How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of South Florida: The BS in Computer Science in the Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing, Required SAT, ACT or CLT for International Freshmen, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of South Florida (USF), in Tampa, undergraduate computer science is the BS in Computer Science (BSCS) offered by the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, accredited by the ABET Computing Accreditation Commission. The former Computer Science and Engineering department web address now redirects to this college. Here is what you need to know about 2027 entry, based on USF’s website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Degrees in the college

• Bachelor’s degrees: Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Information Technology, plus several minors.
• Interdisciplinary degrees: Computer Science and Business, Computer Science and Criminology, and a social science degree that the undergraduate programs page calls Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and the prospective students page calls Computer Science and Sociology; both names are given here. The college expects to launch Computer Science and Economics and Computer Science and Anthropology in fall 2027.
• This guide covers the BS in Computer Science.

2. How first-year students enter computer science

• Admission to USF first: you must be accepted to USF and meet its admission criteria. First-time-in-college students are admitted into the college’s undergraduate programs in fall and spring only, to stay on track for four-year graduation.
• Program requirements: the college says students may need to meet additional program-specific requirements once admitted, as set out in the catalog. The catalog could not be checked for this guide.
• High school preparation: students seeking computer science, computer engineering or artificial intelligence should present a strong record with four years of advanced math (analytical geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus) and science including chemistry and physics. Those without enough preparation may need extra preparatory courses.
• Math Placement Test: newly admitted first-year students must pass the first two MPT subjects (basic algebra and college algebra); those who took pre-calculus or calculus also take pre-calculus/trigonometry. A score of 12 out of 15 passes each subject. Students who pass all three are encouraged to start Calculus I in fall. Students with Calculus I credit are exempt. Those unable to complete required courses may be redirected to another major under USF’s degree progression policy.
• Accelerated credit: AP, IB, AICE and similar credit counts as college credit; speak with an advisor before retaking any course.

3. Curriculum (four-year plan, September 2026)

• Year 1: freshman seminar, Programming Concepts (COP 2510), Program Design (COP 3514), two English composition courses, Calculus I and II, Physics I with lab, and a natural science.
• Year 2: Computer Organization, Introduction to Discrete Structures, Physics II with lab, Computer Logic and Design with lab, Data Structures; probability and statistics and other courses in summer.
• Year 3: Computer Architecture with lab, Introduction to Linear Systems, Analysis of Algorithms, and software and technical major electives.
• Year 4: Secure Coding, Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Ethical Issues and Professional Conduct, and theory and technical major electives.
• Students who are not calculus-ready can start with pre-calculus in their first semester and, the brochure says, still graduate in four years. Electives reach into AI, virtual reality, robotics and quantum computing. The plan notes that the catalog is the definitive source.
• BS/MS pathway: a 3.33 cumulative GPA and 3.50 major GPA, with at least 15 credits in the major (most apply in junior year); up to 6 graduate credits count toward both degrees, and both can be finished in as little as five years with 144 credits. Pathways lead to the MS in Computer Science or Cybersecurity.
• Experience: many students intern from sophomore year, and paid co-op is available through the USF Center for Career and Professional Development.

4. International freshman application and deadlines

• How: apply through USF’s application or the Common App; the fee is USD 30. USF does not review essays.
• Tests required: international freshmen must submit the SAT, ACT or CLT, sent directly by the testing agency; for summer or fall entry, test before December. Minimum subsection scores: SAT 490 Reading and Writing and 480 Math; ACT 19 Reading, 17 English and 19 Math; CLT 38 Verbal Reasoning + Grammar/Writing and 16 Quantitative Reasoning. USF superscores.
• English: students from non-English-speaking countries show proficiency with SAT Reading and Writing 490, ACT English 17 and Reading 19, or CLT Verbal Reasoning and Writing 38. USF states that it does not accept TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or other English tests as substitutes for these scores.
• Profile: fall 2026 admitted freshmen had GPAs of 4.13–4.58, SAT 1290–1420 and ACT 28–32. Fall is the most competitive term; fall applicants are considered for fall, summer and spring.
• Foreign language: two years of the same foreign language in high school; students without it may still be admitted but must meet it before graduating.
• Deadlines for summer and fall 2027:
  • Early Action: apply by 2 November 2026, materials by 16 November, decisions 9 December;
  • Regular Decision: apply by 16 December 2026, materials by 15 January 2027, decisions 10 February;
  • Rolling: apply by 1 March 2027, materials by 15 March, rolling decisions from early March.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Documents: transcripts and exam results for all secondary work, showing completion of the equivalent of US high school graduation (generally 12–13 years).
• Gaokao: USF does not publish how Gaokao results are used; ask admissions.
• A-levels, IB and AP: AP, IB and AICE courses add 1.0 quality point (honors 0.5) in USF’s recalculated GPA and can count as college credit.
• Remember that the SAT, ACT or CLT is required and also serves as your English proof (section 4).

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

• USF does not publish requirements for Canadian or BC curricula. Students who are not US citizens or permanent residents apply as international freshmen with the same documents, tests and English rules. Whether Canada counts as an English-speaking country for the English rule is not stated; ask admissions.

7. Transfer students

• Requirements for computer science (Bellini College page):
  • lower-level transfer (12–29 credits): SAT Math 570 or ACT Math 24, and a high school GPA of 4.00 as calculated by admissions;
  • mid- and upper-level transfer (30+ credits): a Programming Concepts course with a C or better, plus Calculus I, Calculus II and Calculus-based Physics I with lab, each with a C or better in no more than two attempts.
• Levels differ by source: the Bellini College uses 12–29, 30–59 and 60+ credits for lower, mid and upper level; the admissions international transfer page uses 12–59 (lower) and 60+ (upper). Both are given here.
• Admissions requirements for international transfers:
  • lower-level: transfer and high school GPAs of at least 2.5, plus the SAT, ACT or CLT, which also serves as English proof;
  • upper-level (60+ credits): C or better in college English composition and college math, a transfer GPA of 2.3 without a Florida College System AA, and, for students from non-English-speaking countries, scores the page gives as TOEFL > 79, IELTS > 6.5 or Duolingo > 110.
  Applicants must also have completed at least 67% of attempted credit hours.
• Deadlines: fall 2027 opens 1 August 2026 and closes 1 June 2027, with materials by 15 June; spring 2027 closes 1 November 2026.
• Excess hours: in a 120-credit program, each credit beyond 132 is charged at double the tuition rate.

8. Tuition and scholarships

• Tuition: for fall 2026 to summer 2027, non-Florida resident undergraduate tuition is USD 670.42 per credit hour, plus flat fees of USD 37 per term. Use USF’s cost calculator for housing, meals and other costs.
• Scholarships: freshmen for summer or fall 2027 who complete their application (including test scores, transcripts and fee) by 15 January 2027 are automatically considered for admissions merit scholarships. Out-of-state tuition waivers run up to about USD 44,000 over four years (up to USD 11,000 a year), with further tiers of up to USD 9,000 and USD 5,000 a year; numbers are limited.
• Federal aid: most international students do not qualify for federal aid.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Take the SAT, ACT or CLT before December and meet the reading and writing subscores for English (TOEFL and IELTS cannot substitute)
• Apply by 2 November 2026 (Early Action) or 16 December (Regular Decision); complete by 15 January for scholarships
• Finish pre-calculus or calculus, chemistry and physics in high school; take the Math Placement Test after admission

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

• Apply as an international freshman with required test scores; ask admissions about the English rule

Transfer students:

• With 30+ credits, complete Programming Concepts, Calculus I and II and Calculus-based Physics I with lab, each with a C or better
• Apply by 1 June 2027 for fall

Sources: University of South Florida, BS in Computer Science; Bellini College prospective and transfer requirements; BSCS four-year plan (September 2026); BS/MS pathway; International freshman requirements; International freshman application steps; International freshman deadlines; International transfer requirements; International transfer deadlines; International scholarships; Tuition rates. The catalog could not be checked for this guide; confirm program-specific requirements in USF’s catalog and on its website.