Computer Science at UC Santa Cruz
What UC Santa Cruz expects computer science transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Santa Cruz’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the TAG terms and your odds.
Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.
At a glance
- Fall 2025 campus admit rate
- 70.4%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG GPA line
- 3.00
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Santa Cruz admitted 70.4% of all transfer applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. UC Santa Cruz reported an average GPA of 3.47 for admitted fall 2025 transfers and no range. The calculator’s range is an estimate around that average.
What Santa Cruz expects
Computer Science B.S. · Computer Science B.A.
- Courses to finish
For the 2026-27 catalog, CS B.S. transfers must complete CSE 12, CSE 16, CSE 30, one of MATH 19A or 20A, and one of MATH 19B or 20B, or articulated equivalents. Source
The CS B.A. uses the same five screening courses in the 2026-27 catalog, to be completed by the end of spring term before fall enrollment. Source
- Selection
For the CS B.S. (2026-27 catalog), three of the five screening courses must be done by the end of fall term of the year before transfer, and students must keep a cumulative screening-course GPA of at least 3.0. AP credit satisfies a course but does not count in the GPA. Source
- Also note
The CS B.A. requires a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.8 in its screening courses, with three of the five done by the end of fall term of the year before transfer (2026-27 catalog). Source
Transfers must have applied and been admitted to UCSC as a proposed computer science major to pursue the CS B.S., and should declare in their first quarter. Source
UCSC Admissions describes Computer Science and Psychology as impacted majors that are not available to second baccalaureate applicants. Source
- Every Santa Cruz major
For Fall 2026, UCSC screens transfer applicants for completion of major preparation courses in a published list of screening majors, with criteria given in each major's General Catalog entry. Source
Required major preparation must be completed by the end of the spring term before fall transfer, or by the end of the fall term before winter transfer. 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 Santa Cruz included. Where Santa Cruz’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.
TAG for this major
UC Santa Cruz’s TAG covers computer science for fall 2027 at a 3.00 UC-transferable GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Santa Cruz for computer science.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Yes | No TAG |
| UCLA | Yes | No TAG |
| UC San Diego | Yes | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | Not covered |
| UC Davis | Yes | Not covered |
| UC Santa Barbara | Yes | Not covered |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 3.60 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 3.00 |
Other majors at UC Santa Cruz
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Engineering
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Official links
- UC Santa Cruz transfer admissionsadmissions.ucsc.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Santa Cruzassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for computer science?
For the CS B.S. (2026-27 catalog), three of the five screening courses must be done by the end of fall term of the year before transfer, and students must keep a cumulative screening-course GPA of at least 3.0. AP credit satisfies a course but does not count in the GPA. A TAG needs at least a 3.00.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for computer science?
For the 2026-27 catalog, CS B.S. transfers must complete CSE 12, CSE 16, CSE 30, one of MATH 19A or 20A, and one of MATH 19B or 20B, or articulated equivalents. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is computer science selective or screened at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes. UC Santa Cruz screens transfer applicants for it. For the CS B.S. (2026-27 catalog), three of the five screening courses must be done by the end of fall term of the year before transfer, and students must keep a cumulative screening-course GPA of at least 3.0. AP credit satisfies a course but does not count in the GPA.
Can I get a TAG for computer science at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 3.00 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.