How to Apply to Mathematics at UT Austin: A College of Natural Sciences Major You Choose When You Apply, Admitted at Entry Level and Choosing a Degree Option Later, with Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Undergraduate mathematics at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is taught by the Department of Mathematics in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS). You do not apply to the college separately; you choose the major in the Common App. Computer science has its own article on this site and is mentioned here only where it overlaps. Below is what the university’s website says, for domestic students, international students (with a separate section for applicants from China) and transfer students.

1. Degrees and options in mathematics

• Degree types: the department’s degree plans page lists mathematics plans of BSA (Bachelor of Science and Arts), BA (standard and teaching), and BS Option 1 (Actuarial Science), Option 5 (Teaching), Option 6 (Mathematics Honors) and Option 7. The department says mathematics is one of the fastest-growing majors at UT Austin, with flexible degree options and pathways such as actuarial science and applied mathematics.
• Options as listed by admissions: the admissions “Colleges & Degrees” page lists Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Sciences, Pure Mathematics and Teaching under Mathematics. The names on the two pages do not match one to one; check the degree plans page and an advisor for specifics.
• The BS (Option 7): the department says the BS lets students choose a concentration based on their goals, with pathways in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics and probability, data science, scientific computation, actuarial science or UTeach. The 2026-28 checklist requires one calculus sequence (8 hours), CS 303E, 8 hours of science from one area, at least 33 upper-division hours in mathematics, one inquiry-based-learning (IBL) or independent-inquiry upper-division math course, and one “mathematics in context” course; 120 hours in total, a C- or better and a 2.0 GPA in all mathematics and natural sciences courses.
• Statistics: “Statistics and Data Science” is a separate major in the college; the department’s pathways page also has a statistics and probability pathway.
• Actuarial: the department has a separate Actuarial Studies program and says it offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• Computer science overlap: the pages read do not list a joint math and computer science degree; see the computer science department and college pages.

2. How admission works: by major, then choose an option

• Apply to the major: the admissions page says CNS offers freshman and transfer admission for all entry terms (summer, fall, spring); all students are admitted with entry-level status in their chosen major and select their degree specialization after completing entry-level coursework; only freshmen may be admitted as Undeclared.
• Separate college cutoff: the pages read do not give a college or major admission score line; this is not published, so ask admissions.
• Mathematics is not a closed major: the college’s internal transfer page lists closed majors as Computer Science (and its joint programs with Neuroscience, Linguistics and History), Environmental Science, Informatics, Public Health, and Statistics and Data Science. Mathematics is not on the list; current CNS students cannot change into the closed majors by speaking with an advisor.
• Conditions for changing into mathematics: beyond the college internal transfer process below, the pages read do not describe extra conditions for mathematics; this is not published, so ask the Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy (MPA) Advising Center.
• Advising: the center is in PMA 4.101, with professional and faculty advisors who run degree audits and help plan courses; the department also has honors, actuarial and UTeach advisors.

3. Preparation

• High school coursework: the prerequisites page asks for 4 credits of language arts; mathematics 4 recommended and 3 required, including Algebra II or an equivalent; science 4 recommended and 2 required; social studies 3 required (4 recommended); and 2 credits of one foreign language.
• Calculus readiness: the majors that must demonstrate calculus readiness are all Cockrell School of Engineering majors, all Jackson School of Geosciences majors, both Environmental Science majors, and the Computer Science-related majors. Mathematics is not on that list, so no calculus-readiness proof is required to apply.
• College math courses: the degree checklist asks for one calculus sequence: M 408C and 408D, or M 408N and 408S, or M 408K and 408L. Upper-division mathematics must total at least 33 hours.
• Placement and AP/IB credit: the admissions page notes that readiness markers do not always exempt students from math placement exams for calculus. The department’s honors page says students with a 5 on AP Calculus AB may take honors M 408D-AP, and students with a 5 on AP Calculus BC may take honors M 427L-AP, which fulfills the second-semester calculus requirement (M 408D); both are arranged through the Math Advising Center. Other AP/IB credit rules for math requirements are not on the pages read and are not published; ask admissions and the advising center.
• Honors entry: the department offers three kinds of honors experiences for first years, including two honors courses for the Freshman Research Initiative (contact Grace Choy). Upper-division honors courses are M 427J Honors Differential Equations, M 325K Honors Discrete Mathematics and M 341 Honors Linear Algebra, all taught in spring; M 325K and M 341 are applied for through the Math Advising Center. Departmental honors at graduation require a University GPA of at least 3.00 and a Math GPA of at least 3.50, 60 hours in residence, an A in one of M 365C, 367K, 373K or 374G and at least a B in another, plus M 379H and a thesis approved by a committee of at least three faculty.

4. Dates and materials (fall 2027)

• Freshmen: the application opens August 1; Early Action closes October 15 (supplemental materials October 22); Regular closes December 1 (supplemental materials December 10). Early Action applicants hear by January 15, 2027, and deferred and Regular applicants by February 15, 2027; honors decisions come March 1. Spring entry closes September 1.
• Application: the Common App, at least one essay and the required short answers. The fee is USD 75 for domestic applicants (waivers available) and USD 90 for international applicants (no waivers).
• Testing: at least one official SAT or ACT score is required (SAT code 6882, ACT code 4240); CLT is accepted; SAT Essay, ACT Writing and ACT Science are not required.
• Recommendations: not required; up to two, from mentors or people who know you, including teachers, and the site encourages letters from outside your high school. It does not ask for a math teacher’s letter.
• Resume and short answer: both optional.
• Math competitions: the pages read do not say how competitions such as AMC, USAMO or IMO are viewed; not published.

5. Domestic students

• Who is domestic: US citizens, permanent residents, or students graduating from a Texas high school. Texas public high school students who qualify for automatic admission must submit a transcript showing the required graduation plan level; Texas private high school students can submit a certification form or claim an exemption through test scores.
• Costs: estimated 2026-27 full-time undergraduate costs for fall and spring: tuition USD 10,858 to 13,576 for Texas residents and USD 42,554 to 51,106 for non-residents. With housing and food, transportation, books and personal expenses, the total is USD 32,508 to 35,386 for residents (living on or off campus), USD 24,998 to 27,716 for residents living with parents, and USD 64,204 to 72,916 for non-residents. Which tuition level applies to mathematics is not published; use UT’s cost estimator.
• Aid: the admissions page says completing the financial aid application before January 15 maximizes eligibility. Scholarships specific to the mathematics department are not on the pages read; ask the Math Advising Center.
• Testing: an official SAT or ACT is required (see above).

6. International students

• Who is international: neither a US citizen nor permanent resident, and not a graduate of a Texas high school.
• Transcripts: documentation of an accredited secondary school series equivalent to US grades 9 to 12, completed or in progress.
• English: TOEFL iBT 79 (or 4 on the 6-point scale), Academic IELTS 6.5 overall, or Duolingo 115. Institutional TOEFL (ITP), TOEFL Essentials and IELTS General Training are not accepted. TOEFL code 6882.
• Exemptions: applicants from the listed countries (including Australia, Canada except Quebec, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK), or who graduated from a high school in the US or a listed country after at least three years of study, are exempt.
• Costs: non-resident estimates are in the previous section. Need-based aid and scholarships for international students, and proof-of-funds rules, are not on the pages read; they are not published, so ask International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and admissions.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the admissions pages read do not say how Gaokao results are used; not published. Ask admissions.
• Transcripts and exams: the site asks for a transcript equivalent to US grades 9 to 12. The international transfer page also asks for external exam results, school-leaving certificates or matriculation scores (it gives GCSE, CBSE and SSC as examples). No China-specific instructions appear on the pages read; ask admissions.
• English: China is not on the exempt country list, so submit TOEFL 79 (4 on the new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115.
• Testing: an official SAT or ACT is required.

8. Outcomes and research

• Career data: the pages read do not print graduate outcomes or employment data for mathematics; not published.
• Undergraduate research: the department’s Directed Reading Program pairs undergraduates with graduate student mentors for a semester-long independent project; any undergraduate may apply.
• Help with calculus: CalcLab gives students in calculus courses help from teaching assistants and advanced undergraduate learning assistants.

9. Transfer students

• From other colleges: the college requires proof of credit or in-progress work for at least MATH 408K, 408C or 408N, plus 6 hours of first-year math and science coursework. Extra requirements specific to mathematics are not on the pages read.
• Dates: for fall, the deadline is March 1 (supplemental materials March 10), with decisions June 30 (the international transfer page says June 15); spring is September 1. The pages do not print the year, so check that these apply to fall 2027 entry. The fee is USD 75 for domestic applicants (waivers available) and USD 90 for international applicants.
• Conditions: 24 hours of transferable coursework; international applicants cannot use in-progress courses to reach that. You submit one essay, all college transcripts and a resume; recommendation letters are optional, up to two.
• Internal transfer: current UT students apply to the college in spring (online in February) for fall entry. Requirements: 24 hours in residence (30 for a second major), one math and two science courses, a 3.0 GPA, fewer than 90 hours in residence and a path to graduating in four years; submit a resume; letters are not accepted; two attempts at most. The college calls this very competitive and says meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission; for mathematics, it strongly recommends taking calculus in residence.

Checklist

Domestic students:

• Choose mathematics in the Common App; submit by October 15 (EA) or December 1 (Regular); official SAT or ACT required
• Complete the high school coursework (4 math credits recommended, including Algebra II)
• Complete the financial aid application before January 15

International students (including those from China):

• USD 90 fee, official SAT or ACT, transcripts; TOEFL 79 (4 on the new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115, or an exemption
• Ask admissions whether Gaokao results can be used

Transfer students:

• From other colleges: complete MATH 408K/C/N and 6 hours of first-year math and science; apply by March 1 for fall
• Internal: 24 hours, GPA 3.0, one math and two science courses, two attempts at most

Sources: The University of Texas at Austin, Mathematics undergraduate degree plans; Undergraduate advising pathways; Mathematics honors; Advising and resources; BS Mathematics (Option 7) checklist; CNS internal transfer; Freshman applicants; High school prerequisites and calculus readiness; International freshman applicants; International student information and English; Colleges and degrees; Transfer applicants; International transfer; 2026-27 cost of attendance. Information is for fall 2027 entry (2026-27 cost estimates). Check UT Austin for the latest details.