How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Arkansas: The College of Engineering BS in Computer Science, Cybersecurity Concentration and BA, Entry to Engineering with University Admission, the 1 June International Deadline and English Requirements, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) in the College of Engineering: a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.), a B.S.C.S. with a Cybersecurity Concentration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. Here is what you need to know, based on the university’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

• University admission is enough for engineering: the 2026-27 catalog says freshmen admitted to the Fayetteville campus are eligible to enroll in the College of Engineering; the first year builds a foundation in mathematics, physics and chemistry, and later years concentrate on the chosen field.
• The pages read do not mention a cap or a later threshold for computer science, or the conditions for switching in from another major; ask the department.
• Extra rule for international computer engineering applicants (not computer science): the catalog says international computer engineering applicants need a spoken English score (TSE 5.0 or IELTS speaking 7.0) and ACT 25 (or SAT 1140) or above. It refers only to computer engineering.

2. Curriculum (2026-27 catalog)

• BS: the core covers programming concepts, operating systems, algorithms, formal languages and database management systems, ending with a two-semester capstone (a team proposal, then development, implementation and presentation). The eight-semester plan totals 122 hours.
• Sample plan: first year, Introduction to Engineering I and II, composition, chemistry, Calculus I and II, University Physics and a science elective; second year, Programming Foundations I and II, Digital Design, Computer Organization, Discrete Mathematics and Linear Algebra; third year, Programming Paradigms, Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Database Management Systems, Combinatorics and a 4000-level CSCE elective; fourth year, Algorithms, Computer Networks, Formal Languages and Computability, the capstone and CSCE electives.
• Cybersecurity concentration: the BS requirements plus 9 hours: Cryptography, Cloud Computing and Security, and Information Security.
• BA: the catalog says it has the same educational objectives as the BS but very different course requirements, to allow a double major or other interests; the plan totals 120 hours.
• All CSCE students take 18 hours of humanities and social sciences under the State Minimum Core, including Ethics and the Professions (PHIL 31003).
• The College of Engineering says 3000- and 4000-level engineering courses are not normally transferred from institutions without ABET-accredited engineering or computing programs.

3. Dates and materials (international applicants)

• International undergraduate deadlines: 1 June for fall and 1 October for spring; later applications are processed as space allows.
• Priority dates: 1 November priority admission; 15 November priority scholarship and 1 February final scholarship deadlines (contact scholars@uark.edu).
• Materials: original-language transcripts with an English translation stamped by the issuing school, and the original diploma with an English translation; only diplomas from schools recognised by the home ministry of education are accepted. A letter from the principal with class rank and class size is encouraged.
• Application: the New Student Center or Common App.

4. Admission requirements (international freshmen)

• Academics: twelve years of schooling with above-average secondary results, including study of the native language, English, mathematics, natural or physical science, social science and the humanities. The university recommends that international freshmen take the SAT.
• Tests (general freshman page): applicants with a 3.20 high school GPA can apply without a test score but must submit ACT, SAT, Accuplacer or CLT by 1 May 2027 for placement; applicants below 3.20 should submit scores at application. Most scholarships still require test scores.
• English: non-native speakers submit one of TOEFL iBT 4.0, IELTS Academic 6.5, Duolingo 110, PTE Academic 58, C1 Advanced 176, iTEP 3.9, or SAT EBRW 500 or ACT English 19 (undergraduate only), taken within two years. Native English speakers are exempt.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: no Gaokao policy or score is published. Under the general rule, submit transcripts and the diploma (original plus English translation) showing above-average results; country-specific documents are on the “degree equivalencies” page in the sources.
• A-levels, IB and AP: no scores are published. Students in certificate systems such as the GCSE need at least five GCSE-equivalent passes, including English.
• English: students from Chinese high schools generally submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo; SAT EBRW 500 or ACT English 19 also counts.

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

• No requirements for Canadian provincial curricula are published; apply under the general international rules.
• The list of native English-speaking countries is on the English page; applicants from other countries may be asked for additional proof.

7. Transfer students

• Credit bands: with 3 to 23 transferable hours you are a transfer freshman and need a 2.0 college GPA plus the freshman criteria; with 24 or more hours a cumulative 2.0 GPA means automatic admission, and others can be reviewed by the Admissions and Appellate Board.
• Overseas institutions: submit all transcripts and course descriptions at application; credit is reviewed course by course by the academic dean, often after arrival.
• Engineering limit: upper-level engineering courses are not normally accepted from institutions without ABET-accredited programs (section 2).
• US transfer deadlines: 15 December 2026 for spring 2027 and 1 August 2027 for fall 2027; international students follow the international deadlines in section 3.

8. Costs and funding

• Costs (international cost page, no academic year stated; non-resident undergraduate, 30 hours a year): tuition USD 30,604, fees USD 2,580, books USD 1,270, room USD 10,144, board USD 5,550, personal USD 3,452 and transportation USD 2,656, about USD 56,256 living on campus.
• International students submit the Supplemental and Financial Information form with proof of funds for all first-year costs before an I-20 is issued. The university does not lend to international students.
• Scholarships: the international cost page links to scholarships for international students and college and department scholarships; amounts and conditions were not checked for this guide.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 1 November (priority admission), and by 15 November for scholarships; the fall deadline is 1 June
• Send transcripts and the diploma with English translations, and TOEFL 4.0, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 110; the SAT is recommended

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

• Apply under the general international rules; confirm Canadian curriculum requirements with admissions

Transfer students:

• 24+ hours with a 2.0 GPA means automatic admission; upper-level engineering credit should come from ABET-accredited institutions

Sources: University of Arkansas, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Undergraduate programs; 2026-27 Catalog: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Catalog: College of Engineering; New freshman; Transfer students; International undergraduate admissions; English language proficiency; Degree equivalencies and secondary documents; International cost and funding. The international cost page does not state an academic year. Check the University of Arkansas website for the latest.