Requirements & Application
Join nearly 1,000 international students who choose to study at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
Our active and diverse international community represents more than 96 countries.
International Admission Process
The admission process at UND is different for undergraduate and graduate students. If you're from Canada, you will follow the same admissions requirements and complete the same application form as students from the United States.
All forms are to be filled out in English and typewritten.
The Institution Code for UND is 6878.
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
To be considered for full admission to an undergraduate program, you must complete the following steps with all required documentation submitted and verified by the deadlines below:
Students from all Countries, Other Than Canada
- Fall Term (August-December): June 15
- Spring Term (January-May): November 15
- Summer Term (May-August): March 15
Students from Canada and International Students Transferring from Another U.S. institution
- Fall Term (August-December): July 15
- Spring Term (January-May): December 15
- Summer Term (May-August): April 15
Note: Prior to selecting a start term, check with your country to verify lead times for VISA appointments.
1. Apply Online and Pay $35 Application Fee
Complete the admissions application for Undergraduate Admission for International Applicants. We recommend using Google Chrome on a desktop when completing the application.
The $35 (U.S. funds) non-refundable application fee must be paid before the application will be processed. This payment can be made online when completing the online application.
2. Send Official Records
First Year
Send official records from each secondary or middle school attended to the Office of University Admissions. These records should cover the entire secondary school, not just the latest institution attended. Any secondary school transcripts not in English need to be translated by the Ministry of Education or a certified translator. Your application will not be considered until your secondary school records are in our office.
First Year students should have a 2.75+ cumulative secondary school GPA.
Transfer
Official college transcripts must be submitted to a NACES approved foreign credential evaluation service such as World Education Services.
Transfer students should have a 2.0+ cumulative college GPA and be in good standing at the college(s) previously attended.
3. Provide Evidence of English Proficiency
Your application cannot be considered unless you can give evidence of a command of both written and spoken English, adequate for the successful pursuit of University courses conducted entirely in English. Any student, whose first language is not English, must take this test in order to be considered for admission.
For undergraduate studies, the minimum test scores required are:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - 525 (paper based - PBT); - 195 (computer based - CBT); - 71 (Internet based- iBT). Test scores must be sent to UND Undergraduate Admissions.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - 6.0. UND only accepts IELTS scores that have been taken within the last three years. If your IELTS scores are more than two years old, you'll need to retake the test.
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) - 50
- Duolingo English Test - 95
Or completion of ELS Language Centers' Intensive Level 112, to be sent directly from the College Entrance Exam Board.
Students will need to submit additional documentation after being admitted to attend UND. For more information on the additional requirements, please visit our Pre-Departure page.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
To be considered for full admission to a graduate program and for financial assistance, you must complete the following steps with all required documentation submitted and verified by the deadlines below:
- Fall Term (August-December): May 1
- Spring Term (January-May): September 1
- Summer Term (May-August): February 1
Notes:
- Prior to selecting a start term, check with your country to verify lead times for VISA appointments.
- Some of our graduate programs have specific application deadlines. Please see deadlines listed in the Program Finder.
1. Complete Your Grad School Application
- A completed Graduate School application is necessary.
- Pay a $35 non-refundable application fee, which is required of all applicants and will not be waived for any reason.
2. Submit Official Records and Documents
- One official transcripts (in English) for all undergraduate and graduate work attempted
- Official copy of your diploma or degree certificate if you have already received your degree
- Three letters of reference
- Statement of purpose
- Required English test scores
- TOEFL scores older than two years are not valid and will not be accepted
- All test scores must be sent directly by ETS
Official transcripts must be submitted to a foreign credentials evaluation service such as World Education Services.
Applicants from Chinese institutions may request and submit official transcripts directly through CHESICC. Request are processed by CHESICC and will be sent electronically to the Office of Admissions. Do not submit a paper copy of your transcript if you have requested transcripts through CHESICC.
3. Complete Mandatory Immunizations and TB Screening
All required immunizations and TB screenings must be completed and submitted.
4. Review Program Requirements
Please view your graduate program's requirements in our Program Finder.
5. Complete Statements of Financial Responsibility
Complete the Certification of Finances form or letter of sponsorship (accompanied by a certified bank statement).
If you plan to enter the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 student visa, you are required to certify that you will have adequate financial support for your program of study at the University of North Dakota. Complete support for your entire time of study at UND must be provided. Form I-20 or DS-2019 cannot be issued until you have completed this form satisfactorily and returned it to the International Center. Information provided must be no more than six months old at the time of enrollment.
A photocopy of your passport is recommended, but not required at this time. Please send to the International Center.
6. Provide Evidence of English Proficiency
All graduate applicants must demonstrate academic-level proficiency with the English language before they'll be considered for approved admission status. This requirement must be met by all applicants, regardless of citizenship, residency or nation of birth. No applicants will be considered for approved admission status until the English Language Proficiency requirement has been met. The English Proficiency requirement will not be waived for any reason.
This requirement may be satisfied in any of the following ways:
- A bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized institution where English is the primary language of instruction in the United States and U.S. Territories, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ireland, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Scotland, Wales, Commonwealth Caribbean or New Zealand.
- An overall band score of at least 6.0 on the IELTS.
- UND only accepts IELTS scores that have been taken within the last three years.
- If your IELTS scores are more than three years old, you'll need to retake the test.
- An overall score of at least 76 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test (iBT).
- Successfully completing the English Language Service (ELS) Language Center's Intensive Level 112.
- Or a score of at least 110 on the Duolingo English Test.
To be considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, a Speaking subtest score of 26/30 is required on the TOEFL.
Because we want all our students to excel from the very first day of their studies, all applicants (degree-seeking, certificate-seeking and non-degree-seeking) must meet these requirements. We will not waive this requirement for any reason.
Contact Us
Please direct all international admissions documentation and inquiries to:
University of North Dakota
Office of University Admissions
Gorecki Center
3501 University Ave Stop 8357
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8357
United States of America
P: (00 +1) 701.777.3000
F: (00 +1) 701.777.2721
admissions@UND.edu