How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of New Hampshire: The B.S. in Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the Three-Track B.A., with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of New Hampshire (UNH), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS), and the main degree is the B.S. in Computer Science. Here is what you need to know, based on UNH’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. Degrees

• B.S. in Computer Science: accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. UNH highlights faculty in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, cybersecurity, distributed systems and cloud computing.
• B.A. in Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Systems tracks, with the same CS core as the B.S. but more choice of complementary and advanced courses, so you can combine CS with another field.
• The department also offers B.S. degrees in Information Technology, Data Science and Analytics, an accelerated master’s and an honors major; this guide covers Computer Science.
• First-year research: all CEPS majors can join the Innovation Scholars program for interdisciplinary research from the first year.

2. B.S. curriculum and grade rules

• Credits: at least 128 credits, with 32 taken at UNH; the sample plan totals 130. No foreign language requirement.
• First year (sample plan): Introduction to Computing, Introduction to Computer Science I and II, Foundations of Programming for Digital Systems, Introduction to Internet Technologies, First-Year Writing, and Calculus I and II.
• Later courses: Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithms, Computer Organization and System-Level Programming, Object-Oriented Design and Development, Operating System Fundamentals, Theory of Computation, Programming Language Concepts, Professional Ethics and Communication, and 700-level implementation and other electives.
• Minimum grades: C- or better in CS 415, CS 416, CS 420, CS 515, CS 520 and IT 403. Two repeats are allowed in total across these courses (one course twice or two courses once); after that students are dismissed and may petition for reinstatement one year later.
• GPA: a 2.0 GPA must be kept in all required CS, math and computer engineering courses; falling below 2.0 at the end of any semester may end your place in the major.
• Changing into CS: any relevant coursework must meet the minimum grades above, with an overall UNH GPA of 2.0 or better.

3. Admission and high school courses

• Holistic review: your academic record matters most, including program of study, rigor, class standing and achievement. There are no interviews.
• High school courses: the international page lists, for “Engineering, Biological/Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Forestry”, four years of math (including 1/2 credit of trigonometry/pre-calculus) and four years of science (chemistry and/or physics lab work), with math and science expected in senior year. The page does not say whether computer science falls in this group; check with Admissions.
• Competitive majors and pathways: UNH has space-limited competitive majors. Some admitted students enter a pathway program, including in CEPS, and transfer into their first-choice major after meeting benchmarks; the same paragraph then says students in a pathway program or alternate major cannot change into their first-choice major. Both statements are given here; ask Admissions. The page does not say whether computer science is a competitive major.

4. How and when to apply

• Application: the Common App. Unofficial documents are accepted for review; official copies are required after you confirm enrollment, by June 30.
• Deadlines: Spring Decision October 15 (decision by late December), Early Action November 15 (supporting documents by December 12; decision by late January), Regular Decision February 1 (decision by late March). The page does not state a year.
• Materials: secondary transcripts with English translations, one recommendation (ideally from a counselor or teacher, no more than two), a copy of your passport biographic page and English test results.
• Testing: test-optional for first-years, with no cut-offs and the highest section scores considered. UNH reports an average admitted SAT of 1175 and ACT of 25.
• Application fee: the international aid FAQ says the fee is $65 for a degree program and waivers are not available in most cases; the admissions page says waivers can be requested through the Common App. Both are given here.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: UNH says criteria vary by country curriculum and publishes no Gaokao score requirement.
• English, two versions: the admissions page lists Duolingo 120, IELTS 6.5, PTE 59 and TOEFL 87 (before January 2026) or 4.5 (January 2026 and after); the international aid FAQ lists TOEFL 80, or 4 on the new scale for tests after January 21, 2026. Both are given here; follow Admissions. Waivers are considered case by case.
• AP and IB: AP credit follows UNH policy; IB Higher Level exams with 5, 6 or 7 earn 8 credits each, with no credit for Standard Level. A-level treatment is not published.

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

• UNH publishes no separate grade requirements or English waiver rule for Canadian or BC curricula. Prepare to the course requirements above and check with Admissions.

7. Transfer students

• Deadlines (transfer page): spring October 15, fall April 1.
• CEPS: recommended cumulative college GPA of 3.0+; Calculus I (equivalent to UNH MATH 425) with a C or better for all CEPS majors. Computer Science and IT also need a C or better in one of: programming (Java, C++, Python), calculus-based physics or Chemistry I.
• Other rules: CEPS Undeclared is closed to students with 57+ transfer credits. International university transcripts need an evaluation (for example WES or the Center for Educational Documentation) for transfer credit.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026/2027 estimate for international undergraduates (Durham campus, for the I-20): tuition $37,996, plus $1,504 for CEPS; total direct costs $59,452 and total estimated cost of attendance $64,247. New students also pay a one-time $400 fee.
• Scholarships: international students are eligible for merit scholarships (UNH says “up to $40K”) and the International Engagement and Service Scholarship (IESS) for high-achieving international undergraduates with financial need, covering partial tuition and renewable for up to eight semesters. International students are not eligible for U.S. federal aid.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Take four years of math (including trigonometry or precalculus) and chemistry or physics labs; confirm the requirements with Admissions
• Submit the Common App by November 15 (Early Action) or February 1 (Regular); testing optional
• Prepare IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 120; check both published TOEFL minimums

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

• Prepare to the course requirements above and confirm grade and English requirements with Admissions

Transfer students:

• Apply by April 1 for fall; complete Calculus I and a programming course (or calculus-based physics or Chemistry I) with a C or better, ideally with a 3.0+ GPA

Sources: University of New Hampshire, Computer Science, B.S.; Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence, B.A.; How to apply: international; Transfer applicants; Changing majors and competitive majors; International students: aid FAQ; International students estimate of expenses. Deadline pages do not state a year, and costs are 2026/2027 I-20 estimates. Check UNH for the latest details.