Bachelor of Computer Science in United States
Bachelor's 4 years IT and Computing
The Bachelor of Computer Science is a four-year undergraduate degree covering programming, algorithms, data structures, and systems, usually alongside the broad “liberal arts” first year common to US degrees before students take on a full major course load. International students choose the US for this degree because of its close links between top computer science departments and the technology industry, along with strong internship pipelines and research opportunities even at undergraduate level.
What’s covered
- Programming fundamentals and software engineering practice
- Data structures, algorithms, and computer systems
- Mathematics and theoretical foundations of computing
- Electives in areas such as AI, security, or graphics
- Team-based capstone or research projects
- A broad first-year “core” spanning humanities and sciences before declaring a major
Entry requirements
- A strong high school transcript, typically with advanced maths and science coursework
- SAT or ACT scores (increasingly optional at many universities)
- TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English speakers
- Personal essays and letters of recommendation as part of holistic admissions
- Extracurricular achievement and demonstrated interest in computing are often considered alongside grades
Where you can study this in United States
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston
A hands-on, project-based programme backed by extensive labs and close ties to the Boston-Cambridge technology and start-up scene.
Stanford University
San Francisco Bay Area
A programme that benefits directly from Stanford's Silicon Valley location and entrepreneurial campus culture.
University of California, Berkeley
San Francisco Bay Area
One of Berkeley's strongest departments, backed by a large research-active faculty and proximity to Bay Area tech employers.
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Computer science sits alongside strong engineering and science departments on a large, research-active Los Angeles campus.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles
A highly regarded programme with close industry links across Los Angeles and an unusually engaged alumni network.
Boston University
Boston
Students draw on strong industry connections across Boston's growing technology and healthcare sectors.
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