How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Houston: Automatic Admission Criteria, High School Coursework and Curriculum for the BS in Computer Science, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Houston (UH), undergraduate computer science is the BS in Computer Science offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM). The department says all undergraduate programs are in person, with no fully online option. Here is what you need to know, based on UH’s website, for students at high schools in China (including A-level and IB students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The degree and curriculum

• Degree: BS in Computer Science; the department also offers minors in computer science and data science and a Dual Credit BS/MS.
• Checklist (based on the 2023-2024 catalog, listed by the department as effective fall 2023): 45 hours of computer science, 30 of them advanced. Required courses include Computer Science and Programming, Introduction to Programming, Programming and Data Structures, Computer Organization and Architecture, Algorithms and Data Structures, Automata and Computability, Operating Systems, Database Systems and Software Engineering (or Software Design), plus five advanced computer science electives.
• Mathematics: Calculus I and II, Discrete Mathematics (or Computing Structures), Linear Algebra (or Engineering Mathematics) and Statistics for the Sciences.
• Natural sciences: 14 hours of NSM-approved natural sciences, including two 1-hour labs.
• Graduation: 120 hours in total, at least 36 advanced; C- or better in prerequisites for COSC courses; at most 6 hours below C- in UH COSC courses; 2.00 GPA in cumulative, major and minor.
• NSM Capstone: required of all NSM majors, at least six advanced hours. Computer science students can use a software, data science or interactive game development senior sequence, or a minor, double major, double degree, senior research project, honors thesis or teachHOUSTON. Courses used for the capstone do not count toward other computer science requirements.

2. Getting into the major

• Higher standards: the department and college both say NSM admission standards are higher than UH’s general criteria. Applications are processed by the Office of Admissions (international students by the Office of International Admissions).
• Automatic freshman admission (spring, summer and fall 2027 terms), by meeting one of:
  • top 10% of the graduating class;
  • a 3.8+ core GPA;
  • SAT 1400+ or ACT 32+, with a minimum 3.0 core GPA.
• High school coursework: 2 or more units of biology, chemistry or physics; 4 of English; 2 of algebra; 1 of geometry; 1 of pre-calculus.
• If you do not meet automatic admission: the pages read do not say how you are reviewed; ask the admissions office. The international freshman page notes that some majors have additional requirements, including SAT/ACT scores.
• Changing major after enrolling: current UH students moving into NSM are advised to take the Calculus I placement exam and attend a change of major session, where advisors give missing requirements and a target GPA. Key first-semester courses for computer science are Calculus I (MATH 2413) and Computer Science and Programming (COSC 1336). NSM says fewer than 2% of students who do not complete Calculus I in their first 30 hours graduate with an NSM degree.

3. Dates and materials

• Application: Common App or ApplyTexas, with a short essay and activities; the international application fee is USD 90. You choose in the application whether to be reviewed with or without SAT/ACT scores.
• Fall 2027 (international freshmen):
  • scholarship priority deadline: apply by November 2, 2026, supporting materials by November 9;
  • final deadline: apply by May 3, 2027, supporting materials by May 10.
• Other terms: spring 2027 by November 2, 2026; summer 2027 by April 2, 2027.
• Records: transcripts, exam results and certificates for years 9–12 (or equivalent), with certified English translations; an uploaded copy of official international transcripts is accepted for review, with final official records required after admission.
• Visa funds: a bank statement showing at least USD 43,110 or the equivalent.

4. English proficiency

• Tests: TOEFL 4.0 (new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105.
• Exemptions: a diploma or degree from an accredited U.S. high school or college, or the equivalent of a high school education in a recognized English-speaking country. The list includes Canada (except Quebec).

5. Students at high schools in China

• Records: transcripts for junior middle year 3 and senior middle years 1–2 (current students) or 1–3 (graduates), plus the senior secondary graduation certificate (huikao).
• Gaokao: UH does not say how Gaokao results are used; ask international admissions.
• A-levels: current students submit 5 GCSE/IGCSE/O-levels and AS results (or a year 12 transcript); graduates submit 2 A-levels, or 4 AS levels and 5 GCSE/IGCSE/O-levels.
• IB: transcripts for years 9–11 (current students) or 9–12 with graduation date (graduates).
• AP: AP credit rules were not checked for this guide.
• You must also meet the automatic admission criteria, high school coursework and English requirements above.

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

• Records: transcripts for years 9–11 (current students) or 9–12 (graduates), and the leaving certificate; UH lists the Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma (BC) and the OSSD among Canadian credentials.
• English: completing high school in Canada (except Quebec) meets the English requirement.
• Grades: UH does not publish BC grade requirements; ask admissions how the GPA, class rank or test criteria above are applied.

7. Transfer students

• Who: non-U.S. citizens transferring at least 15 credit hours from an accredited university; with fewer than 15 hours, freshman criteria apply.
• University admission: a 2.50 cumulative GPA is assured admission; 2.25–2.49 is individual review.
• NSM transfer requirements (15+ hours):
  • 2.50 GPA in all college-level work;
  • 2.50 GPA in all college-level biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics and physics courses;
  • 2.50 GPA in Category I or Category II courses. For computer science (Category II), at least two of COSC 1336 and Calculus I, II and III.
• Out-of-state credit: students whose math and science credit needs evaluation may be admitted conditionally as NSM unspecified for one semester.
• Fall 2027: apply by May 3, 2027, supporting materials by May 10.
• Credential evaluation: an optional course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member such as WES, ECE or TEC can speed up GPA calculation.

8. Costs and scholarships

• Tuition (2026–27, two 15-hour semesters): about USD 27,776 out of state and USD 11,888 in state; UH says costs may vary by college. Costs for 2027–28 have not been published.
• International undergraduate scholarships, considered by completing your application by the deadline, each with conditions:
  • Academic Excellence Scholarship: competitive and renewable, priority deadline November 2, 2026;
  • Tier One Scholarship: full tuition and fees for up to four years and two years of on-campus housing with a meal plan, priority deadline November 2, 2026;
  • Cullen Leadership Scholarship: USD 1,000 a year for up to four years.
• The flyer marks some awards with possible in-state tuition eligibility; conditions apply.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through Common App or ApplyTexas by November 2, 2026 for scholarship priority, with materials by November 9
• Check the automatic admission criteria: a 3.8 core GPA, or SAT 1400 / ACT 32 with a 3.0 GPA; pre-calculus and two sciences in high school
• Submit TOEFL 4.0 (new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105, plus transcripts from junior middle year 3 and your graduation certificate

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

• Submit transcripts for years 9–12 and your BC diploma; high school in Canada (except Quebec) meets the English requirement
• Ask admissions how BC grades are evaluated

Transfer students:

• At least 15 hours and 2.50 in each GPA; at least two of COSC 1336 and Calculus I–III; apply by May 3, 2027 for fall

Sources: University of Houston, Computer Science undergraduate programs; BS in Computer Science; BS Computer Science checklist; Computer Science admissions; NSM admission requirements; Change of major to NSM; Majors with additional requirements (2027 terms); International freshman; Required secondary academic records; English language requirements; International transfer; Costs and aid; International undergraduate scholarships. The checklist is based on the 2023-2024 catalog. Check UH’s website for the latest.