International Applicants
International Applicants
GGRE Test Scores
Official GRE exam scores are required for all applicants to the HIA Master’s degree. UNC Charlotte’s school code is 5105. The test score requirement can be waived if an applicant holds a degree from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education with a minimum 3.0 GPA, or a terminal degree (Ph.D., JD, or MD).
TOEFL/Duolingo/IELTS
Official TOEFL, Duolingo, or ELTS exam scores are required for all applicants whose native language is not English. Official scores are required and must be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS). UNC Charlotte’s school code is 5105. A department code is not necessary.
- TOEFL – Minimum score of 83, Interenet based.
- IELTS – Minimum overall band score of 6.5
- Duolingo- Minimum score of 115
Applicants can request a test waiver if they have earned a degree from an accredited U.S. institution. International applicants should refer to the International Admissions website for deadlines and additional admissions information.
Applicants who meet one of the following criteria are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement:
- Has completed at least one academic year of post-secondary (academic) study in the U.S. (*or an approved country) within five years of the proposed term of enrollment.
- Has completed at least one full calendar year of professional work experience in the U.S. (*or an approved country) in a position where English is heavily used in writing and speaking.
*Approved Countries with English as the Primary Language:
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Canada (exception of the Province of Québec)
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Philippines
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- St. Kitts
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- United States and territories
- Zimbabwe
Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees
International applicants who have earned three-year bachelor’s degrees are required to submit a “foreign credential evaluation” along with their supplemental application requirement. Such evaluation must be performed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), for example, the World Education Services (WES) . Either a document-to-document or a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation meets this requirement. UNC Charlotte will consider such an agency’s assessment as to whether the academic credential earned is, or is not, equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree as well as its recalculation of grades. A listing of other NACES members is available here.
Charlotte hosts students from around the globe, over 83 countries. We strive to build a diverse and inquiring community of scholars.
English Language proficiency
Success at UNC Charlotte depends upon the student’s ability to converse in, write, and understand (American) English. To assure such competence, the university requires any applicant whose native language is not English to submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores. To be considered official, the scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to UNC Charlotte. Scores older than two years will not be accepted. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s Admission website.
Financial Certification I-20 Enrollment
The I-20 form is required for students accepted into a graduate program at UNC Charlotte and planning to hold, F-1 or J-1 visa/status during their studies. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s Admission website.
English Language Training Institute
The English Language Training Institute (ELTI) serves international students by providing quality English language instruction in a safe and friendly academic environment. ELTI is housed within the Office of International Programs at UNC Charlotte and is a member of the Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP), whose purpose is to advance professional standards and quality instruction in US-based intensive English programs at universities and colleges, as well as English USA, an organization that provides support, standards, and advocacy for intensive English programs in the USA.
International Student/Scholar Office
The mission of the International Student and Scholar Office is to provide information, services, and programs that help international students and visiting scholars achieve their individual educational and personal goals and that foster an appreciation for a culturally diverse learning environment in the larger University community. The staff of the ISSO is dedicated to helping international students and scholars meet these goals. Approximately 2,000 international students come to UNC Charlotte from nearly 100 countries. Learn more about this community at the ISSO’s Resources page.
Frequently Asked Questions about International Admissions
For additional information on the application process, please visit the Graduate School’s website or the Graduate Admission’s FAQ site.