How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Memphis: Three Concentrations in the BS in Computer Science, Starting with COMP 1900 and Calculus, and International Scholarship Tiers, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Memphis (UofM), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences on the main campus in Memphis, Tennessee. 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: accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC). The department says 565 students were in the BS program as of fall 2025.
• Three concentrations (2026-27 catalog): General (any 12 hours of major electives), Cybersecurity (12 hours of cybersecurity coursework), and Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. In the 2025-26 and earlier catalogs, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence were separate concentrations.
• Core curriculum: the department lists foundational math (calculus, discrete math, linear algebra, probability/statistics), procedural and object-oriented programming, data structures, computer organization and assembly, databases, networking and security, design and analysis of algorithms, operating systems, theory of computation, human-computer interaction and ethics, software engineering, and a capstone software project (required in every concentration, with projects from the community, research and industry).
• Credits: the international credit page says graduation requires 120 credit hours. The full course lists for each concentration are in the catalog, which we could not read; use the 2026-27 catalog links on the department’s degree page.
• Accelerated BS/MS: students with cumulative and major GPAs of 3.25, within 30 hours of finishing the bachelor’s, and sponsored by their advisor can count 12 hours toward both degrees and may finish both within 5 years. They still apply formally to the master’s program, but the GRE is waived.

2. Admission and first courses

• Admission: the department says all undergraduate admissions are handled by the university’s admissions office; the pages we read do not give a separate threshold for computer science.
• First major course: COMP 1900 is a prerequisite for virtually every other major course. It moves quickly, so the department strongly recommends some prior programming; students who have never programmed can take COMP 1800 first (it counts as a free elective).
• Math: COMP 1900 has Calculus I (MATH 1910) as a co- or prerequisite. Depending on your background, you may need 1–3 semesters of preliminary math first; placement uses ACT/SAT math scores or the ALEKS placement exam.
• Changing majors: to switch into computer science, contact the College of Arts and Sciences office to declare the major. The pages we read give no GPA or other conditions, so these are not published; confirm with the department’s undergraduate advising coordinator.

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

• Application: apply online and pay the USD 50 non-refundable fee; upload transcripts to the portal and submit English scores if you are applying from a non-English-speaking country. Review begins once the fee is paid and transcripts are uploaded, and the university says decisions usually arrive by email within 5–7 business days. The domestic first-year page lists a USD 25 fee.
• Deadlines (no year shown): international applicants outside the US (first-time F-1 visa holders) apply by July 1 and complete their file by July 15 for fall; November 1 / December 1 for spring; April 1 / May 1 for summer, which the university does not recommend for students needing a visa. International applicants already in the US: August 1 / August 1 for fall, December 1 / January 1 for spring.
• Review: the international requirements page says freshman admission is competitive and based on a comprehensive review, mainly high school GPA and English proficiency.
• Testing (the pages differ): the international requirements page does not mention the SAT/ACT, while the domestic first-year requirements page says all students must provide an ACT or SAT result. Confirm with admissions (admissions@memphis.edu) whether international applicants must submit one; note that most international scholarship tiers use GPA plus ACT/SAT (see section 8).
• Materials: upload a copy of your transcript or marks sheet for the initial review; official transcripts are required before enrollment.

4. English requirements

• Minimum scores: TOEFL iBT 61 (before 2026) / 4 (after 2025); IELTS 6; PTE 50; Duolingo 95; iTEP 3.7. Alternatives include SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 540, ACT English 21, IB Higher Level English A1 grade 5, or a B or higher in Cambridge GCE/GCSE/IGCSE English Language or English First Language.
• Scores expire after two years. Submit unofficial reports when applying; admission decisions are made only on verified official scores.
• Exemptions: citizenship of an English-speaking country with English as your native language, or English as the language of instruction in high school or college; graduating from high school in the US or an approved English-speaking country after at least two years there (the list includes Canada, excluding Quebec); a semester of English Composition with a C or better at a college in the US or an approved English-speaking country; or a medium-of-instruction letter from your school, which the admissions committee may accept or deny.
• Students who need more English can go through the Intensive English for Internationals (IEI) program to earn full admission.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Documents: the China requirements sheet asks for at least one of: the Certificate of Results of the General Examination for High School Graduates (Huikao) with verification sent directly from the China Qualifications Verification Authority (CDGDC), or the graduation certificate. Documents must be in English and the original language.
• Gaokao: the China sheet does not mention the Gaokao; how Gaokao results are used is not published, so ask admissions.
• A-Level and IB: the China and Canada sheets both accept GCE/GCSE/IGCSE (O-Level, A/AS-Level) and the IB certificate. A Cambridge English grade of B or higher, or IB Higher Level English A1 grade 5, meets the English requirement.
• AP: we did not check AP credit rules.

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

• Documents: the Canada sheet asks for the high school transcript and diploma (Quebec students may submit the DES, DEC and similar).
• English: Canada (excluding Quebec) is on the approved English-speaking country list, so graduating from high school there after at least two years can prove English proficiency.
• Grades: grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; confirm with admissions.

7. Transfer students

• International transfers: reviewed on the cumulative GPA from all colleges attended, with at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for consideration. Those with fewer than 15 transferable hours at enrollment must also submit high school transcripts.
• Credit: coursework from universities abroad needs a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES or AICE member after admission. Evaluated credits first post as unassigned electives; bring course descriptions or syllabi to your advisor to apply them to your degree.
• CS courses: the department’s advising page says the admissions office makes most transfer credit decisions; ask the department whether your computing courses can replace COMP 1900 and other major courses.

8. Costs and scholarships

• International scholarship page (2025-26): estimated direct cost for an international undergraduate is about USD 36,344 living on campus and USD 26,770 off campus.
• F-1 cost page (no year shown; the figures differ): the page first gives USD 19,824 for two semesters of tuition and fees and USD 32,824 for proof of funding; its estimated budget table then lists USD 20,040 for tuition and fees, about USD 13,000 for living expenses and about USD 33,040 in total.
• International freshman merit scholarships: for new students on an F-1 or J-1 visa taking classes on campus; dual citizens and permanent residents are not eligible. Tiers by high school GPA and ACT/SAT:
  • Cecil C. Humphreys Presidential: GPA 3.25+, ACT 31+ or SAT 1390+, USD 14,000 a year;
  • Provost: GPA 3.25+, ACT 28–30 or SAT 1300–1380, USD 12,000 a year;
  • Deans: GPA 3.25+, ACT 24–27 or SAT 1160–1290, USD 10,000 a year;
  • Academic Achievement Award: GPA 3.25+, ACT 22–23 or SAT 1100–1150, USD 7,000 a year;
  • Trustee Award (GPA only): GPA 3.80+, USD 5,000 a year.
• Freshmen who apply by December 1 get priority consideration. Awards renew for up to three more years with at least 12 credit hours a semester, good academic standing and the required service hours.
• The department also has a limited number of merit-based departmental scholarships; the CyberCorps full scholarship requires US citizenship or permanent residency.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• For fall, apply by July 1 and complete your file by July 15; for scholarships, try to apply by December 1
• Prepare TOEFL 61 (4 on the new scale) or IELTS 6; the higher scholarship tiers need ACT/SAT scores
• Have the Huikao certificate (verified through CDGDC) or your graduation certificate ready
• Learn some programming before you start, and aim to place directly into Calculus I

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

• Graduating after at least two years of high school in Canada (excluding Quebec) can prove English proficiency
• Send your transcript and diploma; confirm BC grade expectations with admissions

Transfer students:

• At least a 2.0 cumulative college GPA; send high school transcripts if you have fewer than 15 hours
• Get a NACES or AICE course-by-course evaluation for coursework from abroad after admission

Sources: University of Memphis, CS degree programs; Undergraduate applicants; CS advising; Accelerated BS/MS; International students; International admission requirements; English proficiency; Requirements by country; Application deadlines; F-1 estimated cost of attendance; International undergraduate scholarships; First-year requirements; Transfer requirements. The deadline page shows no year; the scholarship page costs are for 2025-26 and the F-1 cost page shows no year. Check the University of Memphis website for the latest.