Application to International Admission and the Intensive English Program
An international student is a student who is not a citizen of the United States OR classified by United States Immigration and Immigration Service (USCIS) as a Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder). Individuals holding refugee or asylee status are also processed in the Graduate School/International Admissions. Legal Permanent Residents and undocumented applicants, if it is determined Intensive English Language training is needed, should apply as international applicants. International applicants must submit all supplemental items before an admission decision can be made. Please contact the International Admissions Coordinator at (970) 351-2831 for assistance, or visit the Graduate School/International Admissions office website at www.unco.edu/international-admissions.
Graduate International Admissions
All applications must be submitted 90 calendar days before the semester start date. Supporting materials and related credentials must be received by the Graduate School/International Admissions no later than 60 calendar days before the semester that the student wishes to enroll (see www.unco.edu/international-admissions for deadlines). International applicants must take the following steps to be considered for admission:
- Complete the appropriate International Application for Admission online.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Submit official transcripts, mark sheets, diplomas, graduation and degree certificates in a sealed envelope for each college or university attended. If they are not in English, submit a certified literal and complete English translation of each document. Official US transcripts can either be mailed directly from the Registrar's office in a sealed envelope or submitted electronically through a secure digital program.
- International students who are not native speakers of English are required to provide evidence of English language proficiency by submitting official minimum scores of one of the following:
- TOEFL iBT: 80 - with cut scores no lower than: Listening (18), Reading (20), Speaking (18), and Writing (20)
- IELTS: 6.5
- PTE-A: 60
- Please refer to www.unco.edu/grad/international for information about requesting a waiver of English proficiency score requirement.
Students who do not provide sufficient English proficiency documentation may be admitted provisionally to UNC and will complete an English assessment and may be required to participate in the Intensive English program (IEP). (See http:www.unco.edu/cie/iep.html for further information.) Academic programs on campus may have higher or additional English proficiency requirements including screening or testing for English proficiency. The applicant is responsible for determining whether the school has additional language requirements.
- Supplemental materials may be required by some graduate programs. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all doctoral programs and many masters programs. Check with your program area for further requirements. GRE scores must be sent from ETS directly to UNC (UNC School code is 4074). The score must be no more than five years old. Your program may also require letters of recommendations, statement of goals, resume, audition, interviews or other materials; please check with the program for further information.
- Submit financial documents verifying funding to support the cost of attending UNC for one academic year. See www.unco.edu/international-admissions for estimated cost and acceptable documentation.
- Photo quality copies of the bio page of your passport and your student visa (if you have one).
Upon application approval, international applicants will be sent a letter of admission and the proper immigration forms will be issued.
Provisional Admission — English Language
International applicants whose academic record is sound but whose English language proficiency fails to meet the UNC minimum admission standard may be granted a provisional admission to UNC. However, as the provision for admission, they must first study Intensive English to demonstrate their proficiency. Based on their TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score at the time of admission, and their score on UNC’s Academic English Assessment, they will either start with English full-time, or they will qualify to take part-time English and part-time courses toward their degree. Students in the Intensive English Program register as full-time students at UNC but may not be released from provisional admission status until successful completion of the Intensive English Program.
Intensive English Program — International
Admission Criteria
Applicants must have completed high school or the equivalent to be considered for the Intensive English Program at the University of Northern Colorado. Both resident and international applicants may apply. All applicants need to submit a completed UNC Intensive English Program application, official copies of their most recent transcripts with English translations, and the $60 application fee. Official transcripts must be submitted in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution. International students must also submit the bio page of their passport and financial documents. Submit documents to the Graduate School & International Admissions Office.
Program Structure and Length
The Intensive English Program at the University of Northern Colorado offers 5 8-week sessions throughout the year in accordance with UNC's academic calendar: Fall 1 and Fall 2 sessions coincide with UNC's Fall Semester, Spring 1 and Spring 2 sessions coincide with Spring semester, and the 8-week Summer session coincides with the 8-week academic session. Applicants may choose to begin in any of the 5 sessions. The number of sessions students need to successfully complete the program is based on their initial proficiency and placement assessment.
For more information about the Intensive English Program, visit the website at http://www.unco.edu/cie/iep.html