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Admissions

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Important Dates

October 15 Application system opens
November 15 Application deadline for consideration for the first round of offers
January 31 Final deadline for international applicants and priority consideration for domestic applicants
June 15 Final deadline for domestic applicants
September Program begins

Admission Requirements

Qualified applicants from Canada and around the world must meet the following admission requirements:

  • Four-year Bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics or a related field (e.g., actuarial science, financial modelling, mathematics, physics, economics or computer software engineering) from a recognized university
  • A minimum average of 75%/B (Canadian students) or the Canadian equivalent of 75%/B (international students) is required over the last two years of study

Note: Admission into the MDA program is competitive process. The academic average required for entry into the program may be above 75% based on the applicant pool.

The MDA program is technically rigorous. Students are expected to have completed significant quantitative coursework in mathematics, probability, statistics and computer programming.

Regardless of undergraduate discipline, prospective students must achieve 75% or better in all prerequisite courses:

  • Two half (0.5) courses of Calculus
  • One half (0.5) course of Linear Algebra
  • One half (0.5) course of Probability (Calculus-based)
  • One half (0.5) course of Statistics (Calculus-based)
  • One half (0.5) course that is mathematically mature and upper year 
  • Two half (0.5) courses of Computer Programming
View Western Course Examples


Note: One half (0.5) course equals three hours of class time per week, or a combination of class and laboratory work of four hours per week, for the duration of one four-month academic term (e.g., September through December). A full-course (1.0) equals the same number of hours per week for the duration of two academic terms (e.g., September through April). Courses offered in a two-month condensed format – such as some summer term courses - will consist of six to eight hours of class/laboratory hours per week.

Students interested in the AI specialty field need to have completed these additional courses (or equivalent), at a second-year or above course level with a minimum grade of 75%:

  • One half (0.5) course in Data Structures and Algorithms
  • One half (0.5) course in either Software Tools and Systems Programming or Software Design
  • One half (0.5) course in Logic for Computer Science
View Western Course Examples

Completion of a degree in Computer Science, Computer Enginerering, Mechatronic Systems or Software Engineering will usually satisfy these requirements.

Note: One half (0.5) course equals three hours of class time per week, or a combination of class and laboratory work of four hours per week, for the duration of one four-month academic term (e.g., September through December). A full-course (1.0) equals the same number of hours per week for the duration of two academic terms (e.g., September through April). Courses offered in a two-month condensed format – such as some summer term courses - will consist of six to eight hours of class/laboratory hours per week.

When applying to the MDA program, you will need to include:

  • Digital copy of your transcripts  
  • Digital copy of your English Language Proficiency (ELP) Test Score *Mandatory for all applicants whose first language is not English
  • A PDF copy of the completed "MDA Prerequisites Requirements Summary" document, downloaded from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) application system (this form will be available for download after the application fee is paid)
  • CV/Resume 
  • References: One academic and one professional reference, or two academic references. 

Note: Applicants may be required to complete a technical skills assessment and interview as a part of the admissions process. 

English Language Proficiency

A strong command of the English language in all areas (oral, reading, writing, listening and comprehension) is required to be successful in the MDA program.

All applicants whose first language is not English must provide formal documentation demonstrating that they meet or exceed the MDA program's English Language Proficiency requirements. Specific documentation, test options and performance requirements are as follows:

  • Completed undergraduate degree in a country where English is not the official language: Must submit test results from within the last 2 years 
  • Studied two or more years at a university in a country where English is the official language: Must submit test results from within the last 5 years (the ELP results can be what you submitted for your undergrad application) 
  • Completed two or more years of high school plus a 4-year undergraduate degree in Canada or USA: Exempt from ELP requirement - not required to submit ELP test results 

 

The minimum acceptable score for admission to the MDA program is 120.

Requirements:

  • Academic test
  • Overall score: ≥7 out of 9
  • No individual score less than 6.5

Requirements:

  • Overall score: ≥ 94
  • Reading: ≥ 22
  • Listening: ≥ 22
  • Speaking: ≥ 26
  • Writing: ≥ 24

Requirements:

  • Overall score: ≥ 68
  • Reading: ≥ 22
  • Listening: ≥ 24
  • Writing: ≥ 22

*Test taken July 2017 or later

Ready to Apply?

Don't delay. Applications are reviewed on a regular basis, starting November 15. Apply today for your best chance at admission.
Apply Now

Plan Your Finances

Graduate Student Funding and Fees Explained

What it Costs

Expenses usually include tuition, fees, housing, food and other necessities.

Find your tuition and fees in the fee schedule available through the Office of the Registrar.

Fee Schedules

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to support MDA students in their academic pursuits, ranging from $5,000 to $17,500.

Learn more about the opportunities available and how the scholarships are awarded.

Scholarships

Plan Ahead

Managing your finances, time and overall wellness are critical to your academic success.

Use the Graduate Student Affordability Calculator to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food and other necessities for a 12-month (three-term) academic year.

Explore the Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Conditional offers may be given to strong applications that may be missing one or two of the prerequisite courses on the condition that they take those courses through Western (or at other institution that offer equivalent type courses) before being admitted officially to the program.

Prerequisite coursework must have been taken for credit at the undergraduate or graduate level at an accredited university. Study through online certificate programs will not be considered.
Students are expected to have a solid foundation in mathematics, probability, statistics and computer programming. That said, applicants from all undergraduate disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Applications with an average below 75% will not be considered for the MDA program.
The program does not pre-assess applications. Only full applications will be reviewed after submitted through the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS).
MDA is a one-year, course-based professional science master's program with a cooperative education term component. Students do not complete a research thesis and as this is the case, do not receive Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships.
Yes, the MDA program is eligible for OSAP funding. Learn more here.