How to Apply to Computer Science at Singapore Management University: Tracks and Mathematics Requirement for the BSc (Computer Science), and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese (Gaokao), International-Curriculum, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Singapore Management University (SMU), undergraduate computer science is the Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) offered by the School of Computing and Information Systems (SCIS). Here is what you need to know, based on SMU’s admissions and school websites, for students at high schools in China (including A-level and IB students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The degree and curriculum

• Duration: the fees page gives a normal duration of four years, with fees fixed for your cohort over those four years.
• Other degrees in the school: SCIS also offers Information Systems, Computing & Law and Software Engineering (with a 52-week apprenticeship). This guide covers Computer Science only.
• Three tracks: Frontier Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Software Systems. Sample track courses include Principles of Machine Learning, Generative AI for Natural Language Communication, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Data Security & Privacy, Full Stack Development, Advanced Database Systems, and Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality.
• Structure (for intake AY2026 onwards): the curriculum page titles this version “AI Solution Development” and gives a total of 36 credit units (CUs): 6 for the SMU Core Curriculum (including Calculus and an internship), 17 for the Computer Science major core, 1 for Computer Science project experience, 7 for major electives and 6 for free electives. These parts add up to 37, not the stated total of 36; check with SMU for the latest.
• Major core: Programming Fundamentals I and II, Data Management, Interaction Design and Prototyping, Mathematical Foundations of Computing, Data Structures and Algorithms, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Linear Algebra for Machine Learning, Statistical Thinking for Data Science, Human-AI Collaborative Software Development, Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals, Solution Architecture, and DevOps Principles and Practices.
• Second major: SMU says there are over 500 double major and double degree combinations.
• Fast track to a master’s: the two sites differ. The admissions site says you can graduate with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SMU and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in 4 to 4.5 years; the school site says a bachelor’s and a master’s within 4.5 years and does not mention CMU. Check the partner and conditions with the school.

2. Grade profile and intake

• Intake: 135 places were taken up in Computer Science in 2025.
• Grade profile: SMU publishes 2025 offer profiles (10th and 90th percentiles) only for Singapore-Cambridge A-levels and local polytechnic diplomas: AAB/B to AAA/A for A-levels, and a GPA of 3.80 to 3.98 (out of 4.00) for polytechnics. SMU says these are data, not admission criteria. Cut-offs for the Gaokao, Canadian diplomas and other international qualifications are not published.

3. Mathematics requirement

• International and other qualifications: applicants to Economics and Computer Science need a good pass in mathematics at high school level; no specific grade is given.
• IB Diploma: a good pass in IB Mathematics at Higher or Standard Level. Applicants without this can still apply if they have an alternative mathematics background; SCIS makes the final decision.

4. General requirements and dates

• Education: at least 12 years of formal education with good passes in a recognised national or international examination.
• Standardised test: applicants with international and other qualifications must submit one of SAT, ACT, IELTS (Academic), TOEFL, C1 Advanced, PTE Academic or AST. IB Diploma holders do not need one. Minimum scores are in section 8.
• Interview: shortlisted applicants for all courses other than Law are interviewed.
• Predicted results: if your final results are not out by the closing date, submit predicted scores attested by a teacher or counsellor; self-declared predictions are not accepted. Upload actual results within 3 working days of release.
• Dates: dates for AY2027/28 have not been published. For AY2026/27:
  • applications opened on 17 November 2025 and closed on 19 March 2026;
  • standardised test scores and attested predicted results were due by 31 March;
  • interviews ran from March to May, and decisions were released from May to July.

5. Students at high schools in China: applying with the Gaokao

• Gaokao already taken: apply with your Gaokao results; a good pass is required, and no specific score is published.
• Gaokao not yet taken: apply with Senior Middle 2 semester 2 results, and you are expected to achieve a good pass in the Gaokao by the end of June.
• Mathematics: you must also meet the high school mathematics requirement in section 3.
• One standardised test as well: for example IELTS or TOEFL, or at least 3 AST subjects (including English and Mathematics, with at least 225 in English).

6. International-curriculum students in China: A-levels, IB and AP

• UK A-levels (AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR and others): you need good passes in at least 3 A-levels in the same sitting. If you have not finished, apply with school-attested predicted grades (including grade 11 and AS results, at least 3 AS subjects). One standardised test is also required, and you must meet the mathematics requirement.
• IB Diploma: IB is its own application category and no standardised test is needed, but the IB mathematics requirement applies (section 3). For May IB candidates, the school must submit predicted grades by 31 March. SMU does not publish an IB cut-off for Computer Science.
• AP: AP is not on SMU’s list of accepted qualifications and cannot be used alone. Students on a US curriculum apply with a US high school diploma, high school results and one standardised test.

7. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• Accepted diplomas: the British Columbia Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma, Ontario OSSD, Alberta High School Diploma and Quebec CEGEP.
• Already graduated: at least 90% in every subject in the diploma examination.
• In grade 12: apply with your latest grade 12 semester 1 and 2 results; you are expected to achieve at least 90% in every subject by the end of July.
• One standardised test (SAT, ACT or an English test) is also required, and you must meet the mathematics requirement.

8. Minimum standardised test scores (non-law programmes)

All sections must be taken in one sitting; scores from different sittings cannot be combined. Meeting the minimum makes an application competitive but does not guarantee an interview or offer.

• SAT: 1350 total, at least 650 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing.
• ACT: composite 29, English + Reading at least 57.
• IELTS (Academic): 7.0 overall, 7.0 reading, 6.5 writing.
• TOEFL iBT: from 21 January 2026, 5 overall, 5 reading, 4.5 writing; before that date, 93 overall with 22 in reading and writing.
• PTE Academic: 66 overall, 66 reading, 56 writing; C1 Advanced: 185 overall, 185 reading, 176 writing.
• AST: at least 3 subjects (including English and Mathematics), with at least 225 in English.
• Validity: SAT and ACT 5 years; IELTS, TOEFL, C1, PTE and AST 2 years.

9. Transfer students

• Who can apply: anyone, of any nationality, who has completed at least one semester at university.
• How: there is no separate transfer category. You apply under your high school qualification and must meet the requirements for that category (including mathematics); your university results are also considered.
• Credit: credit transfer is decided after an offer; transfer students must take at least 20 course units at SMU, normally two years.
• Shortlisted transfer applicants are also interviewed.

10. Fees, grant and scholarships

• Fees: fees for AY2027/28 entry have not been published. For AY2026/27 entry, Computer Science annual fees (SGD, including GST) are:
  • with a Tuition Grant: 25,150 for ASEAN international students and 26,200 for other international students;
  • without a Tuition Grant: 47,700.
• Tuition Grant: international students apply in the online application form; grants are limited and awarded on merit, and recipients must work for a Singapore entity for 3 years after graduation.
• Fees exclude annual miscellaneous fees, accommodation and living costs.
• Scholarships: SMU’s scholarships page lists awards open to international students; this guide has not checked their names or amounts.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Watch for the AY2027/28 application opening (last year: mid-November to 19 March)
• Apply with the Gaokao, or with Senior Middle 2 semester 2 results if you are in Senior 3; achieve a good pass by the end of June, with strong mathematics
• Submit one standardised test, such as IELTS 7.0 (7.0 reading, 6.5 writing) or 3+ AST subjects
• A-levels: at least 3 good passes plus a standardised test; IB: no test needed, but a good pass in IB Mathematics
• Prepare for an interview if shortlisted

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

• At least 90% in every subject, plus one standardised test (such as SAT 1350 or ACT 29)
• Grade 12 students apply with latest results and school-attested predictions

Transfer students:

• Apply under your high school category with university transcripts; credit is assessed after an offer, and at least 20 course units must be taken at SMU

Sources: Singapore Management University, BSc (Computer Science); Curriculum; School of Computing and Information Systems; International and other qualifications; IB Diploma; Transfer applicants; Indicative grade profile and course places; Important dates; Tuition fees and grant; Scholarships. Dates and fees for AY2027/28 have not been published yet; those quoted are for AY2026/27. Check SMU’s website for the latest.