How to Apply to Computing Science at the University of Glasgow: The Four-Year BSc, Five-Year MSci and Three-Year Faster Route, with Requirements and Timelines for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Glasgow, undergraduate computing science is taught by the School of Computing Science in the College of Science and Engineering. Scottish degrees usually take four years, and in the first two years you also study other subjects (Glasgow’s flexible degree). Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Glasgow’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Programmes

• Computing Science BSc (Hons): UCAS code G400, four years.
• Computing Science MSci: UCAS code G402, five years; the BSc Honours programme followed by a year of advanced modules and a research project. Glasgow says its MSci degrees hold the Euro-Inf Master Quality Label.
• Faster route: for high-achieving school leavers, who are exempted from most first-year computing material and start in Year 2, completing the BSc in three years (UCAS 3N7R) or the MSci in four (7G3F).
• Joint degrees: Computing Science combines with subjects such as Mathematics, Business & Management and Psychology; joint degrees also require the other subject’s entry requirements.

2. Course structure

• Year 1: a strong emphasis on programming, mostly in Python, plus introductions to computer systems, databases and human–computer interaction.
• Year 2: Java and object-oriented programming, object-oriented software engineering, data structures and algorithms, algorithmic foundations, networks and operating systems, and web application development.
• Honours years 3 and 4: core courses including Algorithmics, Data Fundamentals, Human-centred Systems Design and Evaluation, Systems Programming, Professional Software Development, a Team Project and an Individual Project, with specialisms from Year 3.
• Study abroad: available at partner universities without adding time to your degree.

3. Entry requirements

• Programme grades: the A-level and IB requirements on the course page load dynamically and were not obtained for this guide. Select your qualification under “Entry requirements” on the course page (and on the faster route page) before applying.
• Mathematics: Glasgow’s admissions guidance says BTEC applicants to Computing Science need A-level Mathematics if Maths is not part of their BTEC, and Scottish joint degrees that include a science need Higher Maths at B. Plan to take mathematics.
• How to apply: through UCAS; international applicants may also use the Common App, though Glasgow recommends UCAS if you apply to several UK universities.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao equivalences from Glasgow’s China page:
  • A*AA: high school GPA 95%+, Gaokao 90%;
  • AAA: GPA 90%+, Gaokao 85%;
  • AAB: GPA 85%+, Gaokao 80%;
  • ABB: GPA 80%+, Gaokao 80%.
  Check which band Computing Science requires by selecting China on the course page.
• Maple Leaf (MLWSP) Diploma: AAA equals five 1.0-credit Grade 12 subjects, including required subjects, at 80% or above.
• Foundation: international students below the academic requirements are advised to contact Glasgow International College for foundation programmes.
• A-level and IB students apply directly using the course page requirements.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• Equivalences on Glasgow’s Canada page (five Grade 12 courses; six in Quebec and Ontario, or CEGEP):
  • AAA: five Bs, or an 85% average including relevant subjects;
  • AAB: 80% average;
  • ABB: 75% average.
• BC students fall under the five Grade 12 courses standard; take Grade 12 mathematics (Calculus). Check the band for Computing Science by selecting Canada on the course page.

6. Transfer students

• The course page does not set out conditions for transferring into Year 2 from another university. The admissions guidance covers Year 2 entry mainly for Scottish HNDs and lists several computing HNDs as “No entry to Year 2”.
• If you are at another university, contact Glasgow Admissions to ask whether and at what level you can apply.

7. English requirements

• IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no subtest under 6.0; One Skill Retake accepted.
• TOEFL: for tests from 21 January 2026, Glasgow lists 92 overall with Reading 22, Listening 20, Speaking 23 and Writing 21; for earlier tests, 90 overall with Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 19 and Writing 21.
• PTE 59 (59 in all); Cambridge CAE/CPE 176 (169 in each); Oxford ELLT 7 (6 in each).
• Tests must be taken within 2 years 5 months of the start date, meeting overall and subtest scores in a single test.

8. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: £33,708 a year for international students on Science and Engineering programmes in 2027/28 (£33,210 in 2026/27).
• World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship: for international and EU students starting in 2027, a £10,000 annual fee discount in the College of Science and Engineering, renewable with satisfactory progress. For Computing Science first-year entry the guaranteed threshold is A*AA at A-level or IB 39; for the faster route, A*A*A or IB 40 (or local equivalent). China and Canada are eligible.
• STEM in Scotland Award: 5 awards of a £10,000 annual stipend for up to four years (£40,000 in total). The threshold for Computing Science first-year entry is also A*AA or IB 39. It closes on 31 May 2027, with results by 14 June, and cannot be combined with the Global Excellence Scholarship.

9. Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• UK applicants: generally 13 January 2027.
• International applicants: 30 June 2027. Glasgow says late applications are generally not accepted and applications cannot be changed after the deadline; apply early to leave time for your visa.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Select China on the course page to check your band; 85% in the Gaokao plus a 90% GPA is about AAA
• A*AA or IB 39 guarantees a £10,000-a-year discount; consider the faster route if your grades are exceptional
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each)
• Apply through UCAS by 30 June, as early as possible

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

• An 85% average across five Grade 12 courses is about AAA; take Grade 12 mathematics and check the band shown for Canada on the course page

Transfer students:

• Transfer conditions are not published; contact Admissions before applying

Sources: University of Glasgow, Computing Science; Computing Science (faster route); Admissions guidance; Information for students from China; Information for students from Canada; International tuition fees; World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship; STEM in Scotland Award. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Glasgow for the latest details.