How to Apply to Engineering at the University of Alabama: Styslinger College Admits Students Who Meet UA Freshman Standards, Specific Majors or Undesignated Engineering, a Common First Year, Calculus I Within Two Years, Admission Routes and Prerequisites for U.S., International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

The University of Alabama (UA) in Tuscaloosa teaches undergraduate engineering in the Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering, which the catalog says has nearly 6,000 students. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UA’s website, for U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is also in the college; it has its own guide on this site and is not covered in detail here.

1. Programs and accreditation

• ABET engineering accreditation (college accreditation page): BS degrees in aerospace, architectural, chemical, civil, computer, construction, electrical, environmental, mechanical and metallurgical engineering. Computer science and cybersecurity are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission.
• Other programs: the catalog says a BS in Cyber Security and a BS in Manufacturing Systems Engineering (in mechanical engineering) were added in 2020-21 and 2022-23; manufacturing systems engineering is not on the accreditation page, so ask the department.
• Freshman Engineering Program: all engineering majors take a common first-year program that introduces engineering, builds skills for second-year courses and shows how math and science apply.
• Laptops: since fall 2020 all engineering students must have a laptop.
• Co-op: the college runs a Cooperative Education Program, and advisors help plan co-ops, study abroad and internships.

2. Getting into the college

• First-year students: the catalog says students who meet UA’s freshman admission criteria are eligible for the College of Engineering. They may enter a specific degree program or as undesignated engineering students. Math and English placement uses test scores or prior college credit, and a math placement exam can qualify you for a higher course.
• Math Progress Rule: students who do not complete Calculus I (MATH 125) with a C- or better within two years (six semesters including summers) cannot continue in the college and must change to a major outside it. To graduate in four years, students should generally take Calculus I or higher in their first semester.
• Grades: every prerequisite to a required course needs a C- or better, and students may attempt any course offered by engineering departments at most twice; after a second unsuccessful attempt they should consult their department.
• Transferring in from another UA college: a 2.0 UA GPA and overall GPA.

3. High school preparation

• UA’s recommendation: the international freshman page suggests 3 years of math (Algebra I and II plus geometry, trigonometry or calculus) and 3 years of science, two with labs. The college does not list separate high school prerequisites.
• Math readiness: because of the Math Progress Rule, starting in Calculus I matters for graduating on time; the catalog suggests taking any preparatory math in the summer before enrolling.

4. U.S. applicants

• Applying: the UA Undergraduate App or Common App. For 2027 entry, applicants with a cumulative high school GPA below 3.0 must submit the ACT or SAT. Alabama residents pay no application fee for 2027 entry; out-of-state and international students pay $50.
• Deadlines: summer and fall 2027 priority deadline 4 December 2026; spring 2027 on 2 November 2026.
• 2026-2027 costs (full-time undergraduate, on campus): tuition and fees $12,718 in-state and $36,724 out-of-state; direct costs with housing and food $28,196 and $52,202; with indirect costs, $35,392 and $60,400. The cost page does not list any separate engineering charge.
• In-state automatic scholarships (2027): by single-sitting ACT/SAT and GPA, $4,000 to $9,000 a year; an ACT of 30–36 or SAT of 1360–1600 with a 3.50+ GPA earns the Presidential Scholarship (value of tuition), and a 4.0+ GPA with an ACT of 36 or SAT of 1600 the Presidential Elite. Competitive scholarships are also available.
• Out-of-state freshmen: automatic awards on the out-of-state and international page require a 3.50+ GPA and range from $6,000 to $28,000 a year by ACT/SAT.
• Engineering scholarship: the page still shows 2026-2027 terms: freshmen admitted by the priority deadline (10 January 2026) with a qualifying ACT/SAT by the end of December, a 3.5+ cumulative GPA and an ACT of 30–36 or SAT of 1360–1600 automatically receive the Engineering Leadership Scholarship of $2,500 a year for four years, regardless of residency, stacked on admissions scholarships; they must declare an engineering major by 1 May. Check the page for 2027 terms.

5. International applicants

• Applying: all international students use the UA Undergraduate App. Priority deadlines are 4 December for fall and 2 November for spring.
• Grades: applicants educated outside the U.S. with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) are considered; transcripts need a course-by-course evaluation with GPA from a NACES member.
• Testing: for 2027 entry, SAT or ACT is required only if the cumulative GPA is below 3.0; automatic scholarships require scores.
• English: TOEFL iBT 79 before 21 January 2026 or 4.5 after, IELTS 6.0, PTE 54, Duolingo 110 and others; citizens or residents of countries such as Canada (except Quebec) are exempt. Applicants who meet academic and financial requirements but not English can seek conditional admission through the English Language Institute.
• Costs (2026-27, for the I-20): tuition $35,924, plus the international fee, course or college fees, housing, food and insurance, about $59,102 for the year including summer.
• Scholarships: out-of-state and international automatic awards (3.50+ GPA, $6,000–$28,000 a year by ACT/SAT) require test scores. The engineering scholarship page says students from outside the U.S. who meet all international admission requirements are eligible for its scholarship program.

6. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: UA does not say how the Gaokao is used; ask International Admissions.
• Transcripts: Chinese high school transcripts need a NACES course-by-course evaluation; a 3.0 cumulative GPA can be considered.
• Testing and scholarships: with a 3.0 GPA you can apply without test scores, but automatic and engineering scholarships both require the ACT or SAT.
• Math: Calculus I must be passed with a C- or better within two years to stay in the college.

7. Transfer students

• Into engineering: a 2.0 GPA in all college work; a D in a course that is a prerequisite to a required course will not be applied; the college decides how credit applies.
• Credit sources: courses from ABET-accredited institutions are accepted within graduation requirements; credit from non-ABET institutions may be granted provisionally. Two-year college credit follows university policy and must be of equivalent quality.
• International transfers: priority deadlines 1 March for fall and 1 October for spring; 24+ credits to apply as a transfer, otherwise freshman requirements also apply; foreign university records need NACES course-by-course evaluation.

Checklist

U.S. applicants

• Apply by 4 December 2026, choosing a specific engineering major or undesignated engineering
• Send single-sitting ACT/SAT scores for automatic scholarships; declare engineering by 1 May for the engineering award
• Aim to start Calculus I in your first semester

International applicants (including China)

• Apply through the UA Undergraduate App by 4 December for fall; get a NACES course-by-course evaluation
• IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 79 (4.5 new scale); send ACT/SAT for scholarships
• Ask International Admissions about the Gaokao

Transfer students

• A 2.0 GPA in college work; D grades in prerequisite courses are not applied

Sources: The University of Alabama, Engineering accreditation; Engineering scholarships; Catalog: College of Engineering; Freshman admissions; 2026-2027 cost of attendance; In-state freshman scholarships; Out-of-state and international freshman scholarships; International freshman applicants; English proficiency; International transfer; International expenses. The engineering scholarship page still shows 2026-2027 terms. Check UA’s website for the latest.