How to Apply to Computer Science at Santa Clara University: The B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering in the School of Engineering and the B.S. in Computer Science in Arts and Sciences, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

Santa Clara University (SCU), in Silicon Valley, runs on a quarter system (three quarters a year). There are two routes into computing at SCU: the B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, and the B.S. in Computer Science in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on SCU’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Choose a school when you apply

• School first: you choose the College of Arts and Sciences, the Leavey School of Business or the School of Engineering, then declare a major or remain undeclared.
• Maths: SCU says selectivity does not vary greatly between schools, but readiness is judged against your stated interest; natural science, business and engineering applicants are expected to be ready at the level of calculus.
• Changing school later: the Bulletin says first-years are admitted to the school they chose and cannot apply to change schools until the end of their first year; changes may be limited by space in the school and major, and students must meet the receiving school’s criteria. Changing major within a school needs the department chair’s or programme director’s approval.

2. School of Engineering: B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering

• Accreditation: the School of Engineering Bulletin says this degree is accredited by both the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The department also offers a B.S. in Web Design and Engineering (not yet ABET-accredited).
• Total units: the two sources differ. The Bulletin says a minimum of 182 units; the department’s major page says a total of 189 units. Follow the latest Bulletin.
• Maths and science: MATH 11 to 14 (calculus), differential equations (AMTH 106, or an advisor-approved maths or science substitute), probability and statistics (AMTH 108), one of linear algebra, numerical analysis or numerical methods, CHEM 11 (replaceable by, for example, AP Biology or AP Environmental Science at 4 or 5), and PHYS 31 to 33.
• Major courses: ENGR 1; logic design, circuits and digital integrated circuit design; CSEN 10 Introduction to Programming (waivable with AP credit or by passing the department’s programming diagnostic exam); and CSEN 11, 12, 19, 20, 79, 122, 146, 171, 174, 175, 177 and 179, covering advanced programming, data structures, discrete maths, embedded systems, computer architecture, networks, programming languages, software engineering, compilers, operating systems and algorithms.
• Electives and senior design: three upper-division electives (at least 12 units) in an emphasis area chosen with an advisor, and a three-quarter senior design project (CSEN 194 to 196) after CSEN 192.
• Educational enrichment: one of 8+ units in a programme abroad, admission to one of the school’s master’s programmes with the first 12 graduate units completed before the bachelor’s degree, undergraduate research (6+ units of CSEN 193), or 12 advisor-approved units on a common theme.
• Prerequisites for all engineering courses are strictly enforced.

3. College of Arts and Sciences: B.S. in Computer Science

• Maths: MATH 11, 12, 13, 14, 51 and 53 (calculus, discrete maths and linear algebra).
• Computing: CSCI 10, 60, 61 and 62 (introduction, C++ and object-oriented programming, data structures, advanced programming); CSEN 20 embedded systems and ECEN 21 logic design (with labs); MATH 122, CSCI 161 and 163, and CSEN 177 operating systems.
• Science: one of PHYS 31, CHEM 11, ENVS 21 or ENVS 23.
• Four emphases: algorithms and complexity, data science, security, or software, each with five more upper-division courses. Choose by the end of junior year; only one emphasis is allowed. The department strongly recommends extra upper-division courses, especially for the software emphasis.
• At least four of the required upper-division courses must be taken at SCU.

4. Deadlines and testing

• Early Decision I (binding) and Early Action (non-binding): 1 November.
• Early Decision II (binding) and Regular Decision: 7 January.
• There is also a winter first-year application, due 1 October.
• Materials: Common App, high school transcripts from grade 9, one academic teacher evaluation or counselor recommendation, and the school report; US$75 fee.
• Test-optional: neither first-year nor transfer applicants need the SAT or ACT.
• English minimums: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 90 before 21 January 2026 or 4.5 after; Duolingo 120; or SAT Reading and Writing 630 or ACT Reading and English 27 each. MyBest, TOEFL Home Edition and TOEFL Essentials are not accepted.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Minimum coursework: 4 years of English, 3 of history and social science, 3 of maths (4 recommended), 2 of lab science (3 recommended) and 2 of a language other than English (3 to 4 recommended). Engineering applicants should reach calculus.
• Second language: the engineering Bulletin recommends proficiency in one foreign language; two years of high school study meets the requirement.
• Gaokao: SCU does not say how Gaokao results are used.
• A-level, IB and AP: no computing-specific scores are published; review is holistic. AP credit can waive CSEN 10.
• Interview: SCU does not interview, but accepts InitialView and Vericant video interviews and encourages international applicants to use them.
• Funding: after applying, complete the international financial resources form and upload proof covering the first year.

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

• Same deadlines and materials; SCU publishes no Canada- or BC-specific grade requirement.
• English waiver: four years at an English-only school in a predominantly English-speaking country, including English-speaking Canada, meets the requirement.

7. Transfer students

• External transfer dates: rolling admission for fall from 7 January to 15 April, with decisions from February to mid-May; 1 October for winter.
• Engineering recommended courses (recommended, not required): two English composition courses, two calculus courses, one general chemistry course and two calculus-based physics courses; average GPA 3.5.
• Arts and Sciences B.S. recommended courses: two English composition courses, two college-level maths courses and one lab science course; average GPA 3.3.
• Second choice: because Engineering and Leavey are competitive and space is limited, transfer applicants can ask on the Common App to be considered as undeclared in Arts and Sciences; students must then stay in the school that admitted them for one year before petitioning to change.
• Foreign universities: a WES course-by-course evaluation is required.

8. Current students moving into Engineering

• Earliest timing: students not originally admitted to Engineering can apply as early as spring quarter of their first year, and first-years cannot submit before then; students beyond their first year can apply at any time. Students already in Engineering who want another engineering major submit a Program Petition instead.
• Preparation: to be eligible in spring of the first year, complete two of MATH 11 to 14, CHEM 11 and PHYS 31 in fall and winter.
• Review: the intended major’s department chair reviews competence in those maths and science courses, and decisions also depend on space in the programme, which varies by department; students hear within two weeks. An essay is required.
• Timing: the Engineering page asks students to apply by 6 April 2026 to get a decision before spring advising; that is the 2025-26 date, so confirm the 2027 date with Engineering Undergraduate Programs.
• SCU notes that students who enter an engineering programme after initial entry may need more than four years to graduate.
• Conflicting information: the Engineering internal transfer page allows applications from spring of the first year; the admission office’s transfer page says external transfer students must stay one year in their admitting school before petitioning; the Bulletin says first-years cannot apply to change schools until the end of their first year. Confirm with Engineering Undergraduate Programs.

9. Cost and aid

• 2026-27 on-campus estimate (USD): tuition 64,956; student engagement and well-being fee 780; housing and food 20,094; direct costs 85,830; total about 92,556 with books, transportation and personal expenses. No engineering or computing differential is listed.
• International aid: federal and state aid is for US citizens and eligible non-citizens. SCU says non-citizen undergraduates may receive scholarships, but funding for international students is limited.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply on the Common App to Engineering (Computer Science and Engineering) or Arts and Sciences (Computer Science) by 1 November (ED I, EA) or 7 January (ED II, RD)
• Reach calculus in high school maths
• IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 4.5 (new scale) or Duolingo 120; optional InitialView or Vericant interview
• Complete the financial resources form and proof after applying

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

• Same deadlines; four years at an English-only school in English-speaking Canada meets the English requirement

Transfer students:

• Rolling fall applications from 7 January to 15 April; for Engineering, aim to finish two calculus courses, chemistry and two calculus-based physics courses, with a 3.5 average GPA; prepare WES evaluations for foreign coursework
• Current SCU students in other schools: finish calculus, chemistry and physics and apply to Engineering from spring of the first year

Sources: Santa Clara University, Department of Computer Science and Engineering; Computer Science and Engineering major; Bulletin: Computer Science and Engineering; Bulletin: School of Engineering degrees; Bulletin: Mathematics and Computer Science; Bulletin: change of major and school; Engineering internal transfer; First-year admission; First-year deadlines; International application requirements; English proficiency; Transfer admission; Cost of attendance; Aid for international students. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures); check Santa Clara University for the latest details.