-strong engineering program with particular depth in ocean engineering, marine engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. Bedford Institute of Oceanography research integration provides marine engineering applied research environment. Strong placement into Atlantic Canadian engineering and the broader Canadian engineering sector.

Need help with Computer Science & Engineering applications in Canada?

Book a free 30-minute consultation with Priscilla.

Book a consultation