Graduate 2019-2020

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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 the United States Immigration and Immigration Service (USCIS) as a Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder). Applications for individuals holding refugee or asylee status are also processed in the Graduate School and International Admissions Office. Applicants with Legal Permanent Resident status and undocumented applicants should apply as international applicants if it is determined that intensive English language training is needed. International applicants must submit all supplemental items before an admission decision can be made. Please contact International Admissions at (970) 351-2831 for assistance, or visit the International Admissions 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 http://www.unco.edu/international-admissions/ for deadlines). International applicants must complete the following steps to be considered for admission:

  1. Complete the International Application for Admission online.
  2. Pay the non-refundable application fee.
  3. 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.
  4. International applicants 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:
    1. TOEFL iBT: 80 - with cut scores no lower than: Listening (18), Reading (20), Speaking (18), and Writing (20)
    2. IELTS: 6.5
    3. PTE-A: 60
    4. Please refer to www.unco.edu/international-admissions for information about requesting a waiver of the English proficiency score.
    5. Applicants who do not provide sufficient English proficiency documentation may be considered for admission to UNC. Applicants must complete an English assessment and may be required to participate in the Intensive English Program (IEP). (See www.unco.edu/cie/iep for further information.) They cannot begin an academic degree program until they achieve the required level of English proficiency. 
    6. 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 program has additional language requirements. 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.
  5. 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 the 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 recommendation, statements of goals, resume, audition, interviews or other materials; please check with the program for further information.
  6. Photo quality copies of the bio page of your passport and your student visa (if you have one).

Once an applicant is admitted they will be required to 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) and they will be instructed to create a shipping label for their admission packet (including the admission letter and immigration documents).

Insufficient English Proficiency

International applicants whose academic record meets minimum Graduate School requirements but whose English language proficiency scores are insufficient or not provided may be considered for admission to UNC. If admitted, they cannot begin full-time study in an academic degree program until  they pass the UNC Academic English Assessment at level 7, successfully complete level 7 of the Intensive English Program at UNC, or submit sufficient TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE-A scores to demonstrate their proficiency. They have up to 18 months from the time of admission to meet the language proficiency requirement.

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 enroll full time in the Intensive English Program (IEP), or they will qualify to enroll  part-time in the English Intensive English program and part-time in courses towards their degree. Students enrolled exclusively in the Intensive English Program register as full-time students at UNC but are not eligible to enroll in a degree program or take degree-bearing courses until the they attain the sufficient level of English language proficiency.

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 an online UNC Intensive English Program application, copies of their most recent transcripts with English translations, and the $60 application fee. 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 www.unco.edu/cie/iep.

Graduate Domestic Applications

Individuals apply via that online application system http://www.unco.edu/graduate-school/admissions/domestic-admissions.aspx.

Each program has application deadlines. Applications submitted prior to the deadline are considered for the term the applicant indicates. Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered. Contact the Graduate School enrollment coach for further details.