International Applicants

The minimum graduate admission requirement includes a bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution. Graduates of recognized academic institutions outside the United States should have completed degree programs representing a minimum of 16 years of schooling with at least 12 years at the primary and secondary levels. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss your educational background if you are unsure about your eligibility.

Applicants who received their degrees in countries other than the U.S., UK, Australia, English-speaking Canada, or Singapore are required to take the TOEFL exam or the IELTS exam. This includes applicants with degrees from Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and most European countries. Residence in the US does not waive this requirement.

However, if at the time you are applying you have already completed at least one year of full-time academic coursework with grades of "B" or better in residence at a recognized US institution, you do not need to take a standardized English language proficiency test. Instead, you must submit an official transcript from the recognized U.S. institution. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement:

• Courses in English as a Second Language
• Courses conducted in a language other than English
• Courses that will be completed after you apply
• Courses of a non-degree or non-academic nature

TOEFL Institution Code: 4833-02

IELTS Institution Code: N/A (See below)

Taken on or After: June 1, 2020

There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment. Unless you are exempt from the standardized English language proficiency test requirement per above, you must take the TOEFL or IELTS assessment. No exceptions will be granted.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

We accept TOEFL scores from tests administered by the Educational Testing Service and sent to us directly by the TOEFL office. Tests taken before June 2019 will not be accepted even if your score was reported to Berkeley. Your most recent score must be at least 90 for the Internet-based TOEFL.

TOEFL is administered by the Education Testing Service. You can obtain detailed information from the TOEFL website. To schedule an appointment for the computer-based test in the United States or Canada, call 1-800-GO-TOEFL.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

As an alternative, you can submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) administered by the British Council worldwide. You are responsible for providing us with an official paper Test Report Form (TRF) of your IELTS. Remember to order the TRF when you register to take the test. Tests taken before June 2019 will not be accepted. Your most recent overall BAND score must be at least 7 on a 9-point scale.

To register for the IELTS, consult the IELTS website or contact the office of the test center where you plan to take the test.

You may scan and upload copies of your non-U.S. transcripts and degree certificates in the online application. If your institution awards a provisional degree certificate, we ask that you please provide only the final degree certificate, as provisional degree certificates will not be accepted.

Should you be recommended for admission, you will be required to provide our office with the original official records within one week of your application decision.

Official records are original documents issued by the institution that bear the original stamp or embossed seal of the issuing institution and the stamped or signed signature of the appropriate authorizing official. All other documents are unofficial and will not be accepted.

Non-English Transcripts

All official academic records must be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translation prepared by the issuing institution.

If you are in the United States and have only an official copy of your academic records or diploma certificate in the original language, only translations prepared by certified members of the American Translators Association are acceptable. For more information and the directory of members, consult the ATA website.

Credential evaluations prepared by other schools or private agencies cannot be submitted in place of original academic records and diploma certificates.

If you completed an undergraduate program outside of the U.S., please review the English Language Proficiency Requirement.