How to Apply to Computer Science at Texas Tech University: Assured Admission Criteria, Foundational Engineering and Three Concentrations in the Whitacre College BS in Computer Science, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Texas Tech University (TTU), undergraduate computer science is the BS in Computer Science offered by the Department of Computer Science in the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering. Here is what you need to know, based on Texas Tech’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

• Credits: at least 126 hours over four years, with at least 40 upper-level hours. There are 41 hours of required computer science core courses and 12 hours of computer science electives (6 of which can be approved related electives in mathematics, electrical and computer engineering, or business administration).
• Mathematics: Calculus I–III, Linear Algebra, and Mathematical Statistics for Engineers and Scientists. The department says students typically graduate with a math minor, and a math and computer science dual major takes 19 more hours (at least 145).
• English and science: two college rhetoric courses plus technical writing; Principles of Chemistry I with lab, Physics I and Physics II.
• Three optional concentrations: software engineering, cybersecurity, and data science with AI and machine learning. Each is 15 hours (two required courses and three electives), declared no later than junior year.
• Key courses: Data Structures (prerequisite: C or better in CS 1412 and a 2.5 TTU GPA), Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Software Engineering, and the Senior Capstone (CS 4366), usually in the last semester; there is also junior career advising.
• Accelerated BS to MS: begin graduate coursework in senior year, with 9 graduate hours counting toward both degrees, leading to an MS in Computer Science or in Software and Security Engineering.

2. Getting into the major

• Engineering admits assured-admission students: the international first-year page says all Whitacre College of Engineering majors accept only students who meet assured admission requirements; test-optional applicants are reviewed holistically for these programs.
• Assured admission (high school class rank plus SAT/ACT):
  • top 10%: no minimum score;
  • first quarter (excluding top 10%): ACT 24 or SAT 1180;
  • second quarter: ACT 26 or SAT 1240;
  • third quarter: ACT 27 or SAT 1280;
  • fourth quarter: application review.
  The highest section scores across sittings are used. Transcripts without a rank are assigned one under Texas SB 1543.
• Foundational Engineering first: before becoming an official computer science student, you must complete the college’s Foundational Engineering program, with three long semesters allowed (most finish in two). It covers two rhetoric courses, Calculus I and II, Chemistry I with lab, Physics I, and four engineering courses (ENGR 1110, 1320, 1330, 2392). Until then you cannot take upper-level engineering or computer science courses. The pages read do not state a GPA threshold for entering the major; ask the college.

3. Dates and materials

• Application: Common App, ApplyTexas or the TTU International Application, with no preference, one per cycle; the fee is USD 75.
• Fall 2027 (deadlines page):
  • freshman scholarship priority deadline: December 1, 2026;
  • summer and fall priority application deadline: May 1, 2027.
• Conflicting dates: the international apply page lists June 1 for the summer/fall priority application deadline, while the international first-year page and the deadlines page list May 1. Plan for May 1.
• Materials: high school transcripts (evaluated internally), the application fee and English proof; SAT/ACT, essays, letters and a resume are optional. Non-English documents need a word-for-word translation by an active American Translators Association member; notarized translations are not accepted.
• Testing policy: the international first-year page says the test-optional policy extends through 2025 entry and has not been updated for 2027. Because engineering admits on assured criteria, SAT/ACT scores matter directly; confirm the 2027 policy with admissions.

4. English proficiency

• Test minimums: TOEFL iBT 79 (4.5 on the new scale from January 21, 2026), IELTS Academic 6.5, Duolingo 100, PTE Academic 60, SAT EBRW 500 or ACT English 21.
• Other options: IB English 4 (C) or higher; A-level English C or higher (not ESL or English literature); two consecutive years of high school in the U.S., at a U.S.-accredited school, or in an English proficiency exempt country.
• Exempt countries: the list includes Canada (except Quebec).

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: Texas Tech does not say how Gaokao results are used. Engineering admission uses class rank plus SAT/ACT; ask international admissions how Chinese grades and rank are assessed.
• A-levels, IB, AP: A-level English C or IB English 4 meets the English requirement; exam credit rules were not checked for this guide.
• Note: since engineering accepts only assured-admission students, SAT/ACT preparation directly affects entry to computer science.

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

• English: Canada (except Quebec) is an exempt country; two years of high school there meets the requirement.
• Grades: BC grade requirements are not published; assured admission uses class rank and SAT/ACT, with a rank assigned under state law if none is given. Ask admissions.

7. Transfer students

• University assured admission: 12–23 transferable hours with a 2.50 cumulative GPA, or 24+ hours with 2.25. With fewer than 12 transferable hours, a high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores are also required. Applicants with at least a 2.00 GPA can be reviewed by committee.
• Engineering: a 2.75 GPA and at least 24 hours. Texas Tech notes that college requirements may change and are listed in the catalog.
• Deadlines: spring 2027 by November 1, 2026; summer and fall 2027 by May 1, 2027 (priority); transfer scholarship priority January 1, 2027.
• Credit: course transferability can be checked in Texas Tech’s transfer equivalency search.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026–2027 estimates:
  • international (non-resident): tuition and fees USD 24,451, about USD 42,581 in total with housing, food, books, health insurance and other costs;
  • international with a competitive tuition waiver: tuition and fees USD 12,191, about USD 30,321 in total;
  • engineering non-resident: tuition and fees USD 26,204, about USD 44,135 in total. The page does not say which line applies to international engineering students.
• Tuition waiver: students awarded a competitive scholarship of USD 1,000 or more for the year may be eligible for in-state tuition.
• Presidential Merit Scholarships (2026–2027): set by SAT/ACT and unweighted GPA, up to USD 9,000 a year (SAT 1500–1600, GPA 3.96–4.0); test-optional awards are USD 1,000–4,000 a year. Awards are guaranteed for freshmen admitted by April 1 for fall, and non-resident recipients qualify for in-state tuition. The page does not say whether international students are eligible.
• Costs and scholarship amounts for 2027–28 have not been published.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by December 1, 2026 for scholarships, and by May 1, 2027 for priority admission
• Prepare SAT/ACT and check the class rank and score tiers for assured admission
• Submit TOEFL 4.5 (new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 100, with word-for-word translations of transcripts

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

• Two years of high school in Canada (except Quebec) meets English; engineering entry also uses class rank and SAT/ACT

Transfer students:

• Engineering needs a 2.75 GPA and 24+ hours; priority deadline May 1, 2027 for fall

Sources: Texas Tech University, BS in Computer Science; Computer Science undergraduate FAQs; International first-year students; International applicants; Application deadlines; English proficiency; International transfer; 2026-2027 cost of attendance; Incoming freshman scholarships. Parts of the international first-year page still refer to 2025 and 2026 entry. Check Texas Tech’s website for the latest.