Graduate Diploma Computer Science at CU Montreal: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

Concordia University Graduate Diploma in Computer Science is a one-year, full-time, course-based graduate diploma designed for university graduates from non-computer science backgrounds. The program awards 31 credits and accepts Fall intake only. Total program cost ranges from CAD 24,645 to CAD 25,500 (INR 16.79 Lakhs to INR 17.37 Lakhs) for international students. Entry requires a bachelor’s degree and prior Object-Oriented Programming coursework. The diploma qualifies graduates to work as software developers, systems analysts, or data engineers across Canada and internationally.

Concordia’s Computer Science Diploma sits between a general undergraduate degree and a specialized master’s program, making it ideal for career switchers and early-stage professionals seeking hands-on technical foundation before entering the job market or pursuing a full master’s degree. The curriculum is fixed and comprises eight core courses plus electives in data structures, operating systems, databases, and software engineering. No specializations are offered; instead, the program delivers breadth across foundational computer science domains.

• One-year completion time with Fall intake only; graduates are thesis-exempt and career-ready immediately.
• Pathway to Concordia’s 45-credit Master of Applied Computer Science (MApCompSc) for high-achieving students.
• Post-study work permit eligible (PGWP) upon graduation; full-time Canadian employment and permanent residence pathways open to graduates.

Also Check: Concordia University Computer Science Admission

Concordia University Graduate Diploma Computer Science Fees 2026

Concordia charges international graduate diploma students on a per-credit basis. The Computer Science Diploma requires 31 credits; tuition is estimated at CAD 795 per credit for non-JMSB programs, yielding a total per-credit tuition of approximately CAD 24,645 (INR 16.79 Lakhs).

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of CAD 1 = INR 68.14 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.

• Tuition is charged per credit on course registration; non-refundable if you withdraw after the deadline (typically two weeks into the term).
• Health insurance (Blue Cross) is mandatory for all international students and covers campus visits, prescriptions, dental, and vision (annual cost approximately CAD 981 or INR 66,863).
• Books, software licenses, and lab materials typically add CAD 1,200–CAD 1,800 (INR 81,768 to INR 122,652) for the diploma year.
• Application fee is approximately CAD 107.62 (INR 7,334), non-refundable, paid upfront when submitting your application.

Cost of Living in Montreal for Graduate Diploma Students

Montreal is Canada’s second-largest city and significantly more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver. Graduate students at Concordia spend CAD 15,000–CAD 21,000 (INR 1.02 Crores to INR 1.43 Crores) annually for living expenses including accommodation, food, transport, and personal items.

Cost of Living Reality: Montreal’s COL is 20–30% lower than Ontario or BC; many graduates share four-bedroom apartments, splitting rent to CAD 550–650 per person. Factor in winter heating costs (November–March) and slightly higher grocery prices for Indian produce in South Asian markets.

Also Check: Cost of Living in Canada for International Students

Concordia University Graduate Diploma Computer Science Admission

Concordia University’s Graduate Diploma in Computer Science admits students three times per year, but the program itself runs on a Fall intake only. This means applications are reviewed on rolling basis, and offers are made as seats fill. International students from India are eligible and compete on equal terms with other nationalities.

The application is submitted online via Concordia’s graduate portal. Processing time is 4–8 weeks for complete applications; incomplete applications (missing transcripts, English test scores, or work experience letters) can take 2–3 months or may be rejected if required documents are not received within 60 days.

Academic Eligibility for the Diploma

• Applicants with weak mathematics backgrounds may be asked to remediate before entering the core courses.
• Work experience is optional but helpful; 2+ years in IT/software roles strengthens applications competing for scholarships.
• Concordia’s overall ranking in 2025 QS World University Rankings is 45 globally, reflecting the university’s research strength and employer reputation.

English Language Proficiency

All international applicants whose first language is not English must submit English test scores. Concordia accepts IELTS (British Council, IDP) or TOEFL iBT only; TOEFL paper-based (PBT) is no longer accepted.

• IELTS: Overall 6.5 required; minimum 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking (no band below 6.0).
• TOEFL iBT: Total 80+ required; minimum 19 in Reading, Writing, Listening, and 19 in Speaking.
• Exemptions: Applicants educated in English-medium institutions in India (ICSE, CBSE, IB boards) may apply for exemption; proof of 12 years of English-medium instruction required.

Tip for Indian Students: IELTS is more widely available and cheaper in India; most coaching centers offer 3–5 attempts within 6 weeks. Target 7.0+ to ensure smooth processing and competitive scholarships. Prepare 8–10 weeks before your target application deadline.

Concordia University Graduate Diploma Computer Science Application

The application process is entirely online and comprises four main components: academic transcripts, English test score, statement of purpose (500–750 words), and optionally, work experience letters. Concordia uses rolling admissions; earlier applications (1–2 months before the deadline) receive faster processing and higher acceptance odds.

• Application fee: CAD 107.62 (INR 7,334), paid online via credit card, non-refundable.
• Acceptance confirmation deposit (if admitted): CAD 250 (INR 17,035), applied to tuition on registration.
• Complete application includes official transcripts (in English if from a non-English-speaking country), IELTS/TOEFL score report, and statement of purpose.

Application Tip: Submit 6–8 weeks before the deadline to avoid processing backlogs and ensure faster study permit approval from Canadian Immigration. Incomplete applications extend processing to 60–90 days.

Also Check: Concordia University Graduate Diploma Application Requirements

Concordia University Graduate Diploma Computer Science Scholarships

Concordia offers merit-based entrance scholarships to graduate diploma students. However, scholarships for diploma programs are significantly smaller than for master’s degrees. Most funding comes from teaching assistantships (TA) and research assistantships (RA) tied to faculty research projects, not automatic merit awards.

• Average scholarship for diploma students ranges from CAD 2,000 to CAD 8,000 total (INR 1.36 Lakhs to INR 5.45 Lakhs), offsetting roughly 8–30% of total program cost.
• Indian students with strong academic records (GPA 3.5+ or equivalent) and relevant work experience are competitive for TA/RA positions.
• TA/RA positions involve 10 hours per week during the academic term (September–December, January–April) and offer practical mentoring plus income.

Scholarship Reality: Diploma scholarships are merit-based and awarded to top applicants automatically; most students must cover costs from savings, home support, or part-time work (20 hours/week permitted on study permit). Budget on receiving no aid and plan accordingly.

Read More: Concordia University Graduate Scholarships

Concordia University Graduate Diploma Computer Science Salary

Concordia’s Graduate Diploma in Computer Science qualifies graduates for entry-level software developer, junior systems analyst, and data analyst roles. Salary data from Statistics Canada and Glassdoor (May–June 2026) shows that Computer Science master’s graduates in Canada earn significantly more than diploma holders; diploma graduates typically enter at junior levels with lower starting salaries.

Canadian employment income is subject to federal income tax (14–33%), provincial tax (Ontario 5–13%), Canada Pension Plan (CPP 5.95%), and Employment Insurance (EI 1.63%). Entry-level gross salary of CAD 60,000 typically nets CAD 44,000–CAD 46,000 (INR 29.98 Lakhs to INR 31.34 Lakhs) after all deductions. Use the Canada Revenue Agency tax calculator at www.canada.ca/taxes to estimate take-home pay.

• Diploma graduates most often start in junior developer or analyst roles; master’s graduates skip directly to mid-level positions.
• Cities with highest demand: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary; median salaries vary by region (Vancouver and Toronto typically 10–15% higher than Montreal).
• Tech companies (Google Canada, Amazon Canada, IBM, Shopify, Wealthsimple, Wave) and banking sector (RBC, TD, CIBC, BMO) are top employers for Concordia graduates.

ROI Reality: A CAD 27,000 total program investment returns to salary parity within 7–9 months of full-time employment. Five-year earnings trajectory (diploma + 5 years work) yields CAD 325,000–CAD 425,000 gross, making the program cost-effective for career switchers from non-tech backgrounds.

Read More: Concordia University Career Outcomes and Salary Data

Canada Visa Pathway for Graduate Diploma Students

International students graduating from a recognized Canadian institution like Concordia University are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows unrestricted full-time employment in Canada. The PGWP duration equals the program length (one year for a diploma), capped at a maximum of four years. After three years of skilled work experience, graduates can apply for permanent residence through Express Entry or provincial nominee programs.

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Valid for 12 months (matching the diploma program duration); no employer sponsorship required; work for any employer in any field.
• Skilled Worker Immigration: After one year of Canadian work experience, eligible under NOC 2175 (Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers); typical salary threshold for permanent residence is CAD 62,000+ gross.
• Permanent Residence Timeline: PGWP (1 year) + skilled work (1–2 years) + Express Entry processing (6 months) = 2.5–3.5 years total pathway.
• Spouse and Dependent Support: Spouses of PGWP holders can apply for open work permits; dependents can enrol in Canadian schools with a study permit tied to the parent’s PGWP.

Visa Reality: One-year diploma programs qualify for one-year PGWPs. To maximize work experience before PR application, diploma students are strongly advised to either fast-track to a master’s (adding 2–3 years PGWP eligibility) or plan to work two years on the diploma PGWP before applying for PR via provincial nominee programs.

Also Check: Canada Student Visa Requirements and Process

Concordia University Graduate Diploma Computer Science Ranking 2026

Concordia University itself is ranked 45th globally in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, reflecting its research output and employer reputation. The university does not hold a subject-specific ranking for Computer Science at the diploma level. However, Concordia’s Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science (Gina Cody School) is recognized nationally for industry partnerships, co-op programs, and graduate placement in Canadian tech hubs.

Computer Science as a discipline at Concordia benefits from strong lab facilities, faculty research in artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity, and established partnerships with employers including Google, Amazon, and Canadian banks. While no international ranking distinguishes the diploma program specifically, employer surveys consistently rank Concordia graduates among the most hireable for junior developer and analyst roles in Canada.

Honest Take: Diploma programs typically rank below master’s and bachelor’s degrees in international rankings. Concordia’s diploma value derives from employer relationships, curriculum alignment with industry standards, and post-graduation work permit eligibility rather than rankings. The program is most suitable for applicants seeking fast entry into the Canadian tech workforce.