How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Kansas: Direct Admission to the School of Engineering BS in Computer Science, a 3.0 High School GPA plus Mathematics Preparedness, the 126-Credit Curriculum, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Kansas (KU), undergraduate computer science is the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), School of Engineering. Here is what you need to know, based on KU’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

• Direct first-year admission: the catalog says admission to the School of Engineering and its programs is selective, and first-year students may be admitted directly to an engineering or computer science program, in-state or out-of-state. Applications are judged on the high school record, national test scores, any college record, grade trends and more.
• Minimum standards for first-year engineering admission (all three):
  • be admissible to KU by assured admission or individual review;
  • a high school GPA of 3.0 or above;
  • mathematics preparedness by one of: a math ACT of 22+ (or SAT math 540+); a B or better in college algebra or a more advanced mathematics course; a C or better in high school calculus; IB or AP credit for those courses under KU’s placement rules; or a qualifying ALEKS placement score for MATH 104.
• If not admitted directly: students admissible to KU may start in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as pre-engineering students and re-apply to the School of Engineering in the semester they complete the current-student requirements.
• Already applied to another KU major: KU says you can still change to an engineering major, preferably before 1 May.
• Current KU students: a KU GPA of 2.5+, a C- or better in MATH 125 (Calculus I) or equivalent, and a C or better in all mathematics, science and engineering courses, via a Change of School form. Deadlines are the last Friday in October for fall and the last Friday in March for spring.

2. Curriculum (2026-27 catalog)

• Accreditation: the BS in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The department also offers BS degrees in computer engineering, electrical engineering and interdisciplinary computing.
• Total: 126 credit hours, including the KU Core 34.
• Mathematics: Calculus I–III, Elementary Linear Algebra, Discrete Structures (EECS 210) and Probability and Statistics (EECS 461). The catalog notes Calculus I is the “math pathway” course; students not ready to start in Calculus I will take more than four years.
• Science: General Physics I for Engineers (or General Physics I) plus a 4-credit natural science elective.
• Required computer science courses: New Student Seminar, Digital Logic Design, Programming I and II, Data Structures and Algorithms, Software Engineering I and II, Embedded Systems, Programming Paradigms, Theory of Computing, Communication Networks, Information and Computer Security, Computer Systems Architecture, Operating Systems, and the Computer Science Capstone.
• Electives: seven computer science electives (21 credits), such as databases, cyber defense, data mining, computer forensics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, compilers, network security, mobile security and software reverse engineering, or any EECS course numbered 700 or above.
• Upper-level eligibility: students need a C- or better in 11 listed courses (physics, Calculus I–III and linear algebra, the seminar, digital logic, Programming I and II, discrete structures and Software Engineering I) before taking other upper-level EECS courses, and must repeat any course below C- at the next opportunity.

3. Dates and materials (international applicants)

• International Admissions handles international applicants through KU’s online application; the USD 90 fee cannot be waived.
• Deadlines (no year shown): applicants outside the US, 1 May for fall admission and fall scholarships, 15 November for spring; applicants inside the US, 25 July for fall (scholarships 1 May) and 1 December for spring.
• Materials: English scores sent by the testing agency, proof of high school graduation for your country, and transcripts (unofficial at application, official before enrolment); an educational gap statement if you were out of education for more than three months after high school; SAT or ACT if your school requires it.
• Tests: KU does not require test scores for general admission. Engineering mathematics preparedness can be shown with a math ACT/SAT or with the course grades or placement exam listed above.

4. English requirements

• Admission without full proficiency: KU says full English proficiency is not an admission requirement. Students may be fully admitted but take Applied English Center (AEC) coursework before or alongside degree courses. A score (or other proof) must be submitted with the application and be under two years old.
• Scores for full-time degree coursework: TOEFL iBT 79 (18 subscores) on the old scale, or 4.5 (4 subscores) for tests from 21 January 2026; IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 subscores); PTE 53 (48 subscores); SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 590; ACT English + Reading 48; AP English 4; a B on both AS and A level English. Others take KU’s AEC test; Duolingo submitters must also take the AEC test.
• Exemptions include four years of college-preparatory English with a 2.5+ GPA in a qualifying region such as an English-speaking province of Canada, and the full IB diploma with English HL 5 or higher.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Documents: school-attested, sealed transcripts for grades 9–12, Huikao (Xueye Shuiping Ceshi) results, and a school-attested Graduation Certificate with English translation; if you do not have it yet, a school letter stating when it will be issued. You must present the original certificate and grade 12 transcript on arrival.
• Grades: KU requires a minimum 75% average for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and says a higher minimum is required for Engineering and other programs; the Engineering figure is not published. The 3.0 GPA and mathematics preparedness requirements also apply.
• Gaokao: the China entry does not mention the Gaokao; how it is used is not published, so check with KU International Admissions.
• A-levels: AS and A level results can count for transfer credit or English proficiency; there is no minimum A level points requirement for students who have met GCSE/IGCSE or other graduation requirements.
• IB: an overall score of 24 or higher, or 4.0 or higher in each subject.
• AP: AP credit for college algebra or higher mathematics under KU’s placement rules can show engineering mathematics preparedness.

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

• Documents: official transcripts and diploma. KU says names and grading conventions vary by province and averages are assessed by regional variation and college-prep curriculum; a specific BC requirement is not published.
• English: four years of college-preparatory English in an English-speaking province with a 2.5+ GPA exempts you from proving English proficiency.
• Engineering: the 3.0 GPA and mathematics preparedness requirements apply, for example a C or better in high school calculus.

7. Transfer students

• Into Engineering from another institution: be admissible to KU, a cumulative transferable GPA of 2.5+, the required grade in MATH 125 (Calculus I) or equivalent, and a C or better in mathematics, science and engineering courses applicable to the degree. All transfer applications are reviewed case by case, and the last 30 credit hours must be completed at KU.
• The Calculus I grade differs between pages: the School of Engineering page and the catalog say C- or better; the admissions office’s major-specific requirements page says C or better. Prepare for a C, or confirm with the School of Engineering.
• International transfer students: a 2.5 GPA on all previous coursework; those with more than 24 transferable credits need not submit high school credentials; students from US institutions must submit official transcripts with the application.

8. Costs and scholarships

• International undergraduate estimate (no year shown): tuition and fees USD 33,854 (30 credit hours), living expenses USD 18,424, total USD 52,278; KU says actual amounts may vary by major.
• US out-of-state estimate for 2026-27: tuition USD 30,779 plus USD 1,065 in student fees, based on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; other programs may have additional course fees. Engineering course fee amounts are not published.
• International first-year scholarships, based on high school GPA alone and renewable, up to USD 64,000 in total: 3.95–4.00 USD 16,000 a year; 3.85–3.94 USD 14,000; 3.70–3.84 USD 12,000; 3.50–3.69 USD 10,000; 3.25–3.49 USD 8,000. Apply by 1 May; renewal needs a 3.0 KU GPA and full-time enrolment.
• International transfer students are eligible for out-of-state transfer scholarships.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through KU’s online application by 1 May (USD 90 fee) with grade 9–12 transcripts, Huikao results and proof of graduation
• Reach a 3.0+ high school GPA and show mathematics preparedness by math ACT/SAT, calculus grade, AP/IB credit or ALEKS
• Submit an English score; IELTS 6.5 (6.0 subscores) or TOEFL 4.5 (new scale) allows full-time degree coursework

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

• Submit transcripts and diploma; four years of college-prep English in an English-speaking province with a 2.5+ GPA exempts you from English tests
• Meet the engineering 3.0 GPA and mathematics preparedness requirements

Transfer students:

• A transferable GPA of 2.5+, Calculus I at C or better, C or better in mathematics, science and engineering; the last 30 credit hours at KU

Sources: University of Kansas, 2026-27 Catalog: BS in Computer Science; School of Engineering admission requirements; EECS undergraduate programs; Degree accreditation; Apply; Major-specific admission requirements; Costs; International applicants; International credentials; English proficiency; International costs; International scholarships. International deadlines and costs pages do not state a year; US out-of-state costs are 2026-27 estimates. Check KU’s website for the latest.