MSACS Admission (Vancouver)
Admission Requirements
1. Graduation from an accredited 4-year bachelor’s degree program with an equivalent to minimum grade point average of 2.75 (B-) on a 4.0 scale.
Students with lower GPAs can be considered for admission after a broad-based review of their overall academic profile and in combination with related work experience.
3-year degrees from India are considered equivalent to a 4-year degree if:
- The applicant’s overall standing in degree is 1st Class/Division, AND
- The awarding institutions have been accredited by India’s National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a grade of A or better http://www.naac.gov.in/ OR The awarding institution is designated an Institution of National Importance, such as the Indian Institute of Technology.
2. Demonstrated proficiency in the communication of the English language (for international students whose first language is not English).
Please note: As of September 20, 2023, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores have been officially removed from our admission requirements. Students applying to the Summer 2024 term are not required to provide the GRE as part of their application package to the MSACS program.
Iranian nationals: FDU-Vancouver does not have a license from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control to offer the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science to students from Iran. FDU-V is not offering new admissions to Iranian students into the MSACS until a license is approved by US authorities.
Direct Admission
MSACS students who meet the academic requirements and have an English proficiency test score equivalent to IELTS 6.5 across all bands are placed into the MSACS program without further testing. As part of the MSACS program, they will take EPS 5299 and two MSACS academic courses in their first term.
Students who have an equivalent overall IELTS of 6.5 or higher with no band below 6.0, will test and those scoring between 11 and 14 will be enrolled in EPS 5099 in addition to one 3-credit MSACS academic course, while those scoring 15 or higher will be enrolled in EPS 5299 in addition to two 3-credit MSACS academic courses.
Students who have an equivalent overall IELTS of 6.0 across all bands won’t be required to test. They will be enrolled in EPS 5099 and one 3-credit MSACS academic course.
*Students submitting scores from TOEFL Home Edition, PTE Academic Online, or iTEP will be required to take the EPT.
Students who receive a waiver or transfer credit for EPS 5299, can take three CSCI courses in their first term.
Students may transfer up to nine credits from other accredited institutions for courses completed within the last five years. The courses must have earned a grade of B or better and align with program requirements and FDU policies. To apply for transfer credit, students submit the Application for Transfer Credits Consideration to Admissions no later than four weeks before the program’s start date, as indicated in the Letter of Acceptance.
Application Deadlines
Application and all required supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline for the term:
Fall (September) term – April 30
Spring (January) term – August 31
Summer (May) term – December 31
Please note that deadlines are subject to change due to seat capacity. We strongly recommend applying as early as possible.
We encourage all applicants to regularly check for updates regarding Application Deadlines.
Required Documents
Copies of the documents must be submitted together with the online application.
- Attested or official transcripts, academic records, diplomas, national examination results, certificates, or degrees received from all post-secondary institutions, universities, and/or professional schools. If the documents are not in English, a certified translation is required.
- Students from India: Please note that we do not accept consolidated mark sheets. Individual mark sheets showing all attempts, failures, and retakes are required. Please submit your backlog summary together with your transcripts.
- Proof of English Proficiency if your first language is not English or you did not complete your degree in the US, Canada, or any country listed on FDU’s exemption list. For more details please refer to the English Proficiency page.
- Copy of the information page in your valid passport.
- Resume (recommended).
- Optional- Three (3) recommendation letters.
- Optional– Official GRE test score results (FDU-Vancouver code 2818)
Admission Procedures
The admission process to the MSACS program is highly competitive and is constrained by strict deadlines. All applicants for the term undergo thorough evaluation and ranking, with successful candidates receiving an offer of admission into the program. The uniqueness of each intake is determined by the available seats for the term and the overall caliber of applicants.
Please note that the Admissions team cannot provide application status updates before the specified admission decision deadlines per term. This limitation is attributed to the competitive nature of the selection process.
Applicants will be advised if they require any foundation courses in the first term at the time of admission.
An interview with the Program Advisor may be required before the decision on admission can be made. Applicants will be notified if an interview is necessary.
Conditional Admission
FDU offers Conditional Acceptance to students who meet the university’s academic criteria outlined in the Admissions requirement section but require additional training in academic English before joining FDU’s degree programs. Students who don’t meet the established entry points indicated on the English Proficiency table can be conditionally admitted through the English Pathway Program. Students taking an ESL Pathway certificate are conditionally admitted and must complete the ESL pathway program before registering at FDU.
Upon completion of a pathway program, graduate students will be enrolled in EPS 5099 in the first term. Graduate students with an ILAC Pathway certificate level 3.3 or ILSC level A2 will be enrolled in EPS 5299 in the first term.
Applicants must provide a Letter of Acceptance from the ESL pathway program before receiving a Letter of Acceptance from FDU.
For the list of ESL Language schools, please check our English Proficiency page.