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Application Requirements for International Students

As an international applicant to the Paul Merage School of Business, you will submit the same application form as U.S. applicants and include all the same supporting pieces. Here you will find more detailed information on some of these requirements and how they apply to international applicants, plus additional information relevant only to international applicants on requirements for verification of funding and visas.

In evaluating applications from international students, the Admissions Committee considers not only the school's own admissions criteria, but also adheres to basic standards and policies set by UC Irvine's Office of Graduate Studies. If you have questions, we encourage you to communicate with us directly by telephone at (949) 824-4MBA or via email at mba@uci.edu.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The TOEFL is a comprehensive test of English language skills and is used, in conjunction with the verbal section of the GMAT, to determine whether a candidate is prepared to begin a graduate program conducted in English. It is required of all applicants whose college degrees were awarded by institutions using languages other than English as the primary language of instruction. To be considered for admission, an applicant must have a minimum TOEFL score of 250 or better on the computer-based exam, or 600 or better on the paper-based exam.

The School's TOEFL school code is 4859-02

International applicants whose primary language is not English, but who have completed a college degree in a U.S. institution may be able to have the TOEFL requirement waived upon receipt of required official transcripts or institutional records.

International Academic Credentials

Applicants who have attended institutions outside the United States must have completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent program for four to five years' duration. A three-year baccalaureate program followed by a two-year master's program in the same or a complementary area of study is considered equivalent to a U.S. four-year program. Post-graduate diploma and certificate programs are not acceptable in lieu of a Master's degree.

Our printed application booklet provides specific details on minimum requirements for various countries and educational systems. Please contact the Admissions Office if these guidelines do not adequately address your specific situation.

Academic Records Required of Applicants with Foreign Degrees

If you are presenting academic credentials from a non-U.S. institution, we recommend that you submit your application well ahead of the deadlines. Typically, we find that additional time is required to process and evaluate foreign transcripts. Two complete sets of official records from foreign institutions should be sent directly to the school. Unless academic records and diplomas are issued in English by your institution, the official records in their original language must be submitted along with an authorized, complete and exact English translation. All official academic records must show dates of your enrollment, all subjects or courses, units, credits or hours, and grades in each subject. If rank is determined by results of comprehensive examinations, records should show examination date(s) and your scores, rank, class and division. All records must include a complete description of institutional grading scales or other standards of evaluation, with minimum and maximum marks indicated.

Also submit official evidence of the conferral of all degrees, diplomas or professional titles, with the date of formal conferral. These certificates should indicate the exact name of the degree, diploma, or title as it is known in the country of origin.

Verification of Funding

Foreign applicants must verify the amount and source of funds available for their graduate study in the United States. A Foreign Applicant Questionnaire will be sent to you under separate cover by the UC Irvine Office of Graduate Studies after receipt of your formal Application for Admission. Return the questionnaire with the necessary official certification of financial resources to support your first year of graduate study. Need-based financial aid is not available to international students.

Visas

Necessary visa documents will not be issued until all application requirements are satisfied, your application has been reviewed and a formal offer of admissions has been made, and you have accepted that offer of admissions and paid the requisite deposit.