Welcome prospective international student applicants!
The Graduate College at the University of Vermont proudly hosts master’s and doctoral students from over fifty countries. We warmly welcome your application to join our globally diverse graduate community!
Student perspectives
What's it like to study and live in Burlington, Vermont? Students from Uganda, India, and Bangladesh talk life and research at the University of Vermont (UVM).
Information and requirements for international students
In addition to the information on general Admissions Requirements, see further information and requirements for international students.
International student application deadlines
In order to allow sufficient time to process applications and immigration documents for international applicants, the Graduate College recommends that applicants submit their application and supporting materials as early as possible. Although deadlines posted by the program may be different, international applicants must submit their documents by the following dates:
| Deadline to Submit Complete Application | Deadline to Submit Response to Offer of Admission | Deadline for Admitted Students to Request Immigration document* |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term: June 24 (Or program deadline if earlier) | Fall Term: July 5 | Fall Term: July 15 |
| Spring Term: November 8 (Or program deadline if earlier) | Spring Term: November 21 | Spring Term: December 1 |
| Summer Term: March 8 (Or program deadline if earlier) | Summer Term: March 21 | Summer Term: April 1 |
In addition to the application requirements, read our information and requirements for international students.
*Once you have officially accepted the Graduate College’s offer of admission, the Office of International Education will contact students to request their immigration documents. For instructions on how to accept your offer and submit your response, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below.
Evidence of financial support
For purposes of obtaining a visa, the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service requires that all international students submit evidence of independent financial support in the form of a signed statement from a bank or scholarship source.
Upon admission, you will be required to provide evidence of independent financial support in the form of a statement from a bank or scholarship source. The appropriate form and instructions will be sent to you after you have officially accepted your offer of admission to the University. This communication will come from the Office of International Education.
Please note that all documents showing evidence of financial support should go directly to the Office of International Education, not the Graduate College.
Documents not issued in English must be accompanied by a notarized English translation.
English proficiency exam
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit proof of English proficiency. *
Applicants must submit official scores of either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements of the English proficiency will not be eligible for direct entry admission.
| Internet Based (iBT) | |
|---|---|
| TOEFL: Minimum for admission to the Graduate College at UVM | 90 |
| TOEFL: Minimum for a student to qualify for funding as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at UVM | 100 |
| IELTS: Minimum for admission to the Graduate College at UVM | 6.5 |
| IELTS: Minimum for a student to qualify for funding as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at UVM | 7.0 |
| Duolingo: Minimum for admission to the Graduate College at UVM | 110 |
| Duolingo: Minimum for a student to qualify for funding as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at UVM | 120 |
Note: TOEFL results will not be superscored.
Institution Code for TOEFL test scores for UVM is 3920
For more information about taking the TOEFL exam remotely, see TOEFL iBT® Test Takers.
Official electronic IELTS scores should be sent to the following address:
Account Name: University of Vermont Graduate College
Address: 85 South Prospect Street Waterman Room 330
City: Burlington
State: VT
Zip code: 05451
Please note that applicants must enter the address exactly as it appears when making their request to the testing center.
Applicants can also report their official scores by emailing their Test Report Form Number (TRFN) to the Graduate College at graduate.admissions@uvm.edu.
For further information about English proficiency exams, please see the following: websites
*For English proficiency requirement waivers, see the FAQ section below.
Frequently asked questions
I have a 3-year bachelor’s degree. Am I eligible to apply for a graduate program?
Applicants with a 3-year Bachelor’s degree are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to know if you are eligible to apply before submitting your application, please send your official mark sheets or transcripts to Serenity Bolt, Admissions and Enrollment Specialist, at serenity.bolt@uvm.edu for review.
Do I qualify for an English proficiency requirement waiver?
The English Language Proficiency requirement will be waived for applicants who have received, or are expected to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in the United States or an institution in a country where English is an official language. For institutions outside the United States, the transcript, diploma certificate (or equivalent), or an official letter from the institution must confirm that English is the language of instruction.
How do I request an English proficiency requirement waiver?
If applicants have earned a degree from a U.S. institution or an institution located in a country where English is an official language, the Graduate College will waive the English proficiency requirement upon submission of an unofficial or official transcript with the application. Applicants who do not meet these criteria but believe they may be eligible for an English proficiency waiver will have the opportunity to submit supporting documents for review as part of their application. Please note, these reviews can take 3-5 business days to complete.
How long are my English proficiency scores valid?
The TOEFL, IELTS and DuoLingo exam scores are valid for two years after the test date.
In what language should I submit my transcripts?
Applicants are required to submit their transcripts in the official language of the institution and provide a certified literal (word-for-word) English translation. Translations must be done by your institution, an U.S. Embassy or Consulate, an EducationUSA Advising Center, or a certified translation agency such as University Language Services or an official course-by-course credential evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Should I have my documents evaluated by a credential evaluation service?
While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for review of applications, an official transcript will be required for a program to admit you. If you do not use an approved credential evaluation service, academic credentials earned from institutions outside the United States will receive an in-house evaluation. However, the Graduate College encourages admitted international applicants to have their credentials reviewed by a NACES or AICES approved third party credential evaluation service as the in-house evaluation process does take longer than using an approved evaluation service. UVM has partnered with SpanTran for a discounted rate for UVM applicants; SpanTran Application - University of Vermont.
Where should my official documents be sent?
Official transcripts/subject mark sheets and degree certificates (when applicable) should be sent directly to the Graduate College from the institution, either electronically or by surface mail. Transcripts must be obtained from each of the post-secondary educational institutions you have attended, including your current institution, if applicable.
At this time, we accept electronic transcripts from the following services:
- Direct from your institutions registrar's office
- eScripts
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Parchment Exchange
- A NACES or AICE approved third-party credential evaluation service which requires official transcripts for evaluation
Electronic transcripts can be sent to: graduate.admissions@uvm.edu
Paper transcripts can be sent to:
The Graduate College Admissions Office
The University of Vermont
330 Waterman Building
Burlington, Vermont 05405-0160
Please note that once received, international transcripts will receive an in-house credential evaluation unless a third-party credential evaluation is sent. This evaluation may take several business days before the documents will be uploaded to the application.
When will I receive information about the immigration documents required to apply for my student visa?
If you have been offered admission to the Graduate College, you must accept your offer through the decision response form in the application portal to receive information about your immigration documents. After you have accepted the offer, Office of International Education (OIE) will contact you by email with more information.
In order to allow sufficient time to process immigration documents, applicants must submit their decision response form by the following deadlines:
| Term | Deadline to Submit Response to Offer of Admission |
|---|---|
| Fall | July 5 |
| Spring | November 21 |
| Summer | March 21 |
How much does it cost to attend a graduate program for an academic year?
Detailed information about the tuition and fees can be found from Student Financial Services. Please note that some programs have a different tuition price. Please click on the “Graduate Programs with Alternate Pricing” button for more information.
Is funding available for international students?
Funding may be available for qualified international students in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Research Assistantships, Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, departmental scholarships, international scholarships, or funding from your home country.
Please contact the department to which you are applying for more information.
For information about external funding opportunities available to international students, see funding your graduate degree.
For further questions, contact graduate.admissions@uvm.edu.