Offered by Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, PhD in Computer Science is a doctorate in Computer Sciences programme. The programme runs for 5 years. Tuition for international students is CAD 7,338 per year (CAD 7,338 per year for local students).
Also offered as: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
At a glance
Degree:Doctorate
Field:Computer Sciences
Duration: 5 years
Local tuition: CAD 7,338 / year
International tuition: CAD 7,338 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The PhD in Computer Science at Dalhousie University is a thesis-based doctoral program offered by the Faculty of Computer Science, taken full-time and delivered in person at the Halifax campus, with a standard length of five years or longer and entry in September or January, and May with approval. The degree centres on original research conducted under the guidance of a faculty supervisor, spanning areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, software systems, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction and visualization, algorithms and bioinformatics, and computer science education. Admission normally requires a master's degree in computer science or a closely related technical field, an identified supervisor able to fund the student's research, and a research proposal, along with the university's English-language requirements. The program suits students who already hold a master's degree and want to pursue an extended, independent research project leading to a dissertation, typically as a step toward an academic or senior research career. Graduates go on to work as researchers, professors, chief technology officers, or entrepreneurs, and take on specialist roles in cybersecurity, software systems, data analytics, and machine learning that involve designing new technologies, leading research teams, or shaping long-term technical strategy within organizations.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Applicants normally need a Master's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field with a minimum A- average (an exceptional post-bachelor's pathway may be considered), plus English language proficiency meeting Faculty of Graduate Studies standards. Applicants must identify a supervisor before applying and submit unofficial transcripts, two reference letters, a research proposal of up to 700 words, and a CV. Deadlines: for September start, April 1 (international) or June 1 (Canadian); for January start, August 1 (international) or October 1 (Canadian); for May start (with supervisor and graduate coordinator approval), December 31 (international) or February 28 (Canadian).
Application Details
Start Date:September, January, or May (with approval)
Application Deadline:Dalhousie's live Dates and Deadlines page still shows the September 2026 entry cycle as of mid-September 2026, not the 2027 cycle. For that cycle, Bachelor of Science (Nursing), Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science (Medical Sciences) and Bachelor of Social Work close February 15, 2026; the Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies (Architecture) closes March 1, 2026; and the Health Sciences post-diploma option closes June 15, 2026. All other undergraduate programmes are considered on a rolling, space-available basis for both domestic and international applicants, with no separate international closing date published; May 15, 2026 is only the deposit and English-proficiency deadline, not an application deadline. Dalhousie has not yet published September 2027 entry dates. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
