Applied to MIT, not to a course
MIT says you apply to the entire university, not to a specific major, and all first-year students begin undeclared.
Undergraduate · MIT Course 11-6
MIT Course 11-6: a computer science core beside urban design and spatial analysis
MIT does not admit applicants to a course. Applicants apply to the university as a whole and all first-year students begin undeclared. The degree chart for Course 11-6 shows a degree that is half computing and half urban planning: programming, mathematics for computer science and algorithms on one side, urban design, spatial analysis and GIS, data visualisation and an urban technology workshop on the other.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What MIT says about MIT Course 11-6
Taken from the MIT Course Catalog's degree chart for Course 11-6 and MIT Admissions' Majors & Minors, Tests & Scores and International pages, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check MIT's pages for the 2028-entry details.
A computer science core
Programming, mathematics for computer science and algorithms.
An urban planning core
Urban design and development, spatial analysis with GIS, and interactive data visualisation.
A workshop element
The chart includes an urban technology workshop option.
The SAT or ACT is required
MIT requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year students and asks that predicted grades be sent if available.
Official sources
- MIT Admissions: Majors & Minorsmitadmissions.org
- MIT Course Catalog: Urban Science and Planning with Computer Science (Course 11-6)catalog.mit.edu
- MIT Admissions: Tests & Scoresmitadmissions.org
Read on 2 November 2026 on the MIT Course Catalog's degree chart for Course 11-6 and MIT Admissions' Majors & Minors, Tests & Scores and International pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. The department's own website, the subject descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The degree
What the degree chart says Course 11-6 is
The catalogue's degree chart for the SB in Urban Science and Planning with Computer Science lists Computer Science Requirements (12 units of introductory programming, Fundamentals of Programming, Mathematics for Computer Science, Introduction to Algorithms and a machine learning subject) and Urban Planning Requirements (urban design and development, spatial analysis and GIS, interactive data visualisation, a policy option and an urban technology workshop). At least two subjects must be communication-intensive in the major.
Is it the right course?
Course 11-6 beside Course 6-3 and Course 11
The catalogue lists these as separate degrees, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general and relies on the degree titles and charts.
Course 11-6 fits if
you want computing applied to cities, with planning and policy subjects in the degree.
Course 6-3 fits if
you want computer science itself. Avandy's MIT Course 6-3 and 6-4 guide covers it.
Planning (Course 11) fits if
you want urban planning without the computer science core; this guide did not read that chart.
Admission and testing
An MIT application, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
MIT requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year students. It asks that transcripts include the results of external examinations such as the IB or A Levels required for university entrance in your home country, and that predicted grades be sent if available; only admitted students are required to send final grades. Course 11-6 is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not MIT's.
How much of the degree do you want to be coding?
The chart pairs a computer science requirement with an urban planning requirement.
Which workshop appeals?
The chart offers urban technology workshop options.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB?
MIT requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year students.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
MIT's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check MIT's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. MIT has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check MIT for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Course 11-6 degree chart and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to MIT Course 11-6?
No. MIT says you apply to the entire university, not to a specific major or school, and all first-year students begin undeclared.
Can I apply directly to Course 11-6?
No. MIT says you apply to the entire university, not to a specific major, and all first-year students begin undeclared.
Does the degree include programming?
Yes. The degree chart's Computer Science Requirements include introductory programming, Fundamentals of Programming and Introduction to Algorithms.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
MIT says it requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year students.
Do A levels and the IB count?
MIT asks that transcripts include external examination results such as the IB or A Levels and that predicted grades be sent if available.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are MIT's wording with no entry-year label. Check MIT's pages again when MIT publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about MIT Course 11-6
Tell us about the student's curriculum, how they weigh computing against urban planning, which urban technology workshop interests them and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.