How to Apply to Computer Science at Villanova University: Apply Directly to the BS in Computer Science, with an Optional AI and Machine Learning Concentration, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Villanova University, computer science is offered by the Department of Computing Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The degree is the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and the department also offers minors in computer science and cybersecurity. Here is what you need to know, based on Villanova’s website, for fall 2027 entry: for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. What to apply to

• Apply directly to Computer Science: you must apply to a college or a specific major, and there is no undecided option. Computer Science is on the science side of the College, where applicants choose a specific major, and it is on that list.
• Exploratory Science as a second choice: science applicants may list Exploratory Science (undeclared science) as a second choice, taking one or two lab science courses and mathematics in the first year. Villanova warns that students admitted to Exploratory Science are not guaranteed their first-choice major; placement happens at the end of the first year based on space in each program.
• High school preparation: the College values a rigorous curriculum, and students interested in the sciences should take the most rigorous math and science courses available. Villanova lists no separate prerequisites for computer science and does not ask for programming experience.
• Computer Engineering: the College of Engineering has its own Computer Engineering major, a different college and degree that you apply to separately.
• Honors: all first-year applicants are automatically considered for the Honors Program, with invitations by the end of March.

2. The computer science major

• What you study: the department’s learning objectives cover algorithms, theory of computation, operating systems, programming languages and architecture; analysing complex computing problems and designing and implementing solutions, including a major project; discrete and continuous mathematics and the scientific method; and legal and ethical responsibilities in computing practice.
• AI and machine learning concentration: computer science majors can add this concentration, covering collecting, processing and choosing data, training and evaluating AI/ML models, and the ethical issues involved.
• Course requirements: the department links its requirements to the university catalog, which is hosted on a third-party platform and was not read for this guide, so the number of courses, credits and AP/IB credit were not checked. Use the “Course Requirements” link on the department page or ask the department (csdept@villanova.edu).
• Combined BS/MS: you can earn the BS in Computer Science plus an MS in Computer Science or Software Engineering in five years. Computer science majors are invited to apply in the second semester of sophomore year; you need sophomore standing, an overall GPA of 3.0 and a computer science GPA of 3.5, plus two recommendations and a statement of goals, by March 15. Typically three graduate courses count toward the bachelor’s degree, and graduate courses taken in the first four years are charged at undergraduate tuition.
• Other opportunities: the Vatican and Rome Internship Program (since 2003) places students in Rome for a semester while they take approved courses, alongside research, peer tutoring and student organisations.

3. Deadlines and decisions

• Early Action (non-binding): 1 November, which is also the priority date for financial assistance; decisions by 20 January; deposit by 1 May.
• Early Decision I (binding): 1 November; decisions by 1 December; deposit within two weeks of admission.
• Early Decision II (binding): 15 January; decisions by 15 February.
• Regular Decision: 15 January; decisions by 1 April; deposit by 1 May.
• Switching to ED: the deadline to move from EA to ED I is 10 November; deferred EA or RD applicants can switch to ED II until 31 January.
• How to apply: Common App or Coalition App, with an $80 non-refundable fee. One teacher recommendation is required and a counselor letter is optional; additional letters are not considered. Villanova does not conduct admission interviews or consider demonstrated interest.

4. Testing

• Villanova remains test optional through the 2026-27 admission campaign (Class of 2031, entering fall 2027); you choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores.
• Scores can be self-reported, with official scores needed only if you enrol; Villanova superscores across test dates.
• Scores reported by 10 November (ED I and EA) or 31 January (ED II and RD) are considered.

5. International applicants (including students at high schools in China and Canada)

• English proof is required: all international students must submit official results sent by Cambridge English, Duolingo, IELTS, Pearson PTE or TOEFL iBT. No minimum scores are published.
• Waivers: the requirement may be waived if English is your native language spoken at home, or if you have been enrolled for more than three consecutive years at a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction.
• Academic records: transcripts listing subjects and marks each year, with a key to the marking system. Students in countries with a national secondary school leaving examination must provide official results, or predicted marks if the exams have not yet taken place. Villanova does not describe how Gaokao results are used or give requirements for Canadian or BC curricula.
• Financial documents: every international applicant submits the Certification of Finances Form and a bank statement or letter from the last three months through the Applicant Status Page; the application is not complete without them.
• Need-aware: admission for international students (non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents) is need-aware; finances are considered at the end of the holistic review.

6. Costs, aid and scholarships

• 2026-27 estimated undergraduate cost (US$): tuition 72,990, student services fee 1,024, housing 10,314, meals 9,040, plus books, supplies, personal and transportation costs, for a total of about 96,886 on campus. New students pay a $300 orientation fee, and university health insurance, if needed, is about $3,165 a year and not included. 2027-28 costs have not been published.
• Need-based aid for international students: available but limited. Apply alongside your admission application with the CSS Profile (code 2959), the Certification of Finances with a bank letter, parents’ employer income letters and other documents; priority dates are 1 November for ED I and EA and 15 January for ED II and RD.
• Scholarships: international applicants may be nominated for the Presidential Scholarship, 25 awards a year covering tuition, on-campus housing, meals, the general fee and the textbook fee for up to eight semesters.
• International transfers: Villanova offers no merit or need-based aid to international transfer students.

7. Transfer students

• Deadlines: fall entry closes 15 March, with decisions by 1 June; spring entry closes 15 October, with decisions by 15 November, and is extremely limited and available only in select programs.
• Eligibility: you must have enrolled in college as a degree-seeking or full-time student after high school. Applicants typically complete at least one full semester first, and most admitted students complete a full year. A cumulative college GPA of at least 3.00 is strongly recommended.
• Direct entry to a major: transfers apply directly to their program and cannot transfer internally to another college or major after enrolling. Computer Science appears among the College’s science-side majors accepting transfer applications.
• Credit: credit is reviewed after admission; Villanova typically accepts up to 60 transfer credits for courses with a C or better. At least half of all major courses and the final 30 credits must be taken at Villanova.
• Materials: one transfer application (Common App, Coalition App or Villanova’s own), official transcripts from every college, self-reported mid-term grades, a final high school transcript, course descriptions, a Transfer Conduct Form and a writing supplement; testing is optional. International credentials must be translated and evaluated by a NACES member.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply directly to Computer Science in the College, with Exploratory Science as an optional second choice, under EA or ED I (November 1) or ED II or RD (January 15)
• Take the most rigorous math and science courses you can
• Send TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE or Cambridge English scores
• Submit the Certification of Finances and bank statement; add the CSS Profile if you want aid
• Decide whether to send SAT or ACT scores

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

• Same deadlines; more than three consecutive years at an English-medium secondary school waives the English test
• Non-US citizens are reviewed as international applicants, with finances considered

Transfer students:

• Apply by March 15 for fall, directly to Computer Science; you cannot switch majors later
• College GPA of 3.00 or higher recommended; up to 60 credits transfer
• No scholarships or aid for international transfers

Sources: Villanova University, Dates and deadlines; First-year applicants; Transfer applicants; Admission FAQs; International students; Merit-based scholarships; Financial aid for international students; Cost of attendance; Tuition and fees; Computing Sciences undergraduate programs; Computer Science major; Combined BS/MS; Resources and opportunities. Detailed course requirements and AP/IB credit policies are in the university catalog, which is hosted on a third-party platform and was not checked for this guide. Information is for fall 2027 entry. Check Villanova for the latest details.