How to Apply to Engineering at the University of Florida: Over a Dozen BS Majors in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, Exploring Engineering Studies With a Major Chosen by Semester 3, and Eight Critical-Tracking Courses With C or Better and a 2.5 Tracking GPA, for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfers

At the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, undergraduate engineering is offered by the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. All degrees are Bachelors of Science, and the catalog says the college offers four-year and combined bachelor’s/master’s programs in 15 engineering specializations. Here is what you need to know, based on UF’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Majors

• Degree list: Aerospace Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering, Industrialized Construction Engineering (which UF calls the nation’s first BS of its kind), Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering.
• Other bachelor’s degrees in the college: Computer Science and Digital Arts & Sciences, not covered here.
• Accreditation: the catalog says ABET general education requirements are met by UF’s general education requirements; for a specific major, see the department website or contact its undergraduate coordinator.

2. How first-year students enter an engineering major

• Exploring Engineering Studies: the catalog describes this as a temporary, non-degree category for students who want engineering but have not chosen a discipline, or who need both pre-tracking chemistry and math in their first semester. Students should choose a degree-granting engineering major by semester 3 and must be admitted to a major before registering for semester 4.
• Critical tracking: UF checks each semester that students complete the courses required for their major. The eight tracking courses listed for Exploring Engineering are Chemistry 1 and 2 (CHM 2045 or 2095, CHM 2046 or 2096), Calculus 1 to 3 (MAC 2311, 2312, 2313), Differential Equations (MAP 2302) and Physics with Calculus 1 and 2 (PHY 2048, 2049). In semesters 2 to 4 students complete at least two more each semester with a C or better within two attempts (including withdrawals), and all eight by semester 5, with a 2.5 tracking GPA and a 2.0 UF GPA each semester. The catalog notes that some majors require a higher GPA or additional tracking courses.
• Space and the Santa Fe pathway: the college says some students who meet academic criteria but were not admitted to UF because of space limitations are invited to Gator Engineering at Santa Fe, starting coursework at Santa Fe College and transferring to UF to finish their engineering degree once they meet the requirements. The pathway is by invitation only.
• First year: all first-year engineering students are advised by the college’s Center for Student Excellence and take a required first-year engineering advising course, then move to their department for advising from the second year. Admitted students can apply to the STEPUP summer bridge program.
• Changing majors: students moving into an engineering major in terms 1–2 meet a Center for Student Excellence advisor, and in terms 3–5 an advisor in the department of the desired major. They must meet that major’s critical-tracking criteria; students who are not on track may still be allowed to change if an advisor confirms they can get on track in a reasonable time. Changes in term 6 or later are harder and require meeting the major’s tracking and UF GPA criteria.

3. High school preparation

• Minimum preparation listed in the engineering catalog: one year each of intermediate and advanced algebra, plane geometry, chemistry, physics and calculus, plus half a year of trigonometry.
• Students who need more foundation can take math and chemistry first before the regular engineering curriculum.
• All general education courses must be taken for a letter grade with a C or better, and general education and math and science foundation courses must be completed before junior- or senior-level courses.
• Computer: the college sets minimum laptop specifications for coursework; check its computer requirements page before you enroll.

4. First-year application and deadlines

• Platform: Common App, with a non-refundable USD 30 fee.
• 2026-27 cycle as labeled by UF:
  • Early Decision (binding): apply by 15 October, materials by 22 October, decisions on 11 December, confirm by 8 January;
  • Early Action (non-binding): apply by 1 November, materials by 8 November, decisions on 22 January;
  • Regular Decision: apply by 15 January, materials by 22 January, decisions on 19 March, with possible outcomes of admit, deny, waitlist or Pathways.
• Testing is required: under Florida Board of Governors regulation, all first-year students must submit an SAT, ACT or CLT score by the materials deadline; scores can be self-reported, with official scores due by 1 May.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Review: international applicants follow the same process and receive the same review; UF advises applying early because foreign credentials take time to process.
• Transcripts: upload at least four years of secondary transcripts (including courses in progress) in the original language with word-for-word certified English translations; official copies are required on enrollment.
• Credential evaluation: all non-US coursework needs a course-by-course evaluation with a GPA calculation from a NACES member, received by the materials deadline.
• Gaokao, A-levels, IB: UF does not say how Gaokao scores are used or publish A-level or IB score requirements.
• English: the freshman pages list no English test requirement; the international transfer page requires TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.0. Check with admissions whether first-year applicants need a test and what score.
• Math and science: take calculus, physics and chemistry in high school if you can (see section 3).

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• Treated as non-US coursework: Canadian transcripts also need a course-by-course evaluation with GPA, and the SAT, ACT or CLT is also required.
• BC courses: UF sets no separate requirements for BC or other provinces and does not say which BC courses meet the calculus, physics and chemistry preparation.
• English: the international transfer page lists Canada as an English-exempt country.

7. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 out-of-state budget (projected for new freshmen, USD): tuition and fees 34,620 (30 credits over fall and spring), total budget 54,010. The cost page lists no separate engineering rate, and costs for 2027 entry are not yet published.
• Aid: students on F1, J1 or similar visas cannot receive federal aid through UF’s financial aid office but may receive private or college scholarships. The engineering catalog says college scholarships are awarded each year based on need and scholastic performance; admitted students can search college scholarships in UF’s scholarship portal. Whether international students are eligible for engineering scholarships is not published.

8. Transfer students

• From Florida state colleges: the catalog requires an Associate of Arts with at least a 2.0 GPA and the tracking courses in calculus, differential equations, chemistry and physics with calculus, each with a C or better within two attempts, plus the GPA for the intended major; admission is selective and meeting the minimums does not guarantee it.
• From out-of-state or four-year institutions: students must meet both UF and college transfer requirements; those with 60 to 90 credits are considered on a space-available basis, and those with more than 90 credits from non-Florida state or public colleges are generally not considered.
• Credit: at least 60 credits of 3000/4000-level coursework must be completed at UF; engineering courses transfer only from ABET-accredited programs unless certified in advance by engineering faculty.
• Major: transfers are expected to graduate in the major to which they were admitted, and appeals to change majors may not be approved.
• Foreign language: without two sequential high school courses, students need 8–10 college credits or equivalent proficiency.
• Deadlines: UF currently lists 2026 dates, with fall transfer applications due 1 May and materials by 15 May; some majors close earlier or admit only in certain terms, so check with the college.
• Coursework abroad: a course-by-course evaluation with GPA, original transcripts and certified English translations; TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.0, with Canada on the exempt list.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply on Common App by 15 October (ED), 1 November (EA) or 15 January (RD), with materials within a week
• Submit the SAT, ACT or CLT; take calculus, physics and chemistry in high school
• Four years of transcripts with certified translations and a NACES course-by-course evaluation with GPA
• After enrolling, complete the eight math and science tracking courses on schedule with a C or better and a 2.5 tracking GPA

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Also need a course-by-course evaluation and the SAT, ACT or CLT; Canada is on the English-exempt list

Transfer students:

• Complete calculus, differential equations, chemistry and physics with calculus with a C or better; apply to one engineering major, as changing later is difficult

Sources: University of Florida, Engineering degree programs; Engineering prospective students; Gator Engineering at Santa Fe; Catalog: Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering; Catalog: Exploring Engineering Studies; Freshman dates and deadlines; International applicants; Transfer admission; International transfer applicants; 2026-27 cost of attendance. Deadlines are for the 2026-27 cycle as labeled by UF and costs are 2026-27 estimates. Check UF for the latest details.