International Applicants

You are considered an international student if:

1. You are not a citizen of the United States of America, and
2. You are not a U.S. Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylee, or Jay Treaty status holder.

Admissions requirements for International Students include the same criteria for all degree-seeking students, as well as:

• English Proficiency
• Proof of Financial Resources
• Health Insurance

More information for international students is available from International Student Programs and Services.

Degree Requirements

Please review our International Graduate Admissions Requirements summary to discover the minimum degree required of students from each country.

English Proficiency

Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language.  

Please check the Graduate College's English Requirement list to verify your need to submit an English proficiency test.  

Tests must be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid.

Acceptable English Proficiency tests are: 

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 85 iBT
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum composite score of 7, with no subject area below a 7
• Pearson PTE Academic - minimum score of 60

If you unable to take the TOEFL or IELTS, we strongly recommend the CEPT test as the best means of judging whether an applicant has the English skills necessary to succeed in Graduate School. This is an extremely reliable and predictive test, and it can be done remotely without the need of a testing center. 

Visa Information

The student's initial I-20 or DS-2019 will be generated by CESL.  At the time of formal admission into the Graduate College, the student's visa must be transferred from CESL to the University of Arizona Graduate College. Once all financial guarantee requirements have been met, a new I-20 or DS-2019 for the degree program can be issued by the Graduate College.

Further information on The Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) can be found on their website at www.cesl.arizona.edu.

Exemptions

Those exempt from submitting English proficiency scores are:

• Applicants from countries where English is the official language.
• Applicants who have completed a bachelors or graduate degree at a regionally accredited institution in the United States, or an approved institution in an official English speaking country.  Degree must not be older than two years from the term of enrollment.
• Applicants who have completed two years of full-time academic study must have 48 upper division, graded undergraduate semester units or 30 graded, graduate semester units.

Financial Guarantee and Visa Requirements

Students requesting non-immigrant visas (I-20 or DS-2019) must certify that they possess adequate financial resources to support themselves while in residence at The University of Arizona and must submit the Financial Guarantee Form.

Helpful Financial Guarantee Information:

• Financial guarantee documents must be dated within six months of the term of admission, must be in English, and should be addressed to The University of Arizona Graduate College.
• Departmental funding can serve as proof towards completion of the financial guarantee.
• It is acceptable to combine various types of funding such as student's personal funds, family funds, sponsor funding, and/or departmental funding to meet the total guarantee requirement.
• Family members (spouse or child/ren) that accompany students to the United States require proof of additional funding. 
• Please check with your intended department regarding their timeline for funding decisions.  

Sponsor Information:

• If a student is sponsored through an organization or government agency, the sponsor must provide the Graduate Admissions Office and the International Student Services office with the terms of support.
• An official sponsorship letter must include specific information regarding the amount and duration of the financial award. 
• Some sponsors require the University of Arizona to bill their organization for student tuition and fees.  If so, details must be handled through an embassy or an agency located within the United States.
• Prior to registration, an official letter regarding billing information must be sent to:

  International Student Services Office
  The University of Arizona
  915 N. Tyndall Ave.
  Tucson, Arizona 85721-0441

Health Insurance

Students on non-immigrant visas are required by The University of Arizona to carry student accident and illness insurance coverage for each term of enrollment.  The cost of insurance is included in the amount of the financial guarantee and is incorporated into your semester fees automatically upon registration.

Students covered by their government or sponsoring agency may be exempted from The University of Arizona's insurance plan when their government or sponsoring agency has submitted accident and sickness insurance plans deemed acceptable by The University of Arizona. Contact Campus Health for more information regarding an insurance exemption.

Students hired as Graduate Assistants in teaching or research will have their individual health insurance coverage paid by The University of Arizona.  Additional information about this benefit will be sent to admitted international students who receive teaching or research assistant positions.

More information regarding our Campus Health Service can be found on the Campus Health website.