International Applicants FAQs

For a list of our first-year admission requirements for international students, please click here.

For a list of our transfer admission requirements for international students, please click here.

Visit our Eligibility Requirements by Country page for more information. These requirements are intended only as a guide and are subject to further qualitative evaluation.

At the University of Miami, we are unable to offer interviews for any interested student. Interviews are not available for students with U.S. citizenship and interviews for international students are entirely optional. International applicants (students who are not U.S. citizens nor have permanent residency within the U.S.), however, are invited to participate in an interview conducted by InitialView as part of their application.

Please note: InitialView does not rate or grade the interview/writing sample. You may sign up for your InitialView interview at initialview.com. Please arrange to have your interview completed as early as possible. Interested students must complete the interview by January 6, the same date as our Early Decision II and Regular Decision application deadline.

Yes, for information on studying in UM’s Intensive English Program (IEP), visit the IEP page or email iep@miami.edu.

Students whose native language is not English, including those applying to transfer from U.S. institutions, are required to submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or DET results.

Visit our English Language Proficiency Requirements page for more information.  

If English is not your native language, the English proficiency requirement may be waived if you meet one of the following conditions:

• Obtained a final grade of A or B in an Advanced Placement (AP) or Higher level (HL) International Baccalaureate (IB) English
• Attended at least three years (including the graduation year) at a high school in the United States
• Successfully completed Level 5 of the University of Miami's Intensive English Program (IEP)
• IB English A1 Standard level (SL) or HL examination with a predicted score of 4 or higher
• IB English B HL examination with a predicted score of 5 or higher
• Grade of C or better on the IGCSE/GCE “O” or “A” Level in English as a first language
• Attended a high school outside the United States for at least three years in which the medium of instruction is English
• Obtained a score of 650 or higher on the redesigned SAT evidence-based reading and writing section (administered beginning in 2016)*
• Obtained a score of 27 or higher on the ACT English section*
• Earned 30 or more post-secondary credits (including 6 credits in English Composition with a grade of B or higher) at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States

*Must submit official scores directly from the testing center (no self-reported)

We require at least CAPE I results for admission consideration. All official CAPE results for admission and transfer credit consideration must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

For more information, visit our Transferring Credits page.

Students who have completed only the first year of Cégep should apply as first-year applicants. If you have completed or plan to complete both years of Cégep, you should apply as a transfer student. Please also take note of the requirements for the international evaluation and UM’s policy for transferring credits.

ACT and/or SAT scores are optional for international students. 

If you choose to waive the English proficiency requirement with the ACT/SAT, you must submit official test scores. Self-reported ACT/SAT scores will not be accepted to waive the English proficiency requirement.

Applicants to the School of Architecture who do not submit test scores must instead submit a portfolio.

All applicants to the Frost School of Music must audition as part of the evaluation process, regardless of whether or not they submit test scores.

Applicants must submit their official test scores by the appropriate deadline. Please review the first-year or transfer admission requirements for more information.

TOEFL, IELTS, and DET scores are valid for two years.

If your school does not have a counselor, a school administrator may complete the School Report.

Please do not send us copies of certificates, awards, or news clippings. Simply list your activities and awards on the Common Application.  

No, UM tuition and fees are the same for both domestic and international students. Visit our Cost of Attendance page for more information.

All students who apply to UM are automatically considered for our merit scholarships regardless of their citizenship status.

Yes, the University of Miami offers international students both merit and need-based aid. If you are applying for need-based financial aid, you must submit the CSS Profile by the stated deadlines. For more information, please review the checklist on our Applying for Aid page.

The University of Miami is need-aware for first-year and transfer undergraduate-seeking applicants. This means that, for a portion of applicants, the Admission Committee will consider that student’s ability to cover the cost of attendance without the need for financial aid. UM is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students, regardless of citizenship. 

All non-US citizens/non-US permanent residents who apply for admission to UM must submit an International Financial Certification Form, which can be accessed via the applicant portal after you have submitted your application.

Yes, UM will only award credit once the official A-Level, AS-Level, CAPE, and Cambridge Pre-U exam certificates have been issued. Preliminary results, Statement of Results, and unofficial photocopies cannot be used to grant credit. Once you have received your official A-Level, AS-Level, CAPE, or Cambridge Pre-U exam certificate, submit the original exam certificate to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. 

Visit our Transferring Credits page for more information.

The Initial Form I-20 will be issued to admitted international students within a minimum of 10
business days from the date that the following items are completed, submitted, and verified by
the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

• Nonrefundable enrollment deposit
• Photocopy of the biographical page of your current valid passport (an example from the
  Department of Homeland Security)
• Bank or government sponsorship letter (Sample Bank Letter / 
  Sample Sponsor Letter)
  • Types of acceptable proof of financial support
• SEVIS Transfer Form, if applicable

Yes, students with an F-1 visa are generally permitted to work part-time on the premises of the institution that issued their currently valid I-20 form while they are attending that institution and maintaining their F-1 status. F-1 students are permitted to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours weekly. Contact ISSS at isss@miami.edu for more information.