Fully Funded PhD in Computer Science at the University of Waterloo in Canada 2027

The University of Waterloo in Canada is accepting applications for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science, a research-based doctoral programme that falls within fully funded study and scholarship opportunities for international students. The programme is offered by the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science within the Faculty of Mathematics.

The programme is designed for students and researchers who wish to advance their expertise and conduct high-level research in computer science and technology. It allows students to complete a doctoral dissertation under academic supervision in a wide range of areas, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, quantum computing, software engineering, databases, algorithms, and human-computer interaction.

The programme lasts approximately 48 months on a full-time basis and is delivered in person at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Full-time international PhD students also receive an annual funding package that helps cover tuition and living expenses. The current funding package is approximately CAD 51,090 per year for international students admitted from Fall 2026 onward, making the programme suitable for researchers seeking fully funded PhD opportunities in Canada and advanced research opportunities in computer science.

Research Areas

Research areas include:

• Artificial Intelligence.
• Machine Learning.
• Algorithms and Complexity.
• Cybersecurity, Cryptography, and Privacy.
• Databases.
• Quantum Computing.
• Bioinformatics.
• Computer Graphics.
• Software Engineering.
• Computer Systems and Networks.
• Human-Computer Interaction.
• Programming Languages.
• Health Informatics.
• Information Retrieval.
• Scientific Computing.

Full-time PhD students receive a funding package that includes:

• CAD 51,090 per year for international students admitted from Fall 2026 onward.
• Core funding that typically consists of:
  • Graduate Teaching Assistantships (TA).
  • Graduate Research Studentships (GRS).
• The international funding amount includes the International Doctoral Student Award.
• Continued funding throughout the standard duration of the programme, provided that students maintain the required academic performance and satisfactorily fulfill the responsibilities associated with their funding.
• Automatic consideration for a number of internal scholarships and awards upon admission.
• The possibility of receiving additional awards such as the David R. Cheriton Graduate Scholarship, worth up to CAD 10,000 per year, subject to its conditions.
• Opportunities to benefit from other internal and external scholarships and awards.
• Access to advanced laboratories and research facilities.
• Opportunities to publish research and participate in international academic conferences.
• The chance to work with internationally recognized researchers and faculty members.
• Students retain intellectual property rights to their work in accordance with the University of Waterloo’s policies.

Explore International PhD Scholarships 

Explore Partially Funded Scholarships

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science with a minimum average of 78% or equivalent.
• Students with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science may apply directly to the PhD programme if they have an exceptional academic record, broad knowledge of computer science, and strong recommendation letters.
• Some PhD applicants may initially be admitted to the MMath in Computer Science programme, with the possibility of transferring to the PhD programme later before completing the Master’s thesis if their performance is outstanding.
• Have clear research interests that align with the research areas of the Cheriton School of Computer Science.
• Prior approval from a supervisor is not required before applying, but the university recommends contacting potential supervisors in advance.
• Provide proof of English language proficiency if required.
• For the IELTS Academic, applicants are generally required to achieve an overall score of at least 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing and 6.5 in Speaking.