How to Apply to Computer Science at UTEP: the 120-Credit BS in the College of Engineering with Three Concentrations, Lower-Division CS Entry and the Calculus I Change of Major, International GPA 3.0, TOEFL 61 and Deadlines, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering. 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. The degree and courses

• BS in Computer Science: the catalog says the undergraduate program has been accredited since October 1, 1988, and the program page lists accreditation by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. The 2026-2027 catalog requires 120 credits, and all computer science, math and required major courses need a C or better. The department also offers a BS in Artificial Intelligence, a BA in Computer Science and a minor.
• Structure: 42 credits of University Core; a CS designated core (Introductory Mechanics with lab plus one lab science; precalculus, trigonometry or Calculus I listed if completed but not required); and a CS core of Intro to Computer Science with lab, Elementary Data Structures and Algorithms, Data Structures, Digital Systems Design I with lab, Calculus I and II, and Discrete Mathematics (or Discrete Structures I and II).
• Major courses: Junior Professional Orientation, Advanced Object-Oriented Programming, Automata and Computability, Programming Language Concepts, Computer Organization, Parallel Computing, Software Engineering Requirements, Software Engineering Design and Implementation, Database Systems, Operating Systems, Matrix Algebra, one probability or statistics course and one math or science option; plus 15 credits of technical electives and 3 of free electives.
• Three optional concentrations:
  • Secure Cyber Systems: Computer Networks, Wireless Networks, Computer Security, Software Reverse Engineering and Software Vulnerabilities.
  • Software Engineering: Software Construction and Software Integration and V&V, plus one of Mobile Application Development, Secure Web-Based Systems, an internship and others.
  • Data Analytics: Machine Learning and Data Mining, plus Computer Vision or Topics in Data Science.
• Fast Track: outstanding undergraduates can earn undergraduate and graduate credit for up to 15 hours; ask the departmental graduate advisor.

2. Entering the department

• Lower-division major first: the catalog says all students enter the College of Engineering through the Engineering Edge Center; computer science students start as Lower-Division Computer Science majors and are advised there.
• Joining the department: students petition for a change of major to the computer science department when they are enrolled in Calculus I (MATH 1411); any change of major within the college requires an overall GPA of at least 2.0.
• Course attempts: an engineering or computer science course can be taken at most three times, counting every enrollment; a course passed with a C or better should not be repeated for credit. Nearly all these courses are restricted to majors.
• Math preparation: the college expects at least two years of algebra, one year of geometry and one semester of trigonometry or precalculus before the freshman year.
• Program admission: the catalog notes that admission to the university does not assure admission to programs with specific requirements; check with the department.

3. Admission (international first-year)

• Academics: secondary credentials that would qualify you for recognized universities at home, with a cumulative average equivalent to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B), plus the required test scores.
• Test scores: the international page says all international students must submit entrance exam scores from one of: SAT 1070 (reading plus math) with 480 reading, ACT composite 23 with 19 English, TOEFL iBT 61 (or 500 on UTEP’s institutional paper test), PAA 1000, or PTE 44. The catalog asks for “satisfactory SAT, ACT, PAA, TOEFL, or PTE scores”.
• IELTS conflict: the international page says UTEP does not accept IELTS for admission, while the first-time-in-college page says international applicants must also submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Both statements are listed here; follow admissions’ answer, and TOEFL or PTE is the safer choice.
• Application: ApplyTexas; summer/fall applications open July 1 and are accepted year-round. Domestic applicants pay no fee; international applicants pay a non-refundable USD 65. No essay is required.

4. Deadlines and documents

• Priority dates (2026-2027 catalog): fall May 1, spring October 1, summer March 1. International applications and all documents must arrive by the priority date with the fee.
• Transcripts: official high school (and college) transcripts sent directly by each school, with certified English translations for documents not in English or Spanish. Certified copies can be sent first, with originals shown on arrival.
• I-20: after admission, complete the Confirmation of Financial Resources form with documents such as bank statements, then request the I-20 through the Office of International Programs’ Sunapsis portal.

5. English requirements

• Tests: TOEFL 500 paper-based, 173 computer-based or 61 internet-based, or PTE 44.
• Waivers: students from countries where English is the native language or the official language of instruction are waived automatically; ACT English 19 or SAT Reading 480 also qualifies; a reading/writing-intensive freshman-level course with a C or better at another US institution can earn a waiver. The exempt-country list linked from the international page (a Graduate School document) includes Canada, with no mention of Quebec.
• Placement after admission: students whose secondary education was not in English and who scored below 600 on the paper TOEFL, below 68 on PTE, or were admitted on the PAA take the ACCUPLACER ESL test; in the core communication courses, those students take ESOL 1311 and 1312.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the pages we read do not mention the Gaokao; whether or how it is used is not published. Ask admissions.
• Grades: a cumulative average equivalent to B (3.0/4.0), with certified English translations of transcripts.
• Tests: prepare TOEFL iBT 61 or PTE 44, or SAT/ACT at the levels above; confirm first whether IELTS can be used.
• A-Level, IB and AP: the pages we read do not cover review or credit; check the catalog or ask admissions.

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

• Canada is on the exempt-country list, and students from countries where English is an official language of instruction are waived automatically (the list does not mention Quebec).
• BC grade requirements are not published. International first-year applicants need an average equivalent to B (3.0/4.0); ask admissions how BC grades are converted.

8. Transfer students

• University requirements: international transfers need a GPA of at least 2.0, must be eligible to return to all previous institutions, must meet test score requirements and must list every institution attended.
• College of Engineering: the college reviews all transfer records for eligibility; international students need an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in mathematics, chemistry, physics and engineering across all institutions.
• Transfer credit: up to 66 lower-division credits from two-year colleges; engineering credit only from ABET-accredited curricula or on departmental recommendation; upper-division credit only on departmental recommendation; competency exams or specified courses may be required.

9. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 non-resident on-campus estimate: tuition and fees USD 22,000, university housing and meals USD 9,900, transportation USD 3,100, books USD 1,200 and personal USD 1,800, for a total of USD 38,000. The cost page does not list international students separately; it says tuition has not changed since 2021 and will not increase at least through 2027.
• UTEP Excellence Scholarship: for students in the top 25% of their junior class, and international and out-of-state students are welcome to apply. Applications open October 1 and close January 31 before high school graduation. Awards are USD 2,000–8,000 a year, renewable for four years; SAT/ACT are not required or considered. Up to ten top applicants receive the Presidential Scholarship, covering the full cost of attendance including on-campus housing.
• Limited international aid: the catalog says financial assistance for international students is limited; most scholarships run by the Office of International Programs are for current UTEP students, such as the Good Neighbor Scholarship (Western Hemisphere nations, including Canada; current students only).

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit the application, documents and USD 65 fee by May 1 for fall
• A B-equivalent average; prepare TOEFL iBT 61 or PTE 44 (confirm IELTS with admissions)
• Top 25% of your junior (grade 11) class? Apply for the Excellence Scholarship by January 31
• Petition to join the CS department while taking Calculus I

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

• Canada is on the English-exempt list; confirm BC grade conversion with admissions

Transfer students:

• College GPA 2.0; international students need a 3.0 GPA in math, chemistry, physics and engineering for the College of Engineering

Sources: The University of Texas at El Paso, BS in Computer Science (2026-2027 catalog); Department of Computer Science (catalog); College of Engineering (catalog); International admission (catalog); Application dates and fees (catalog); Computer Science program page; International applicants; First-time-in-college applicants; English proficiency exempt countries; Cost of attendance; Scholarships; International student scholarships. Dates follow the 2026-2027 catalog. Check UTEP’s website for the latest.