Despite a spate of layoffs in the tech sector over the last three years, there are still plenty of opportunities for students wishing to pursue computer science. And it remains a popular program for Canadian students to attend – if they can get in. Most computer programming and computer engineering degrees are highly competitive. The majority of students who get into the University of Waterloo’s computer, electrical, mechanical, mechatronics and systems design programs, for example, have a 90 per cent grade average or higher. 

The difference between computer science and computer engineering comes down to whether the student wants to work on software (the coded programs that run computer systems) or hardware (the physical components that run the software). Computer science graduates often become programmers, IT specialists and web developers. Meanwhile, engineers can work in robotics, hardware systems design and a whole host of other options.

The rewards of completing a computer science or engineering program are numerous, as almost every industry needs someone who knows their way around technology. It’s not all about being recruited by Google or Microsoft—graduates may find themselves using data science to plan complex shipping routes, build cybersecurity protections or answer complex questions about how to develop artificial intelligence or quantum computing.

There is also a lack of people in Canada working in STEM fields: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. That means there are plenty of employers hungry for folks who flourish in the face of technological and mathematical problem-solving.

Many teenagers’ first interest in computers arises out of video gaming, so it’s no surprise that many say they want to design games for a living. Some universities now offer video game development or programming as specializations, which is helpful for those who want to work in Canada’s large video game and gamification industry. A computer science degree can often be combined with another major—which could help a student achieve the artistic vision of that gaming magnum opus. For example, a school that offers computer science as a bachelor of arts may also allow students to take liberal arts classes that can help bring design and storytelling into their work. 

In terms of getting a job post-degree: just getting into the program proves students are brainy, so they will need to stand out to employers in other ways. Co-op programs, where working at a company for 12 to 16 months counts for course credit, is one way to do that: co-op gives students valuable real-world experience, and helps them make connections within the industry. Some programs even offer co-op credit to students who are building their own companies. For budding Steve Jobs types, this is a great way to delve into the world of digital startups, and to show future employers they have an entrepreneurial mindset. 

Some students may not have a good idea of what they want to major or specialize in yet—they just know they want to work with computers. For them, their choice of school may come down to other factors. Does the school offer a wide variety of majors? Are there interesting competitions they can enter, like in robotics and coding? Do large tech companies recruit from campus? These are all questions worth asking before students make their final choice.

Standout Computer Science Programs

University of Waterloo

When it comes to computer science, there is always one school on everyone’s lips: the University of Waterloo. The home of many founders and tech giants, including BlackBerry founder Mike Lazaridis, the program has over a dozen unique research areas, with professors who are among the best in the world at what they do. Students can specialize in a certain field, like bioinformatics, human computer interaction or artificial intelligence, after their first year. Those who enjoy especially challenging technical problems may opt for the bachelor of software engineering, a rigorous program focusing on building hardware and software that includes co-op placements and teamwork on all assignments.

Brock University

Brock’s faculty of mathematics and sciences, home to the computer science program, has some unique offerings. Budding game developers will want to take note of the school’s B.Sc. in game programming—in four years, students earn a bachelor’s degree with an advanced diploma in game development from Niagara College.

Students can also combine a computer science degree with a mathematics or business degree. Within the straight computer science program, participants can specialize in either software engineering or intelligent systems design.

MacEwan University

This small school in downtown Edmonton makes it possible for tech-inclined students from the Prairies to learn from the best and stay closer to home. In the first year, students learn the fundamentals of computer science. After, they can specialize in one of four areas, including the video gaming stream and information security (those are the geniuses who stop cyberattacks).

University of Toronto

Gaining entry to the University of Toronto’s computer science program opens a huge number of opportunities for students. They can choose from a wide array of specialities, take advantage of student support for entrepreneurship and access an innovation lab. U of T also offers a data science specialization, an area of study that combines computer science and statistics to help people get insights from data. Students can take classes in both computer science and statistics, as well as three integrative courses designed specifically for this program, preparing students for any dataset problem that might come their way.