How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Miami: Tracks in the Arts and Sciences BS and the BA, Choosing the Major on the Application and a 2.5 Computer Science GPA, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Miami (UM), computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. Undergraduate options are the BS and BA in Computer Science, a BS/BA in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, a minor and a five-year BS+MS. This guide focuses on the BS and covers fall 2027 entry, based on UM’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Choose a major on the application

• Choosing on the application: you select your intended major and its school or college in the Common App. UM notes that the Final Credentials Deadline is also the deadline to change to a major in another school or college.
• Application materials: the Common App personal statement (650 words or fewer; UM requires no supplemental essay), activities, one letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher, and your high school transcript. Non-English transcripts need an official English translation from the school or an accredited agency; self-translations are not accepted. The application fee is $75.
• Moving into computer science after entry: the department pages do not list a separate internal-transfer threshold, only the general major requirements (section 2). Whether other conditions apply is not published; ask the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

2. Computer science major requirements

• General requirements: a C- or better in every CSC and DSC course taught at UM, and an average GPA of at least 2.5 in those courses (only the highest grade of a repeated course counts); at least 15 credits of CSC/DSC courses for the major must be taken at UM. Computer science first majors must take one listed course for writing credit.
• BS structure: 23 credits of computer science core, 17 credits of mathematics (which may count toward a mathematics minor), 17 credits from a chosen track, and 12–14 credits of science and ethics; the Bulletin gives 121 total credit hours.
• Core courses: Computer Programming I and II, Computer Organization and Architecture, Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Theory of Computing, and Introduction to Software Engineering.
• Mathematics: Calculus I and II, Introduction to Linear Algebra, Introduction to Probability and Statistics, and Discrete Mathematics or Introduction to Abstract Mathematics.
• Tracks: the Comprehensive and Flexible tracks are open to all students; Data Science, Computational Science, Cryptography and Security, and Graphics and Games tracks need permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The Comprehensive track (system programming, operating systems, databases, networks and more) covers topics prescribed by the ACM curriculum and the ABET Computing Accreditation Commission; the Flexible track needs at least 17 credits of approved electives.
• Science and ethics: an approved two-semester laboratory science sequence and PHI 115, Social and Ethical Issues in Computing.
• BA: 17 credits of computer science core and 7 credits of mathematics (Calculus I plus Discrete Mathematics or Abstract Mathematics), plus 9 approved elective credits; the BA does not require Calculus II, linear algebra or Theory of Computing.
• Five-year BS+MS: open only to current computer science undergraduates, who enter the MS phase after 89 credits, listed prerequisite courses and 3 credits of a research project, with a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.3 in CSC courses; the 30-credit thesis MS shares no credits with the BS.

3. Deadlines and decisions

• Early Decision I (binding): 1 November; financial aid 15 November, final credentials 13 November; decisions mid-December.
• Early Action (non-binding): 1 November; financial aid 15 November, final credentials 20 November; decisions late January.
• Early Decision II (binding): 5 January; final credentials 25 January; decisions late February.
• Regular Decision: 5 January; final credentials 5 February; decisions 1 April.
• Scholarships: ED I and EA applicants are considered for Premier Scholarships as well as merit scholarships; ED II and RD applicants for merit scholarships. Early applications incomplete by their final credentials deadline roll over to Regular Decision.

4. Testing and English

• Testing: UM generally requires SAT or ACT scores, but students graduating from a secondary school outside the United States may apply with or without them, which covers students in China and Canada. You can self-report scores; enrolling students send official reports.
• English: non-native speakers submit official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores (TOEFL Home Edition accepted, TOEFL Essentials not), valid for two years. Competitive applicants generally score above:
  • TOEFL 80 on the old scale, or 4.5 on the new scale for tests after 21 January 2026 (including Paper and Home Editions);
  • IELTS 6.5;
  • Duolingo 120.
• Waivers (examples): three years at an English-medium high school outside the US; official SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing of 650+ or ACT English of 27+; A or B in AP English or IB HL English. Request a waiver through the applicant portal.
• Below the English requirement: academically qualified applicants may be offered admission for the following year if they complete level five of UM’s Intensive English Program within one year.
• Chinese and Canadian curricula: UM’s by-country list loads dynamically and could not be read for this guide. UM says competitive A-Level applicants typically take 3–4 subjects with predicted Bs or higher, and IB applicants typically score 5–7. For Gaokao or BC expectations, see that page or email intladmission@miami.edu.

5. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 estimates (US$, on campus): tuition 66,312, fees 2,030, housing 16,958 and meals 9,400, for direct costs of 94,700; with books, personal costs and transportation the total is 98,872. The estimated total for international students is 104,091, including mandatory university health insurance (4,483) and a higher transportation allowance. 2027-28 costs are not yet published.
• Scholarships: every applicant is automatically considered for merit scholarships, with no separate application; UM advises applying early.
• Need-based aid: foreign nationals who want institutional need-based aid must submit the CSS Profile by their plan’s deadline. UM does not say whether requesting aid affects international admission.

6. Transfer students

• Deadlines: fall entry 1 April (financial aid 15 April); spring entry 1 November; decisions on a rolling basis, and late applications are reviewed as space allows.
• Materials: the Common App for transfer (including a 250-word essay on why you are transferring), all college transcripts, and a College Report from any US institution attended; a recommendation is optional. If you studied outside the US, see UM’s international evaluation requirements.
• Testing and English: no test scores are needed with more than 24 college credits by entry; with fewer, you send your high school transcript and test scores, though testing is optional if you finished secondary school outside the US. Non-native speakers submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo.
• Credit: evaluated course by course after admission; only grades of C or better transfer. At least half of your major and minor credits, and your final 45 credits, must be completed at UM.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through the Common App by 1 November (ED I or EA) or 5 January (ED II or RD), choosing computer science
• Competitive English: TOEFL 4.5 new scale, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 120; decide whether to send SAT/ACT
• Prepare official English translations of transcripts; submit the CSS Profile if applying for need-based aid
• After entry, earn C- or better in every computer science course and keep a 2.5 average

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

• Same deadlines; testing is optional for students graduating from high schools outside the US
• Non-native speakers may request an English waiver after three years at an English-medium high school

Transfer students:

• Fall deadline 1 April, rolling decisions
• 24 credits removes the test requirement; only C or better transfers, and at least 15 credits of major computer science courses must be taken at UM

Sources: University of Miami, Computer Science programs; BS in Computer Science; BA in Computer Science; General requirements; 5-year BS+MS; Bulletin: Computer Science BS; Admission plans and deadlines; First-year application requirements; English proficiency requirements; Eligibility requirements by country; Transfer requirements; Credit information; Cost of attendance 2026-27; Scholarships. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check UM for the latest details.