Offered by Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, Canada, Big Data: Master of Science (MSc) is a master's degree in Data Science & Analytics programme. The programme runs for 16 months, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 13,856 per semester (CAD 8,768 per semester for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Master's Degree
Field:Data Science & Analytics
Duration: 16 months
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 8,768 / semester
International tuition: CAD 13,856 / semester
Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
SFU's MSc in Big Data trains computing graduates to become data architects who can extract value from very large datasets, aiming at careers as data scientists, data solutions architects and chief data officers. The curriculum covers scalable algorithms, data warehouses, distributed architectures, cloud computing, machine learning methods and data mining, extending into unstructured data, graph processing, social media analytics and visualisation. The program runs roughly sixteen to twenty months across four semesters, pairing graduate coursework with a heavy specialised lab component and a mandatory paid co-op placement, and its content is refined with input from an advisory panel of industry leaders. Admission expects a computing or related degree with strong mathematics and programming preparation.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:3.00 / 4.33
Admission Requirements: Regular admission for domestic applicants with a Canadian degree requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.33, or 3.33/4.33 on the last 60 credits of undergraduate courses, plus demonstrated ability to program in Java, Python, and C++ (with the capacity to learn new languages), knowledge of advanced mathematics (calculus, linear algebra, and advanced statistics), and knowledge of data structures and algorithms, databases, and operating systems. International applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field meeting SFU's country-specific minimum equivalent qualifications. Non-native English speakers must satisfy SFU's English proficiency requirement under Graduate General Regulation 1.3.3 — the university's current minimums are IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band, or TOEFL iBT 90 overall with at least 20 per section — unless their degree was completed at an English-medium institution in a majority English-speaking country. Exceptionally qualified candidates with relevant professional experience may, in exceptional circumstances, be offered conditional admission. Applications open October 1, 2026.
Application Details
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through EducationPlannerBC, with one set of dates per applicant type rather than by citizenship. Fall 2027 entry: high-school-route applications open 1 October 2026 and close 31 January 2027, while transfer applications open 1 March 2027 and close 15 April 2027 (Education and Contemporary Arts transfer applicants may apply from 1 October 2026). Spring 2027 entry runs 1 July to 15 September 2026, and Summer 2027 entry runs 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027. Admission documents are generally due 28 February 2027 (Fall) and offers must be accepted by 1 May. International applicants use the same EducationPlannerBC dates and portal; SFU publishes no separate international deadline. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
