How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Connecticut: The School of Computing B.S. in Computer Science and Its Eight Concentrations, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Connecticut (UConn), undergraduate computer science is offered by the School of Computing in the College of Engineering, and the degree is the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UConn’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Four majors in the School of Computing

• Computer Science (BS): at least 120 credits, emphasizing the theory, principles and practice of computing. It includes coursework in a computing application area outside engineering (such as business or bioinformatics), is supported by mathematics, science and engineering, builds design experience in software engineering and application areas, and ends with a one-semester Senior Design Project. It is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. Computer Science is also offered at UConn Stamford.
• Computer Science and Engineering (BSE): at least 126 credits, covering software and hardware, accredited by both ABET’s engineering and computing commissions.
• Computer Engineering (hardware design) and Data Science and Engineering are also offered; this guide does not cover them.
• Plan of study: engineering students file a preliminary plan of study in the first semester of junior year (or their second semester at UConn for transfers, whichever is later) and a final plan in their last semester.

2. Concentrations

• Eight concentrations (shared by Computer Science and Computer Science and Engineering): Algorithms and Theory, Systems and Networks, Cybersecurity, Bioinformatics, Software Design and Development, Software Design for Mobile Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Naval Science and Technology.
• Artificial Intelligence: renamed from Computational Data Analytics in fall 2025.
• Credits: in Algorithms and Theory, for example, the concentration requires 12 credits, with one required course (Theory of Computation) and the rest from the concentration list; one special topics or independent study course can count with approval.
• The Unspecialized and Individually Designed concentrations are available only to students on the 2024-25 catalog or earlier.
• Detailed requirements: the full degree requirements are in the UConn catalog, which this guide could not read (the catalog site shows a verification page). See the Computer Science BS catalog page or the Engineering advising site’s curriculum outlines by catalog year. Students follow the catalog of the year they joined UConn and may switch to a later year, but cannot switch back.

3. How first-year students enter computer science

• Admission to UConn first: the School of Computing says deadlines and requirements are set by the university and the College of Engineering, and students must first be accepted to UConn.
• High school science: UConn’s international first-year page says applicants to Engineering must have taken secondary-school physics and chemistry.
• Current UConn students may apply to the College of Engineering through an online application; the pages reviewed do not give the criteria, so check with Engineering advising.
• Programming background: the pages reviewed do not say whether programming experience is expected before entry.

4. Five-year B.S./M.S.

• UConn undergraduates in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering or Computer Engineering can apply in their senior year for the M.S. in Computer Science, with up to 12 credits counting toward both degrees. The undergraduate overview page also lists Data Science and Engineering for the five-year program; the program page lists only the first three. Both statements are given here.
• Criteria: at least 86 credits; a 3.0 cumulative GPA, a 3.0 GPA over the last two years, or 3.5+ in the final year; apply by 15 April for fall. The GRE is not required.

5. Deadlines for fall 2027

• Early Decision: 1 November, notifications from mid-December.
• Priority deadline for merit and Honors consideration: 1 December, decisions from early March.
• Storrs campus deadline: 15 January, decisions from early March.
• Regional campuses: 1 May, rolling.
• How to apply: the Common App or Coalition Application; an $80 fee; a 250–650-word essay; two optional but preferred recommendation letters. All documents must arrive by the deadline.

6. Credentials, testing and English

• China (national curriculum): Senior Middle School transcripts for grades 10 and 11 showing grade 12 courses in progress; after graduation, the final three-year transcript and graduation certificate, with certified English translations.
• Canada: transcripts for years 9–11 at application; after graduation, years 9–12 plus the provincial diploma.
• Test optional: no applicant is disadvantaged without scores; if you want SAT or ACT considered, have official scores sent. The middle 50% of fall 2026 Storrs admits who submitted scores: SAT 1320–1460, ACT 29–34. The College of Engineering says its incoming students average 1355 on the SAT.
• English minimums (required for non-native speakers): TOEFL 4.5 (79 out of 120), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110, LanguageCert Academic 70, PTE 60. Waivers include at least two years at a US secondary school (excluding ESL), SAT EBRW 510+, ACT 24+ on English, Reading and Composite, or IB HL English 5+.
• UConn publishes no Gaokao policy and no grade requirements for BC or A-level curricula.

7. External transfer students

• Who is a transfer: anyone with 12 or more transferable credits earned after high school.
• Computer Science is a restricted program: minimum criteria for Engineering are a 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale) and completed prerequisites in calculus, chemistry and physics. Engineering says transfer admission decisions are made by UConn’s Undergraduate Admissions, not by the college, and transfer advising takes place at orientation.
• Deadlines: 1 April for fall in the College of Engineering, then space-available; international students cannot apply for spring.
• Credit: only courses comparable to UConn’s and completed with a C or better transfer; online lab science and language courses, pass/fail work, internship and practicum credit and similar coursework do not.
• Testing: SAT/ACT are not required for applicants aged 21+ or with 24 transferable college credits completed after high school. English minimums match first-year requirements.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 Storrs estimates (US$): the cost page lists in-state, out-of-state and New England Regional rates, with no separate international rate. Out-of-state:
  • tuition 39,678, university and student fees 4,564, housing 8,288 and meals 6,896, for direct costs of 59,426;
  • 63,210 with the waivable health insurance (3,214) and book bundle (570);
  • an estimated total cost of attendance of 67,108.
• Scholarships for international students: the Global Excellence Award and Global Distinction Award are for international applicants, renewable for four years, with priority for applications by 1 December; the Stamps Scholarship is open to all Storrs applicants and highly competitive. Most merit scholarships are considered automatically.
• Proof of funding: the I-20 request requires a Financial Declaration Form and documents covering the first year. The pages reviewed do not say whether computer science carries extra fees.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Take physics and chemistry in high school; apply via the Common App or Coalition by 1 December for merit and Honors, or by 15 January at the latest
• Grade 10 and 11 transcripts (showing grade 12 courses) with translations; TOEFL 4.5 (new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 110
• After entry, follow your catalog year, choose a concentration and file a plan of study by junior year

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

• Same deadlines; years 9–11 transcripts, then the provincial diploma; take physics and chemistry

Transfer students:

• A 3.0+ GPA with calculus, chemistry and physics completed; apply by 1 April for fall; no spring entry for international students

Sources: University of Connecticut, School of Computing undergraduate; Major programs; Computer Science B.S.; Concentrations; 5-year B.S./M.S.; Engineering transfer students; International first-year applicants; First-year dates and deadlines; Application instructions; 2026-27 costs; Merit scholarships; International transfer applicants; Transfer dates and deadlines; Transfer admission requirements; Restricted programs. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check UConn for the latest details.