International Students

Students who need a visa to study in the United States are considered to be international students. Undergraduate international students should follow the information below and also refer to the admissions information for freshman or transfer students. Graduate international students should refer to the graduate international students Web page.

Application

• Admission is competitive and students are encouraged to apply early.
• To apply, please use either paper (download PDF) or online application.
• Applications are evaluated for fall (August), spring (January) and summer (May or July) terms on a rolling basis until classes are full. Students are notified of status once all documents have been received.
• Campus visits are welcomed, but personal visits and interviews are not required.
• International students must furnish proof of available funds to cover estimated costs.
• International students enroll full-time or a minimum of 12 credit hours per term.

The following documents should be submitted:

• Completed application
• Official high school or secondary school transcript or GED score results
• Official transcripts from all universities attended. Should include length of course, course title and number of hours spent in class each week. Please also send a description of courses taken.
• $40 nonrefundable application fee
• Counselor, teacher or headmaster recommendation (freshmen only)
• TOEFL examination scores (if English is not native language) or IELTS scores.
• SAT and/or ACT scores (if English is native language).
• Financial Statement Form for international students or a bank letter written on bank stationary. Must be completed by bank and stamped with a bank seal.
• Essay written in English
• Copy of biographical page of your passport (if available)
• International Student Clearance Form (if currently studying in the U.S. on an F-1 student Visa)

International Admission

With students enrolled from nearly 100 countries, UT proudly considers students from around the world for freshman or transfer admission. Students may pursue a degree or enroll for a semester or a one-year study program. The International Programs Office staff assists students with pre-arrival information, orientation and advice on academic, social, cultural and employment matters.

The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 or 213 on the computer-based exam or 79 on the internet-based exam. The TOEFL score requirement is waived for international students from the Commonwealth Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Cambridge Examinations can be used instead of the TOEFL. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a grade of 6.5 or the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with grades of “C” or better are acceptable.

International students must be able to furnish proof of available funds to cover their first year of study and available funds for each subsequent year. Click here for financial information and estimated costs for international students.

Upon admission to the University and satisfactory completion of the Financial Statement, an I-20 form will be sent to applicants from the admissions office. Applicants should take this form to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in their country, along with a copy of their acceptance letter and financial statement.

After an interview, the embassy or consulate will decide if an F-1 student visa can be issued. To enter the United States, students will need this visa in their passport and the I-20 form. Students must not enter the country on a tourist visa with intention to study in the United States.

Exceptional new entering international students with excellent academic achievement receive partial scholarships ($5,000). These awards cover only a small portion of the total costs. Students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week.

Applications and all supporting documents should be submitted by May 1 for fall semester (begins in August) and December 1 for spring semester (begins in January). There are also two six-week summer terms (begin in May and July).

Contact Information

Undergraduate:	Graduate:
Office of Admissions University of Tampa 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33606 USA phone: 813-253-6211 fax: 813-258-7398 e-mail: admissions@ut.edu	Office of Graduate Studies University of Tampa 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Box O Tampa, FL 33606 USA phone: 813-258-7409 fax: 813-259-5403 e-mail: utgrad@ut.edu