At Conestoga College in Kitchener, Canada, HD in Software Engineering Technology (Optional Co-Op) is offered as a higher diploma in Software Engineering programme. 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
Software Engineering Technology (Optional Co-op) is a three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma delivered in hybrid format at Conestoga's Waterloo campus for careers in mobile applications, embedded systems, the Internet of Things, simulations and big data. The hands-on program covers multiple languages and technologies including web development, databases, business intelligence and cybersecurity. Students can apply for an optional sixteen-month co-op after first year, and a flexible third year lets them select program options to deepen their skills.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Direct entry requires an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status at 19 or older. Conestoga requires Grade 12 compulsory English at the C or U level, or the Preparatory Communications course (COMM1251), and Grade 12 Mathematics from MCT4C, MHF4U, MCV4U or MDM4U, or Preparatory Mathematics for Technology & Apprenticeship (MATH1385); minimum course grades apply - 60% for MCT4C, 50% for MHF4U/MCV4U, 70% for MDM4U, and 60% for MATH1385. Applicants presenting MAP4C are not considered unless they pass Conestoga's Math Pre-Admissions test, and minimum grade cut-offs apply. International transcripts require a course-by-course credential evaluation through a provider such as ICAS or WES. Applicants whose prior instruction was not in English must meet Conestoga's institution-wide requirement: IELTS Academic overall 6.0 (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 80 (no skill below 20), PTE Academic 53, or Duolingo 110.
Application Details
Start Date:Intake months: January and September. Start dates listed by Conestoga on 6 September 2026, for domestic and international applicants alike: September 2026 and January 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.
