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As a Computer Science PhD candidate, you’ll study advanced topics across the fields of systems, theory and applications. You’ll graduate with a diverse, encompassing knowledge of computer science with an edge in establishing a career in any field.

Our faculty are making an impact every day with research on exciting topics such as data visualization, machine learning, security, privacy and embedded systems

Admissions

Learn everything you need to know about becoming a UVic grad student, from finding a supervisor to submitting your application.

Computer Science PhD applicants don’t need a supervisor to apply for admission. However, you should list potential supervisors in your application. Supervisors make the final decisions on admission for eligible applicants.

Graduate admissions FAQ

Past PhD dissertations

Funding

Every year, UVic awards $12 million to help fund graduate students through a combination of:

  • UVic fellowships and awards
  • teaching assistantships (TAs) and employment-based research assistantships (ERAs)
  • academic research assistantships (ARAs) (a type of scholarship/award)

Most of our incoming students also receive external awards and scholarships and financial aid and bursaries. Consideration for funding is automatic. A funding offer is normally included with an offer of admission.

Funding and employment for graduate students

Search graduate awards and scholarships

Research strengths

Learn about research in the department. Our focus areas include:

  • hardware
  • computer systems organization
  • networks
  • software and its engineering
  • theory of computation
  • mathematics of computing
  • information systems
  • security and privacy
  • human-centered computing
  • computing methodologies
  • applied computing
  • social and professional topics
  • artificial intelligence
  • quantum computing
  • intelligent cyber-physical systems

Co-op

UVic is home to the largest graduate co-op program in Canada. Our co-op program gives you paid work experience linked to your studies. PhD students may join the program in exceptional cases if the industrial work periods are crucial to their dissertation.