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Which high school courses are required?

Specific high school course units are required for admission as a first-year student (an academic unit is a non-remedial, yearlong course). We require a total of 18 high school units.

  • 4 units of English (at least three with substantial writing requirements)
  • 4 units of mathematics (Algebra I and above)
  • 3 units of natural science (at least two with laboratory)
  • 3 units of social studies
  • 2 sequential units of the same world language
  • 2 elective units, preferably from English, mathematics, natural science, social studies or world language areas

NOTE: Satisfying the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into UCF. Florida BOG Regulation 6.001 (7) authorizes universities to refuse admission to applicants due to past misconduct.

FAQs Related to Freshmen

Your GPA is recalculated based on the academic core courses (including English, math, science, social studies and foreign language). UCF uses a 4.0 grading scale, and also awards additional quality points for any weighted courses within the academic core. Courses marked as pre-AP, pre-IB, pre-AICE and honors are given an additional 0.5 quality point. Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced International Certification of Education (AICE) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses are given 1 additional quality point.

To review requirements and required documents, please visit the homepage and select the category of student that best describes you.

Students should register for and take the SAT, ACT and/or CLT exams early – preferably once in their junior year and again at the beginning of the senior year of high school.

NOTE: SAT and ACT scores must have been taken within the last five years. CLT scores must have been taken after July 1, 2023.

SAT, ACT and CLT administration dates are published by the respective testing agencies and can be viewed here:

SAT Test Administration Dates

ACT Test Administration Dates

CLT Exam Dates

Freshmen should apply early (between September and November of their senior year in high school) for maximum consideration in the admission and scholarship review process.

Transfer students should apply 6-9 months prior to the term for which you plan to enroll.

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