APPLYING FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ADMISSION
THE APPLICATION:
The best way to apply is through the Universities of Wisconsin Application. You can quickly apply to multiple UWs with one application.
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 university 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 UWs 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 Universities of Wisconsin 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 universities 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 university has their unique admission guidelines. So, if you’re applying to more than one UW, review the guidelines for each.
Select a campus
UW-Eau Claire
Test Score Requirements
For undergraduate admission:
Minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 75
Minimum IELTS overall score of 6.0
Minimum Duolingo English Test overall score of 110 (Note: Students who use Duolingo English Test scores as evidence of English proficiency will be required to take ESL 305 Advanced Academic Writing for 6 credits their first term.)
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $29,160.00 (nine months).
UW-Green Bay
Test Score Requirements
Students are required to provide a proof of English proficiency from one of the following: IELTS (6.0), TOEFL (71), SAT (24), ACT(17), IGCSE (5), WESLI (700), MTELP (73), or Duolingo (95)
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
Non-native English speakers must submit proof of English proficiency in order to be considered for admission. This can be demonstrated by:
73 TOEFL score (TOEFL Code Number: 1914)
6.0 IELTS score
100 Duolingo English Test (DET) score
54 PTE score
Completion of ELS Level 112
Completion of WESLI Level 700
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S dollars: $29,900.00 (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
For UW-Madison, including scores from either the ACT or the SAT with your application is optional for students applying for admission through the Spring 2025 term, with an application deadline of October 1, 2024. You will not be disadvantaged in the evaluation process if you do not include these scores for consideration in your application.
You will indicate your choice regarding including test scores at the time of application. The choice that you indicate on your application is final.
If choosing to include ACT or SAT test scores with your application, you are encouraged to self-report your test scores. If self reporting scores: official test scores for each test date self-reported will be required prior to enrollment. You may also submit your official scores directly from the testing site.
UW-Madison test code is 4656 for the ACT and 1846 for the SAT.
First-year Applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score, unless English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school. All English proficiency exams should be official and sent electronically, directly from the testing service.
Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum accepted score: 115+
TOEFL iBT: Minimum accepted score: 80+
IELTS: Minimum accepted score: 6.5+
UW-Milwaukee
Test Score Requirements
Applicants must send TOEFL scores from ETS electronically to school code 1473. Applicants can upload a copy of their official IELTS or Duolingo score report into the application portal online. English proficiency test scores cannot be more than two years old. View UW-Milwaukee’s English Language Proficiency Requirement webpage for more information.
Financial Certification
Estimated annual expenses: $39,313.00
UW-Oshkosh
Test Score Requirements
TOEFL-IBT: 71
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 110
ACT (English): 18
SAT (Evidence-based writing): 460
Cambridge English: C1 pass or C2 pass
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $24,440.00 (nine months)
UW-Parkside
Test Score Requirements
Non-native English speakers whose prior education was not conducted in English are required to submit proof of English proficiency. English proficiency may be demonstrated in the following ways:
Minimum TOEFL score of 71 (Internet-based). Our Institution Code is 1860
Minimum IELTS score of 6.0
An ACT English subscore of 23 or higher
Duolingo English Test (DET) score of 100 or higher
PTE Pearson score of 50
Financial Certification
Estimated tuition expenses in U.S. dollars: 15,736.00 (nine months)
UW-Platteville
Test Score Requirements
English proficiency exams are required for all international students whose native language is not English.
TOEFL code: 1917
TOEFL iBT composite score of 64 (minimum sub-scores: reading 15; listening 15; speaking 17; writing 17)
IELTS composite score of 5.5 (minimum sub-scores: reading 5.0; listening 5.0; speaking 5.0; writing 5.0)
Official PTE with a minimum score of 46
Official Duolingo with a minimum score of 95
Official ACT score with an English sub score of 18
Official SAT score with an Evidence-based Reading and Writing sub score of 480
GTEC score of 1100 (computer-based format)
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $26,874 (nine months)
UW-River Falls
Test Score Requirements
Non-native English speakers must submit proof of English proficiency to be considered for admission.
ACT: 18 (English)
SAT: 950 (EBRW)
IELTS: 6.0
TOEFL: 78
Duolingo: 105
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S dollars: $25,826.00 (nine months)
UW-Stevens Point
Test Score Requirements
Applicants whose primary language is not English must satisfy our English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
TOEFL iBT: Score of 78 and above, with minimum scores of 17 in the Speaking and Writing sections.
TOEFL code: 1919.
IELTS: Score of 6.0 or above, with no sub-score below 5.5.
Official IELTS results should be sent directly to the UW-Stevens Point Admissions Office.
PTE: Score of 52 or above.
SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score of 530 or above.
ACT: English and Reading section scores of 22 or above.
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $25,652.00 (nine months)
UW-Stout
Test Score Requirements
The English proficiency requirement may be waived for applicants from English-speaking countries. This will be determined by the Admissions Office after you have applied. Ways to provide evidence of English proficiency:
Official TOEFL score:
Minimum iBT (or MyBest) score of 70, or minimum paper-based score of 525.
Official IELTS score:
Minimum score of 6.0
Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
Minimum score of 48
Duolingo English Test:
Minimum score of 105
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S dollars: $28,794.00 (nine months)
UW-Superior
Test Score Requirements
Applicants will be notified via email if required to submit evidence of English proficiency. The English proficiency requirement can be met in a variety of ways. Depending on their test scores, students may be required to take a combination of English as a Second Language (ESL) and non-ESL courses during their first semester. See ESL at UW-Superior for additional information.
TOEFL Internet-Based Test: 61
IELTS: 5.5
Duolingo English Test (DET): 100
TOEFL MyBest: 61 (Minimum Test Date Score: 56)
SAT: 470
ACT: 18 (English)
TOEFL Paper-based Test: 500
Financial Certification
Estimated expenses in U.S. dollars: $22,960.00 (nine months).
UW-Whitewater
Test Score Requirements
Only one appropriate score below is required. You do not need to submit multiple scores.
TOEFL iBT: 71
IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall band
SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing: 430
ACT: 17 (English)
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 universities. 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.