How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder: The BS and BA in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, Required Courses, Nine Suggested Plans of Study and Transfer Criteria, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), undergraduate computer science is offered as a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA), both by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. The catalog notes that before 2020–21 the BA was offered by the College of Arts and Sciences. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on CU Boulder’s official 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. BS or BA

• Common ground: both offer the same computer science courses taught by the same instructors, and the Foundation course requirements are identical.
• BS: a wider breadth of CS courses and a stronger mathematics foundation, an engineering approach, and a required senior capstone or thesis.
• BA: fewer CS courses and general education requirements that make double majors, minors and certificates easier; capstone courses are optional.
• Students cannot earn both the BS and the BA in computer science, or a computer science degree plus the computer science minor.

2. BS curriculum (students starting fall 2022 or later)

• Total: 128 credits, at least 45 of them at CU Boulder, including at least 39 of the final 45.
• 58 hours of computer science:
  • Foundation (all required, C- or better): CSCI 1000, 1300 Computer Science 1, 2270 Data Structures, 2400 Computer Systems, 3104 Algorithms, 3155 Principles of Programming Languages, 3308 Software Development Methods and Tools;
  • Core: five of eleven (C- or better): human-computer interaction, algorithmic foundations of AI, database systems, robotics, cybersecurity, theory of computation, numerical computation, operating systems, advanced data science, network systems, and object-oriented analysis and design;
  • further core or upper-division electives to reach 58 hours.
• Senior capstone (year-long, fall to spring, C- or better each semester): the BS page describes three project types (software design project, entrepreneurial capstone, senior thesis), while the degree requirements page lists four options, adding a multidisciplinary capstone with other engineering students. Both are reported here.
• Mathematics: Calculus 1 and 2, plus one course each in discrete mathematics, linear algebra, and probability or statistics.
• Natural science, 17 hours: calculus-based PHYS 1110 (C- or better), one approved science-with-lab sequence (physics, chemistry or biology), and science electives to make 17 hours.
• Logic and ethics, 6 hours; humanities and social sciences, 18 hours.

3. BA curriculum (students starting summer 2020 or later)

• Total: 120 credits.
• At least 45 hours of computer science, at least 18 of them upper-division: Foundation CSCI 1300, 2270, 2400, 3104, 3155 and 3308; four of the eleven core courses; electives for the rest.
• Mathematics: a calculus sequence (Calculus 1 and 2, or the two-part Calculus 1 with Algebra plus Calculus 2), one discrete mathematics course, and one linear algebra or probability/statistics course.
• Additional area of study: any declarable minor or certificate of at least 15 hours from any CU Boulder college; a second major in a dual degree also satisfies this.
• General education: about 42–48 credit hours according to the catalog, including writing, arts and humanities, social sciences and natural science.

4. Nine suggested plans of study and accelerated master’s

• BS and BA students may follow nine optional suggested plans of study (all, part or none): artificial intelligence and machine learning, computational biology and bioinformatics, human-centered computing, numerical and scientific computing, programming languages, robotics, software engineering, systems, networks and security, and theory of computing.
• Accelerated master’s: the department offers accelerated programs to earn a bachelor’s and master’s in less time.

5. First-year application: dates, materials and testing

• The 2027 application is open; apply through the Common App. The international application fee is US$70.
• International first-year deadlines:
  • early action: 15 November (decision by 1 February);
  • regular decision: 15 January (decision by 1 April);
  • spring entry: 1 October.
• Materials: one Common App essay (250–650 words) and a short answer of up to 250 words on what you hope to study and why; one letter of recommendation; secondary school records (unofficial records are accepted for review, official ones on enrollment, with certified English translations).
• Testing: SAT and ACT are not required for the 2027 application; you may self-report scores.
• Review: holistic, with academic achievement the primary factor, including core course grades, rigor and GPA; CU Boulder says it considers you relative to a prediction of success in your intended major.
• Separate capacity for computer science: the pages read for this guide do not say whether computer science has its own limit or list specific high school math and science requirements for Engineering; check with the admissions office.
• Transferring into computer science from another CU Boulder college: the criteria are not published on the pages read.

6. English proficiency

• Minimums: new TOEFL 4.0 (from January 2026) or old TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, Cambridge C1 or C2 180, PTE 58, Duolingo 115; or IB English A SL 6 or HL 5, GCSE/GCE English B, AP English 4, SAT EBRW 580 or ACT English 23.
• Exemption: at least two years of full-time secondary study in a qualifying country such as Canada, the UK, Australia or Singapore, completed within two calendar years of starting at CU Boulder.
• Conditional admission: academically eligible students can apply without English scores and enroll in the Pathway to CU Program.
• English scores must be on file for scholarship consideration.

7. Students at high schools in China

• Transcripts: senior secondary transcripts, mark sheets and exam results; current students send available records and a list of courses in progress.
• Gaokao: CU Boulder publishes no Gaokao policy or score requirement.
• A-levels, IB and AP: credit is possible. IB Diploma holders with 4 or higher on each exam receive 24 credits (the college decides how they apply); A-level results must be verified with the board; AP scores must come from the College Board.

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

• Grade requirements for BC and other provinces are not published.
• Two full years of secondary school in Canada (completed within two calendar years of starting) exempt you from English tests.

9. Transfer students

• BS (Engineering criteria): cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher; two semesters of college calculus plus one semester of calculus-based physics, college chemistry or a programming course, all with B or better, and further math and science courses also with B or better. The catalog adds that applicants within 18 months of high school graduation may be competitive without these courses if their high school record is competitive.
• BA: cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher; Calculus 1 and 2 with C or better; an introductory programming course (Java, Python, C or C++, C++ preferred); B or higher in all computing courses. AP and IB credit does not count toward the transfer math and computer science requirements.
• Fewer than 24 credits: your high school record is also reviewed.
• International transfer deadlines: fall early notification 15 March and final 1 June; spring 1 October; summer 15 March.
• Scholarship: international transfer applicants are automatically considered for the CU Boulder Transfer Excellence Scholarship.

10. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 costs for incoming international undergraduates (US$): Engineering is charged at Tier 3, with tuition and undergraduate fees of 51,834 a year, books 1,200 and on-campus housing and food 19,242, for a total of about 72,276. A one-time US$500 new student fee and a US$40 per-semester immigration compliance fee are extra.
• Tuition guarantee: CU Boulder’s undergraduate tuition guarantee fixes tuition for four years from your first term.
• Scholarships: international first-years with complete applications (including English scores) by 15 January are automatically considered and notified with their decision; CU Boulder’s example is the Chancellor’s Scholarship of US$6,250 a year.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 15 November for early action, or by 15 January; choose computer science (BS or BA)
• Prepare the essay, short answer and one recommendation; IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80 (new 4.0) or higher, needed for scholarships
• SAT/ACT not required; self-report strong scores if you wish

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

• Same deadlines; two years of secondary school in Canada exempt you from English tests

Transfer students:

• BS: GPA 3.0, two semesters of calculus plus physics, chemistry or programming, all B or better; BA: GPA 2.5, Calculus 1 and 2 and a programming course
• International transfers apply by 1 June for fall, or by 15 March for early notification

Sources: University of Colorado Boulder, Computer Science undergraduate programs; Bachelor of Science; BS degree requirements; Bachelor of Arts; BA degree requirements; Catalog: Computer Science BA; Catalog: Admission requirements; First-year admission; First-year application; International application deadlines; English proficiency; International transcripts; International applicant FAQs; Transfer admission criteria; Incoming undergraduate cost, fall 2026 and spring 2027. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published; those quoted are 2026-27 rates. Check CU Boulder’s website for the latest.