How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Central Florida: No Extra Requirement Beyond UCF Admission, the Computer Science Foundation Exam, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Central Florida (UCF), in Orlando, offers undergraduate computer science as the BS in Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science, part of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Here is what you need to know about 2027 entry, based on UCF’s website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Getting into the computer science major

• No extra program requirement: the department states there are no additional requirements for admission to the program beyond admission to UCF.
• Computer Science Foundation Exam: every computer science student must pass this exam before taking required courses such as COT 4210, COP 4331, COP 4934 and COP 4935. It covers problem solving, algorithms, abstraction, proofs and programming language skills.
  • It must be taken within one year of passing COP 3502 (Computer Science I) with a C or better;
  • it is offered once per semester, usually on the first Saturday, up to three times a year;
  • the passing mark is 60%; it does not affect your GPA and carries no credit.
• First programming course: students new to programming start with COP 2500 (Concepts in Computer Science). Those with programming knowledge can take the Computer Science Placement Test (CSPT) to go straight into COP 3223 (Introduction to Programming with C). Students with AP Computer Science A at 3 or higher do not need the CSPT.
• Progress policy: the college applies two rules to computer science majors:
  • 7 or more unsuccessful attempts (grades below C, U grades or withdrawals) at UCF lead to probation; a tenth leads to exclusion from all college majors;
  • failing to earn a C on the second attempt at a course leads to probation; failing on the third attempt leads to exclusion.

2. Curriculum

• Credits: 120 credit hours to graduate. The catalog lists 66 credits of program requirements, each course needing a C or better:
  • Basic core, 33 credits: Object Oriented Programming, Discrete Structures I and II, Computer Logic and Organization, Security in Computing, Computer Science I and II, Systems Software, Processes for Object-Oriented Software Development, one of Algorithms for Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Robot Vision or Natural Language Processing, a professional writing course, Statistical Methods I (STA 2023), and the Foundation Exam;
  • Advanced core, 24 credits, with a minimum 2.500 GPA in this section; the page lists 18 credits of technical electives and 6 credits of two-semester senior design under it;
  • Restricted electives, 9 credits: 3 in math or statistics and 6 in flex STEM.
• Nine areas: technical electives are grouped into Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Graphics, Games and Human-Computer Interaction; Algorithms and Complexity; Software Engineering; Cybersecurity; Big Data; Vision and Robotics; and Computer Networks. UCF recommends at least 3 classes in one area.
• Other requirements:
  • foreign language: two years of one language in high school, or one year in college before graduation;
  • at least 24 hours of 3000–5000 level computer science courses at UCF, 18 of them at 4000–5000 level.
• Accelerated BS-MS: qualified students may apply after 64 credit hours; up to 12 hours can count toward both degrees, with master’s options in computer science, computer vision, data analytics, digital forensics, or cybersecurity and privacy.
• Related programs: Computer Engineering and the BS in Information Technology.

3. Freshman application and deadlines

• How: apply through the UCF Undergraduate Application or the Common App; the fee is USD 30. An essay is strongly encouraged but not required.
• High school courses: at least 18 units: 4 English, 4 math (Algebra 1 and above), 3 science, 3 social studies, 2 of the same foreign language, and 2 academic electives.
• Tests: international freshmen submit official SAT, ACT or CLT scores (SAT and ACT within five years). Fall 2026 admitted freshmen had mid-ranges of SAT 1310–1420, ACT 28–32 and high school GPA 4.11–4.57.
• Deadlines:
  • The freshman page lists non-binding Early Action for summer and fall 2027: apply by 15 October, materials by 15 November, decisions on 4 December; meeting all Early Action deadlines gives priority merit scholarship consideration. The international page does not mention Early Action, so check with admissions whether it applies to you.
  • The international page lists, for international students entering from outside the US, fall 1 April, spring 1 October and summer 1 February; for international students already at a US institution, 1 May, 1 November and 1 March; decisions are rolling.
  • The two sources differ: the degree page and the deadline box at the foot of the international page give international applicants fall 1 March, spring 1 September and summer 1 January. Both are given here; apply by the earlier date to be safe.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Documents: official transcripts, graduation certificates or leaving exam results for all secondary schools, sent directly to UCF in a sealed envelope by the school, ministry or exam board, with certified translations where needed. UCF’s Country Reference Guide lists what each country must submit. UCF evaluates international high school credentials itself; no outside evaluation is needed.
• Gaokao: UCF does not publish how Gaokao results are used; ask admissions.
• English: non-native speakers can meet the requirement with IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT 4 (from January 2026) or 80 (earlier); Duolingo 120; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 520; ACT English 20; or CLT Verbal Reasoning + Grammar/Writing 42, among other routes.
• A-levels, IB and AP: submit official AP, IB and Cambridge AS/A-level score reports. These courses are weighted in the GPA; AP Computer Science A at 3 or higher exempts you from the placement test (section 1).

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

• UCF does not publish score requirements for Canadian or BC curricula. Students who are not US citizens or permanent residents apply as international applicants, with the same documents and test requirements; see the Country Reference Guide or ask admissions.
• Four years of English at a high school in the US or accredited by a recognised US accreditor waives the English requirement; whether this covers BC or other Canadian schools is not stated.

6. Transfer students

• Who: anyone who has completed 12 or more college credit hours after high school applies as a transfer.
• Deadlines: general transfer deadlines are fall 1 June, spring 1 November and summer 1 March. International transfers entering from outside the US: fall 1 May, spring 1 October, summer 1 February; those already at a US institution: 1 June, 1 November and 1 March.
• Criteria by transferable credits:
  • fewer than 30: meet the freshman course, GPA and test requirements;
  • 30 to 59: one English composition and one college-level math course with a C or better, and foreign language at the second high school level;
  • 60 or more: two English composition and two college-level math courses with a C or better, plus the language requirement.
  All levels need a competitive overall college GPA and at least a 2.0; meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• International college work: needs a course-by-course evaluation from WES, TEC (SpanTran) or Josef Silny.
• Computer science credit: transferred courses must be formally evaluated for equivalency. Students from out-of-state or private schools who passed a course similar to COP 3502 with a C or better can ask their advisor about substitutions; the Foundation Exam itself carries no credit.

7. Costs and aid

• Tuition: the degree page gives USD 891.07 per credit hour for non-residents. The cost page, based on 28 credit hours a year, estimates 2026-27 non-Florida resident tuition and fees at USD 24,960 and total on-campus cost at about USD 45,278 (including room, food, books, transport and personal costs). Full-time computer science students pay an equipment fee of USD 57 per term.
• Aid for international students: students on F-1, J-1 and similar visas are not eligible for federal aid. For the funds international students must document, see UCF Global’s certification of finances.
• Scholarships: freshmen who meet all Early Action deadlines get priority merit scholarship consideration; funding is limited.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Confirm which international deadline applies (as early as 1 March for fall; see section 3)
• Take the SAT, ACT or CLT; for English, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 4 (new scale) or Duolingo 120
• Have your school send transcripts and graduation documents directly, with certified translations
• Consider the placement test before enrolling; take the Foundation Exam within a year of Computer Science I

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

• Apply as an international applicant with the SAT, ACT or CLT and English results (ask admissions about an English waiver)
• AP Computer Science A at 3 or higher exempts you from the placement test

Transfer students:

• Meet the English composition, math and language requirements for your credit level; have international college work evaluated by WES or similar
• Petition for computer science course equivalencies and pass the Foundation Exam after enrolling

Sources: University of Central Florida, BS in Computer Science (with catalog requirements); Department of Computer Science undergraduate page; Placement test and Foundation Exam; Freshman admission; International admission; Transfer admission; Cost of attendance. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published; figures quoted are 2026-27 estimates. Check UCF’s website for the latest.