APPLYING FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ADMISSION
THE APPLICATION:
The best way to apply is through the online application. You can quickly apply to multiple UW campuses with one application — helpful when you can’t decide where you want to begin your college career.
TRANSCRIPTS:
This is a simple but very important step. Official academic records from secondary and postsecondary education, as well as any college or university institution you have attended are required.
Quick checklist:
- All records should be submitted in English (some campuses may require both your native language and English)
- All records must be official (notarized copies will not be accepted)
- All records should be sent directly to each UW System campus you want to attend from each academic institution
- Pay close attention to instructions included with your application for admission and/or information packet
TEST SCORES:
Another important step in the application process is the evaluation of your English language proficiency. All UW System campuses require you to verify English proficiency, usually through Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results.
Minimum TOEFL score requirements vary among UW System campuses. Please request that your official TOEFL results be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to each UW campus you’re applying to.
Some UW campuses may accept the results of other standardized tests like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
*NOTE: If you haven’t already taken the TOEFL, please make timely arrangements to take this exam soon. It is administered throughout the world by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). ACT or SAT scores in addition to an English language proficiency test may be required.
FINANCIAL CERTIFICATION:
Scholarship money may or may not be available for international students. So, you’ll need to finance your own education and living expenses while attending school. That means, you’re required to declare and verify necessary funding. The admission packets from individual UW System campuses explain in detail how an international student applicant should verify funding and the estimated funding necessary (tuition and fees, housing, health insurance, books, supplies, and personal expenses). Each UW System campus provides more specific (U.S. dollar) amounts that must be certified. All dollar amounts are subject to change. Annual increases should be expected.
International Guidelines
Select a campus from the dropdown. Each UW System campus has their unique admission guidelines. So, if you’re applying to more than one campus, review the guidelines for each.
Select a campus
UW-Eau Claire
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL Code Number: 1913
TOEFL score: 537 (paper-based); 75 (Internet-based)
Students with lower scores may be considered for admission to the Intensive English Program until English proficiency is attained.
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $29,180.00 (nine months).
Summer expenses are not included in the figure above. For this approximate three-month period, expenses are estimated at $8,000.00.
Applicants must also indicate how they will meet expenses for subsequent years of study if they expect that the program of study will require more than one year’s stay.
UW-Green Bay
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL Code Number: 1859
TOEFL: 527 (paper-based); 71 (computer-based); 71 (Internet-based)
IELTS: 6.0
Please see additional information on alternative evidence of English proficiency
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S dollars: $25,300.00 (nine months)
Note: This is a relatively conservative budget, for a student who budgets carefully and is willing to share living quarters with another student. While some students may need less money, many students find that they spend more than this amount. This estimate does not include the cost of international travel and keeping a car.
UW-La Crosse
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL Code Number: 1914
TOEFL: 550 (paper-based); 73 (Internet-based)
or
IELTS: 6.0
Undergraduate applicants with no TOEFL or IELTS results or with scores less than those stated above will be considered for conditional admission.
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S dollars: $28,648.00 (nine months)
Note: The estimated cost above includes $2,000 in personal living expenses. It does not include travel, summer or interim tuition costs.
UW-Madison
Test Score Requirements
We do not require either the ACT or SAT for freshman applicants. These tests are optional for transfer students. Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. Our test code is 4656 for the ACT and 1846 for the SAT.
Freshman applicants from non-English speaking countries must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score, unless English was the language of instruction for all years of secondary school. Our TOEFL test code is 1846. TOEFL must be submitted electronically from the testing service. We do not accept the IELTS electronically. Please have a paper copy of your results sent to our office through the mail.
TOEFL: 95-105
IELTS: 6.5-7.5
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $57,449.00 (nine months)
UW-Milwaukee
Test Score Requirements
A TOEFL IBT, TOEFL PBT, or IELTS score that meets the requirement for regular, dual, or conditional admission; or,
University Study: Completion of at least eighteen months of full-time, for-credit academic study (approximately three semesters) at a recognized or accredited institution of higher education whose language of instruction is English immediately prior to enrollment at UWM; or,
Secondary/High School Study: Proof of completion of the last two years of secondary/high school at an institution whose language of instruction is English immediately prior to enrollment at UWM.
A positive recommendation from the director of the Wisconsin ESL Institute (WESLI), stating that the applicant has passed the 700 level of reading and writing with a B grade or higher.
Financial Certification
Estimated minimum annual expenses: $32,302.00
UW-Oshkosh
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL Code Number: 1916
TOEFL: 527 (paper-based); 71 (Internet-based) or IELTS: 6.0
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $23,686.00 (nine months)
UW-Parkside
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL Code Number: 1860
TOEFL: 525 (paper-based); 71 (Internet-based)
or
IELTS: 6.0
or
An Act English subscore of 23 or higher
or
Minimum EIKEN score of 2304
or
Minimum GTEC score of 1140
Financial Certification
Estimated tuition expenses in U.S. dollars: $15,378.00 (nine months)
UW-Platteville
Test Score Requirements
- TOEFL: 64 (Internet-based) (TOFEL code number is 1917)
- IELTS: 5.5
- PTE: 46
- Duolingo: 95
- ACT score with an English sub score of 18
- SAT score with an evidence-based Reading and Writing sub score of 480
- GTEC score of 1100
Students transferring from a U.S. college or university may be exempted from the TOEFL requirement if they have demonstrated English competency by completing English composition and speech courses with grades of B or higher.
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $28,600.00 (nine months); $7,300.00 if student plans to attend summer school (in addition to nine-month cost)
UW-River Falls
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL Code Number: 1918
TOEFL: 547 (paper-based); 78 (Internet-based);
No TOEFL required for conditional admission.
or
IELTS: 6.0
TOEIC: 750
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S dollars: $25,826.00 (nine months)
UW-Stevens Point
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL Code Number: 1919
TOEFL: 550 (paper-based); 197 (computer-based); 78 (Internet-based); IELTS: minimum score of 6.0. Students with lower scores may be considered for admission to the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program until English proficiency is attained.
or
IELTS: 6.0
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $25,652.00 (nine months)
UW-Stout
Test Score Requirements
Official TOEFL score (school code 1740): minimum iBT score of 70, minimum paper-based of 525
Official IELTS score: 6.0
Students with lower scores may be considered for admission to the ESL Institute until English proficiency is attained. For a complete list of English proficiency options, please visit our international admissions site.
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S dollars: $26,498.00 (nine months)
UW-Superior
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL Code Number: 1920
TOEFL: 500 (paper-based); 61 (Internet-based)
or
IELTS: 5.5
Students who do not meet the English proficiency requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students can meet the English proficiency requirement by successfully completing the UW-Superior English as a Second Language International program.
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $27,275.00 (nine months).
The majority of international students who qualify for admission to UW-Superior also qualify for a Non-Resident Tuition Waiver (NTW), which reduces non-resident tuition by $5,200-$7,200 per year.
UW-Whitewater
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL Code Number: 1921
TOEFL: 500 (paper-based); 173 (computer-based); 71 (Internet-based)
or
Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency: 70
or
IELTS: 6
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $30,334.00 (nine months)
Feel free to directly contact the UW System campus you’re interested in for any questions.
English as Your Second Language
Gain the extra edge you need to excel with the English as a Second Language (ESL) programs at select UW System campuses. These engaging programs help you develop the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills you’ll need before full admission.
The following UW campuses offer ESL programs suited for you:
Get all of the information on program opportunities and requirements by clicking on the campus logos above.