Computer Science at UC San Diego
What UC San Diego expects computer science transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are San Diego’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the programs that give priority and your odds.
Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.
At a glance
- Fall 2025 campus admit rate
- 57.7%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG at San Diego
- No TAG
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC San Diego admitted 57.7% of community college applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.55 to 3.94 for fall 2025.
What San Diego expects
Computer Science B.S. · Computer Science with a Specialization in Bioinformatics B.S. · Computer Engineering B.S.
- Courses to finish
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence screen MATH 18, MATH 20A-20C, CSE 11, CSE 12, CSE 20, and one science course from an approved list (for example PHYS 2A or 2B, CHEM 6A or 6B, or BILD 1, 2 or 3). Source
Computer Engineering screens MATH 18, MATH 20A-20D, PHYS 2A-2C, CSE 11 and CSE 12, with CSE 30 recommended. Source
- Selection
Screened major in the Engineering group that UC San Diego calls selective (limited enrollment due to capacity). Each screening course needs a C (2.0) or better. Source
- Campus rule
Computer Science prep (calculus, linear algebra and the programming series) must be done by spring with a C or better. Source
- Every San Diego major
UC San Diego admits transfers at the junior level only, and every transfer must be admitted to a major. Source
Applicants to screened majors are screened on the number of preparation courses completed, the grades in them and the cumulative GPA. Required preparation must be done by the end of the spring term before fall admission with a C (2.0) or better unless the major states otherwise. Source
Data Science, Engineering and Public Health are selective majors with limited enrollment due to capacity. UC San Diego strongly recommends listing an alternate non-selective major, and applicants not admitted to the first choice may be admitted to the alternate if space is available. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Computer science Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC San Diego included. Where San Diego’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| Introduction to programming (CS I) | Required |
| Data structures (CS II) | Required |
| Computer organization and assembly language | Required |
| Single variable calculus for STEM majors (one-year sequence) | Required |
| Multivariable calculus | Required |
| Discrete mathematics | Required |
| Linear algebra | Required |
| Differential equations | Required |
| Calculus-based physics (one-year sequence with labs, covering mechanics and electromagnetism) | Required |
Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.
No TAG at UC San Diego
UC San Diego doesn’t offer TAG. Its UniversityLink program guarantees admission to the campus, though not to a selective major, for eligible students at nine San Diego-area colleges.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC San Diego for computer science.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Yes | No TAG |
| UCLA | Yes | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | Not covered |
| UC Davis | Yes | Not covered |
| UC Santa Barbara | Yes | Not covered |
| UC Santa Cruz | Yes | 3.00 |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 3.60 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 3.00 |
Other majors at UC San Diego
- Aerospace Engineering
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive Science
- Communication
- Computer Engineering
- Data Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- Global and International Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Statistics
Official links
- UC San Diego transfer admissionsadmissions.ucsd.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC San Diegoassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC San Diego for computer science?
UC San Diego doesn’t publish a GPA for this major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.55 to 3.94 for fall 2025.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC San Diego for computer science?
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence screen MATH 18, MATH 20A-20C, CSE 11, CSE 12, CSE 20, and one science course from an approved list (for example PHYS 2A or 2B, CHEM 6A or 6B, or BILD 1, 2 or 3). Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is computer science selective or screened at UC San Diego?
Yes. UC San Diego screens transfer applicants for it. Screened major in the Engineering group that UC San Diego calls selective (limited enrollment due to capacity). Each screening course needs a C (2.0) or better.
Can I get a TAG for computer science at UC San Diego?
UC San Diego doesn’t offer TAG. Its UniversityLink program guarantees admission to the campus, though not to a selective major, for eligible students at nine San Diego-area colleges.