International Applicants

Note to International Students:
The University at Albany, SUNY, is committed to welcoming students and scholars from around the world. As an institution of higher education, we draw strength from our diversity and global reach, and from our commitment to inclusive excellence. Although the Executive Orders issued by the U.S. President in the past year may be creating confusion, the University at Albany remains committed to recruiting, hosting and supporting international students and scholars. We will continue to review all international applications and will assist admitted students as fully as possible in their efforts to obtain non-immigrant visas to pursue programs of study at our university.

Degree Application Instructions

International applicants should follow the basic requirements for all degree applicants found at Information for Degree Applicants. Please note, your application cannot be processed, and you will not receive your application number, until you first submit your non-refundable fee.

Additional Application Requirements of International Students

To be considered for admission to UAlbany graduate programs, you must have completed a degree program equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling.

Transcripts

• Uploaded copies of your transcripts can be used for your admission review.  Official copies will only be needed upon admission.
• Academic transcripts must be provided in the original language and accompanied by certified translations into English. An official certification of the award of all degrees is also required. Alternatively, we also accept WES Evaluations directly from WES (www.wes.org).  Other evaluation services can only be used if they require official documents directly from the institution (not the student) in order to evaluate coursework. We cannot accept evaluations from organizations that do not require official documents directly from the institution.
• Students from India/Bangladesh/Pakistan: We require official and complete Individual mark sheets or grade cards for each examination attempt, including subsidiary exams, issued by the University Registrar or Controller of Examinations (or photocopies attested by the University Registrar or Controller of Examinations). We also required the consolidated transcript. We will accept a Provisional Certificate of Degree as proof of completion of degree.
  • * If you have your mark sheets already in your possession, you may make photocopies of the full set of mark sheets and have them attested for authenticity by the University’s Registrar or Controller of Examinations and placed in a sealed stamped envelope to send directly to the University at Albany’s Office of Graduate Education upon admissions. Alternatively, these documents can be notarized by a Governmental Official and sent with other application materials.
• Students from China: We require both the Graduate Certificate and Bachelor’s degree certificate for proof of earned degree
• Students from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova: Apostilled photocopies of your official academic records are acceptable in lieu of those sent officially to us from the educational institution.
• Please note: If you have not submitted acceptable documents showing proof of a U.S. Bachelor's degree or its equivalent with your application, official proof of degree must be received by the end of the first semester of your program. Otherwise, a hold will be placed on your account, preventing registration for the following term.  F1 and J1 visa regulations require full time enrollment for each fall and spring semester. To avoid problems with your immigration status, it is strongly recommended that your documentation be submitted according to our policies as soon as possible. (Please also see the FAQ "What constitutes an official transcript?" to ensure you understand our document requirements.)

Financial Support

• To document an international student’s ability to meet all expenses while attending UAlbany, a completed Student Financial Affidavit must be submitted. Supporting documentation evidencing financial support (bank statements, deposit verification, etc.) must also be provided. You can submit your financial affidavit after your file has been reviewed, however if you are selected for admission, your immigration documents will not be sent until official documents showing sufficient financial support have been provided.
• If applying for UAlbany assistantships or fellowships, complete and submit a Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship Application.

English Proficiency

• Since proven English proficiency is required to ensure success in UAlbany’s graduate programs, the TOEFL, the IELTS, or the PTE Academic exam is required for students whose native language is not English.
• We will only accept official valid scores of exams sent by the test taking institution.  Exams taken beyond 2 years are considered expired and are unacceptable.
• Applicants who submit official transcripts showing the successful completion of a degree (B or better average) at a college or university in countries where English is the dominant language can have the English Language Proficiency score waived. Applicants who have at least two full-time semesters of academic courses (not including English language preparatory programs) at a college or university in countries where English is the dominant language can have the English Language Proficiency Score waived if courses were completed (B or better average) within 2 years time of application. Waiver is subject to evaluation of the institution by the Graduate School. 
• Students applying for non-certification TESOL master's program can have the English proficiency test score requirement waived if the applicant submits official transcripts showing the successful completion of 3 years of study in a degree program at a college or university in the U.S. and maintained a B or better average. 
• The University at Albany minimum TOEFL score for general admission is 79 for the internet based test. The University at Albany minimum IELTS score for general admission is 6.5 and the minimum Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) is 53. Not all programs accept the IELTS exam or PTE Academic so please check with the academic department. Please note some departments may require higher scores for departmental consideration.
• The University at Albany reserves the right to request proof of English proficiency on a case by case basis.
• For electronic IELTS score results reporting, please provide the following information to your test center:
  • University at Albany (SUNY)
  • 1400 Washington Avenue
  • Albany
  • NY
  • 12222

Please submit your official documents to:

The Graduate School
UAB 121
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222

Additional Information Topics

• Recommended Test Scores
• Cost of Attending UAlbany
• Financial Assistance
• General Information About the University and the Region
• Join Your Fellow Graduate Students in the Graduate Student Organization
• Healthcare and Counseling Services
• Services for International Students

For the answers to many common questions, please see International Student: Frequently Asked Questions.