Graduate Diploma Programme
Applied Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (Optional Co-op)
A two-term graduate certificate for people who already program and want to work as applied AI practitioners. The first term covers machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, data visualization and the mathematics behind AI, using Agile and Scrum practices. The second term moves to reinforcement learning, AI for business decisions and fitting AI into existing systems, with end-to-end projects from use case to deployed model. An optional co-op term is available.
University
Conestoga College
Country
Canada
Level
Graduate Diploma
Field
Artificial Intelligence
Duration
1 year (2 academic terms + 1 co-op term, if applicable)
Language
English
Campus
Waterloo
Degree
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Intake
September, January, May
Application Deadline
International applicants: Conestoga accepts applications until a program reaches capacity and does not keep waitlists, so apply early; incomplete applications close when the program closes. Canadian applicants (September 2027): February 1, 2027 is the equal-consideration date; most programs keep accepting applications after that while space remains, but most oversubscribed programs do not
Tuition Information
Conestoga lists 2026-27 fees of CAD 7,443 tuition (about CAD 9,157 with compulsory fees) for Canadian students, and CAD 16,809 tuition (about CAD 19,908 with compulsory fees, including health insurance) for international students. These are the 2026-27 (September 2026 to August 2027) rates; Conestoga says fees for programs starting September 2027 or later will be published in spring 2027. A non-refundable CAD 2,500 deposit is required from international students to hold a seat.
Admission Requirements
- Apply: international applicants use the ontariocolleges.ca (OCAS) international applicant portal and pay a CAD 100 application fee; Canadian applicants apply through ontariocolleges.ca. After an offer, international students pay the non-refundable CAD 2,500 deposit and Conestoga requests the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) needed for the study permit
- Academic: a diploma or degree of at least two years in computer science and/or software engineering, or two to five years of full-time work experience in software development
- Applicants are ranked on grades, length and level of their credential and its discipline, and must submit a resume
- International applicants must meet the same program requirements with equivalent qualifications, and upload both their graduation document and transcript (Conestoga lists accepted documents by country)
- English proficiency (if your previous studies were not in English): IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 88 with no skill below 22 (or 5.0 on the new 1-6 scale), PTE Academic 58, Duolingo 120, CAEL 70 (no sub-test below 60) or Cambridge 180 (no skill below 170). Conestoga applies this higher tier to graduate certificates and degrees
- International intakes listed on the program page as of October 5, 2026: September 2027 at Waterloo: upcoming; January 2028 at Waterloo: upcoming; May 2028 at Waterloo: upcoming. "Upcoming" is Conestoga's status for an intake that is not yet open for applications. Listed for Canadian applicants only (no international offering): January 2027 at Waterloo (suspended); May 2027 at Waterloo (suspended)
- Conestoga lists this program (code 1557) on its PGWP-aligned programs page under CIP code 11.0102. Conestoga notes that it does not determine PGWP eligibility; IRCC makes the final decision and applicants should check IRCC's current list
- Co-op is optional: everyone is admitted to the non co-op program, and seats in the co-op stream depend on the labour market and Level 1 grades (Conestoga asks for at least an 80% weighted average with no dropped or failed courses). International students need a work permit to take co-op jobs