How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Oregon: Declaring the BA or BS After Advising, Five Concentrations, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Oregon (UO) in Eugene, undergraduate computer science is offered by the School of Computer and Data Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, as a Computer Science BA or BS. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UO’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. Getting into the major

• When you apply: you are asked about your intended major, and UO welcomes undecided students. Computer science is not listed on the admissions page of departments with extra materials or separate deadlines.
• Declaring after entry: the school says students first meet a CAS Academic Advising advisor in Tykeson Hall to build an academic plan, then declare. The school’s page does not mention a separate application or cap.
• Gate to upper-division core: Computer Science I–III (CS 210–212) and Elements of Discrete Mathematics I–II (MATH 231–232) must be passed with B– or better before upper-division core courses. AP or IB exams can stand in for CS 210, CS 211 and the calculus courses.
• Major progress review: while taking CS 313 or CS 314, majors meet a computer science advisor and file a Major Progress Review form.

2. Curriculum and concentrations

• Credits (2026-2027 catalog): at least 60 credits of CS courses, 24 of them (including 12 upper-division) at UO, plus 28 credits of mathematics, 12 of science and 4 of technical or business writing. The catalog’s requirements table totals 108 credits. Major courses generally need C– or better.
• Core: CS 210–212 and discrete mathematics; upper-division Intermediate Data Structures, Computer Organization, Intermediate Algorithms, C/C++ and Unix, Operating Systems, Software Methodology I, and Principles of Programming Languages; differential and integral calculus, linear algebra and a statistics course; and an ethics course (Data Ethics, or AI, Society, and Philosophy).
• Science: 12 credits from one area: biology, chemistry, earth sciences, geography, physics or psychology. A completed computing-related minor or second major may replace it, with committee approval.
• Five concentrations: AI and Machine Learning, Computer Networks, High Performance Computing/Computational Science, Security, and Software Development.
• Honors and accelerated master’s: students with a 3.50 CS GPA and 3.50 cumulative GPA, or 3.75 CS and 3.25 cumulative, may apply to departmental honors after four intermediate courses and write a thesis. The Accelerated Master’s Program leads to a BS and MS in five years.
• The school also offers Mathematics and Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Data Science majors.

3. Deadlines and materials

• Fall 2027 (first-year): non-binding early action closes on 1 November 2026 with decisions on 5 January; regular decision closes on 15 January 2027 with decisions by 1 April.
• Supporting documents: the first-year page gives 15 November for early action and 15 February for regular decision; the international page’s table gives 15 February for both first-year early action and regular. The two pages differ, so international applicants should work to the earlier date.
• International applications: accepted on a rolling basis until 15 July for fall, though late applicants may miss scholarships. Use the Oregon application or the Common App; the fee is USD 75.
• High school courses: at least three years of mathematics; for STEM or calculus-based majors, UO advises taking pre-calculus and, if possible, calculus.
• Recommendations: not required, but can help if your GPA is 3.2 or below.

4. Testing and English

• SAT/ACT: UO is test-optional; international students are not required to submit SAT or ACT, though scores can establish English proficiency.
• English (full admission): TOEFL 4.5+ (taken after January 2026) or 80+ (before); IELTS 6.5+; Duolingo 110+; or SAT EBRW 520 or ACT English+Reading 40. Lower scores may lead to admission with academic English support or conditional admission through UO Global Welcome. Scores must be within two years of enrollment.
• Full IB Diploma: students working towards the full IB Diploma have the English requirement waived.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Basics: international first-year applicants should have at least a B (3.00) average, meet English requirements and provide proof of financial support.
• Transcripts: if you studied outside the US, email unofficial or official transcripts with all courses and grades; UO does not require external transcript evaluations and calculates your GPA internally. Official transcripts are sent by your school after admission. Non-English documents need literal translations from the school, education ministry or a NACES-accredited translator.
• Gaokao: UO asks applicants to contact Admissions for minimum requirements for their country.
• A-levels: pass two A-level subjects and five IGCSE subjects (including English and Maths) to be competitive.
• IB: average at least 4s and 5s to be competitive; fall freshmen with the full IB Diploma are considered for IB Diploma Scholarships.
• AP: AP and IB results can earn course credit; see the registrar’s exam credit page.

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

• Applicants with international status follow the international first-year requirements: 3.00 GPA, English and proof of funding. UO does not publish BC-specific score requirements; contact Admissions.
• English exemption is by citizenship: citizens of Canada (English-speaking provinces only) are exempt; students at Canadian schools who are not Canadian citizens follow the rule for their own citizenship.

7. Transfer students

• GPA: a minimum cumulative 2.50 for nonresidents (2.25 for Oregon residents); the international page also gives 2.50. Applicants with fewer than 24 semester (36 quarter) college credits also send a high school transcript.
• Second language: proficiency is required, for example two years of the same language in high school or two terms in college.
• Fall 2027: transfer early action closes on 15 March and regular decision on 15 May.
• The school advises transfer students to contact CAS Academic Advising early about how courses will transfer.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 estimated nonresident costs: tuition and fees USD 47,466; on-campus housing and food USD 18,183; UO costs total USD 65,649; with books, personal expenses and transport, about USD 71,256. Based on 15 credits in each of three terms. A one-time USD 570 matriculation fee applies, and first-year students must live on campus.
• International scholarships: freshmen who apply by 15 January are automatically considered for General University Scholarships. There is also the need- and merit-based International Cultural Service Program (ICSP) tuition scholarship, with a supplemental ICSP Nascensce Scholarship for an ICSP recipient from China or Hong Kong; international work-study awards (USD 1,000–4,500 a year); and Division of Global Engagement scholarships (USD 1,000–12,000). UO awards over USD 2.5 million a year to international students.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 1 November (early action) or 15 January (regular, also the scholarship deadline)
• Email your transcripts to Admissions, no external evaluation needed; check how Gaokao results are used
• Prepare English scores (for example IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 80 or Duolingo 110) and proof of funding
• After arrival, meet a CAS advisor to declare, and aim for B– or better in CS 210–212 and discrete mathematics

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

• Prepare for the 3.00 GPA requirement as an international applicant; check BC requirements with Admissions
• Only Canadian citizens (English-speaking provinces) are exempt from English tests

Transfer students:

• Nonresident GPA 2.50; early action 15 March, regular 15 May
• Meet the second-language requirement and get your CS courses evaluated early

Sources: University of Oregon, Computer Science major; School of Computer and Data Sciences: undergraduate admissions and declaring; Catalog: Computer Science (BA/BS); First-year students; International students; English proficiency; Transfer students; Departmental deadlines and applications; International scholarships; Cost of attendance. Information is for fall 2027 entry (2026-2027 catalog; 2026-27 estimated costs). Check the University of Oregon for the latest details.