How to apply to Computer Science at the University of Montana: four concentrations in the B.S. (2026-2027 catalog), a C- in prerequisites to move on, Common App for international applicants with a June 15 deadline for fall 2027, TOEFL 70 or IELTS 6.0, and automatic UMAAS merit awards by GPA, with requirements and timelines for students in China, students in Canada and transfer students

The University of Montana (UM) is in Missoula, Montana. Its B.S. in Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer Science. This guide summarizes what UM’s website says 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 courses (2026-2027 catalog)

• Concentrations: the program page lists four: Algorithm Design, Data Science, Mathematical Sciences and Software Engineering; in the catalog the math option is the combined Mathematics and Computer Science B.S. There is also a 19-credit minor.
• Shared core (Algorithm Design, Data Science, Software Engineering): Introduction to Computer Science (CSCI 150), Interdisciplinary Computer Science I (CSCI 151), Intermediate Data Structures and Algorithms (CSCI 232), Web Application Development (CSCI 258), Computers, Ethics, and Society (CSCI 315E), Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms (CSCI 332), Database Design (CSCI 340), Careers in Computer Science (CSCI 406), Calculus I (M 171) and Introduction to Discrete Mathematics (M 225), plus Introduction to Public Speaking (COMX 111A).
• Algorithm Design: adds Calculus II, Linear Algebra, Probability and Simulation, Computer Architecture, Advanced Algorithm Topics and Operating Systems, plus 21 credits of upper-division CSCI electives (one approved upper-division math course may replace one); 74 credits in the major.
• Data Science: adds Calculus II, Linear Algebra, Probability and Simulation, Data Visualization, Machine Learning and Simulation, plus at least 21 credits of upper-division CSCI electives including one approved math course; 74 credits.
• Software Engineering: adds Web Design and Programming, Advanced Web Application Development or Mobile Application Development, Software Science, Advanced Software Engineering, and Software Design and Development I and II, plus 21 credits of upper-division CSCI electives; 75 credits. Applied Calculus (M 162) may replace Calculus I.
• Mathematics and Computer Science: a math core (Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Introduction to Abstract Mathematics or Discrete Mathematics) plus 12 credits of math electives, six computer science core courses plus 12 credits of upper-division CSCI, and public speaking; 65 credits.
• Research and internships in electives: the Software Engineering page says research, independent study, learning assistant and internship (CSCI 398 or 498) credits count up to 3 per group and 6 in total.
• Credit totals differ: the program page says each concentration is about 86 to 97 credit hours (87 to 97 in another passage), while the catalog lists 65 to 75 credits for the major; four-year plans total 114 to 130 credits depending on the concentration.
• Grades: courses for the major need a C- or better, and graduation requires a 2.00 GPA in UM coursework.
• Accreditation: the department’s accreditation section names the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (institutional accreditation) and does not mention ABET.

2. Entering the major and taking courses

• Course access: the department says students must complete prerequisites with a C- or better. Most 100- and 200-level courses are first come, first served for students with prerequisites; 300-level and above require completed prerequisites.
• Declaring: to declare the major or minor, students hand in a change-of-major form and college transcripts to the department.
• Separate entry threshold: UM does not publish one for Computer Science; ask the department.
• High school preparation: the department recommends as many computer science courses as possible and four years of math (including algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus), plus physics, chemistry and biology.

3. How international students apply

• Who counts: applicants who are not U.S. citizens and need a non-immigrant visa to study in the U.S.
• Application: first-degree international applicants use the Common App and pay a USD 30 fee; UM does not waive application, English test or evaluation fees.
• Deadlines: June 15 for fall 2027 and November 15 for spring, with the application and all documents received by then. Applicants who need an F-1 visa should apply at least 90 days earlier; I-20 processing can take up to 30 business days after all documents arrive.
• Materials: English scores or exemption documents, an International Credential Evaluation Report (ICER) for the high school transcript, financial documents and a copy of the passport information page.
• Evaluation: first-year applicants use TEC’s Course Analysis, WES’s document-by-document ICAP, or ECE’s General with GPA; reports from other NACES members are accepted, but ask admissions which type to order.
• Intensive English: the page says the English Language Institute will not admit in-person Intensive English Program students in 2026-2027; only the online program is offered.

4. English requirements

• Full admission: TOEFL iBT 70, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 105, PTE 48, Cambridge English 180, iTEP 3.8, or SAT Writing and Language 25, ACT Writing 7, ACT English Language Assessment 18 and others.
• Pathway admission: TOEFL 52 to 69, IELTS 5.0 to 5.5, Duolingo 85 or PTE 41.
• Exemption by citizenship: citizens of Australia, Canada (except Québec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth Caribbean and South Africa need no proof unless English is not their native language.
• Other exemptions: 3+ years at a fully English-medium secondary school with a C or higher on IGCSE or A-Level English; IB HL English A at 4 or higher; AP English Language and Composition at 3 or higher. Exemption requests require a credential evaluation report.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Transcripts: the high school record goes to an evaluation agency, and scholarships use the converted GPA in the report.
• Gaokao: UM does not say how Gaokao scores are used; this is not published, so ask international admissions.
• A-Level, IB and AP: A-Level and IGCSE English, IB and AP English can be used for English exemptions (see above); credit rules are not on the pages we read.
• First-year standards: the domestic freshman page asks for one of ACT 22, SAT 1120, GPA 2.50 or the upper half of the class, plus high school course and math and writing proficiency requirements. The international pages do not give separate academic thresholds, so ask international admissions.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: citizens of Canada (except Québec) are on the exemption list unless English is not their native language.
• Which process: the pages define international applicants by whether they need a non-immigrant visa and do not mention Canadian students separately; ask international admissions which process applies.
• BC grades: grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; ask admissions.

7. Transfer students

• Who counts: students entering UM for the first time with 12 or more college credits from another institution.
• GPA: a cumulative college GPA of 2.00 or higher.
• Applying: out-of-state students use the Common App; international transfers submit an ICER for every college attended, and eligible transfers do not need high school records.
• Credit: admissions issues an official transfer evaluation after admission; credit from programs abroad not affiliated with UM is not guaranteed.

8. Costs and scholarships

• I-20 funding differs between pages: the international application page says the 2026-27 minimum for four-year programs on the Mountain Campus is USD 55,988; the expenses page (no year shown) lists USD 34,769 tuition and fees plus USD 21,074 living costs, totaling USD 55,843.
• UMAAS: international first-year and transfer students with full admission to the Mountain Campus are considered automatically, using the converted GPA in their ICER; no separate application. First-year awards by high school GPA:
  • 3.95 and above: USD 18,000
  • 3.75 to 3.949: USD 16,000
  • 3.34 to 3.749: USD 14,000
  • 3.00 to 3.349: USD 12,500
  • 2.99 and below: USD 5,000
  Transfer awards by transfer GPA: USD 12,500 for 3.5 and above, USD 10,000 for 3.25 to 3.49 and USD 5,000 for 3.00 to 3.249. The page does not say whether these are yearly amounts.
• Use and renewal: the award covers tuition only, for up to 4 years. Students starting fall 2025 or later renew with a 2.5 cumulative GPA, 15 credits a semester and 30 credits a year.
• Pathway and conditional students: the international application page says they are not eligible for merit scholarships; the expenses page says they are considered at application but awarded only when full-time undergraduate study begins. The pages differ, so confirm with UM.
• Honors scholarship: freshmen applying for the Davidson Honors College Presidential Leadership Scholarship submit the honors college application by December 1.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit the application and all documents by June 15 for fall 2027, and at least 90 days earlier if you need a visa
• Apply through the Common App with the USD 30 fee; prepare TOEFL 70, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 105, and send the high school transcript for evaluation
• Ask international admissions how Gaokao scores are used

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

• Citizens of Canada (except Québec) are usually exempt from English proof; confirm which process applies and how BC grades are read

Transfer students:

• College GPA 2.00 or higher; evaluate transcripts from abroad; pass computer science prerequisites with a C- or better

Sources: University of Montana, Computer Science programs; Computer Science undergraduate; Software Engineering concentration; Algorithm Design concentration; Data Science concentration; Mathematics and Computer Science; Freshman Admission; Apply; Dates and Deadlines; International Admissions; International Application Process; Full Admission; English Proficiency; Academic Records; Estimated Expenses and Scholarships; UM Academic Achievement Scholarship; Transfer Admissions. Courses follow the 2026-2027 catalog and deadlines are for 2027 entry. Check UM’s website for the latest information.