Computer Science: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - UBCO at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada is a doctorate in Information Systems & Technology programme. The programme runs for 48 months, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 9,500 per year (CAD 5,408 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Doctorate
Field:Information Systems & Technology
Duration: 48 months
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 5,408 / year
International tuition: CAD 9,500 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The PhD in Computer Science at UBC Okanagan is a 48-month research degree in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science that requires original and substantive contributions to the understanding of computer science. The program combines coursework with a dissertation: students form a faculty supervisory committee, pass a research proficiency evaluation (COSC 690) by carrying out and defending a small research project, complete 24 credits of coursework, then prepare and defend a dissertation proposal before finishing and defending the dissertation. Research areas include artificial intelligence, network science, data analytics and data science, human-centred technologies, optimisation and scientific computing, and software engineering. Graduates are prepared for independent research and teaching in academia, government and industry. Based on the Kelowna campus in a close-knit, research-intensive department.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:76.00 / %
Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold the academic equivalent of a two-year master's degree from UBC in computer science or a related field, with a B+ (76 per cent) average or better; exceptional students may be admitted directly from an Honours degree with recommendation from the Computer Science Graduate Program Committee and Dean approval. Applicants without a computer science degree should have completed coursework equivalent to a minor in computer science, and all applicants must demonstrate clear evidence of research ability or potential. Non-native English speakers from institutions where English was not the language of instruction must provide evidence of competency through an acceptable English proficiency test; specific score minimums are not published on this page. A complete application includes the online application and fee, transcripts (unofficial initially, official if admitted), a CV or résumé, and three reference forms or letters. Deadlines are 10 January for the September intake and 1 June for the January intake.
Application Details
Start Date:September and January
Application Deadline:Domestic and international undergraduate applicants both apply through EducationPlannerBC for Winter Session 2027/28 (September 2027 entry) and Summer 2027: applications open in early October 2026 and the equal-consideration deadline is 15 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST, the same date for both groups; a few programs keep reviewing late applications on a space-available basis afterwards. Earlier dates apply only to entrance-award consideration -- 15 November 2026 for the International Scholars Program and 1 December 2026 for Presidential/Centennial/Beyond Tomorrow scholars. Several limited-entry programmes -- Law, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing (advanced entry), Occupational/Physical Therapy, Social Work and Teacher Education -- set their own earlier deadlines from October 2026 through February 2027. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
