How to Apply to Computer Science at Tufts University: The BS in Computer Science in the School of Engineering and the BA/BS in Arts and Sciences, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Tufts University, computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science, part of the School of Engineering, through two majors: the BS in Computer Science in the School of Engineering and the Computer Science major in the School of Arts and Sciences (students choose a BA or BS; the requirements are the same). You apply to a school and are considered only for that school; you declare a major after entry. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Tufts’ official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Which school, and choosing a major

• Choose one of three schools: Arts and Sciences, Engineering, or the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA), or the five-year BFA + BA/BS combined degree. For computer science, apply to Engineering (BS in Computer Science) or Arts and Sciences (BA/BS in Computer Science). Enrolled students can take classes across all three schools.
• High school preparation for Engineering: admissions strongly encourages Engineering applicants to take four years of rigorous math and science, including physics and calculus where available. The process is the same as for other first-year applicants, and testing is optional.
• When to declare: Engineering students declare by the spring of their first year, Arts and Sciences students by the spring of their sophomore year.
• Switching schools after applying: the application FAQ says two things. One answer says that if you realise another school fits better, you can email as early as possible to ask to be considered for it instead, and admissions will confirm whether this can be approved; another says the answer selected in the application cannot be changed after submission. The pages read for this guide do not say how enrolled students move between the two schools; check with Tufts.
• The department also offers a BS in Data Science in Engineering and minors in Computer Science, AI Development and Application of AI.

2. Computer science major requirements

• BS in Computer Science (Engineering): 120 semester hours.
  • Mathematics: the calculus sequence (MATH 32, 34, 42), Linear Algebra (MATH 70) and a probability or statistics course;
  • Natural science: two engineering-appropriate sciences plus a science or math elective, covering at least two of physics, chemistry and biology;
  • Engineering core: EN 1, EN 3 (from the class of 2030) and CS 10 or equivalent;
  • Humanities, arts and social sciences: English, EM 52, humanities, social science and ethics courses, 24 semester hours in all;
  • Computer science: after the introductory sequence, Discrete Mathematics (CS/MATH 61 or MATH 65), Machine Structure and Assembly (CS 40), Programming Languages (CS 105), Algorithms (CS 160) and Theory of Computation (CS 170); seven or more CS electives (at least two above 100, at least two in computer systems, and at least 2 credit hours on the social context of computing); and a two-semester team capstone (CS 97 and 98).
  • The same page gives two numbers for CS courses: “14 CS courses” in one place and “15 CS courses required” in another. Follow the degree sheet.
• BA/BS in Computer Science (Arts and Sciences): 10 courses, eight in computer science and two in mathematics. The CS courses must include CS 15, 40, 80 or 105, 160 and 170, with the rest numbered above 15; the math courses are Linear Algebra (MATH 70 or 72) and Discrete Mathematics (CS 61, MATH 61 or 65). Each of the 10 courses needs a C- or better. CS 10 and 11 and MATH 4, 14, 30 and 32 do not count toward the major. For a stronger program the department recommends courses such as the capstone (CS 97 and 98).
• Introductory courses and prior programming: the Engineering BS has three entry points. CS 10 covers programming fundamentals; students with experience can take the programming placement exam, offered each summer and during the year, to go straight to CS 11; students with strong C++ (including pointers and classes) may start with CS 15 with instructor consent.
• Focus areas: the department offers unofficial focus-area guides in artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, cyber security, human-robot interaction and robotics; they do not appear on the degree.
• Internships and research: the department says about 80% of Tufts engineering majors complete at least one internship and 60% do research.

3. Application plans and deadlines

• Early Decision I (binding): deadline November 2, 2026, notification mid-December.
• Early Decision II (binding): deadline January 4, 2027, notification early February.
• Regular Decision: deadline January 4, 2027, notification by April 1.
• Tufts accepts the Common App, Scoir (Coalition) and QuestBridge, with no preference.

4. Standardized testing

• Test optional: first-year and transfer applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, and Tufts does not assume unsubmitted scores are low. There is no minimum score.
• For international applicants who submit SAT or ACT, scores are interpreted in the context of their international background.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Evaluation: Tufts says it evaluates candidates primarily within the context of their national academic system.
• Transcripts: four years of internal results (three full years plus available current-year marks), official results of national exams taken so far, and predicted marks for pending exams.
• Gaokao: Tufts does not address the Gaokao specifically. It says predicted results are evaluated with earlier marks, offers are contingent on completing your curriculum in line with them, and significant drops in final marks risk probation or rescission.
• Translation: everything must arrive in English, and recommendations and transcripts cannot be translated by you or your family; English teachers or other school officials, professional translators or EducationUSA offices are acceptable.
• Interviews: Tufts accepts InitialView or Duolingo interviews to demonstrate English skills.
• English: see section 7.

6. Students at Canadian high schools

• English: students with at least three years in an English-instruction secondary school do not need an English test; students in ESOL classes may be asked for proof of proficiency.
• BC curriculum: Tufts publishes no separate grade requirement for Canadian or BC curricula.
• Process: deadlines and materials are the same as for other applicants.

7. English requirements

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who have not attended an English-instruction school for three years must submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo.
• Tufts has no minimums, but successful applicants generally have:
  • TOEFL 5.0+ for tests on or after January 21, 2026, or 100+ for earlier tests;
  • IELTS 7+, PTE Academic 68+, Duolingo 130+.
• TOEFL ITP Plus and IELTS Indicator are not accepted; English scores are not superscored, MyBest is not accepted, and all sections must be from one test date.
• Self-reported scores are accepted, with official scores required on enrollment.

8. Costs and financial aid

• 2026-27 costs (U.S. dollars, first-years on campus): tuition 74,862, housing 11,220, food 9,374, fees 1,696, total 97,152; books and personal expenses add about 2,846, and transportation varies. Fall 2027 costs have not been published.
• Need-based aid: Tufts meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students regardless of citizenship and offers no merit scholarships. It also says it has a limited amount of funding for talented international students.
• Request aid when you apply:
  • indicate your intent on the admission application; international students who wait until after admission will not receive aid;
  • submit the free ISFAA or the CSS Profile when applying; admitted students must submit the CSS Profile within 5–7 days, with a fee waiver provided;
  • international citizens seeking need-based aid can have the application fee waived.
• ED and aid: international aid applicants can apply ED, and their package is the same as it would be in Regular Decision.

9. Transfer students

• Deadline: March 15, 2027, with decisions by mid-May; fall entry only.
• Eligibility: good academic and disciplinary standing; Tufts recommends at least one year of college by enrollment. You must spend at least two years at Tufts, so students with more than two years of full-time credit are discouraged. International students with two or more semesters at a home-country university can apply as transfers.
• Materials:
  • Common App for Transfer, a College Report from each college attended, and one academic evaluation from a college instructor or advisor;
  • secondary and college transcripts, and brief course descriptions;
  • a Mid-Term Report between March 15 and April 5;
  • English test scores if English is not your primary language and you have not had three years of English-instruction study;
  • a $75 application fee; SAT and ACT are optional.
• Credit: advising deans estimate credit at admission, and faculty formally evaluate it after enrollment. Only courses with C- or higher transfer, up to the equivalent of 60 credits, not automatically course for course.
• Aid: Tufts says financial aid is extremely limited for international transfer applicants.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply to Engineering (BS in Computer Science) or Arts and Sciences (BA/BS); Engineering applicants should ideally take physics and calculus; deadlines November 2 (ED I) or January 4 (ED II or RD)
• Four years of school results; translations by school staff or professional services
• English reference points: TOEFL 5.0, IELTS 7, Duolingo 130; consider an InitialView interview
• If you need aid, request it in your application

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

• No English test after three years at an English-instruction school
• Same deadlines; testing optional

Transfer students:

• Apply by March 15, 2027, for fall; a full year of college is recommended
• Courses with C- or higher can transfer, up to 60 credits; aid for international transfers is extremely limited

Sources: Tufts University, Applying to Tufts and deadlines; SAT and ACT policy; Applying as an international student; International FAQs; Financial aid for international students; Applying for aid; Transfer applicants; Transfer of credit; 2026-27 cost of attendance; Applying to the School of Engineering; Application FAQ; Computer Science undergraduate programs; BS in Computer Science (Engineering); BA/BS in Computer Science (Arts and Sciences); Focus areas; Programming placement exam. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Tufts for the latest details.