International Student Admissions

The Department welcomes applicants from international students. In addition to the MA and PhD application steps for domestic students, international students should review the following procedures for applying to the graduate programs.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, submit the online International Student Graduate Financial Form, as well as certified bank statements proving the information submitted on the financial form. All forms must be submitted before your application can be reviewed for admission.

If English is not your native language, an official TOEFL or PTE Academic score report must be submitted. These scores must be no more than two years old.

The Department strongly prefers applicants that have a TOEFL score of 100 or higher, and rarely offers admission to those with lower scores.

In exceptional cases, the Department does makes an exception for especially promising students scoring between 79 and 100 on the TOEFL, who may be admitted contingent on successful completion of the University's six-week Intensive English Program. This program is offered by the English Language Institute of University at Buffalo during the Summer and Fall semesters. Promising students scoring between 60 and 79 on the TOEFL examination may be admitted, contingent on successful completion of a 12-week Intensive English Program. This program is offered by the English Language Institute of University at Buffalo during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Effective immediately, in addition to TOEFL, UB will begin accepting Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) scores to satisfy our institution’s English language proficiency requirement for graduate admission consideration of non-native speakers of English. A minimum PTE Academic score of 55 will be required with no individual section sub-score below 50, performance levels which are in line with our current required minimum scores on the TOEFL test.

Funding is generally limited to PhD students. International student applicants for the PhD degree are considered for the same funding as domestic students. International students who wish to be considered for financial assistance (Teaching Assistantships) must score 100 or higher on the IBT TOEFL and 55 or higher on the SPEAK test of oral English.

Students entering the Ph.D. program must have earned a Master’s degree that is from an accredited university that is equivalent to the University at Buffalo and is accepted by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate School. Students must provide a final transcript upon fall admission. Likewise, all students entering the Master’s program must have earned a Bachelor’s degree and must produce a final transcript upon fall admission.

International students wishing to enroll as graduate students should also consult with the Office of International Admissions, University at Buffalo, 411 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260.