International Graduate Students – Arts and Sciences
International students find the city of San Francisco a cosmopolitan and welcoming place to live and study. International students are an essential and valuable part of the richly diverse community at USF. Of the 8,800 students at the university, approximately 615 students are international students.
Application Items for International Students
For specific application instructions unique to international students, please refer to the "How to Apply" section on your individual program's website.
As an international applicant you need to submit the same items as a U.S. applicant, and these additional items:
- Certification of
Finance form or Letter of Support from your sponsor(s).
Click
here to download the Certification of Finance form
and instructions.
- Official bank statements that supplement your Certification
of Finance or Letter of Support. These documents need to be submitted before
review of your applications is begun by your graduate program.
- Official TOEFL,
IELTS or PTE scores.
- Official, sealed
transcript from your university in English translation and, if applicable,
original language. Also, please provide a copy of a diploma or diploma certificate
that indicates a Bachelor's Degree was completed.
Certification of Finance
To complete your Certification of Finance or Letter of Support, please read
the following:
- Certification of
Finance form or Letter of Support– you complete
this form with your name and contact information. If you have a sponsor they
also must complete and sign the "Sponsor's Funds" section. Or, your sponsor(s)
can submit a short Letter
of Support where they indicate the following: approximate amount
in funding that they can provide for your first year of graduate studies;
their name and signature in English characters; and your full name indicated
in the letter.
- Bank statements
– submit bank statement(s) that indicate that you can verify
full support for the first year of studies in your graduate program as indicated
on the Certification of Finance form. Bank statements need to reference accounts
that are savings, certificates of deposit, or money market accounts. Checking
accounts, stock or investment accounts, and lines of credit cannot be used.
Scholarships provided by your government or other agencies can be used for
the Certification of Finance (include the scholarship documents provided by
your government or other agency). Scholarships provided by USF cannot be used
for the Certification of Finance.
Mail all documents to USF's Office of Graduate Programs in the College of Arts
and Sciences.
Click here to download the Certification of Finance form and instructions.
Test Scores
The TOEFL/GRE school code for USF is 4850. The GMAT school
code is 91M-7L-93.
The following scores are minimum TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE scores for international
applicants to Arts and Sciences graduate programs:
Asia Pacific Studies, Biology, Chemistry, and Investor Relations Programs:
Computer Science
and Web Science
Programs:
70 for
TOEFL internet-based exam
530 for
TOEFL paper-based exam
6.0 for
IELTS exam
52 for
PTE exam
Economics, Environmental Management, Financial Analysis, International
and Development Economics, International Studies, Risk Management, Sport Management
and Writing
Programs:
79 for TOEFL internet-based exam
550 for
TOEFL paper-based exam
6.5 for IELTS exam
57 for
PTE exam
All international applicants must request that their testing agency send an official test score to USF's Office of Graduate Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, with the following exceptions:
- Applicants who have completed a Bachelor's Degree, a Master's Degree or one year or more of studies in English at a higher education institution in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand.
- Applicants who completed a Bachelor's Degree, a Master's Degree or one year or more years of studies at an institution in any country where the institution's medium of instruction is English. Documentation of English instruction needs to be provided by the student to USF. For example, the student's official academic record from the university may indicate that the medium of instruction is English – or the institution's website may indicate that the medium of instruction is English.
F-1 Visas
Students who require an F-1 student visa must demonstrate that they (and/or other sponsors in their home country) can fund all or a significant amount of their educational and living expenses in the United States. To verify this requirement, the Certification of Finances form and supplemental bank statements must be completed and submitted with the application form for the program. Even when a graduate program awards financial assistance, students still must verify some funds of their own in order to qualify for an F-1 student visa.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
All international students are considered for scholarships, fellowships or teaching assistantships offered by an individual graduate program. There is no separate application necessary for scholarships and teaching assistantships, except for the graduate fellowships offered by the Asia Pacific Studies program.
International Student Services
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is an excellent resource for international students. ISSS provides valuable information and advice to international students who are admitted to the university, and to international students currently enrolled at USF. This information includes the visa application process, immigration documents, immunization requirements, pre-departure information and orientation for international students each spring and fall.
Health Insurance
International students who enroll at the university for classes will also be enrolled in a university-sponsored health insurance program. For details about student health insurance, visit the Student Health Insurance office website. Student Health Insurance can be contacted by email at studentinsurance@usfca.edu or by phone at 415.422.6809.
International Student Orientation
New international students are required to attend the International Graduate Student Orientation in spring (late January) or fall (late August). Please visit www.usfca.edu/isss/orientation for the latest details. International students are highly recommended to arrive at USF at least 10 days before the first day of classes in the fall and spring to finalize housing arrangements and attend International Student Orientation. Contact International Student and Scholar Services for details and dates about International Student Orientation at isss@usfca.edu.
If your graduate program begins in June, July, early August or at another time that differs from the regular start of classes at the university, then contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services to arrange an individual International Student Orientation upon your arrival at USF.
In addition, most graduate programs also hold an orientation/advising session for the individual graduate program. All new students are required to attend their program orientation as well as the International Student Orientation.
Arrival at USF for F-1 Visa Students
International students should note that the earliest arrival in the United States that an F-1 visa allows is 30 days before the start date on the I-20 form issued to you.
Contact Information
Office of International Student and Scholar Services
Phone: +1 415 422 2654
Location: University Center, Room 402
Email: isss@usfca.edu
Web: www.usfca.edu/isss
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