How to Apply to Engineering at Florida International University: Seven Engineering B.S. Degrees in the College of Engineering & Computing, Calculus I Placement to Enter a Major Directly or STEP First, Admission Routes and Prerequisites for U.S., International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Florida International University (FIU), in Miami, teaches undergraduate engineering in the College of Engineering & Computing (CEC). The College says you must apply to FIU first; beyond FIU’s regular standards, it has program-specific math placement requirements. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on FIU’s website, for U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students.

1. Engineering majors

• Seven engineering B.S. degrees: biomedical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, interdisciplinary and mechanical engineering. The accreditation page lists all seven as accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (the electrical engineering entry’s description names “Computer Engineering”, which does not match its heading; you can check on ABET’s site).
• Other bachelor’s degrees in the College: construction management (ACCE-accredited) and computing degrees such as computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, data science and AI, and applied AI and IoT. Computer science has its own guide on this site.
• Accelerated degrees: several engineering majors have bachelor’s-to-master’s pathways; see the College’s accelerated degrees page.

2. Admission: math placement decides direct entry

• Calculus I: incoming students who want biomedical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental or mechanical engineering (or the B.S. in computer science) must place into MAC 2311 Calculus I or higher.
• If you do not place into Calculus I: you start in the Supported Transition to Excellence Pathway (STEP) and declare one of these majors after completing Calculus I. Electrical and computer engineering need a C or higher in Calculus I.
• Construction management: everyone starts in STEP.
• Placement for first-year students: FIU’s Math Placement Model uses your high school GPA, SAT Math or ACT Math score and highest completed math course; you need a Math Placement Score of 45 or higher for Calculus I.
• Catch-up math: you must complete the math prerequisites, each with a C or higher, before full admission to an engineering major. Pathway 1: College Algebra MAC 1105 and Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry MAC 1147. Pathway 2: College Algebra MAC 1105, Precalculus Algebra MAC 1140 and Trigonometry MAC 1114. An advisor then helps you declare.
• Interdisciplinary engineering: the placement page does not list it among the majors that need Calculus I, and gives no conditions for it; ask a College admissions counselor.

3. Preparation and credit

• High school: the College lists no separate physics or chemistry requirements; FIU’s general standards apply, and your math level drives placement.
• Exam credit for Calculus I (FIU reviews official scores for placement): AP Calculus AB or BC 3 or higher; Cambridge AICE A-level Mathematics or Further Mathematics; IB Mathematics 5 or higher; CAPE Pure Mathematics Unit 1 or 2 at I–V.
• Dual enrollment: the two math pathways above, taken through dual enrollment, also meet the Calculus I placement requirement.

4. Applying and deadlines

• Application: the Common App, with a $30 fee (SAT or ACT fee waivers accepted).
• Testing: all first-year applicants submit the SAT, ACT or CLT, taken by the fall of senior year at the latest; scores received after the deadline are not used for admission or scholarships.
• Fall 2027 deadlines (the same for Early Fall, the summer start):
  • Early Action: complete application by 2 November 2026, decisions 10 December 2026;
  • First-year: complete application by 16 December 2026, decisions 21 January 2027;
  • Final deadline: 2 March 2027, last decisions by 2 April 2027;
  • deposit by 1 May 2027.
• AP and IB scores: sent directly by the testing agency; AP scores must be 3 or higher, and scores received after the deadline are not considered.
• Engineering supplements: the College lists no extra essays or materials.

5. U.S. applicants

• Tuition and fees (Admissions “Cost & Aid” page, per credit; the page gives no year): $205.57 for Florida residents and $660.19 for out-of-state students; athletic, health, parking, online and other fees may be added.
• Residency: all applicants submit proof of residency, which decides in-state or out-of-state tuition.
• Aid: the FAFSA opens on 1 October, with 1 December as the early award priority date. The Golden Promise covers 100% of tuition and fees for first-time-in-college Florida students with a $0 expected family contribution; filing the FAFSA is enough. Florida residents may also qualify for the Florida Resident Access Grant.
• Scholarships: first-year merit scholarships are reviewed automatically once your application is complete, with limited funds; non-Florida residents can receive the Gold and Blue Scholarship ($4,000 to $24,000 over four years) and out-of-state tuition waivers, with a complete application by 16 December 2026.

6. International applicants

• Admission: the international freshman page says admission is based on GPA plus SAT, ACT or CLT scores; you still need Calculus I placement for direct entry to an engineering major.
• English, two statements: the international freshman page says international freshmen do not need TOEFL or IELTS and instead meet the Florida Board of Governors requirement through SAT or ACT reading and English sub-scores; the first-year application page says international students must submit an English proficiency score, and the international FAQ says TOEFL or IELTS “if required”. Both are listed; confirm with International Admissions.
• Costs: the international cost page lists out-of-state tuition of $618.87 per credit and, with athletic, health, parking and ID fees, $18,964.75 for fall and spring (no housing or living costs; no year given). The Admissions cost page gives $660.19 per credit out of state (tuition and fees); the two figures differ, so both are listed here, and your bill is the final word.
• Scholarships: F-1 students are also considered for first-year merit scholarships, reviewed automatically once the application (with SAT, ACT or CLT) is complete.
• Pathway: students who need more academic or language support can apply to FIU’s Global First Year.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: whether it can replace the SAT, ACT or CLT is not published; under current rules one of the three is required.
• Transcripts: sent electronically by your school, with official translations for non-English documents. Huikao results are not mentioned; ask International Admissions.
• Math placement: the placement model uses high school GPA, SAT or ACT math and your highest math course. How Chinese high school math courses map in the model is not published; AP Calculus at 3 or higher earns Calculus I credit.

8. Transfer students

• Direct entry to a major: transfer credit that meets the math placement requirements, transfer credit for Calculus I or higher, or approved AP, Cambridge AICE, IB or CAPE credit. Send sealed official transcripts directly to FIU Admissions; course descriptions may be needed.
• Without Calculus I placement: you also start in STEP, and can declare only after Calculus I with at least a 2.0 FIU GPA.
• FIU transfer rules: with 12–29 transferable credits, submit the SAT, ACT or CLT and high school transcripts; with 30 or more credits and a C or better in ENC 1101 and a college math course, these are waived. Up to 90 credits transfer. Coursework from universities abroad needs a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member.
• Deadlines: domestic transfer for fall 2027 closes on 8 July; the international transfer page still shows 2026 dates, and 2027 dates are not yet published.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• Complete your application by 2 November 2026 (Early Action) or 16 December 2026, also the scholarship deadline
• Submit the SAT, ACT or CLT; a Math Placement Score of 45 or higher is needed for direct entry to engineering
• File the FAFSA and proof of residency

International applicants (including China):

• The SAT, ACT or CLT is required; confirm English requirements with International Admissions
• AP Calculus at 3 or higher earns Calculus I credit

Transfer students:

• Complete Calculus I or a math prerequisite pathway (C or higher in each) before transferring; keep at least a 2.0 FIU GPA
• Get a NACES course-by-course evaluation for coursework abroad

Sources: Florida International University, College of Engineering & Computing admissions; Undergraduate calculus requirements; Accreditation; Degrees and programs; First-year application and deadlines; Cost and aid; Scholarships; Transfer applicants; International freshmen; International cost and aid; International transfer; International FAQ. Information is for fall 2027 entry; check FIU’s website for updates.