HD in Computer Programming/Analyst (Optional Co-Op) is a higher diploma in Software Engineering programme taught at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Canada. The programme runs for 3 years, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 15,477 per year (CAD 2,750 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Higher Diploma
Field:Software Engineering
Duration: 3 years
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 2,750 / year
International tuition: CAD 15,477 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
Computer Programming and Analysis is Conestoga's three-year advanced diploma at the Waterloo campus for aspiring software developers. Students build enterprise, web and mobile applications while applying object-oriented analysis, design, agile methodologies and current programming languages, supported by math, accounting and communications courses. A final-term capstone has teams build a major application for a local business, and the optional co-op stream adds four consecutive four-month work terms.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Direct entry requires an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature-student status; Grade 12 compulsory English at the C or U level, or Conestoga's Preparatory Communications (COMM1251); and Grade 12 Mathematics at the C or U level, or Conestoga's Preparatory Mathematics (MATH1375). Minimum grades apply: MCT4C 60%, MAP4C 60%, MHF4U or MCV4U 50%, MDM4U 50%, MATH1375 60%. The English-language requirement is Conestoga's institution-wide standard for diploma and certificate programs, applied where transcripts are not in English: IELTS Academic overall band 6.0 with no band below 5.5, TOEFL iBT 80 with no skill below 20, PTE Academic 53, CAEL 70 overall with Writing 60 and no sub-test below 30, or Duolingo 110. Canadian citizens and permanent residents with foreign transcripts require a course-by-course credential evaluation, at reduced fee through the college's own online assessment form, or through ICAS or WES.
Application Details
Start Date:Intake months: January, May and September. Start dates listed by Conestoga on 6 September 2026, for domestic and international applicants alike: September 2026, January 2027 and May 2027 at Waterloo. An individual campus intake may already be closed.
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through ontariocolleges.ca (college code CONS): for the Fall 2027 intake the online application opens 26 September 2026, the equal consideration date is 1 February 2027, offers may be issued from 1 November 2026, and accepted offers must be confirmed by 1 May 2027; most oversubscribed programs stop accepting applications after 1 February 2027, though many programs remain open afterward. Conestoga does not publish a separate equal-consideration date for its January intake. International applicants apply directly to Conestoga and are assessed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis until each program fills; no fixed international closing date is published. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
