International Application Instructions

Please submit transcripts or marks sheets that show each of the four years of study prior to graduation from high school as well as any college transcripts (if applicable). If your high school course was completed in three years, please submit the final year of study in middle school. All transcripts must be sent to the University of Cincinnati directly – we do not accept transcripts emailed or mailed by the applicant themselves.

Transcripts must be submitted in the native language AND sent with a translated English copy officially certified with a seal.

Upload official translated copy of your transcripts (records of academic work which you have taken while in college) to your online application.

Proof of English language proficiency is required from all applicants whose native language is not English. English proficiency can be demonstrated by receiving a passing score on an approved English language test (see table below) or if you qualify for an exemption (see exceptions below).

UC only accepts official scores sent directly from the testing agency to UC, preferably sent via electronically. For TOEFL, please use school code 1833. IELTS scores must be sent directly from your testing center to UC.

UC Graduate Admissions now accepts the at-home version of the TOEFL & IELTS exams; however, the university does NOT accept the TOEFL MyBest Score.

• SAT: 520 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 
• ACT: 20 English 
• PTE: 46 

There are a few conditions a student is exempt from taking a standardized test to demonstrate English proficiency.

1. You have taken a full year of high school in the U.S.A. or one of the first-language English countries listed below,* and earned a C grade (or better) in one year of standard English (not ESL). This must be shown on your transcripts.
2. You have earned a C or higher on the IGCSE or O-Level English (first language) Exam
3. You have passed a full year of IB English Language & Literature or IB English A with IBDP1 HL with 4 or higher, SL with 5 or higher (not English B)
4. Completed at least 24 semester hours with a U.S. accredited university and earned a C- or higher in English Composition. 

*First-Language English Countries include:

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Denmark, Dominica, Fiji, Finland, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Virgin Islands, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe

1. If you have completed an undergraduate degree at an English-speaking university or completed a Master's degree with a 3.2 GPA or higher at an English-instructing university (countries listed below). This requires that all programs at the institution are taught in English, not just the program in which the applicant earned their degree. Please upload documentation stating that the entire university uses English as the medium of instruction. 
2. Passed a nationally administered professional test that requires evaluation of both oral and written English (e.g., USMLE, Cambridge CPE passed with a B). 
3. Completion of Level 112 of Intensive English instruction at an ELS Language Center. Please provide the completion certificate. 

Please note that US Permanent Residents do not need to provide proof of English proficiency. 

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Denmark, Dominica, Fiji, Finland, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United States, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Virgin Islands, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe