Graduate Diploma (DESS) in Software Engineering at École de technologie supérieure

Programme overview

The Graduate Diploma (DESS) in Software Engineering (code 3765) is a 30-credit second-cycle continuing-education programme taught in French at ÉTS Montréal, offered full-time or part-time. It is aimed at engineers and professionals who want advanced software engineering knowledge and the skills to identify technology needs in a company and carry out technology transfer to industry.

Duration: Normal duration is 4 sessions full-time or 8 sessions part-time (maximum 5 sessions full-time or 10 part-time) | Intake: Fall (August 1), Winter (December 1) or Summer (April 1) | Study mode: full-time / Offered full-time and part-time | Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

What you will study

The 30 credits include two zero-credit mandatory workshops and five specialisation activities (15 credits) chosen from one of two specialisation axes. Credits transfer into the Master of Engineering in Software Engineering for students who reach the required average.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent with a strong computer science component or option (computer science, management computing, information systems, computer engineering or electrical engineering with computing option), with average of at least 3.0 out of 4.3 (or equivalent); or the necessary knowledge, appropriate training and relevant experience. Bridging courses or a preparatory programme may be required. Applicants must show sufficient knowledge of French under ÉTS's language policy; reading English is also needed because many textbooks and publications are in English.

Domestic applicants: CAD 4,100 for the whole programme (2026). Tuition only for 2026-2027 as stated in the ÉTS cost-of-studies tables; indicative level-wide figure ('costs and durations are approximate'), excludes institutional fees, insurance and other expenses. Rate for Quebec-resident students. Total. DESS: 30 cre Source

International applicants: CAD 32,000 for the whole programme (2026). Tuition only for 2026-2027 as stated in the ÉTS cost-of-studies tables; indicative level-wide figure ('costs and durations are approximate'), excludes institutional fees, insurance and other expenses. Rate for international students. Total for the 1-year Source

Academic year has three semesters: fall (September to December; 2026 classes start 31 August), winter (January to April; 2027 classes start 5 January) and summer (May to August; 2026 classes start 4 May). Some programmes do not admit students to the summer semester.

Canadian students: applications close 1 April for summer, 1 August for fall and 1 December for winter (summer excludes Bachelor programmes). International students: 1 December for summer, 1 March for fall and 1 July for winter.

Application fee is $57 for Canadian citizens and applicants through partnership agreements and $141 for international applicants, payable by Visa or Mastercard and non-refundable; a separate application is required for each programme.

Apply through the official page: https://www.etsmtl.ca/en/study-at-ets/applying-to-ets

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