How to Apply to Computer Science at the University at Buffalo: Choose the Major on the Application, Core Courses and a 2.8 GPA to Transfer In, and the BS and BA Paths, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University at Buffalo (UB), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Here is what you need to know, based on UB’s website, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Degrees

• BS in Computer Science: a more concentrated (depth) program, which UB says is formally accredited. The department reports 1,068 students enrolled as of 16 October 2026.
• BA in Computer Science: a breadth program that encourages combining computer science with another field.
• The department also offers a BS in Computer Engineering, a BS/MS in Computer Science and Engineering, a joint BS (Computer Science)/MBA, and minors in computer science and cybersecurity.

2. How first-year students enter the major

• Choose the major on the application: SEAS says you only need to select an engineering or applied science major on the standard application; no separate application is required. If you are undecided within SEAS, indicate “engineering.” If you change your mind after applying, contact admissions; no new application is needed.
• Review: the admissions site says engineering applications receive an additional review of readiness in key science and math areas; SEAS describes a holistic review of high school performance, test scores (if submitted), personal statements and recommendations. Common App and Coalition applicants may choose a second-choice major.
• Switching after enrollment: SEAS says enrolled students in good standing can readily switch majors in their first year.

3. Entering CS as a current UB student or transfer

• Core courses (computer science): Calculus 1 (MTH 141 or 153; BA applicants may take MTH 121 or 131), Introduction to Computer Science for Majors 1 (CSE 115) and 2 (CSE 116), and Discrete Structures (CSE 191 or MTH 191).
• Two paths: standard, all four courses with a combined core GPA of at least 2.5; fast-track, at least two of the four (graded A–F) with a core GPA of at least 3.0.
• Cumulative GPA: 2.8 for Computer Science (BA and BS). The current-student page labels this table as the 2022-23 requirement, while the transfer page calls it the current year; the figures are the same. Check SEAS for the latest.
• Current students submit the SEAS Major/Minor Change Request Form, ideally by the end of May for fall and early December for spring. Students who are declined are generally not permitted to take 200-level and above CS courses, and may reapply later.
• AP, IB and A-level credit may satisfy core requirements for calculus, physics and chemistry according to UB’s articulation charts; retaking the equivalent course at UB is not counted as a repeat.

4. Curriculum

• First and second years: object-oriented programming, data structures and digital systems, plus calculus, probability/statistics and discrete mathematics, and a two-semester sequence in any science.
• Junior year: algorithms, programming languages, computer organization and theory of computing.
• Senior year: required software engineering and operating systems, then electives such as software systems, networking and artificial intelligence.
• Full degree requirements are in the catalog and course flowsheets, which this guide did not read; check the catalog.
• BS/MS: five years and 134 credit hours (versus 150 separately). Apply after 56 credit hours with a GPA of at least 3.3 in required CSE, MTH and EAS courses; transfer students must first complete a semester at UB.

5. Dates and materials

• International students (first-year and transfer), fall entry: applications open 1 August; Early Action 1 November; Honors College priority 15 December; Regular Decision completion 1 February, with applications accepted afterwards until capacity is reached. Deposit by 1 May (or 10 days after acceptance, whichever is later). The international first-year table shows no year, while the same table on the international transfer page is labelled “Fall 2026”; check before applying.
• Spring entry: recommended submission by 1 October.
• How to apply: ApplySUNY, the Common Application or Coalition for College (one only), with a USD 50 fee. Recommendations are not required, but UB strongly recommends at least one and accepts up to three.
• Testing: SAT and ACT are not required for admission or scholarships; you may choose to submit them.

6. English requirements

• Minimums: TOEFL iBT 70 (4 on the new scale), IELTS Academic 6.0, Duolingo 105, PTE 50, ACT English and Reading 18, SAT ERW 500.
• Alternatives: IB English A: Language & Literature grade 5, AP English Language & Composition 4 or a B in the class, IGCSE English First Language C, or A/AS-level English C.

7. Students at high schools in China

• The international first-year page says UB expects the equivalent of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (a B, or 83 out of 100).
• Required academic documents are listed by country in a drop-down on the international first-year page; this guide did not read the entry for China, and UB does not publish a Gaokao policy. Select China on that page. Documents not in English need translations.
• A-level, IB and AP results may give credit toward core courses (see section 3).

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

• UB does not publish score requirements for Canadian or BC curricula; document requirements are also listed by country on the international first-year page. Students who need a visa apply as international applicants; US citizens or permanent residents studying abroad apply as domestic applicants with foreign credentials.

9. Transfer students

• Two steps: apply and be admitted to UB, then submit the SEAS Supplemental Application. UB applications are encouraged by the end of March for fall and early October for spring.
• Requirements: the core courses and 2.8 cumulative GPA in section 3. Applicants who meet the GPA but not the core requirement may be admitted conditionally, usually needing to complete the core (core GPA 2.5) or 10+ credits of relevant technical coursework (GPA 2.5) within one or two semesters. Declined applicants are placed in UB’s Exploratory Transitions major and cannot take engineering or 200-level and above CS courses.
• Deadlines: 1 February for international transfers (fall); 1 May for domestic transfers.
• International transfers: UB expects the equivalent of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; with fewer than 24 credits, your high school record is also reviewed. Bring course descriptions and syllabuses to help departments assess credit.

10. Costs and scholarships

• Estimated annual costs for F-1/J-1 students: tuition USD 29,070, fees USD 6,466 (including the international student fee and health insurance), housing and dining USD 18,606, related expenses USD 6,888; total USD 61,030.
• Year labels differ: the tuition page says related expenses are 2026-27 estimates, while the international financial details page says the same item is a 2025-26 estimate; both total USD 61,030. The international financial form has been updated for 2027 entry.
• Scholarships: admitted international first-year students are automatically considered for the Flagship Scholarship, which varies in amount and is renewable for up to four years with good standing; the Presidential Scholarship requires a separate application through the Honors College. International transfers are considered for transfer scholarships based on transfer GPA.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Select Computer Science (BS or BA) on the application; apply Early Action by 1 November for a priority response and scholarship consideration
• Prepare IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 70; select China on the international first-year page for document requirements
• Take calculus if you can; AP, IB and A-level results may give core course credit

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

• Apply as an international or domestic-with-foreign-credentials applicant; check document requirements by country on the international first-year page

Transfer students:

• Complete Calculus 1, CSE 115, CSE 116 and Discrete Structures (or at least two with a 3.0) and hold a 2.8 cumulative GPA; apply to UB, then submit the SEAS supplemental application

Sources: University at Buffalo, CSE undergraduate; BS in Computer Science; BA in Computer Science; BS/MS in Computer Science and Engineering; SEAS first-year admission; SEAS admission for current UB students; SEAS transfer admission; First-year application; International first-year; International transfer; Dates and deadlines; Special requirements for certain majors; Tuition and estimated costs; International financial details; Scholarships. Dates follow the current admissions tables and costs are the estimates shown. Check UB for the latest.