by Last verified: 18 October 2026. We checked these University of Calgary quantum computing details against official ucalgary.ca and Universities Canada pages. Fees are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
The fully funded quantum certificate for AIMS graduates in Rwanda and South Africa ran its Fall 2026 intake, and Calgary hasn’t announced a 2027 round. But the university has other quantum routes that international students can apply to directly. This guide covers all three.
University of Calgary quantum computing routes compared
| Route | Who can apply | Funding | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCDI 2030 quantum certificate (four months) | Scholars nominated by AIMS Rwanda or AIMS South Africa | Fully funded | No 2027 intake announced |
| Master of Quantum Computing (MQuaC, 12 months) | International students apply directly | Self-funded; not in the Graduate Award Competition | 1 March (Fall start) |
| Thesis MSc or PhD in Physics and Astronomy (quantum research) | All applicants | Minimum funding guaranteed | 15 January (Fall start) |
The AIMS quantum computing scholarship
Global Affairs Canada funds this programme through Universities Canada’s BCDI 2030 scheme. It covered tuition, return flights, accommodation, living costs, visa fees, health insurance and a winter clothing allowance. Only AIMS can nominate scholars, so individuals can’t apply on their own. Applicants needed a four-year science or engineering degree, a GPA of 3.0 out of 4, and at least a B in linear algebra and programming.
Quantum computing master’s and research degrees
- MQuaC fees for 2026–27 are $5,046.54 (five thousand and forty-six Canadian dollars and fifty-four cents) per standard 3-unit course for international students.
- Thesis-based students pay $2,858.55 (two thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight Canadian dollars and fifty-five cents) per term.
- Thesis MSc students get at least $25,455 (twenty-five thousand four hundred and fifty-five Canadian dollars) a year for two years; PhD students get at least $33,205 (thirty-three thousand two hundred and five Canadian dollars) a year for four years.
- Thesis students can also enter the Graduate Award Competition, with awards from $700 to $36,000. It opens on 1 November.
Worked example
Thandi is an AIMS graduate in South Africa. Since no 2027 AIMS round exists yet, she compares the other two routes. MQuaC is quick, but four courses alone would cost her $20,186.16 (twenty thousand one hundred and eighty-six Canadian dollars and sixteen cents), by our own calculation. Instead, she applies for a thesis MSc in quantum information by 15 January 2027. That way she gets guaranteed funding of at least $25,455 a year and can enter the award competition.
Checklist before you apply
- Check your GPA: 3.0 for MQuaC, 3.3 for the physics MSc and PhD.
- Book the GRE Physics subject test if you’re applying to physics.
- Contact a supervisor in quantum information before you apply.
- Finally, compare funded options in our guide to fully funded scholarships in Canada.
University of Calgary quantum computing: what’s not open to international students
- The ‘Be the First’ scholarship (up to $12,000) for the course-based Master of Quantum Computing is only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
- The IQuCode microcredential is open to international graduate students and pays stipend top-ups, but Calgary doesn’t publish the amounts.
- Quantum Horizons Alberta trains graduate students through research groups, not through a scholarship you apply for.
So for international students, the realistic route is a thesis-based MSc or PhD with guaranteed minimum funding.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AIMS quantum certificate open for 2027?
Not yet. Email sciinternational@ucalgary.ca for updates.
Can international students take the quantum graduate certificate?
No. Calgary tells international applicants to apply directly to the master’s.
Can international students get the Be the First scholarship?
No. It’s only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Official sources
- Official page – BCDI 2030 quantum computing project
- Official page – Master of Quantum Computing
- Official page – thesis-based funding
- Official page – Graduate Award Competition
- Official page – Universities Canada BCDI 2030
- Official page – University of Calgary IQuCode program
Programme terms change. Always confirm with the University of Calgary before you apply.
