How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Nevada, Reno: Entering the College of Engineering as Undeclared and Declaring the B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering after Calculus, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Nevada, Reno, undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering. 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. The degree and curriculum

• What the degree covers: it combines computer science and computer engineering, covering both hardware and software. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation and Computing Accreditation Commissions of ABET, under the Computer Science and Computer Engineering Program Criteria.
• Focus areas: the department lists cybersecurity and network systems, data and software systems, and intelligent and autonomous systems.
• Hands-on projects: the first engineering class, Engineering 100, has teams design a hovercraft; the senior capstone has teams develop a market-ready product, presented to employers at the annual Innovation Day.
• Minors and accelerated programs: CSE students can minor in big data, cybersecurity (two options), digital interactive games or robotics. Strong students can take the accelerated B.S./M.S., or the five-year B.S./MBA with the College of Business.
• Course list and total credits: the full list of courses and credits is in the university catalog (catalog.unr.edu), which this guide did not read; check the catalog for the current requirements.

2. How you get into the major

• College first, major later: all incoming engineering students come in as undeclared engineering with a sub-plan in the major they want, and must be enrolled in Calculus I (MATH 181) before declaring a specific engineering major. The academic policies page calls students who are not yet ready for calculus pre-engineering majors.
• Calculus eligibility: any one of ACT 28 or higher, SAT Math 650 or higher, ALEKS 76 or higher, AP Calculus AB or BC 3 or higher, or IB HL Math 5 or higher. To graduate in four years, you need to be in calculus in your first fall.
• Time limit: pre-engineering students must become admissible to a specific major within four regular semesters (fall and spring), or they are removed from the College of Engineering and moved to undecided status to choose a new major with the University Advising Center.
• Engineering GPA: keep at least a 2.0. Below that you are placed on program probation, and failing to raise it on second-semester probation leads to dismissal from the college. After one year you may appeal for reinstatement.
• Repeats: a third attempt at a non-repeatable course needs an engineering advisor’s permission. If you fail a required course that counts toward the engineering GPA on the third attempt, you must appeal to the department chair for a fourth; if denied, you cannot continue in that engineering major.
• High school preparation: the college recommends four units of math (including trigonometry and precalculus), three units of science including physics and chemistry, and a half year of computer programming; AP calculus and science are particularly valuable.

3. How and when to apply

• International first-year applicants: use the International Student Application and pay a non-refundable $95 fee, then send a copy of your passport biographical page and official high school transcripts. The international page lists no deadlines. This is not published; check with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
• First-year deadlines (freshman admissions page): for fall 2027, Early Action November 15, 2026, scholarship and financial aid priority February 15, 2027, and final deadline April 7, 2027; to keep a scholarship, pay your deposit and complete the questionnaire by June 15, 2027. For spring 2027, the final deadline appears as December 15, 2026 in one table and December 15, 2027 in another, so aim for the earlier date.
• Tests: the international page says SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission or scholarship consideration; the freshman page says they are optional for admission but required for most first-year scholarships and may help with placement. Note both statements.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Requirements: a 3.0 academic GPA on a 4.0 scale, with 4 units of native language, 3 of math (Algebra I or higher), 3 of natural science and 3 of social science.
• Gaokao: no Gaokao requirement is published; check with OISS.
• English minimums: TOEFL 61, IELTS Academic 6.0, Duolingo 95, Cambridge English 169, PTE Academic 46. If you have taken the SAT or ACT, your score may satisfy the English requirement.
• A-level, IB and AP: no A-level or IB admission scores are published. AP Calculus 3+ or IB HL Math 5+ makes you eligible for calculus.

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

• English: students from Canada (except Quebec) are exempt from English testing.
• Grades: no grade requirements are published for Canadian or BC curricula. Prepare to the GPA and course requirements above and check with OISS.

6. Transfer students

• International transfer requirements: at least 24 transferable semester credits and a 2.5 cumulative transfer GPA; TOEFL 61, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 95, waived if you completed ENG 101 at a U.S. institution. The fee is $95, and with 24+ credits you do not need high school transcripts.
• Deadlines (transfer page): fall 2027, July 15, 2027; spring, December 15, 2026 (the table is headed spring 2026 but opens August 1, 2026, so confirm with the university).
• Credit rules: there is no limit on transfer credits, but you must complete 30 upper-division units, 15 units of major requirements and between 61 and 64.5 units (half the program) at the university.
• International credit: courses may first come in as lower- or upper-division electives. Core courses are evaluated by the Core Curriculum Office from your syllabus, and engineering, science and math courses by the departments, usually with your advisor’s help. Your previous GPA counts toward your cumulative GPA but not your university or engineering GPA.

7. Costs and scholarships

• International undergraduate estimate (15 credits each in fall and spring): base tuition $9,383 ($312.75 per credit), non-resident tuition fee $20,189, mandatory student fees $1,841 (including international student fees), on-campus housing $7,000–$11,000, meals $5,928–$7,488 and books $1,200, for $45,541–$51,101. The page gives no year, and its footnote cites $288.50 per credit and an $18,632 non-resident fee, which differ from the table. Some courses carry special or differential fees.
• International scholarships: OISS awards new and continuing undergraduates $300–$5,000 a year, nominated on donor criteria and GPA. Complete the annual scholarship application (GUS) in MyNEVADA, with preference by February 1; the college and department scholarship application opens October 1 and is due February 15.
• Need-based aid: international students cannot file the FAFSA. After one year of study you can submit the university’s non-FAFSA form, with a February 1 priority deadline.
• Pack Exchange Program: a tuition reduction, at 200% of Nevada resident base tuition, open only to international students who graduated from high school (or attend college) in listed U.S. states and territories.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Keep a 3.0 academic GPA; take strong math, physics and chemistry so you can start in calculus
• Prepare TOEFL 61, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 95; SAT/ACT are not required for international applicants
• Confirm deadlines with OISS; submit the scholarship application in MyNEVADA by February 1

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

• Students from Canada (except Quebec) are exempt from English tests; confirm grade expectations with OISS

Transfer students:

• Have 24 credits and a 2.5 GPA; keep syllabi for credit evaluation; maintain a 2.0 Engineering GPA

Sources: University of Nevada, Reno, B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering; CSE undergraduate program; Accreditation; Engineering: incoming first-year students; Engineering academic policies; Engineering transfer FAQs; Freshman admissions and deadlines; International undergraduate admissions; International transfer admissions; Transfer deadlines; International undergraduate tuition; International scholarships. Dates are for spring and fall 2027 entry; the international cost page does not state a year. Check the University of Nevada, Reno for the latest details.