General Admission Requirements

Admission requirements vary by program, but here we provide some general graduate admission requirements. Once you've read these general requirements, please contact your desired department for specific advice and details on submitting your application and documents.

To be eligible for graduate study at UB, we expect:

  • A bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, from an accredited/government recognized college or university. Most such degrees will be four or more years in length; UB recognizes some three-year degrees, but not all.
  • A B-grade (GPA of 3.0) or higher from your bachelor's degree (or equivalent) courses. Grade point averages from non-U.S. universities will be evaluated by UB's Office of International Admissions.
  • Appropriate standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.). Not all programs require test scores. See the official academic test scores section below for more information.
  • Letters of recommendation.

Transcript Requirements

Applicants are required to submit transcripts from every college and university attended. UB does not require official transcripts during the application process. Unofficial copies of transcripts are sufficient. Admitted students are required to submit official transcripts from all schools and will be given specific instructions regarding the submission process. 

International Students: Some departments may require you to obtain a transcript evaluation from a third party company. Please check with your department for specific requirements. Please do not mail any official documents unless specifically requested to do so.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

In addition to meeting the standard academic criteria for the program to which you are applying, international applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency. All international students must take one of the tests indicated below and meet the university minimum score requirement.

Test Type
 University Minimum Score
(varies by program)
TOEFL (IBT) (including MyBest scores)

TOEFL Home Edition
 79
TOEFL Essentials
 		 8.5
TOEFL ITP Plus
 		 550
IELTS and IELTS Indicator

 6.5

PTE Academic

PTE Academic Online

 55
Cambridge English

Proficiency (CPE)		 185
Cambridge English

Advanced (CAE)
 185
Duolingo English Test (DET)

 120
Are you currently unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL?

If you are a currently unable to take IELTS, PTE or TOEFL due to cancellations related to COVID-19, the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home.

Note: Many graduate programs have higher score requirements. It is important to contact your department directly to learn the minimum score requirements for your program.

Scores must be less than two years old at the time of admission; older scores will not be accepted. Official scores must be sent directly to UB from the testing agency. Copies may be submitted for initial review.

English Language Proficiency Exemptions

The following applicants are not required to demonstrate English language proficiency with a standardized test:

  • Non-matriculated (non-degree) students attending UB under reciprocal exchange agreements with international institutions of higher education.
  • Students who were enrolled at UB and are moving from one degree-level to another or one program to another with a break in their studies of no more than three years between the time of graduation and new enrollment.
  • International students transferring from another U.S. college to UB, who (a) completed (or will complete) a degree at that U.S. college or were enrolled for at least two years at the prior institution; and (b) had a minimum 2.0 GPA at the prior institution; and (c) had no more than a three-year break between the time of graduation/attendance at the previous institution and new enrollment at UB.
  • Students who are citizens of, and who were educated in the English medium from the English exemption list below.

Official Academic Test Scores

Many programs require you take a standardized academic exam. Check your program's admission requirements to see which test scores are accepted and/or required. Be sure you take tests early enough to provide scores by your program's submission deadline. Please note that it can take several weeks for the testing agency to process your order and deliver your scores to UB.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by individual school and program. Please review your department's website or contact them directly for the most accurate information. Contact information can be found on our list of academic programs.