Program Overview

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) program at the University of British Columbia is a research-based degree that focuses on advancing the state of the art in computer science. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the theoretical foundations of computer science and the ability to apply this knowledge to solve complex problems.

Program Details

• The program is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science.
• The program is available for full-time study only.
• The program consists of a dissertation and original research that contributes to the field of computer science.
• The program is designed to be completed in 4-5 years.

Admission Requirements

• A master's degree in computer science or a related field is required for admission.
• A minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC) is required.
• English language proficiency is required for international students.
• The GRE is not required for admission.

Tuition Fees

• The tuition fee for domestic students is $5,626.02 per year.
• The tuition fee for international students is $9,883.98 per year.
• Additional fees, such as student fees and costs of living, are estimated to be around $1,144.10 per year.

Research Areas

• The Department of Computer Science has many research areas, including:
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Graphics
  • Data Management and Mining
  • Formal Verification and Analysis of Systems
  • Human Centered Technologies
  • Networks, Systems, and Security
  • Scientific Computing
  • Software Engineering and Programming Languages
  • Theory

Career Outcomes

• Graduates of the program have gone on to work in a variety of fields, including:
  • Research and academia
  • Industry and technology
  • Government and non-profit
• Some notable employers of graduates include:
  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • Amazon
  • University of British Columbia
  • McGill University

Funding and Financial Support

• The program offers a funding package of at least $33,612 per year for the first 5 years of study.
• Students may also be eligible for additional funding, such as teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and academic assistantships.
• The program also offers a variety of scholarships and awards to support student research and academic excellence.

Enrolment and Completion Rates

• The program has a graduation rate of 63% based on 60 students admitted between 2011-2014.
• The average time to completion is 5.74 years.
• The program has a total enrolment of 129 students, with 14 new students enrolled in the 2023 academic year.

Related Programs

• The University of British Columbia also offers a Master of Science in Computer Science (MSc) program.
• The MSc program is designed for students who want to pursue a research-based master's degree in computer science.
• The MSc program is available for full-time or part-time study and can be completed in 2-3 years.