In addition to the general admission requirements, the following regulations apply to those who are not citizens of the United States, including those who have immigrant/permanent status.
- A non-refundable admission/evaluation fee of $25.00 for U. S. citizens and $75.00 for internationals must be submitted along with the application. Applications will not be considered unless the necessary fee is paid.
- Two copies of the official transcripts of all secondary schools and any college or university studies attempted must be on file with the Office of Admissions before an evaluation of academic qualification can be made. An official English translation of the transcripts must be included if the academic transcripts are in a foreign language. Where university level studies are to be considered for possible undergraduate transfer credit, a syllabus, catalog, or similar bulletin must be submitted, which describes the courses in sufficient detail for proper evaluation.
- Applicants on non-immigrant visas must have signed statements guaranteeing their ability to pay expenses while studying at the university. This statement must be signed by a parent, guardian, bank or other reliable financial institution or by a United States citizen who will be responsible for financial needs. The statements can be found in the Admission Information for International Undergraduate Students brochure.
- Applicants on non-immigrant visas must submit two passport-size photographs before enrollment.
- Scores earned on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be submitted before admission will be granted. Minimum scores for admission consideration are 79 on the internet based exam or 213 on the computerized exam. For more information, go to: www.ets.org/toefl.
The following applicants are exempt from TOEFL requirements: Native speakers of English usually from Australia, New Zealand, the British Isles, and Canada; Students who qualify for admission on the same basis as United States high school graduates; Students who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher at an accredited United States college or university.
Students who have been admitted and are seeking a degree, regardless of classification, must take a second English test upon arrival at the University of Houston. - All credentials must be on file by April 1 for that fall and summer semesters and by October 1 for the spring semester.
- International students on non-immigrant visas must carry medical and hospitalization insurance.
- Only the Director of Admissions may issue an official notification of acceptance for admission.
- Visas issued for the purpose of study do not normally carry employment privileges. Government regulations require international students to certify that they have finances deemed sufficient by UH to pursue a full course of study without employment.
- Holders of student (F-1 and J-1) visas must enroll for full load of courses. For both undergraduate and graduate international students, the minimum full course load is 12 semester hours.
- New students on non-immigrant visas are required to enroll for the orientation program which takes place at the beginning of the semester. For more information go to: www.uh.edu/oisss/.
Only international students who have attended United States high schools are required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their credentials for admission. The Office of Admissions may specifically request these scores from students who have not attended a United States high school. Students who have graduated from a United States high school must meet the admission requirements for U. S. high school graduates.
Applicants on immigrant visas will be considered under the same academic criteria as United States citizens, although if they have not graduated from a United States high school, they will also need to meet the minimum TOEFL score requirements for international students.
Information about graduate studies and admission requirements may be found in the Graduate and Professional Studies catalog.