How to Apply to Computer Science at UAB: Courses for the BS and BA in Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences, the C-or-Better Rule for CS Courses and the International Scholarship, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. 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), and transfer students.

1. Degrees and courses

• Undergraduate degrees in the department: BA in Computer Science, BS in Computer Science, BS in Bioinformatics (with the School of Medicine and the Department of Biology), BS in Digital Forensics (with the Department of Criminal Justice) and a CS minor. The BA and BS in Computer Science are on-campus only.
• BS in Computer Science: accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. The department page lists 74–75 hours for the major, including 48 hours of CS (12 at the 300 level or above), a minimum 2.2 GPA and a C or higher in all CS courses. The catalog lists 120–122 hours for the degree, including 41 hours of the Blazer Core Curriculum.
• BS requirements: Calculus I and II plus one more math course chosen from Calculus III, differential equations, scientific programming, probability and others; one lab science (biology, chemistry or physics). Required CS courses are Introduction to Computer Science in Python, Object-Oriented Programming in Java, Discrete Structures, Algorithms and Data Structures, Computer Organization and Assembly Language, Systems Programming, Networking, Mathematical Foundations of AI, Formal Languages and Programming Paradigms, Probability and Statistics in CS, Programming Paradigms, Database Application Development, Software Engineering, Fundamentals of Computer Security and a senior capstone, plus 9 hours of CS electives (at least 3 at the 400 level). The Computer Networking specialization takes its electives from network security, distributed systems, network programming and cloud security. General electives must include Public Speaking and Contemporary Moral Issues.
• BA in Computer Science: 36 hours of CS (25 at the 300 level or above), with 24 hours of required courses (including Object-Oriented Programming, Computer Organization and Assembly Language, and a capstone), Calculus I, and a minor in a non-computing area (15–26 hours). Recommended minors include Art Studio, Biology, Criminal Justice, Entrepreneurship and Professional Writing.
• Prerequisites (both BA and BS): Introduction to Computation is required for all 200-level courses; Object-Oriented Programming and Discrete Structures for all 300-level courses; Algorithms and Data Structures plus Calculus I for all 400-level courses.
• Graduate pathways: Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s and Fast-Track options are available. The department currently offers automatic acceptance into the MS in Computer Science and MS in Data Science for BS CS graduates with a 3.0 GPA, with the application fee waived, though you must still apply.

2. Admission

• University admission: the international pages describe a holistic review of curriculum strength, grades, GPA and test scores.
• Entering the CS major: the catalog says students admitted to UAB may transfer into CS with a UAB GPA of 2.0 or better; students from other institutions may transfer into CS with a GPA of 2.0 or better, and those who don’t meet it enter as Liberal Arts majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, meet the GPA requirement, then apply to the CS major. Bioinformatics has stricter requirements.
• Grades: every CS course in the major and minor needs a C or better; CS courses taken elsewhere with a D do not count. For the BS, at least 12 hours of CS at the 300 level or above must be taken at UAB.
• Tests: for summer and fall 2027, students with a weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher can apply without SAT/ACT scores (international students included); those at 3.49 or below must submit scores. Applicants with scores are recommended to have at least ACT 20 or SAT 1030. The choice cannot be changed once you apply. UAB says test-optional admission ends after the 2027 cycle, and applicants for fall 2028 or later will be expected to submit scores.
• High school courses (freshman requirements page): English 4 units, social sciences 3 (4 recommended), mathematics 3 (4 recommended: algebra I, algebra II, geometry, pre-calculus), natural sciences 3 (4 recommended, two with a lab) and 4 units of other academic courses.
• Placement without scores: students without a test score must take placement assessments in both English and math.

3. Dates and materials (international freshmen)

• How to apply: if you live in the US and attend a US high school, use the UAB Application or Common App; if you live outside the US and attend high school outside the US, apply through INTO UAB (the “Apply to INTO UAB” link on the international page, a separate application site).
• Materials: the application, a non-refundable USD 40 fee, English proficiency proof (unless English is your first language) and official transcripts, all in English.
• Priority deadlines (no year shown): fall June 1, spring November 1, summer May 15; later applications are considered as space allows.
• Freshman how-to-apply page: the priority deadline is June 1 for fall 2027 and May 15 for summer 2027; for scholarship consideration apply by January 15, 2027 (in-state) or May 1, 2027 (out-of-state).

4. English requirements

• Minimum scores: TOEFL 77; TOEFL Essentials 8.5; IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section; IELA 176; Duolingo 120. TOEFL MyBest and IELTS One Skill Retake are accepted. Scores must be within two years of the application date.
• The English table also lists “GaoKao 120” without saying which subject or scale it refers to; confirm with admissions.
• Exemptions: at least two years at a US high school, or at least 24 semester hours of transferable credit from a US college or university.

5. Students at high schools in China

• How to apply: if you live in China and attend high school there, the international page directs you to apply through INTO UAB.
• Gaokao: the English table lists “GaoKao 120” (see above); how Gaokao results are used for admission is not published. Contact admissions (chooseuab@uab.edu).
• A-Level and IB: the website does not give A-Level or IB admission requirements; the scholarship page mentions Cambridge AICE/IB scholarships, applied for separately through BSMART.
• AP: test-optional review considers rigor and performance in advanced courses such as AP, IB and honors.

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

• The published English exemptions cover only two years at a US high school and US college credit, and Canada is not listed; ask admissions whether you need an English score.
• Grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; applications are reviewed holistically.

7. Transfer students

• Application: USD 40 fee and the same deadlines as freshmen. If you live outside the US or last attended college outside the US, apply through INTO UAB; if you attend college in the US, use the UAB Application. Send official transcripts from every US college attended.
• Into the CS major: with a 2.0 GPA or better you can transfer straight into CS; otherwise enter as a Liberal Arts major and apply once you meet the GPA.
• English: at least 24 semester hours of transferable US college credit exempts you from English proof.

8. Costs and scholarships

• International freshmen, 2026-2027 (on campus, 15 credits a semester): tuition and fees USD 32,490, books and materials USD 1,200, housing USD 8,480, meal plan USD 5,730 and health insurance USD 3,146, for direct costs of USD 51,046; transportation and personal expenses USD 6,165; total USD 57,211. Freshmen must live on campus for the first year.
• UAB International Scholarship: USD 7,500 a year for up to four years (eight semesters). You must live outside the US and enroll as a first-year, full-time degree student; graduate from a high school outside the US within three years before entry with at least a 3.0/4.0 GPA; have no post-secondary study; and expect to hold an F-1 visa. It is considered automatically on admission, first come first served, and is not available to students with government scholarships or other external support. You must be admitted by May 1 for August entry or November 1 for January entry.
• Other scholarships: Cambridge AICE/IB, departmental and other awards are applied for through BSMART, open August 1 and due April 1.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through INTO UAB; for the international scholarship, be admitted by May 1 for fall entry
• Prepare TOEFL 77 or IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each section)
• For 2027 entry, a weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher lets you apply without tests; from 2028 tests are expected
• Start with Introduction to Computer Science in Python; every CS course needs a C or better

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

• Ask admissions whether you need an English score; apply by June 1 for fall

Transfer students:

• A 2.0 GPA lets you transfer straight into CS; 24 hours of US college credit exempts you from English proof

Sources: University of Alabama at Birmingham, BS in Computer Science; BA in Computer Science; Course prerequisites; Catalog: Computer Science; International freshman applicants; International transfer applicants; Freshman: how to apply; Freshman admission requirements; Test-optional admission policy; Estimated costs; Scholarships for international students. Costs are for 2026-2027 and the international deadline page does not state a year; check the UAB website for the latest.