How to Apply to Computer Science at UC Davis: The Computer Science BS and the Computer Science & Engineering BS in the College of Engineering, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering, which offers two majors: the Computer Science, BS and the Computer Science & Engineering, BS, plus minors in Computer Science and Computational Biology. UC Davis uses the UC Application and admits for fall only. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UC Davis and University of California websites, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

Note: the department website (cs.ucdavis.edu) could not be accessed for this guide; major information comes from the 2026-27 UC Davis General Catalog and the admissions website.

1. Choosing between the two majors

• The difference: according to the catalog, the main differences are the amount of hardware and curricular flexibility. Computer Science & Engineering covers the whole machine with hands-on hardware and has fewer free electives; Computer Science teaches some hardware at the digital-design level on simulators and has more electives, making a minor or double major easier.
• Units: at least 103 units for the Computer Science BS and 144 for Computer Science & Engineering, plus university and college requirements.

2. Computer Science BS curriculum (2026-27 Catalog)

• Preparatory subject matter (49 to 51 units):
  • Mathematics: calculus MAT 021A, B and C, plus one linear algebra course (MAT 022A, MAT/BIS 027A or MAT 067);
  • Computer science: ECS 020 Discrete Mathematics, ECS 036A Programming & Problem Solving, ECS 036B Software Development & Object-Oriented Programming in C++, ECS 036C Data Structures, Algorithms & Programming, and ECS 050 Computer Organization & Machine-Dependent Programming;
  • Laboratory science: three courses from approved biology, chemistry and physics lists.
• Depth subject matter: ECS 122A Algorithm Design & Analysis; ECS 120 Theory of Computation or ECS 122B; ECS 140A Programming Languages; ECS 150 Operating Systems; ECS 154A Computer Architecture; one probability course (ECS 132, MAT 135A or STA 131A); and an upper-division composition course.
• Computer science electives: at least seven, including at least one mathematics or statistics course and at least four ECS courses, from ECS 120 to 189 and other approved courses; required courses cannot also count as electives.
• Computer Science & Engineering: also requires MAT 021D, MAT 022B, physics PHY 009A to D and more, with required upper-division electrical and computer engineering courses such as EEC 100 and EEC 172.

3. Getting into Computer Science as a first-year

• Choosing a major: UC Davis advises applying to a major that interests you rather than one you think is easiest to get into, and adding an alternate major in case you are not admitted to your first choice.
• Admission data: whether Computer Science has capped places for first-years, and its admit numbers or rates, are not stated on the pages read for this guide.
• Declaring the major: the catalog says students must complete specific courses and meet GPA minimums before declaring Computer Science, with the full list on the department’s advising page. That page could not be accessed for this guide; check the department website or ask an advisor.
• Requirements for changing into Computer Science from another major are also on the department website and were not checked.

4. First-year dates and review

• Start the UC Application from 1 August; submit from 1 October to 30 November 2026; decisions from mid-March in the UC Davis portal; Statement of Intent to Register by 1 May.
• No ED or EA; fall entry only.
• Comprehensive review: UC’s 13 factors, including A-G GPA, course rigor and honors/AP/IB HL courses, special talents, achievements and personal circumstances, and your Personal Insight Questions.
• SAT/ACT: not considered for admission or scholarships; may be used for some minimum requirements or placement after enrolling.

5. International academic and English requirements

• Academic: complete secondary school with a certificate giving access to university in your country and strong grades in academic subjects; a minimum A-G GPA of 3.4 for non-residents. International applicants meet the same requirements and selection process as US applicants.
• English: required if you have studied in the US for under 3 years after non-English-medium schooling. Minimums: TOEFL iBT 4.5 from January 2026 (80 before); IELTS 6.5; Duolingo 115. Test by December of your final high school year; IELTS One Skill Retake and TOEFL MyBest are not accepted.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Standard curriculum: list all grade 9 to 12 courses exactly as on your transcript; after admission, submit your graduation certificate and official junior and senior secondary records. The Gaokao is not mentioned.
• A-levels: at least 5 IGCSE/GCSE/O-levels and 3 A-levels; A-level grades A, B and C can earn credit. IB: report IB courses and exams as instructed.
• After admission, all records must be sent directly by your school or the exam board.

7. Students at Canadian high schools

• BC and provinces other than Quebec: complete 12 years with the relevant graduation diploma; UC Davis does not publish a specific score.
• Quebec: the DES plus the two-year CEGEP DEC.
• Students at English-medium schools usually do not need an English test.

8. Transfer

• Basics: 60 semester or 90 quarter UC-transferable units by the end of the spring before entry; two English composition courses; a minimum GPA of 2.80 at UC Davis.
• All engineering majors are selective: courses need letter grades, C or better, completed by the end of the spring term before fall entry; summer courses do not count. Non-TAG applicants need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.10 and 3.20 in major preparation.
• Computer Science (not open to TAG): complete both groups below with at least a 3.40 GPA in each:
  • computing: equivalents of ECS 020, 036A, 036B, 036C and 050;
  • mathematics: equivalents of MAT 021A, B, C and 022A (MAT 022A is required starting fall 2027).
• Computer Science & Engineering: open to TAG (engineering TAG requires at least a 3.50 cumulative and major-preparation GPA); complete CHE 002A or PHY 009D, CMN 001, ENG 017, ECS 020, 036A to C and 050, MAT 021A to D, MAT 022A and B, PHY 009A to D, and an English composition course.
• Use ASSIST for California community college course equivalents.
• Dates: 1 October to 30 November; 31 January is the priority deadline for the Transfer Academic Update.

9. Costs (USD)

• 2026-27 budget for a new student living on campus: 49,009 for California residents; non-residents add 39,270 in supplemental tuition, about 88,279 in total, or about 83,931 off campus. Whether Computer Science carries an extra major fee is not published. Fall 2027 costs are not published.
• Fee stability: tuition and systemwide fees stay the same for up to six years from first enrollment.
• Aid: UC Davis admissions pages do not say whether international students can receive aid; contact the financial aid office.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit the UC Application between 1 October and 30 November 2026, choosing Computer Science or Computer Science & Engineering, with an alternate major
• A-G GPA of 3.4 or higher (competitive applicants are usually higher); TOEFL 4.5 (new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115 by December
• Budget about USD 88,000 a year

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

• Submit by 30 November; no SAT/ACT needed

Transfer students:

• Computer Science: by spring, complete equivalents of ECS 020, 036A to C, 050 and MAT 021A to C, 022A with a 3.40 GPA in each group; TAG is not available
• Computer Science & Engineering: complete the full physics series, four calculus and two linear algebra courses and the rest; TAG available (GPA 3.50)

Sources: UC Davis and the University of California, 2026-27 Catalog: Computer Science, BS; 2026-27 Catalog: Computer Science & Engineering, BS; International admission; First-year admission requirements; First-year application tips; First-year timeline; Application review criteria; Transfer admission requirements; Transfer timeline; Selective major requirements: College of Engineering; 2026-27 cost of attendance; UC English language proficiency. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check UC Davis and UC for the latest details.