How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison: No Direct Admission, Declare the Major After Two Courses, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison), the computer science major is called Computer Sciences. It is offered by the Department of Computer Sciences in the College of Letters & Science. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UW–Madison information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. How to get into the major

• No direct admission: the department says students are not admitted directly into the CS major. Students interested in CS apply to the College of Letters & Science, start as undeclared students and declare once they meet the requirements, which takes most students two semesters.
• No separate application: there is no application process for declaring; once the requirements are met and grades are posted, submit the online declaration form.
• Declaration requirements:
  • complete COMP SCI 300 and MATH 222 (Calculus II). The program page and transfer SOAR page say MATH 222, while the prospective-student FAQ says “MATH 222 or 276”; follow the department’s guidance when you declare;
  • a grade of BC or higher (a UW–Madison grade between B and C) in an intro programming course (COMP SCI 300, 354 or 400) taken at UW–Madison;
  • a GPA of at least 2.25 in the first attempt of COMP SCI 300 and MATH 222; if needed, COMP SCI 240, 354 or 400 can also be used. Only UW–Madison courses count, and repeats are excluded.
• Computer Engineering is different: it is in the College of Engineering and focuses on hardware. Engineering offers direct admission to first-year students who list an engineering major as their first choice, with a second choice outside Engineering, such as Computer Sciences. Transferring into Engineering as a continuing student requires another application and is very competitive.

2. Curriculum

• Degrees: a BA or BS in Computer Sciences, or a Certificate in Computer Sciences.
• Major structure: foundational coursework in programming, computer architecture, calculus and additional maths, plus one Theory course, two Software/Hardware courses, one Applications course and two CS electives. The major is not tracked and needs no specialization.
• Intro programming: the sequence COMP SCI 200, 300 and 400 is taught in Java. COMP SCI 200 assumes no programming experience, and a 1-credit study group (CS 304) can be taken alongside it. Students with substantial experience but no formal credit can ask an advisor about skipping 200.
• Four years: advisors generally recommend two CS or maths courses per semester; starting right away makes four years feasible, while waiting until after first year may extend time to degree.
• Honors in the Major: a 3.3 university GPA, a 3.5 GPA in CS and major courses, one honors course numbered 500–699 with a B or better, and COMP SCI 681 and 682 (6 credits, a year-long senior honors thesis).

3. AP and IB credit

• AP Computer Science A, score 3, 4 or 5: CS 200 Programming I;
• AP Computer Science Principles, score 3: 3 general elective credits; 4 or 5: CS 202 Introduction to Computation;
• IB Computer Studies (HL), score 4 or higher: CS 200;
• other incoming credit is evaluated by Admissions and the department.

4. Deadlines and materials

• Fall Early Action (non-binding): apply by 1 November, materials by 9 November, decisions by the end of January.
• Fall Regular Decision: apply by 15 January, materials by 22 January, decisions by the end of March.
• Spring entry closes 1 October. Deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
• Materials: an $80 fee, one letter of recommendation, and an essay on why UW–Madison and your chosen major(s).

5. Testing and English

• Test optional through the spring 2028 term; your choice on the application is final.
• English: applicants educated in non-English-speaking countries submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo unless English was the main language of instruction for all four years of secondary school. Minimums: TOEFL iBT 4.5 for tests on or after 21 January 2026 (80 before), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115. TOEFL MyBest and TOEFL ITP Plus for China are not accepted.

6. Students at high schools in China

• National-curriculum students still in high school submit grade 9 and grade 10–11 transcripts in Chinese and English, then a final grade 12 transcript after admission. UW–Madison publishes no Gaokao policy.
• A-level, IB and dual-diploma students follow the requirements for their curriculum. AP or IB computer science scores at the levels in section 3 can replace intro courses.
• The department lists no high school prerequisites for first-year applicants; starting intro programming and calculus early at UW–Madison helps you declare on time.

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

• Outside Quebec (including BC): submit grade 9, 10 and 11 transcripts; to finalize admission, send grade 12 results with proof of graduation.
• No Canadian grade requirements are published. Four years of English-medium high school waives the English test.

8. Transfer students

• University requirements: at least 24 transferable credits completed or in progress after high school (AP, A-level and IB do not count); fall priority deadline 1 February, regular 1 March; spring 1 October.
• Getting into CS: transfer students are not admitted directly into the major either, and declare under the same rules. The intro programming course must be taken at UW–Madison to meet the BC-or-higher requirement.
• Credit: transfer credit may come as elective credit (for example COMP SCI X12) or direct credit (for example COMP SCI 300). Elective credit counts toward BA/BS breadth and credit requirements but not CS major requirements; direct CS credit counts toward the major. At SOAR, a CS advisor reviews your transfer credit evaluation and helps plan courses.

9. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 estimated cost for non-residents (US$): tuition and fees 45,518, course materials 700, housing and meals 14,994, personal 2,618, transportation 1,222 and loan fees 68, for a total of 65,120. International students also pay International Student Fees. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published.
• No aid through the financial aid office for international students on a visa. Students needing an F-1 or J-1 visa must show proof of funding for one full year after admission.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply to Letters & Science by 1 November (EA) or 15 January (RD), explaining your interest in computer science in the essay
• TOEFL 4.5 (80 on the old scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115; testing optional
• In your first year, take COMP SCI 300 and MATH 222 to declare early

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

• Submit grade 9–11 transcripts; four years of English-medium high school waives the English test
• If you are also interested in Computer Engineering, list an engineering major as your first choice

Transfer students:

• At least 24 transferable credits; fall priority deadline 1 February
• The intro programming course must be taken at UW–Madison with BC or higher; confirm with an advisor at SOAR how transferred maths and CS credit counts

Sources: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Computer Sciences: prospective undergraduates; Computer Sciences FAQs for prospective students; Undergraduate programs and major declaration; Sample four-year planning guides; Transfer SOAR for Computer Sciences; First-year application; Deadlines; International applicants; Transfer application; Cost of attendance; Financial aid eligibility. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check UW–Madison for the latest details.