How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville: Courses, Optional Concentrations, the Test-Optional Policy and International Scholarships in the BS in Computer Science, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Science. 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. Degree and concentrations

• BS in Computer Science: the department says all UAH computer science degrees are accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. The department also offers a BS in Cyber Operations Technology.
• Optional concentrations: the department page lists three — Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Cybersecurity and Entertainment Computing; the 2026-2027 checksheet lists four, adding Web Programming. The two sources differ; ask an academic advisor which courses to substitute or add for a concentration.
• CS core (30 credits): Computer Science I, Intro to Discrete Structures, Computer Science II: Data Structures, Computer Organization and Switching Theory with lab, Intro to Object-Oriented Programming in Java, Intro to Digital Computer Architecture with lab, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Principles of Programming Languages, Intro to Operating Systems, and the Senior Project in team software design.
• CS electives (15 credits): at least three other CS courses at the 300 level or higher and two at the 400 level.
• Math and other requirements: Calculus I (MA 171, or the two-part MA 150 and MA 151); the 24-credit pre-professional block includes Intro to CS Using Python, an ethics course, Technical Writing, Calculus II and III, Intro to Linear Algebra and Intro to Probability and Statistics; plus one two-course lab science sequence (earth science, biology, chemistry or calculus-based physics). General education courses also apply.
• Graduation: at least 120 credits, at least 36 of them at the 300 level or higher; every prerequisite must be passed with a C- or better. The checksheet says the catalog is the final authority.

2. How admission works

• First-year: high school coursework, GPA and ACT/SAT scores are weighed heavily. UAH says an applicant with a 3.0 GPA and ACT 21 or SAT 1060 is a strong candidate; for test-optional applicants, a strong candidate has a 3.5 GPA. UAH lists an average ACT of 26 and an average GPA of 3.91 for entering freshmen (year not stated).
• International first-year: the international page says a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA makes a strong candidate; transcripts not in English or without a cumulative 4.0-scale GPA may need a credential evaluation.
• Testing: freshmen entering from fall 2026 through fall 2027 may apply without ACT/SAT; from spring 2028 a score is required. UAH recommends submitting scores if your GPA is below 3.5. Only the ACT English, Math and Reading sections count; Science is not considered.
• Essay and recommendations: not required.
• High school courses: 4 units of English; 3 of math (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry, with Trigonometry suggested); 3 of science; 4 of history or social studies; 20 Carnegie units in total.
• Major admission and changing majors: the admissions pages list no separate requirement for computer science; the conditions for changing into computer science after enrolling are not published, so ask a College of Science advisor.

3. Application timeline and materials

• Applying: through UAH’s Charger Status system or the Common App. The apply page and the international page give a USD 40 non-refundable fee, but the international FAQ says USD 50; check the amount shown when you apply.
• Deadlines (2027 entry): fall submission July 30, 2027 and processing August 6; spring submission December 15, 2026 and processing January 6, 2027.
• International I-20: you must be admitted before requesting an I-20; request it by August 1 for fall or December 1 for spring.
• Scholarship-related dates: freshman scholarship priority deadline November 20, 2026 (application and all items received); competitive scholarship priority deadline December 15, 2026; freshman enrollment deposit priority deadline May 1, 2027, with a USD 200 deposit.
• International documents: official high school transcript, English scores and passport page; F-1 students also submit an affidavit of financial support and bank proof covering at least one year of tuition and living costs.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL iBT 72 (no section below 18), or 3.5 on the new scale (no section below 3.5); IELTS 5.5 (no band below 5.5; an overall 5.5 with no more than one band between 5.0 and 5.5 is reviewed individually); Duolingo 95; PTE 51; TOEIC 600 (listening and reading). Scores must be within two years of applying; TOEFL MyBest is not accepted.
• Exemptions: graduating from an accredited US high school or university; graduating from an IB high school with the IB Diploma; or having English as a first language and completing school in English in a listed country (including Canada, except Quebec, as well as Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK; mainland China is not listed).

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao results are used; ask admissions (admissions@uah.edu).
• Records: submit an official high school transcript; one not in English or without a 4.0-scale cumulative GPA may need an evaluation from WES, ECE or another listed agency.
• IB: IB Diploma graduates are exempt from English testing.
• A-Level and AP: credit rules are not published on the pages we read (we did not read the catalog); ask admissions.

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

• If English is your first language and you completed school in English in Canada (except Quebec), you do not need an English test.
• Grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; ask admissions how BC grades are converted.

7. Transfer students

• US transfer students: rolling admission with no deadline; UAH suggests applying at least two months before your entry term; the fee is USD 40. You need at least a 2.0 overall college GPA and a 2.0 in transferable courses, a regionally accredited previous institution and good standing; with fewer than 24 credits you also need a 3.0 high school GPA and must send your high school transcript.
• International transfer: the international page says students currently at a university abroad apply as international students, not as transfers, and fill in a form stating their intention to transfer after admission. Coursework from abroad needs a course-by-course evaluation before credit is reviewed.
• Transfer scholarships: the international scholarship page gives no amounts for international transfer students; see the transfer scholarship page or ask admissions.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 estimate (non-Alabama resident, living on or off campus): tuition USD 26,152 (12–18 credits per semester), average fees USD 2,358, housing USD 8,106 and food USD 4,846, for direct costs of USD 41,462; indirect costs such as books and transportation USD 8,916; total USD 50,378. The table has no separate international column.
• 2027-2028 international freshman scholarships (F-1 students): automatic on admission with no separate application. GPA 3.0–3.49: USD 5,000 a year (USD 20,000 over four years); GPA 3.5 and above: USD 10,000 a year (USD 40,000). Renewal requires full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress. International students already living in the US are considered for out-of-state freshman scholarships.
• Competitive scholarships: after admission, complete UAH’s scholarship application; the priority deadline is December 15.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• For freshman scholarships, have your application and all items in by November 20, 2026; request the fall I-20 by August 1
• Prepare TOEFL 72 or IELTS 5.5
• Build strong math; the major requires Calculus I to III and linear algebra
• Ask admissions whether Gaokao results are used

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

• English testing is waived if English is your first language; consider sending test scores if your GPA is below 3.5

Transfer students:

• US transfers: at least a 2.0 college GPA, plus the high school transcript under 24 credits; students at universities abroad apply as international students

Sources: The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Computer Science undergraduate programs; BS Computer Science checksheet (2026-2027); Applying and deadlines; First-year admission; International admission; Transfer admission; 2026-2027 cost of attendance; International scholarships. Deadlines are for 2027 entry and scholarships for 2027-2028; check UAH’s website for the latest.