How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Rhode Island: the New Fall 2026 BS and BA Curriculum in the College of Arts and Sciences, AI and Cybersecurity Specializations, and Entering the Major after Two Programming Courses, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Rhode Island (URI) in Kingston, undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science and Statistics 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 (new fall 2026 curriculum)

• Two degrees: a B.S. and a B.A. in Computer Science that share a core in programming, data structures, software engineering, data science, systems and algorithms; both require 120 credits. The department says the new curriculum takes effect in fall 2026, and current students can still graduate under the prior requirements.
• B.S.: 44 CS core credits (11 courses), 12 specialization credits, about 17 additional required credits and about 47 general education and free elective credits. The core is Introduction to Programming, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Software Engineering, Programming for Data Science, Fundamentals of Programming Languages, Discrete Structures, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Computer Organization, Operating Systems and Networks, and a capstone (Computer Science Internship CSC 477 or Project in Computer Science CSC 499).
• B.S. specializations (choose one):
  • Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning plus two from Algorithms for Big Data, Neural Networks and Deep Learning, Special Topics in AI and Multivariate Statistical Learning.
  • Cybersecurity: Introduction to Information Assurance and Introduction to Network and Systems Security, plus one advanced network and systems security course.
  • General Computer Science: one CSC course at the 300 level or higher and two at the 400 level or higher, for example in graphics, databases, parallel computing or networks.
• Other B.S. requirements: mathematics and statistics (Calculus I, Mathematical Tools for Computing and Statistical Methods in Research I), one professional writing course and one laboratory science sequence (physics, chemistry, biology, geosciences or oceanography). A 4 or higher on AP Computer Science A earns credit for CSC 110.
• B.A.: 36 CS core credits (9 courses), no specialization or lab science, and the most elective space, designed for double majors or combining computing with another field; a practicum, internship or research project is strongly encouraged. Math and writing requirements match the B.S., and at least 30 credits must be at the 300 level or higher.

2. Entering the major

• Requirement: to transfer into the College of Arts and Sciences as a computer science major, complete CSC 110 and CSC 211 with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 across the required CSC and MTH courses taken. Both the major and cumulative GPA must stay at 2.00 or higher to graduate.
• First-year advising: new students are advised in the Fannon Institute for Student Success (FISS) until they meet those requirements. Transfer students are assigned to FISS or the department depending on how many credits they transfer.
• High school preparation: the first-year admission page recommends that computer science applicants complete 4 units of mathematics (including precalculus or trigonometry).

3. Admission requirements

• High school courses: at least 18 college-preparatory core units, including 4 years of English, 3 of mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry), 2 of physical or natural science, 2 of history or social science and 2 of the same world language; applicants who do not meet every expectation are still reviewed holistically.
• Review: the emphasis is on the high school record, rigor, grades and unique talents and experiences; individual interviews are not offered.
• Testing: URI is test optional and superscores SAT and ACT results. The international page says SAT/ACT scores are not mandatory but encouraged for merit scholarships.
• 2026 admitted students (middle 50%): GPA 3.7–4.1, SAT 1170–1340, ACT 27–32. GPAs are recalculated on a 4.0 scale from core courses in grades 9–11, with extra weight for honors and AP.

4. Timeline and documents (international first-year)

• Application: the Common Application, with a USD 65 fee.
• Deadlines (no year stated): Early Decision November 1, Early Action December 1 (also the priority scholarship deadline) and Regular Decision for fall February 1. The first-year page gives decisions in early December for ED, by January 31 for EA and by March 31 for RD.
• Documents: secondary school records and national examination results and certificates where applicable (scans are accepted for admission; official documents are required at enrollment); certified English translations; English scores sent by the testing agency; a recommendation letter; and a short explanation of any gap year. The STARS self-reported record is only needed by students at American-system high schools.

5. English requirements

• Duolingo 105, TOEFL iBT 4.5, IELTS 6.5, Cambridge English Advanced 176–184, PTE 53, or Eiken Pre-1. Only the 4.5 TOEFL figure is given; a minimum on the older 120-point scale is not published.
• Exemptions: applicants who attended an English-medium secondary or post-secondary school may be exempt depending on their English grades (AP, IB, O-Level, A-Level, GCSE, American curriculum) and SAT/ACT scores if submitted, decided case by case.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the international page asks for results and certificates from national secondary school examinations where applicable; how Gaokao results are used and any score requirement are not published, so ask international admissions (internationaladmission@uri.edu).
• A-Level, IB, AP: A-Level, IB or AP students at English-medium schools may have the English test waived based on their English grades; AP, IB and A-Level credit is decided by department faculty, and pre-approved credit is listed in URI’s Transferology database.
• Math: follow the recommendation of four years of math (including precalculus or trigonometry); Calculus I is required in the degree.

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

• The international page does not list separate requirements for Canada. Students at English-medium schools may have the English test waived based on their English grades, case by case.
• Specific BC grade requirements are not published; ask admissions.

8. Transfer students

• International transfer deadlines: spring December 15 and fall July 31, using the URI Transfer Application (not the Common App), with a USD 65 fee.
• Credential evaluation: all post-secondary transcripts must go to a NACES-member evaluator for a course-by-course evaluation with a cumulative GPA, sent directly to URI; departments may ask for English course descriptions or syllabi before awarding credit, and the process can take one to two months.
• Competitive majors: the international page lists majors with limited transfer capacity that may require extra coursework or a higher GPA: business, engineering, pharmacy, kinesiology, landscape architecture and music.
• Entering CS: the same CSC 110, CSC 211 and 2.00 GPA requirement applies; applicants with more than 60 credits must choose a major other than “Undecided.”
• Test scores are not required.

9. Costs and scholarships

• Tuition and fees (undergraduate, 12–19 credits; estimates the site says were approved in December 2025): out-of-state and international USD 39,746, plus average housing and food of USD 16,704 (double room and standard meal plan), for a total of USD 56,450; health insurance (which may be waived), transportation and personal costs are not included.
• Aid for international students: no need-based aid, but every applicant is considered for merit scholarships.
• Merit scholarships: partial-tuition awards for international students with outstanding records, renewable with the required GPA and not covering room, board or fees. A complete Common App is the only application; recipients have historically received USD 8,750 to 15,000 a year. Scholarship news comes with the admission letter.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit the Common App by the December 1 Early Action deadline for priority scholarship review
• Prepare TOEFL 4.5, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105
• Consider sending SAT/ACT for scholarships
• Take four years of high school math

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

• Ask admissions about an English waiver and BC grade requirements

Transfer students:

• International fall transfer deadline July 31; start the NACES evaluation early; complete CSC 110 and CSC 211

Sources: University of Rhode Island, Computer Science overview; B.S. curriculum; B.A. curriculum; Computer Science advising; First-year admission; International admission; Transfer admission; Paying for URI. Deadline pages do not state a year; costs are estimates the site says were approved in December 2025. Check URI’s website for the latest.