University Transfer – Computing Science and Software Systems

Diploma: Certificate

Location: Broadway

International students admissibility: Accepts International Students - PGWP Eligible

Apply Now
A young woman is smiling while working on a computer in a classroom setting, with other students focused on their screens in the background.

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Overview

Start your computing science degree at VCC in a supportive learning environment with attentive instructors. Credits transfer to post-secondary institutions across British Columbia.
Tuition $6,737
Credential Certificate
Length 16 months
Hours Full-time
Delivery Class-based
Campus Broadway
Start Dates
Tuition $22,391
Credential Certificate
Length 16 months
Hours Full-time
Delivery Class-based
Campus Broadway
Start Dates
PGWP International graduates may be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit.

What to expect

What you will learn

  • Incorporate critical thinking into theoretical reasoning and decision making.
  • Work collaboratively in computing laboratory activities.
  • Utilize information literacy abilities to determine the nature and extent of information required.
  • Develop appropriate presentation styles to produce clear and accurate written, verbal, and visual communication for clients and other professionals.
  • Utilize accepted research processes and abilities in all professional enquiries, communications, and scholarship.
  • Apply scientific and quantitative methodology as well as analytical skills.
  • Apply problem-solving in math and computer programming.

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

The time limit on completion is sixteen months for assured admission to SFU.  The time limit on completion is three years for competitive admission to SFU. The maximum allowable time for students to complete the program is three years.

Admission Requirement

Program-specific

  • Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent
  • Knowledge of English demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Knowledge of mathematics demonstrated by one of the following:
    • Precalculus 12 with a minimum ‘B’ grade, or equivalent  or
    • Math 0983 and MATH 0993 both with a minimum ‘B’ grade, or equivalent or
    • Math 1020 with a minimum ‘C’ grade, or equivalent or
    • VCC Math Precalculus Assessment Test (MPT) with a minimum 72% grade
  • Knowledge of science demonstrated by one of the following: 
    • Physics 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or  PHYS 0983 and PHYS 0993 both with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent or
    • Chemistry 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or  CHEM 0983 and CHEM 0993 both with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent or
    • Biology 12  with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or  BIOL 0983 and BIOL 0993 both with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

Recommended Characteristics

  • Motivated and disciplined.
  • Possess analytical and critical thinking skills.
  • Some word processing experience.

Program Availability

Fall 2026

Program Start Date Sep 2026
Status Open
Application opens March 15, 2026
Application Deadline August 1, 2026

Not currently available.

Courses

See the full schedule for courses (pdf).

International students

Submit the UT first term course registration form when applying to VCC.
  • UT - Arts
  • UT - Sciences
  • UT - Engineering
  • UT - Computing

Course Credits (Option A – SFU Transfer)

Successful completion of a minimum of 30 credits of university transfer articulated first year courses as per the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer Guide (BCCAT) is required for completion of the certificate. Credit distribution in the following courses is required:
Plan of Study Grid
Term One Credits
MATH 1100 Calculus 1 3
MATH 1120 Discrete Mathematics 1 3
SCIE 1110 Professional Communication 3
CMPT 1010 Introduction to Computer Programming 1 3
SCIE 1100 Engineering, Technology and Society 3
Credits 15
Term Two
MATH 1200 Calculus 2 3
CMPT 1020 Introduction to Computer Programming 2 3
MATH 1221 Applied Linear Algebra 3
Select one of the following electives: 3
SOCI 1100
or SOCI 1200 or PSYC 1100 or ECON 1100 or ECON 1200
 Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology
or Sociology 2: Canadian Society or Psychology 1 or Microeconomics or Macroeconomics
Credits 12
Term Three
MATH 2700 Probability and Statistics for Science and Engineering 3
Credits 3
Total Credits 30

Course Credits (Option B – UBC BSc. in Computer Science transfer)

Successful completion of a minimum of 25 credits of university transfer articulated first year courses as per the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer Guide (BCCAT) is required for completion of the certificate. Credit distribution in the following courses is required:
Plan of Study Grid
Term One Credits
MATH 1100 Calculus 1 3
MATH 1120 Discrete Mathematics 1 3
Science Elective
PHYS 1100
or CHEM 1121 or BIOL 1100
 Physics 1
or Chemistry 1 or Biology 1
 4
CMPT 1010 Introduction to Computer Programming 1 3
Credits 13
Term Two
MATH 1200 Calculus 2 3
CMPT 1020 Introduction to Computer Programming 2 3
MATH 1221 Applied Linear Algebra 3
Elective 3 or 4
PHYS 1200
or CHEM 1223 or BIOL 1200 or ENGL 1100 or SOCI 1100 or SOCI 1200 or PSYC 1100 or PSYC 1200 or ECON 1100 or ECON 1200
 Physics 2
or Chemistry 2 or Biology 2 or Academic Writing or Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology or Sociology 2: Canadian Society or Psychology 1 or Psychology 2 or Microeconomics or Macroeconomics
Credits 12-13
Total Credits 25-26

Course Credits (Option C – UBC BA in Computer Science transfer)

Successful completion of a minimum of 27 credits of university transfer articulated first year courses as per the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer Guide (BCCAT) is required for completion of the certificate. Credit distribution in the following courses is required:
Plan of Study Grid
Term One Credits
MATH 1100 Calculus 1 3
MATH 1120 Discrete Mathematics 1 3
CMPT 1010 Introduction to Computer Programming 1 3
Elective
ENGL 1100
or SOCI 1100 or SOCI 1200 or PSYC 1100 or PSYC 1200 or ECON 1100 or ECON 1200
 Academic Writing
or Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology or Sociology 2: Canadian Society or Psychology 1 or Psychology 2 or Microeconomics or Macroeconomics
 3
Credits 12
Term Two
MATH 1200 Calculus 2 3
CMPT 1020 Introduction to Computer Programming 2 3
MATH 1221 Applied Linear Algebra 3
Select two of the following electives: 6
ENGL 1100
or SOCI 1100 or SOCI 1200 or PSYC 1100 or PSYC 1200 or ECON 1100 or ECON 1200
 Academic Writing
or Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology or Sociology 2: Canadian Society or Psychology 1 or Psychology 2 or Microeconomics or Macroeconomics
Credits 15
Total Credits 27

Option A: SFU Software Systems Transfer

Assured SFU Software Systems Degree 2nd Year Admission Pathway

Assured admission under this pathway requires completion of this Certificate.  The number of students receiving assured admission from VCC to SFU is capped at 10 per year.  Students must have an overall average GPA of 3.2 on the courses required for the pathway which are listed below (calculated based on the best attempt for each course) and an overall average of 3.2 (again, calculated based on the best attempt for each course) on all work combined in order to be considered for the ‘assured admission’ pathway.  Students who have been previously required to withdraw from another institution would be considered ineligible for the assured admission pathway as would students who were formerly in a Computing, Engineering or Mechatronics program at SFU.  Students must achieve an overall 3.0 CGPA from all post-secondary transfers from the last three years. The assured admission pathway does not apply to international students. While the certificate is fully transferrable to SFU’s Computing Science and Software Systems Degree, international students’ GPA requirements may vary at the time of transfer. The following courses must be completed as part of this pathway:
CMPT 1010 Introduction to Computer Programming 1 3
CMPT 1020 Introduction to Computer Programming 2 3
MATH 1100 Calculus 1 3
MATH 1120 Discrete Mathematics 1 3
MATH 1200 Calculus 2 3
MATH 1221 Applied Linear Algebra 3
MATH 2700 Probability and Statistics for Science and Engineering 3
SCIE 1100 Engineering, Technology and Society 3
SCIE 1110 Professional Communication 3
Select one of the following electives: 3
SOCI 1100
 Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology
SOCI 1200
 Sociology 2: Canadian Society
ECON 1100
 Microeconomics
ECON 1200
 Macroeconomics
PSYC 1100
 Psychology 1
Total Credits 30
Of these courses, the following core courses must be taken at VCC:
SCIE 1110 Professional Communication 3
SCIE 1100 Engineering, Technology and Society 3
CMPT 1010 Introduction to Computer Programming 1 3
CMPT 1020 Introduction to Computer Programming 2 3
Other (non-core) courses in the certificate that are taken at post-secondary institutions other than VCC may be used towards completion of the VCC/SFU Computing pathway, providing that they transfer independently to SFU and receive the same credit at SFU as does the VCC pathway course. All credits must be obtained within sixteen months. In addition, for at least two of the terms at VCC, students would need to meet a minimum course load of 12 credits.

Competitive Software Systems Degree 2nd Year Admission Pathway

For competitive admission into 2nd year of the SFU Software Systems Degree, students must complete a minimum 24 units of transferable course work, including: one mathematics course chosen from MATH 1120 Discrete Mathematics 1, MATH 1100 Calculus 1, MATH 1200 Calculus 2, MATH 2700 Probability and Statistics for Science and Engineering and MATH 1221 Applied Linear Algebra; CMPT 1020 Introduction to Computer Programming 2 (for which CMPT 1010 Introduction to Computer Programming 1 is a prerequisite); and one additional mathematics course chosen from the above list. Full details can be found on SFU’s College/University site www.sfu.ca/students/admission-requirements/canadian-transfer/college-university.html.html under the program specific requirements for Software Systems students. Applicants must meet the general SFU English language and quantitative admission requirements.

Option B: UBC BSc in Computer Science Transfer

No assured admission agreement is in place with UBC. To attempt admission into the 2nd year of the BSc in Computer Science at UBC it is recommended that students complete the following courses:
CMPT 1010 Introduction to Computer Programming 1 3
CMPT 1020 Introduction to Computer Programming 2 3
MATH 1100 Calculus 1 3
MATH 1120 Discrete Mathematics 1 3
MATH 1200 Calculus 2 3
MATH 1221 Applied Linear Algebra 3
In addition, it is recommended that students take:
One science elective chosen from: 4
PHYS 1100
 Physics 1
BIOL 1100
 Biology 1
CHEM 1121
 Chemistry 1
One additional elective chosen from: 3-4
PHYS 1100
 Physics 1
PHYS 1200
 Physics 2
BIOL 1100
 Biology 1
BIOL 1200
 Biology 2
CHEM 1121
 Chemistry 1
CHEM 1223
 Chemistry 2
ENGL 1100
 Academic Writing
SOCI 1100
 Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology
SOCI 1200
 Sociology 2: Canadian Society
ECON 1100
 Microeconomics
ECON 1200
 Macroeconomics
PSYC 1100
 Psychology 1
PSYC 1200
 Psychology 2

Option C: UBC BA in Computer Science Transfer

No assured admission agreement is in place with UBC. To attempt admission into the 2nd year of the BA in Computer Science at UBC it is recommended that students complete the following courses:
CMPT 1010 Introduction to Computer Programming 1 3
CMPT 1020 Introduction to Computer Programming 2 3
MATH 1100 Calculus 1 3
MATH 1120 Discrete Mathematics 1 3
MATH 1200 Calculus 2 3
MATH 1221 Applied Linear Algebra 3
In addition, it is recommended that students take:
Three elective courses chosen from: 9
ENGL 1100
 Academic Writing
SOCI 1100
 Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology
SOCI 1200
 Sociology 2: Canadian Society
ECON 1100
 Microeconomics
ECON 1200
 Macroeconomics
PSYC 1100
 Psychology 1
PSYC 1200
 Psychology 2
The required GPA for transfer to other post-secondary institutions may vary based on transfer agreements with other institutions.

This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and Costs

Application fee $36
Tuition $6,737
Student union $145
College initiative $91
Campus resource $167
Medical & Dental $285 Provided by Student Union
U-Pass $376 Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more.
Graduation $45
Other fees $1,142
Total $7,879

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.

Need help with tuition?

Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.

Technical requirement

General technology requirements for online learning

Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
Tuition deposit $12,650 $10,000 non-refundable
Application fee $145
Tuition $22,391
Student union $145
College initiative $95
Campus resource $167
Medical & Dental $285 Provided by Student Union
Temporary medical insurance $149
U-Pass $376 Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more.
Graduation $45
Other fees $1,463
Total $23,853

Books & Supplies

Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.

Need help with tuition?

Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.

Technical requirement

General technology requirements for online learning

How to Apply

Are you interested in this program? This program has several options:
  • Option A: SFU Software Systems Transfer
    • Software Systems Pathway (Assured - 16 months to complete VCC courses)
    • Software Systems Pathway (Competitive admission - maximum 3 years to complete VCC courses)
  • Option B: UBC BSc in Computer Science Transfer (Competitive admission)
  • Option C: UBC BA in Computer Science Transfer (Competitive admission)
Read the University Transfer Computer Science and Software Systems Certificate Course Selection Guide for more information. To apply to any of these options, please submit your application to the University Transfer Computing Science and Software Systems Certificate. (Note: You must apply separately to the transfer institution of your choice upon completion of the VCC program.) Don't forget to:

Ready to apply?

Online

You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.

Mail

Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

Contact us

Advising services

Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: studentservice@vcc.ca

Advising services for International students

study@vcc.ca

Do you have any questions?

Application process for domestic students
Application process for international students
Frequently asked questions

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and we acknowledge our privilege to be here.