Admission of International Students

The University welcomes the applications of international students. An international student is a student who has citizenship in a country other than the United States. Although a rolling admission policy is in effect, it is recommended that students apply to the University no later than 90 days before the beginning of the semester the student plans to attend.

Admission of International Freshman Students

International freshman students must submit the following to the International Admissions Office (missing information may result in processing delays affecting admission):

  1. A signed International Student Application. The application must be signed by the student, not by a parent, guardian or agency. Applications are available on-line at www.uiw.edu/internationaladmissions. Do not send faxed or emailed copies of the application documents.
  2. A $20 non-refundable application fee payable by cash, check or money order made payable to the University of the Incarnate Word.
  3. Educational Documents – All official high school records and proof of graduation translated into English. These records must include grades and/or scores received. For transcripts received by the University without English translations, the application will be considered incomplete and the translation service/expenses will be the responsibility of the student.
  4. English Proficiency - Scores from a recognized equivalent English language exam, such the Internet-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language, (IBT), with a minimum score of 79-80, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5, or scores from a recognized equivalent English language exam. Students who score below the required score, or arrive at the University without test scores must enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and remain enrolled in ESL courses until satisfactory score on UIW in-house TOEFL exam is achieved.  Intensive ESL courses are taught by ELS Language Centers, a division of Berlitz International. Fees for ELS courses are not included in UIW tuition costs. Students whose first language is not English, even though not admitted as international students, may be required to test for English language proficiency and may be required to enroll in language remediation courses. Students graduating from a U.S. high school are automatically exempt from the English requirement.
  5. Immunization Record showing proof of the Meningitis vaccine for students ages 22 and younger. Students will be required to purchase U.S. health insurance through the university.
  6. Two letters of recommendation.
  7. Immigration and Financial Requirements.

Admission of International Transfer Students

International transfer students must submit the following to the International Admissions Office (missing information may result in processing delays affecting admission):

  1. A signed International Student Application. The application must be signed by the student, not by a parent, guardian or agency. Applications are available online at www.uiw.edu/internationaladmissions. Do not send faxed or emailed copies of the application documents.
  2. A $20 non-refundable application fee payable by cash, check or money order made payable to the University of the Incarnate Word.
  3. Educational Documents – All official university transcripts translated into English. These records must include grades and/or scores received. For transcripts received by the University without English translations, the application will be considered incomplete and the translation service/expenses will be the responsibility of the student. A course-by-course/detailed course foreign credential evaluation and course descriptions in English are required for all foreign transcripts to determine transfer credit eligibility. A list of evaluation agencies is available from the International Admissions Office.
  4. Applicants with fewer than 24 transferable hours of university credits must submit an official high school transcript, translated into English.
  5. English Proficiency - A TOEFL IBT score of 79, an IELTS score of 6.5 or completion of ELS level 109 English for Academic Purposes is required prior to registering for university courses. Students who score below the required score, or arrive at the University without test scores must enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and remain enrolled in ESL courses until satisfactory score on UIW in-house TOEFL exam is achieved.  Intensive ESL courses are taught by ELS Language Centers, a division of Berlitz International. Fees for ELS courses are not included in UIW tuition costs. Students whose first language is not English, even though not admitted as international students, may be required to test for English language proficiency and may be required to enroll in language remediation courses.
  6. Students transferring from an accredited US college/university may be exempt from the English proficiency requirement if a minimum of 24 degree seeking credit hours are successfully completed with a grade of C or better.  Remedial courses and intensive English courses do NOT count towards the 24 credits.  Completion of English Composition I & II with a grade of C or better will also exempt international transfer students from the English proficiency requirement.
  7. Immunization Record showing proof of the Meningitis vaccine for students ages 22 and younger. Students will be required to purchase U.S. health insurance through the university.
  8. Two letters of recommendation
  9. Immigration and Financial Requirements