Does Dalhousie University give transfer credit for IB Computer Science HL?
Halifax, NS
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
Computer Science 1100.03 + Computer Science 1101.03 = 6 credit hours
💡Expert's Take
A score of 5 or higher on IB Computer Science HL is listed by Dalhousie as equivalent to CSCI 1100.03 and CSCI 1101.03, for 6 credit hours total. Students entering Dalhousie's Faculty of Computer Science programs, however, should look closely at how useful that credit will actually be, because the current BCS and BACS first-year core is built around CSCI 1110, 1120, and 1170 instead.
The awarded courses, CSCI 1100 and CSCI 1101, do not appear among the listed first-year core requirements for either the Bachelor of Computer Science or the Bachelor of Applied Computer Science. How these 6 credit hours ultimately apply, whether as free electives, outside electives, or in some other category, depends on your specific degree audit and what an advisor determines at the time of credit assessment.
What to watch for:
- A potential exclusion for CS-bound students. The current Academic Calendar lists CSCI 1101.03 as an exclusion for CSCI 1110.03, the required introductory course in both the BCS and BACS programs. This means accepting IB credit for CSCI 1101 may prevent enrollment in CSCI 1110. Students targeting a Faculty of Computer Science degree should confirm with an advisor how this exclusion is handled before accepting the credit.
- Dal's own program caveat. The IB applicants page notes explicitly that "the degree requirements of their program may impact the transfer credits a student receives." This applies to CS programs directly, but is a reminder worth heeding across all faculties.
- Non-CS programs. For many programs outside the Faculty of Computer Science, these 6 credit hours may be useful as elective space, though how they apply will still depend on the specific rules of your degree. Verify with your faculty's academic advisor.
If you are entering a Faculty of Computer Science program, speak with a CS academic advisor before accepting this credit. Key questions to raise: Do CSCI 1100 and CSCI 1101 satisfy any named requirement in your degree, or do they land as free electives? Does holding CSCI 1101 via transfer create a conflict with your ability to enroll in the required CSCI 1110? And, depending on those answers, does Dalhousie permit you to decline or defer the IB credit? These are not questions with publicly stated answers on the IB page; they require direct advising confirmation.
Official award line (IB Computer Science HL):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted: Computer Science 1100.03 + Computer Science 1101.03 (6 credit hours)
Dalhousie IB Applicants page, University credit for IB courses table
Need help preparing for IB Computer Science HL?
Your Potential Savings
Credit Awarded
6
credit hour (1 class = 3)
International figures are equivalent per-credit values derived from guaranteed annual tuition totals.
NS Resident (after bursary)
~$258-$331/credit hour
~$1,549 - $1,984
Potential Tuition Value
(after Nova Scotia University Student Bursary)
Out-of-Province
~$301-$373/credit hour
~$1,806 - $2,240
Potential Tuition Value
(varies by faculty)
International
~$1,030-$1,620/credit hour
~$6,181 - $9,719
Potential Tuition Value
(varies by faculty)
*2026-27 tuition-only rates. International figures derive from guaranteed annual totals divided by 30 credit hours. Values assume the award replaces tuition you would otherwise pay. Actual cash savings can be $0 under flat-rate or full-time billing unless credit reduces a billed term or time to completion.
📊 Compare Computer Science HL at Other Universities
See how Computer Science HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Tuition Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia UniversityMontreal, Quebec | 4/7 | 9 transfer credits toward the 120-credit Extended … | View estimate | → | |
| Lakehead UniversityThunder Bay, ON | 5/7 | Computer Science 1_10, Unspecified First Year Half… | View estimate | → | |
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | COMP 202 (3-credit exemption) | View estimate | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | 3 units of unspecified Level 1 Computer Science | View estimate | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | Computer Science 1000 (3 credit hours) | View estimate | → | |
| Ontario Tech UniversityOshawa, ON | 5/7 | Transfer credit, grade "T" (unspecified/elective, … | View estimate | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | 5/7 | CISC 121 (3.0 units) | View estimate | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 5/7 | SFU CMPT 1XX (3); SFU CMPT 120 (3), Q/B-Sci | View estimate | → | |
| Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | CPS 109 and CPS 209 | View estimate | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | CMPUT 174 (3 units) + CMPUT 175 (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 6/7 | CPSC_V 1st-year level (3 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | CPSC 231 + 3 units junior Computer Science | View estimate | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | CIS 9110 (0.50 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ReginaRegina, SK | 5/7 | CS 110 + CS 115 | View estimate | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | CMPT Jr.6 = 6 credit units | View estimate | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | CSC1**Y (1.0 credit) | View estimate | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | CSC 110 (1.5 units) and CSC 115 (1.5 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | CS 1XX (0.5 units), elective credit | View estimate | → | |
| University of WindsorWindsor, ON | 5/7 | COMP-1xxx (1st Year Computer Science Course) | View estimate | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | Computer Science 1026A/B (0.5 cr) + Computer Scien… | View estimate | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | SC/EECS 1530 3.0 + SC/EECS 1*** 3.0 (6 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of New BrunswickFredericton & Saint John, NB | N/A | Not yet verified | — | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → |
Tip: Open a university to compare same-province, out-of-province, and international tuition values. Flat-rate or full-time billing can make the immediate cash saving $0.
Taking more than Computer Science HL?
Add all your IB subjects and predicted scores to estimate your total transfer credit across Canadian universities, side by side.
Other IB Subjects at Dalhousie University
Related subjects you might be interested in at Dalhousie University
Economics HL
Chemistry HL
Physics HL
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL
Save Your Transfer Plan
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