Transfer Admissions Criteria

The University at Buffalo welcomes international transfer students who are prepared to meet the rigorous academic demands of a flagship university.

What is required for transfer admission?

While transfer admission is based primarily on your college/university grades, we are looking for students who excel academically, engage in extracurricular activities and who maintain a good school-life balance.

What do admissions counselors consider?

Academics English Language Standardized Tests Optional Criteria

English Proficiency Test Type & Minimum Scores

Below are the minimum scores to be eligible for consideration for admission to UB's undergraduate programs. If your scores are lower than those listed in the chart, you may still be considered for admission if you retake the English Language test and submit a passing score.

TEST

MINIMUM SCORES

TOEFL (IBT) (including MyBest scores)

TOEFL Home Edition

 70
TOEFL Essentials 8.5
TOEFL (PBT) and TOEFL ITP Plus
 523

IELTS Academic

 6.0
Duolingo English Test (DET) 
 105

PTE Academic

PTE Academic Online

 50

ACT (English AND reading sections)

 18
SAT I ERWS
 500
International Baccalaureate (IB) English A: Language & Literature IB grade of 5 or letter grade equivalent (HL and/or SL)
Advanced Placement (AP) English Language & Composition Score of 4 on the exam AND/OR a grade of B in the class
British Curriculum (I)GCSE (O levels) English First Language Result of C 
British Curriculum GCE (AS/A levels) English Language and/or English Language & Literature Result of C 
  • Scores must be less than two years old at the time of admission.
  • Self-reported scores may be submitted for initial review.
  • Official scores must be sent directly to UB from the testing agency.
  • Use the following to send your scores to UB:
    • TOEFL: 2925
    • IELTS: University at Buffalo – SUNY
    • Duolingo: University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Undergraduate, New York, USA

Undergraduate English Language Proficiency Test Exemption

English proficiency can be demonstrated without a test in one of the following ways:

1. Native Speaker

Applicants who meet all three criteria listed below may be exempted from the requirement of submitting an English proficiency test score. The applicant is:
  • A citizen of Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Guam, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore or the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland); and    
  • A native speaker of English; and
  • Was educated entirely in English.

2. U.S. Post-Secondary Education

Transfer applicants currently enrolled in a U.S. college who have:

  • Completed at least one term (quarter or semester) of a U.S. college English composition class with an earned grade of B or better and an overall college GPA of at least 3.0 (out of 4.0) and strong grades in classes that typically require significant reading and writing. 

OR

  • Completed at least two terms (quarters or semesters) of a U.S. college English composition classes with an earned grade of C or better in each class, and good grades in classes that typically require significant reading and writing. 

ESL classes, remedial English classes, and foundation English classes (for example, non-credit intensive English classes/programs) are not recognized for this waiver.

Transfer Applicant Documents Checklist

You will upload these documents electronically to your Applicant Status Portal. Please do not send documents through the mail. Please note: Any document not written in English must be accompanied by an English translation.

We encourage you to collect and scan all the necessary documents as early in the application process as possible, even before you apply.

  • Copies of your transcripts from every college and university that you have ever attended; this includes marksheets for all semesters.
  • English Language Proficiency test scores
  • Supplemental requirements for special majors (if applicable)