How to Apply to Engineering at UNC Charlotte: Most Majors Start with a Common First Year and Enter by GPA (2.80 for Mechanical Engineering) in the William States Lee College of Engineering, for Domestic and International (Including Chinese) Applicants and Transfer Students

The engineering undergraduate programs at UNC Charlotte (in Charlotte, North Carolina) are offered by the William States Lee College of Engineering. This guide follows the university’s website and is organised for U.S. domestic applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students. Computer Science is not in the engineering college’s program list and has its own guide on this site, so it is not covered here.

1. Undergraduate degrees in the college

• Six departments and schools (college home page): the Albert School of Construction, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, and the School of Energy.
• Engineering bachelor’s degrees (college program list): Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E., with Energy Infrastructure and Land Development Engineering concentrations), Computer Engineering (B.S.Cp.E., with a Machine Learning concentration), Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E., with Machine Learning and Power and Energy Systems concentrations), Environmental Engineering (B.S.Env.E.), Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E., with Aerospace, Biomedical, Energy, Motorsports, and Precision Engineering and Metrology concentrations), Systems Engineering (B.S.S.E., with an Energy Systems concentration) and Construction Engineering (B.S.).
• Engineering technology and construction management: Civil Engineering Technology, Electromechanical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Fire and Safety Engineering Technology (B.S.E.T., several with concentrations), and Construction Management (B.S.C.M.). The list also shows dual degrees of a Physics B.A. with Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Credits and start terms: the Mechanical Engineering program page lists 120 credit hours and fall, spring and summer starts; credit hours for the other programs were not checked here.
• ABET accreditation: the Mechanical Engineering page says it is an ABET-accredited program and links to the department’s accreditation section. The pages read do not state the accreditation of the other programs; not published here, so check each department’s page.
• Hands-on work: the college home page says 100% of first-year students experience hands-on design and build and 80% of senior design projects are supported and mentored by industry; the Mechanical Engineering page describes a two-semester design/build capstone.

2. Admission: a common first year, then entering the major by GPA

• University-level review: the admissions office says engineering, computer science, business and nursing are competitive majors that require an above-average academic profile, and that applicants who are competitive for the university but not for a competitive major may be admitted as undeclared students. The middle 50% of admitted first-year students for fall 2026 had a weighted GPA of 3.8–4.4 (unweighted 3.4–3.9), SAT 1120–1340 and ACT 21–28 (university-wide, not by major).
• Common First-Year (CFY) curriculum: the college says most engineering and engineering technology students complete a shared first-year curriculum and enter their program as sophomores. It applies to Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering Technology, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Systems Engineering; Construction Management and Fire and Safety Engineering Technology follow their own first-year courses. The shared courses are ENGR 1300 (exploring engineering and technology), ENGR 1301 (foundations of math and science), ENGR 1302 (logic and computational problem-solving, introducing Python) and ENGR 1303 (engineering visualization and graphical communication).
• Conditions for entering the major (students who started in fall 2025 or later): complete ENGR 1300–1303, MATH 1103 (technology), MATH 1241 and 1242 (engineering) and PHYS 2101 with lab; no more than two attempts per course (a W counts); a C or better in every course except theme courses; at least a 2.0 GPA in the first semester to continue to the second; complete the first-year curriculum within four semesters; and a GPA at completion of 2.5 for engineering majors (2.80 for Mechanical Engineering) and 2.0 for engineering technology. Until these are met, engineering majors cannot register for sophomore-level engineering courses. The rules for students who started in fall 2024 or earlier differ (for example a 2.5 cumulative GPA).
• GPA for changing or declaring a major: the change-of-major page lists minimum GPAs of 2.50 for Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental and Systems Engineering, 2.80 for Mechanical Engineering and 2.20 for Engineering Technology programs and Construction Management. The 2.20 for engineering technology differs from the 2.0 on the progression page; ask the college.
• Limited seats and guarantees: the pages read do not say that entry to a major is capped or guaranteed; not published, so ask the Office of Student Development and Success (OSDS).
• Moving into the college from elsewhere at UNC Charlotte: students advised by University College keep their advisor while completing the requirements for the intended engineering major; students in other colleges submit a Transition Advising request. Before declaring, they must complete the first-year courses for the major and meet the GPA, and they should wait until declared before taking sophomore-level engineering courses. A required course may be attempted at most twice.
• Other limits: in the civil, computer, electrical, mechanical and systems engineering programs a course may be taken at most twice (including withdrawals), and two consecutive semesters of unsatisfactory progress can bar a student from the college’s courses.

3. Prerequisites and credit

• High school courses for first-year applicants (admissions office): four units of English; four units of math including Algebra I and II, Geometry and a fourth year beyond Algebra II; two units of social studies including U.S. History; three units of science (a physical science, a biological science and a laboratory course); and two additional academic courses (English, math, science, social studies, world languages or computer science). Two sequential world language courses are encouraged.
• International applicants: the website says specific courses are not required, but engineering, computer science, business and nursing are more competitive and applicants are expected to perform above average, especially in math and science; it recommends four English, four math, three science, two history/social science and two courses of the same foreign language (which may be English).
• Calculus and science: the common first year includes MATH 1241, MATH 1242 and PHYS 2101. A math placement test is not described on the pages read.
• AP credit (AP credit page): Calculus AB scores of 3, 4 or 5 earn 3 credits for MATH 1241; Calculus BC 3–5 earns 6 credits for MATH 1241 and 1242; Chemistry 3 earns 4 credits (CHEM 1251 with lab) and 4 or 5 earns 8; Physics C Mechanics 3–5 earns 4 credits for PHYS 2101 with lab; Physics C Electricity and Magnetism counts as PHYS 2102 with lab; PreCalculus counts as MATH 1103. The site also has IB, Cambridge and CLEP credit pages that were not read in detail.

4. Deadlines, materials and testing (first-year, fall entry)

• Rounds: Early Action November 1 (notified by January 30); Regular Decision February 1 (notified by April 1); after February 1 as space allows, with decisions after April 1. Documents must arrive within two weeks of the deadline (November 15 and February 15) to get a decision by the notification date; decisions are non-binding. For spring entry, apply by November 1 and submit documents by November 15. The website encourages applying early because admission becomes more competitive later.
• How to apply: the Future 49er portal, the Common App, or NC College Connect for eligible North Carolina public high school students.
• Application fee: $75 for domestic first-year applicants (fee waivers available) and $80 for international first-year applicants.
• Materials: an official high school transcript and one required essay (Common App prompts); a personal statement and recommendation letters are optional. The application also asks a question about interest in Charlotte. The pages read do not mention an additional engineering essay; not published.
• Testing (fall 2027): the requirements page says applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or lower must submit the SAT or ACT, while the review page says testing is optional for a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher at the end of junior year. The two statements conflict at exactly 2.8, so confirm with admissions; above 2.8 the test may be omitted. Classic Learning Test scores may be added but cannot replace a required SAT or ACT. No separate engineering test requirement is stated.
• International timeline: the international deadline and timeline pages show no year: November 1 (decision by January 30) and February 1 (decision by April 1), with documents due 15 days after the deadline. Check that they apply to fall 2027.

5. U.S. domestic applicants

• Costs (2026–27 estimate, living on campus): North Carolina residents pay $3,926 tuition and $3,285 in fees; with loan fees, books, housing, meals, transportation and personal expenses the total is about $27,476. Non-residents pay $22,018 tuition, for about $46,228 in total. The cost page does not list an engineering differential or college fee. Residency requires legal residence in North Carolina for at least 12 consecutive months, determined by the state’s Residency Determination Service.
• Priority or guaranteed admission for state residents: not published; the only related item is that eligible North Carolina public high school students may apply through NC College Connect.
• Scholarships: the university has no automatic merit scholarship process; students apply in the NinerScholars portal after admission, and the portal opens in late October. The timeline page gives February 15 for university scholarships; the Honors College priority deadline is December 1, and nominations for the Levine Scholars Program were due October 15.
• College scholarship: the Engineering Academic Pathways (EAP) S-STEM scholarship offers up to $10,000 per year and up to $40,000 in total to incoming first-year students in the College of Engineering who show financial need through the FAFSA, are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, have unmet need above $5,000, have at least pre-calculus from high school and can take calculus in the first semester, with a C or better in high school math. Priority deadline February 15, application deadline April 1, with later review while funds remain.
• Co-op: the college’s co-op program requires a meeting with the career and co-op advisor before enrolling in ENGR 3500; most students do their first co-op or internship after sophomore year; a co-op seminar (3695, 1–3 credit hours) may be required for some majors on return.

6. International applicants

• Who counts: the English and credential-evaluation pages say their requirements apply regardless of U.S. immigration status.
• English (one of the following, scores valid 2 years): the international first-year page and the English proficiency page give different numbers, so both are listed. First-year page: TOEFL iBT 4 (4 in each section), IELTS 6.0 (5.5 each), Duolingo 105, PTE Academic 52 (42 each), SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 500, ACT Reading 20, completion of Level 5 at the university’s English Language Training Institute (ELTI), or two years at a U.S. high school. English proficiency page: TOEFL iBT 70 (14 in each section), IELTS 6.0 (5.0 each), Duolingo 105, PTE 48 (35 each), SAT 500, ACT Reading 19, ELTI Level 5 and others. TOEFL code 5105. Minimum scores do not guarantee admission.
• Exemption: citizens currently studying in a country on the exempt list can skip it. The list includes Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa; China is not on it. Applicants who need more English can apply for conditional admission through ELTI.
• Credential evaluation: the university does not evaluate foreign high school transcripts. A course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member is required in addition to the transcripts and before the admission review; the site recommends IEE (discounted), ECE or The Evaluation Company.
• Testing: the international pages list the SAT and ACT only as one way to show English proficiency and do not say whether the weighted-GPA 2.8 rule above applies to international applicants; not published, so ask international admissions.
• Transcripts: official transcripts for the last three years; applicants still in the final year can be reviewed before final grades. Applicants must have completed the pre-university curriculum of their country (for example A Levels for British-system students, the Baccalaureate for French-system students).
• After admission: the timeline page says to complete the Financial Certification Form in April to receive an I-20 and to confirm enrollment with a $100 non-refundable deposit by May 1; F-1 students may enter the U.S. 30 days before classes begin.
• Scholarships: the scholarship page does not say which awards international students can apply for; not published. The college’s S-STEM scholarship requires a FAFSA and Pell eligibility.
• F-1 and co-op: the co-op page says F-1 students may not be eligible for co-op during the fall and spring semesters because of immigration policy and should work with the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) on experiential learning options.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the international pages do not mention the gaokao and there is no China-specific page; not published, so ask the international admissions office (intnladm@charlotte.edu).
• Transcripts and evaluation: high school transcripts need a NACES course-by-course evaluation (see above); math and science grades carry weight in the review for engineering.
• English: China is not on the exempt list, so an English score is required.
• Interview, country page: no interview and no China page are described.
• International curricula: A-Level and IB results can serve as the pre-university curriculum; AP credit is covered in section 3.

8. Transfer students

• General requirements: at least 24 transferable credit hours (applicants with fewer are reviewed on first-year criteria), a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0, eligibility to return to the last institution, demonstrated math proficiency, and a grade of C or higher in transferable college-level courses.
• Extra requirements for engineering: a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and college-level Calculus I or higher before transferring (equivalent to UNC Charlotte MATH 1241); Mechanical Engineering needs 2.8 or higher and the same Calculus I. Engineering Technology (civil, electromechanical, mechanical) needs a 2.5 GPA and pre-calculus; Fire and Safety Engineering Technology and Construction Management are exempt from the additional requirements, but students completing the aligned AAS degree need a 2.5 GPA in it.
• After admission: transfer students are admitted directly into a department, where they get advising; transfer advising covers credit evaluation, course planning and graduation timeline.
• International transfer deadlines: fall: apply by July 1 with documents by July 15; spring: apply by November 15 with documents by December 1; the application fee is $80 and review normally takes 6–8 weeks. Applicants with coursework outside the U.S. need a NACES course-by-course evaluation (not required for those with more than 24 transferable hours from a U.S. institution and no foreign post-secondary coursework). Domestic transfer deadlines were not found on the pages read; not published.
• Admitted to another major first: for students who want to move into engineering later, the website advises consulting an academic advisor on coursework and requesting a change of major once the courses and GPA are met.

Checklist

U.S. domestic applicants:

• Apply by November 1 (Early Action) or February 1 (Regular) and complete documents within two weeks; the SAT or ACT is required for a weighted GPA of 2.8 or lower
• Take four years of math (including the year after Algebra II) and three years of science; apply for scholarships in NinerScholars from late October after admission
• Finish the Common First-Year courses with a C or better and the GPA required by the major (2.80 for Mechanical Engineering)

International applicants (including China):

• $80 application fee; English score (TOEFL 4 on the first-year page, 70 on the English page, which differ, so confirm with admissions); NACES course-by-course evaluation
• Ask how the gaokao is used; after admission, submit the financial certification form in April for the I-20 and the $100 deposit by May 1

Transfer students:

• 2.5 cumulative GPA (2.8 for Mechanical) and college Calculus I before transferring; international transfer fall deadline July 1

Sources: UNC Charlotte, College of Engineering home; College program list; Mechanical Engineering; First-Year Experience; Progression requirements; Change your major; Transfer advising; Internships and co-ops; College scholarships; First-year requirements and deadlines; First-year application review; International first-year admission; International deadlines and review; International application timeline; English proficiency; English proficiency exempt countries; International credit evaluation; International transfer deadlines; Transfer requirements; Majors with additional requirements; AP credit; Cost of attendance; Scholarships. The international deadline pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry. The fall 2027 testing policy is published. Costs are 2026-27 estimates; check UNC Charlotte for the latest.