How to Apply to Computer Science at Northern Illinois University: Start as Pre-Computer Science and Apply to the Major After 30 Credit Hours, Three Emphases in the BS, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Northern Illinois University (NIU), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Here is what you need to know, based on NIU’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), and transfer students.

1. Degree and curriculum

• Degree: B.S. in Computer Science, also offered at the University Center at McHenry County College and at Harper College.
• Three emphases (you may change at any time, though switching can add courses and delay graduation):
  • Software development: the minimum requirements for the major, with a broad practical foundation.
  • Enterprise software: adds three business courses; suited to management, leading teams or an MBA.
  • Computational software: significantly more math and statistics, enough for an applied mathematics minor; suited to theory, research, graduate study or actuarial science.
• Shared foundation: programming languages, software engineering, databases, development environments and operating systems. Sample courses include C++ programming, intermediate programming, UNIX and network programming, assembler language, computer architecture and Java.
• Core courses in the transfer 2+2 plan: UNIX and network programming, data structures and algorithm analysis, discrete mathematics, assembler language, databases, computer architecture, operating systems and software engineering.
• Elective examples: iOS and Android programming, computer security basics, internship, theory of computation, enterprise application environments, and rotating topics courses (recently AI, computer graphics, data mining and computer networks).
• Full credit and course requirements are in the academic catalog, which we could not read; check NIU’s catalog.

2. Getting into the major

• Start as pre-computer science: computer science is the only limited-admission program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
• First semester: attend one departmental pre-major meeting, which starts your personalized academic plan.
• Requirements to declare the major:
  • attended the pre-major meeting;
  • at least 30 semester hours of college-level coursework;
  • a minimum 2.500 cumulative NIU GPA;
  • a minimum C average in CSCI coursework at NIU;
  • completed (or completing this semester) MATH 206, MATH 211, MATH 229 and/or STAT 200.
• Decisions are based mainly on your NIU record, especially CSCI grades. Admitted majors get priority registration for CSCI courses and are eligible to graduate with the B.S.
• Students in other majors who want CSCI classes can contact the undergraduate advisor.

3. Dates and materials (international applicants)

• Fee: applying to NIU as an undergraduate is free; freshmen can also add NIU on the Common App.
• Document deadlines (no year stated): fall, May 1 for students outside the U.S. and August 1 for students in the U.S.; spring, October 1 and December 1. Summer is not available to students seeking a student visa.
• Academic requirements: you must graduate before starting at NIU, with passing grades equivalent to a U.S. C+ average.
• Tests: NIU does not consider ACT or SAT scores for admission or merit scholarships.
• Finances: students seeking an F-1 visa submit proof of financial ability after the admission decision.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL iBT 71 (3.5 overall for tests after January 21, 2026), IELTS 6.0, PTE 48, Duolingo 105.
• Or IGCSE, GCSE, GCE O-Level or A-Level English at C or above, or IB English A Standard Level at 4 or above.
• A high school diploma from countries including Canada, the UK and Australia counts as proof of English proficiency.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao results are used; check with IntlAdmissions@niu.edu. The international freshman page offers an admissions flowchart in Chinese.
• Exam credit: AP scores of 3 or higher and IB Higher Level scores of 4 or higher earn credit. A-Level credit is not checked here.
• Scholarship: the International Freshman Merit Scholarship requires a 3.5 cumulative GPA as computed by NIU, is for fully family-sponsored students paying out-of-state rates, and is USD 5,000–9,000 a year, renewable. Apply through MyScholarships after admission.

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

• A high school diploma from Canada satisfies English proficiency; official school records are still required.
• Grade requirements for BC and other Canadian curricula are not published; the international C+ average and process apply.

7. Transfer students

• From universities outside the U.S.: good standing and at least a 2.00 GPA from all colleges attended as computed by NIU; submit syllabi and course descriptions for courses you want evaluated.
• From U.S. institutions: up to 12 attempted hours are evaluated as freshmen; more than 12 but fewer than 24 earned hours must meet freshman requirements and a 2.00 GPA; 24 or more hours need a 2.00 GPA and good standing.
• The major: transfers must meet the same requirements to declare computer science. The department publishes a junior and senior 2+2 plan for transfers.
• Scholarship: the International Transfer Merit Scholarship requires a 3.5 GPA and is USD 5,000 a year, renewable.

8. Costs

• 2026-27 international computer science tuition: USD 11,490.78 per term full time (12 hours or more), compared with the standard international rate of USD 11,010.78 per term.
• General fees (USD 109.59 per hour up to 12 hours), the academic program enhancement fee and student health insurance are extra; see the Bursar’s pages.
• Housing scholarship: USD 2,000 a year, renewable, for international students with a 2.75 GPA who live in Neptune Hall in their first year.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit all documents by May 1 for fall
• Prepare IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 71
• Attend the pre-major meeting in your first semester; keep a 2.5 GPA and finish the required math in your first 30 hours
• Apply for the international merit scholarship in MyScholarships after admission

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

• Use your Canadian diploma for English proficiency and have your school send official records

Transfer students:

• College GPA of 2.00 or higher; prepare syllabi for credit evaluation
• Plan CSCI and math courses around the requirements to declare the major

Sources: Northern Illinois University, BS in Computer Science; Computer Science limited admission; Computer Science undergraduate requirements; Computer Science advising; International freshmen; International application deadlines; International transfers; International scholarships; Application requirements; Apply; Credit by exam; Computer Science tuition. International deadlines do not state a year; tuition is for 2026-27. Check NIU’s website for the latest.