How to Apply to Computer Science at UMBC: Start as a Pre-Computer Science Major and Pass Three Gateway Courses to Enter the BS in Computer Science, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (CSEE) in the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT). 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. How admission works: pre-major first, then the gateway

• Admission without regard to major: the college says students are accepted to the university without regard to their declared major, and anyone admitted can pursue engineering or computer science. Students who choose computer science when applying (or switch to it later) start as Pre-Computer Science majors.
• Gateway courses: you enter the major only after passing all three — Computer Science I (CMSC 201) and Computer Science II (CMSC 202) with a B or higher, and Discrete Math (CMSC 203) with a C or higher.
• Repeat limit: Computer Science and Pre-Computer Science majors get two attempts at each course required for the major. You count as registered if still enrolled after the schedule adjustment period, a W counts as an attempt, and attempts at UMBC or elsewhere both count. A third attempt needs the Undergraduate Program Director’s support through a course repeat petition, is not guaranteed, and students denied one must choose a new major.
• How long: the college says students whose math placement lets them take major courses in their first semester generally finish the gateway within their first two years.
• Math preparation: the college says the most important thing is a strong math background and a good result on the math placement test. Major courses start once you are in Calculus I (MATH 151); students placed lower take only general education courses until they reach that level.
• Changing majors: students who switch in from another major also become pre-majors first and then follow the gateway rules.

2. Degree and courses

• BS in Computer Science: ABET accredited, with four tracks — Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Data Science and Game Development. Coursework is also offered at the Shady Grove location.
• Required CS courses: Computer Science I and II (4 credits each), Discrete Structures, Ethical Issues in Information Technology, Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming, Principles of Programming Languages, Data Structures, Software Engineering I, Computer Architecture, Principles of Operating Systems and Algorithms.
• Math and science: Calculus I, Calculus II, Introduction to Linear Algebra and Applied Statistics I; one two-course sequence in biology, chemistry or physics, plus one lab science.
• Electives: two CS electives from a set list (including computer security, compilers, graphics, databases, artificial intelligence and networks) and three 400-level CS technical electives (excluding CMSC 404 and 495–499); computer engineering courses can count with department permission, and up to two listed math courses may substitute.
• Credits: the college’s required-courses page totals 77 credits for the major requirements; the four-year pathway lists 120–121 total academic credits. UMBC also has general education requirements, including a language through the 201 level or equivalent proficiency (completing level four of a language in high school meets it).
• Equipment: the department requires all incoming freshmen and transfer students to have a laptop.
• BS/MS: a combined/accelerated BS and MS in Computer Science is available.

3. Application timeline and materials (international first-year)

• Applying: through the Common App with a USD 75 non-refundable fee, then complete the “Required Application Questions” in your myUMBC account; an essay is part of the application. Honors College applicants answer the Honors question and submit the writing supplement.
• Review: GPA, test results, strength of curriculum, class rank, other achievements and the essay; a strong college preparatory program at an accredited high school is expected.
• Deadlines (no year shown): for fall, early action November 1 with decisions from December, and regular decision February 1 with decisions from February; for spring, priority October 15 and regular December 1.
• Documents: official high school transcript and leaving exam results if applicable, sent by your school through the Common App or by mail; English scores; SAT/ACT optional; recommendations optional, up to two.

4. English requirements

• Recommended scores: TOEFL 4.5 (80 on the scale used before January 21, 2026); IELTS 6.5; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 500; Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) 176; or a C or better in English composition at a US college.
• Exceptions: qualifying students may be exempt; the conditions are in a document linked from the admissions page, which we did not review. Canadian students should ask admissions whether they are exempt.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao results are used; ask admissions. The international first-year page asks for your transcript and leaving exam results if applicable.
• Testing: SAT/ACT optional; SAT EBRW 500 is one of the listed English proficiency options.
• A-Level, IB and AP: the college notes that even students with a lot of AP credit rarely graduate in under four years, because the programs have many required courses taken in sequence. Specific credit rules are not published on the pages we read (we did not read the catalog).

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

• Grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; also ask admissions whether you need an English test.
• You will also start as a pre-major and enter the major through the gateway.

7. Transfer students

• Deadlines (no year shown): fall priority March 1 and regular June 1; spring priority October 15 and regular December 1.
• International transfer: Common App, USD 75 fee and an essay. UMBC looks at the cumulative GPA it calculates, academic trends, strength of curriculum and performance in courses related to your intended major. University coursework from abroad needs a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member; with fewer than 30 college credits you also submit your high school transcript. Recommended English scores are the same as for first-year applicants.
• Major eligibility review: COEIT reviews the transcripts of transfer applicants who choose computer science; eligible students are admitted as pre-majors. Those who have not yet passed the gateway complete it in their first semesters at UMBC; those who already meet it remain pre-majors until all final transcripts are posted and processed by the college, typically after the first semester.
• Students not eligible because of gateway or repeat issues cannot pursue the major at UMBC; transfer students who have taken or will need a third attempt should contact coeittransfer@umbc.edu first.
• Students transferring from four-year institutions or out-of-state community colleges must provide course descriptions and syllabi for credit evaluation.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 on-campus estimate: for out-of-state students, tuition and fees USD 34,183, housing USD 9,428, food USD 6,490, books USD 1,600, transportation USD 1,900 and other costs USD 7,546, plus loan fees, for a total of USD 62,553. The table only distinguishes in-state and out-of-state; there is no separate international column.
• Merit scholarships: international students are included; review is automatic on admission with no separate application, and first-year students must apply early action by November 1 to be reviewed automatically. The amount is stated differently in two places: the freshman scholarship page says USD 1,000 to 15,000 a year for four years, while the admissions funding page says USD 1,000 to 12,000. Students may accept only one UMBC academic or merit scholarship.
• Scholars Programs: seven competitive programs, USD 5,000 to 22,000 a year, each with its own deadline (for example, Cyber Scholars first-year January 15).
• #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship: International Student and Scholar Services offers two a year to incoming international freshmen, renewable for up to four years and covering 50% of tuition at matriculation; applicants submit a 500–1000-word essay or a 2–5-minute video.
• International students are not eligible for federal aid or institutional need-based aid.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• For fall, apply early action by November 1 to be reviewed automatically for merit scholarships
• Prepare TOEFL 4.5 (80 on the old scale) or IELTS 6.5, and write a strong Common App essay
• Prepare math so you can start Calculus I, and complete the three gateway courses early
• Ask admissions whether Gaokao results are used

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

• Ask admissions whether you need an English test; plan around the November 1 early action date

Transfer students:

• A B or better in Computer Science I and II and a C or better in Discrete Math; two attempts per required course — contact the college first if you have already used two

Sources: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, BS in Computer Science; Computer Science gateway and course repeat requirements; Computer Science required courses; Prospective freshman FAQ (engineering and IT); Transfer information (engineering and IT); Computer Science four-year pathway; International first-year admission; International transfer admission; Dates and deadlines; 2026-2027 undergraduate cost of attendance; Freshman scholarships; International student scholarships; Funding your education. The deadline pages do not state a year and costs are for 2026-2027; check UMBC’s website for the latest.