Admissions

The UBC Master of Data Science (MDS) helps you take your career to the next level, giving you the technical foundation and real-world data experience to effectively translate data into knowledge, communicate its stories and aid decision-makers to make the right choices.

We’re looking for students who have a passion for learning and for data science, a strong work ethic, a burning intellectual curiosity and good communication and technical writing skills.

The MDS program is offered at both the UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, or you can specialize with the MDS in Computational Linguistics.

Note that MDS is an intense professional graduate degree program. It is mandatory that you attend classes, labs, and events. As such, we do not recommend that you work while taking this program.

Admission Deadlines

Applications for September 2025 are now open. Deadline is January 31, 2025.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply for any of the UBC Master of Data Science programs, you must meet the academic, prerequisite, English proficiency and professional requirements below.

Academic Requirements

At the minimum hold the equivalent of a four-year bachelor’s degree from UBC with a minimum B+ (76% at UBC) average in your third and fourth-year courses. To determine if your 3-year degree is accepted, please refer to this website: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/countries.

Prerequisite Courses

At the time of application, you must have proof of completion or enrolment in the following prerequisite courses:

  • one course in Programming (3 credits):
  • one course in Probability and/or Statistics (3 credits):

AND

  • one course in Calculus (3 credits) OR Linear Algebra (3 credits):

​NOTE: Completion of a course in both calculus AND linear algebra is strongly recommended.

For students interested in the MDS in Computational Linguistics, there is, in addition to the technical background required for all MDS students, the expectation that candidates will have a degree and/or other significant experience relevant to language (i.e. a major or minor in linguistics). Candidates should outline this language background in their letter of intent.

Learn More About Prerequisites
 

Self-assessment Test

If you are not sure about your core knowledge in the areas of programming, statistics, probability or calculus, you can try our self-assessment test. You should be able to answer all of the questions in 1-3 hours (including referring to textbooks or online resources if you haven't encountered a topic recently). If you cannot do these questions with limited effort, you will likely struggle in the program without additional preparation. The test is for your own reference only and is not intended to represent the level of MDS content (which will be much higher!). You can download the self-assessment test answers here.

Professional Experience

The MDS program is designed for working professionals who are interested in taking their career to the next level. Hence, we encourage applicants with professional work experience to apply. Please note that work experience does not necessarily have to be relevant experience in data science and new graduates with limited work experience, especially those with Linguistics and language-related academic backgrounds (for the MDS Computational Linguistics program), will also be a good fit.

English Proficiency

If your last (undergraduate or graduate) degree was not completed at an English-speaking university, proof of English-language proficiency is required as this program involves a significant amount of reading, writing and oral communication. See the International Students page for more information.

Recorded Virtual Interview

For the Master of Data Science - Vancouver program ONLY and NEW for this year - After you submit your application form, you will be emailed an invitation with a link to record and submit a virtual interview in which we will ask you several questions about your experience, motivation, communication skills, etc. You will be emailed detailed instructions and deadlines in early February.

No Standardized Tests

The UBC Master of Data Science program does not require a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or any other academic test score for admission.

Exceptions

Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements stated above, but who have had other significant formal training, relevant professional experience, and/or otherwise possess demonstrable knowledge or expertise that would prepare them adequately for successful study in the graduate program, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the Program Director and the approval of the Dean.

Laptop Requirements

Students in the UBC Master of Data Science program are required to use their own laptops. In particular, students will need to have a machine that:

  • Runs one of the following operating systems: Ubuntu 22.04 (any version >=20.04 will likely work), macOS Big Sur or above (>= 11.4.x), Windows 11 Professional, Enterprise or Education (version 2004, 20H2, or 21H1).
    • Click here to download Windows 11 for free from UBC. (if it is not available you can download Windows 10 and update it to Windows 11)
    • When installing Ubuntu, checking the box “Install third party…” will (among other things) install proprietary drivers, which can be helpful for wifi and graphics cards.
  • Can connect to networks via a wireless connection for on campus work
  • Has access to an internet connection that is fast and stable enough for video calling and conducting online quizzes
  • Has at least 50 GB disk space available
  • Has a minimum 8 GB of RAM
  • Uses a 64-bit CPU
  • Is at most 6 years old at the start of the program (4 years old or newer is recommended)
  • Uses English as the default language
  • Student user has full administrative access to the computer
     

How to Apply Request More Information

Questions?

If you have any questions about the admission process,
Contact Us.