How to Apply to Psychology at the University of Connecticut: Psychological Sciences BA or BS in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Connecticut (UConn), psychology is offered by the Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). The major is Psychological Sciences, available as a BA or a BS, each with standard, research and honors tracks. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UConn’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Structure and declaring the major

• Credits: 120 credits to graduate, across general education, the major and other disciplines.
• Declaring: students declare Psychological Sciences, choose the BA or BS and a track, or change major or degree through the CLAS Undergraduate site. UConn does not state how the major listed on a first-year application affects admission.
• Common pairings: frequent double majors include Biological Sciences, Communication, Human Development and Family Sciences, Political Science, Sociology, and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; popular minors include Cognitive Science, Crime and Justice and Neuroscience.

2. Major requirements (catalog Summer 2024 onward)

• BA:
  • PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 (or 1103);
  • PSYC 2100WQ research methods (prerequisites include ENGL 1007 and STAT 1100Q or 1000Q);
  • two courses each from Groups 1 and 2, two from Groups 3–5, and one more psychology course from any group;
  • 12 credits (four courses) of related courses.
• BS: a similar psychology structure (one Group 3 course, and two Group 4 lab courses or one plus three research credits), but general education adds one biology, two chemistry, two physics and two calculus courses. UConn says the BS was designed for students interested in medicine and suits students very strong in math and science.
• Choosing: UConn says there is little to no difference in career paths, since graduate programs usually require specific prerequisites rather than a degree type; the more flexible BA is the best fit for most students.
• Honors track: only for students accepted into the UConn Honors Program, with several semesters of research and a senior thesis; about 5% of psychological sciences majors complete it.

3. Deadlines for fall 2027

• Early Decision: 1 November, notifications from mid-December.
• Priority deadline for merit and Honors consideration: 1 December, decisions from early March.
• Storrs campus deadline: 15 January, decisions from early March.
• Regional campuses: 1 May, rolling.
• Spring entry: 1 October for all campuses, rolling decisions from early November.
• Admitted students secure their place by 1 May. All documents must arrive by the deadline; late or incomplete applications are reviewed as space allows.
• How to apply: the Common App or Coalition Application; an $80 fee; a 250–650-word essay; two optional but preferred recommendation letters.

4. Credentials, testing and English

• China (national curriculum): Senior Middle School transcripts for grades 10 and 11 showing grade 12 courses in progress at application; after graduation, the final three-year transcript and graduation certificate, with certified English translations.
• Canada: transcripts for years 9–11 at application; after graduation, years 9–12 plus the provincial diploma.
• Test optional: no applicant is disadvantaged without scores; if you want SAT or ACT considered, have official scores sent (writing not required). The middle 50% of fall 2026 Storrs admits who submitted scores: SAT 1320–1460, ACT 29–34.
• English minimums (required for non-native speakers):
  • TOEFL 4.5 (79 out of 120), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110, LanguageCert Academic 70, PTE 60;
  • waivers include English as a native language, at least two years at a US secondary school (excluding ESL), SAT EBRW 510+, ACT 24+ on English, Reading and Composite, or IB HL English 5+.
  Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• UConn publishes no Gaokao policy and no BC-specific grade requirements.

5. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 Storrs estimates (US$): the cost page lists in-state, out-of-state and New England Regional rates, with no separate international rate. Out-of-state:
  • tuition 39,678, university and student fees 4,564, housing 8,288 and meals 6,896, for direct costs of 59,426;
  • 63,210 with the waivable health insurance (3,214) and book bundle (570);
  • an estimated total cost of attendance, including books, transportation and personal expenses, of 67,108.
• Scholarships for international students:
  • the Global Excellence Award and Global Distinction Award are for international applicants, renewable for four years at amounts set yearly, with priority for applications by 1 December;
  • the Stamps Scholarship is open to all Storrs applicants: full cost of attendance for four years plus a one-time $12,000 enrichment award; apply for admission by 1 November, submit the supplement by 8 November and interview; selection is highly competitive.
  Most merit scholarships are considered automatically.
• Proof of funding: after admission, the I-20 request requires a Financial Declaration Form and funding documents covering the first year. We found no UConn information on need-based aid for international undergraduates.

6. Transfer students

• Who is a transfer: anyone with 12 or more transferable credits earned after high school.
• Deadlines: 1 April for fall in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, then space-available; international students cannot apply for spring.
• Criteria: successful transfers typically have at least a 2.7 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, coursework comparable to UConn’s general education, and good standing. Psychological Sciences is not on the restricted programs list.
• Testing: SAT/ACT are not required for applicants aged 21+ or with 24 transferable college credits completed after high school.
• Materials: official transcripts from every college attended and the high school transcript; an international credential evaluation is strongly recommended. English minimums match first-year requirements.
• Credit: only courses with a C or better transfer, and grades do not carry over. Credit comes in as direct equivalents or generic credit; psychology major and related courses must be direct equivalents. From the 2024-25 catalog, no more than 10 credits of 2000-level or higher direct-equivalent PSYC transfer credit count toward the major (intro courses excepted). UConn notes that PSYC 1100 is unusual, so transfers often need to take it at UConn.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through the Common App or Coalition; for scholarships and Honors, apply by 1 December; final deadline 15 January
• Submit grade 10–11 transcripts showing grade 12 courses, with translations
• English: TOEFL 4.5, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 110 or higher; decide on SAT/ACT
• Prepare proof of funding for the first year

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; submit years 9–11 transcripts and later the provincial diploma
• Non-native English speakers submit a score or meet a waiver condition

Transfer students:

• Apply by 1 April for fall; international students cannot start in spring; aim for at least a 2.7 GPA
• Take direct-equivalent intro psychology where possible; at most 10 upper-level PSYC transfer credits count toward the major

Sources: University of Connecticut, International first-year applicants; First-year dates and deadlines; Application instructions; International credentials; Financial and visa information; 2026-27 direct costs and cost of attendance; Merit scholarships; International transfer applicants; Transfer dates and deadlines; Transfer admission requirements; Transferring credit; Psychological Sciences majors; Psychology policies and transfer credit. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check UConn for the latest details.