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Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science

The ECS LaunchPad program

The Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) LaunchPad program is for students who haven’t met the high school math or science requirements for direct admission to engineering or computer science. 

As a LaunchPad student, your first year will take place over 12 months of full-time study, enabling you to complete your missing math/science requirements and also take courses that count toward engineering and computer science degrees. Part-time study is also available, offering flexibility for work and other responsibilities. 

When you finish the program, you’ll transition into the second year of your preferred program without having to reapply to UVic. 

Program structure

ECS LaunchPad is available for full-time and part-time study. 

  • Full-time students complete the program over 12 months (September-August), putting you on track to complete your degree in four years (computer science without co-operative study) or five years (engineering or computer science with co-operative study) 
  • Part-time students complete the program over a longer period of time, depending on how many courses they take per term. 
  • Part-time study may not be available to international students due to study permit requirements. 

Once you’ve completed the ECS LaunchPad program requirements, you’ll declare into one of the following degree programs: 

Sample program planning worksheets for ECS LaunchPad students

Student support

Due to the intensive nature of the program, ECS LaunchPad students receive enhanced academic and community support. 

  • A dedicated team of teaching assistants, tutors and a peer helpdesk that are there to help students succeed academically. 
  • A program advisor to help students navigate course planning and access the many supports, services and amenities that UVic has to offer. 
  • Access to a dedicated space in our building that is a home base to study, meet with advisers, and connect with other Launchpad students. 

We’ll help you build confidence, community, and momentum as you begin your studies. 

Course planning

You’ll receive help from the program’s academic advisor to develop a customized course plan for your first year of studies. We’ll ensure you take your required foundational/core courses and help you choose additional courses that will count toward your future degree studies. 

We’ll also help you decide if you want to aim for a degree in engineering or computer science (and you can still change your mind later). 

Foundational courses 

Depending on your high school record, you may need one or both of the following foundation courses: 

  • MATH 120 – Precalculus Mathematics 
  • ECS 100 -  Topics in Engineering and Computer Science, implemented as Foundations Science

Core courses 

All Launchpad students complete: 

  • ECS 105 – Academic Success and Diversity in Computing 
  • MATH 100 or MATH 109 – Calculus I 
  • Math 101 – Calculus II 
  • CSC 110 – Fundamentals of Programming I 

Additional first-year courses 

You’ll take first-year courses that count toward your engineering or computer science degree, such as: 

  • CHEM 101 or CHEM 150 
  • CSC 115, CSC 120 
  • ENGR 110, ENGR 120, ENGR 141 
  • MATH 110, MATHath 122 
  • PHYS 110, PHYS 111 

If you haven’t decided between engineering and computer science, your academic adviser will help you select courses that keep both options open. 

Tuition and fees

Tuition and student fees

You can approximate the tuition and student fees for first-year engineering and computer science programs in the UVic tuition estimator. However, the actual fees for ECS LaunchPad students will depend on whether you choose full-time or part-time study and the number of courses you take in each academic term.

Program fee

In addition to tuition and student fees, students pay a program fee that goes toward advising, support and other services that are unique to ECS LaunchPad.

  • Domestic students: $2,100
  • International students: $10,500

The program fee is paid in instalments over your first three academic terms.

Contact

 For questions about the ECS LaunchPad program, please contact ecslaunchpad@uvic.ca.