Shopify Dev Degree Program

What you will need

• ✓ An application to Dev Degree on the Dev Degree website while applications are open (no references needed)
• ✓ An application to Carleton University or York University (a Dev Degree offer depends on your acceptance there)
• ✓ Answers to the computational thinking questions
• ✓ Personal statements on why you want Dev Degree and a computer science degree
• ✓ If selected: the Craft Assessment interviews and a final Life Story interview

About this award

You receive over $160,000 (CDN) in total financial support. This includes your university tuition, paid in full by Shopify, plus a competitive intern salary and vacation. Shopify does not cover residence or other accommodation costs. This is for you if you want to fast-track your learning by tying computer science theory to real-life product development through a non-traditional, work-integrated path. Applications for the 2026 intake have closed. The Dev Degree admissions page says applications typically open in late fall, so check it then. You can apply to Dev Degree before you apply to Carleton or York. After you apply, you answer computational thinking questions and write personal statements. Selected candidates then have two back-to-back "Craft Assessment" interviews (an informal chat with a current Dev Degree intern, and an admissions and technical interview with a Dev Degree team member and a Shopify developer), and some are invited to a final "Life Story" interview with a Shopify recruiter. Prior programming experience is not required. Dev Degree receives hundreds of applications each year and usually accepts 10 to 15 students from each university. Shopify pays your university tuition, and you earn your salary as a Shopify intern while you study. The support runs for the length of the program (3 to 4 years) while you stay in it. If you leave Dev Degree, your employment contract with Shopify ends and Shopify stops paying your tuition and salary; the credits you earned still count toward your degree.

Who qualifies

You must be based in Canada and legally eligible to work in Canada for the length of the program (about four years). Grade 12 students, mature students and career switchers, and first-year undergraduate computer science students can apply. If you already have a bachelor's degree in computer science, you are not eligible. Offers depend on your acceptance into one of the partner programs: Carleton University's Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) or York University's Bachelor of Applied Science, Digital Technologies. If you choose the Carleton University path, you must live in Ottawa and commute to classes. If you choose the York University path, you must commute to the Markham campus during learning block periods.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen, permanent resident or international student
• ✓ Open to undergraduate students
• ✓ Studying computer science or Digital Technologies

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

4. 4

   Check this year's deadline

   We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.

Tips for applying

• Technical SkillsAvoid focusing only on theoretical knowledge in your application. Instead, show your passion for building realistic, impactful products. Mention any personal coding projects you have started.
• MentorshipAvoid treating the work placements as just a job. Instead, emphasize your desire to grow through the dedicated mentor you will have on each placement. Explain why having a dedicated mentor is important for your growth.
• StrategyAvoid ignoring the geographic requirements. Instead, confirm that you can live in Ottawa (Carleton) or commute to York's Markham campus (York). Map out your travel options before you apply.
• RealismAvoid assuming this is a standard co-op. Instead, recognize that you will work at Shopify in parallel with your university studies, spending about 25 hours each week at the company. Make sure you can handle that work alongside three university courses per term.

Questions students ask

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