How to apply to Villanova University for engineering: apply directly to one of six engineering majors, with chemical, civil, computer or electrical as a possible second choice, and physics plus pre-calculus required, with admission routes and prerequisites for domestic, international (including China) and transfer applicants

At Villanova University, undergraduate engineering is taught by the College of Engineering. This guide covers fall 2027 entry for U.S. domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfers, based on Villanova’s website.

1. Undergraduate programs

• Six engineering majors: Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
• Minors: aerospace, artificial intelligence engineering, biochemical engineering, cybersecurity, mechatronics, humanitarian engineering, sustainable engineering, engineering entrepreneurship and more, inside or outside engineering.
• BS/MS: chemical or biochemical, civil or water resources and environmental, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering, in five years.
• Accreditation: the engineering pages we read do not list ABET status by program; see the undergraduate catalog or department pages.
• Computer science sits in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, not engineering; we have a separate guide for it.

2. Admission

• Apply to a major: engineering applicants choose one of the six majors; Villanova has no undecided option.
• Second choice: you may list Chemical, Civil, Computer or Electrical Engineering as a second choice. Students admitted to their second choice are not guaranteed their first.
• Changing majors: requests to change engineering major are decided by space in each program at the end of the first year.
• The engineering pages do not give a GPA threshold for changing majors.

3. Prerequisites

• Engineering: physics is required for all engineering applicants; pre-calculus is also required, and calculus is strongly encouraged if your school offers it.
• Which AP/IB credits count toward engineering courses is in the catalog, hosted on a third-party platform that this guide did not read.

4. U.S. domestic applicants

• Rounds: Early Action (non-binding) November 1, decisions by January 20; Early Decision I (binding) November 1, decisions by December 1; Early Decision II and Regular Decision January 15, decisions by February 15 and April 1. Switching from EA to ED I is due November 10; switching to ED II is due January 31.
• Materials: Common App or Coalition App, $80 fee; one teacher recommendation is required, a counselor letter is optional, and extra letters are not considered. There are no admission interviews.
• Testing: test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle (fall 2027 entry); self-reported scores are accepted, with official scores due only after you enroll.
• Tuition (2026-27): the same in Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Nursing and Business: $72,990 a year ($4,055 per credit below 9 credits), plus a $1,024 student services fee and a $300 first-year orientation fee. Villanova estimates about $96,886 for students living on campus.
• Aid: details of need-based aid for domestic students are not on the pages we read; see the Office of Financial Assistance.

5. International applicants

• English: all international students must submit a test (Cambridge English, Duolingo, IELTS, PTE or TOEFL iBT); no minimum score is published. Native speakers who use English at home, or students who have attended an English-medium secondary school for more than three consecutive years when they apply, are exempt.
• Finances: submit the Certification of Finances and a bank statement from the last three months; admission is need-aware for international students.
• Aid and scholarships: international students may apply for limited need-based aid with the CSS Profile; international applicants can be nominated for the Presidential Scholarship (25 a year, covering tuition, housing, meals, fees and books for up to eight semesters).

6. Applicants from China

• Transcripts should cover the equivalent of middle school through high school, with subjects and grades by year and a grading key; students from countries with a national secondary-school exam must send official results, or predicted results if not yet taken. Villanova does not say specifically how the Gaokao is used; ask international admissions.
• How the required physics and pre-calculus map onto Chinese high-school courses is not published.

7. Transfer applicants

• Open majors: engineering accepts transfer applications only for Chemical, Civil, Computer and Electrical Engineering; Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering do not take transfers.
• Fall 2027: application opens December 15, due March 15, decisions by June 1, deposit by June 15.
• Spring 2027: opens August 15, due October 15, decisions by November 15; spring places are extremely limited, only some programs open, and qualified applicants may be deferred to fall review.
• Grades and credit: a college GPA of 3.00 or higher is strongly recommended; usually up to 60 credits transfer, only for grades of C or better; transfers apply to a specific major, and credit is evaluated after admission. International transfers receive no scholarships or need-based aid.

Checklist

U.S. domestic applicants:

• Take physics and pre-calculus in high school, and calculus if you can
• Choose one engineering major; consider Chemical, Civil, Computer or Electrical as a second choice
• Pick EA or ED I (November 1) or ED II / RD (January 15)

International applicants (including China):

• Send an English test (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE or Cambridge)
• Submit the Certification of Finances and bank statement; add the CSS Profile if you need aid

Transfers:

• Only Chemical, Civil, Computer and Electrical are open; fall deadline March 15
• A college GPA of 3.00+ is recommended; up to 60 credits transfer

Sources: Villanova University, College of Engineering; Engineering undergraduate programs; First-year applicants and requirements by college; Admission FAQs; Transfer applicants; Dates and deadlines; International applicants; Financial aid for international students; Cost of attendance; 2026-27 tuition and fees. Information is for fall 2027 entry. Check Villanova’s website for the latest.