International graduate admission
ASU has a rich and vibrant education environment due in large part to our diverse international student community.
The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English proficiency. After admission, international students are also required to obtain a U.S. visa, which includes submitting a graduate financial guarantee.
All international transcripts must be submitted in their original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by a university or government official or an official translation service. You may not complete your own translation.
While not required for admission, submitting required visa forms when you apply expedites the process of obtaining a visa if admission is granted.
Admission requirements
Comparable degree requirements in different countries and territories
Arizona State University recognizes that education systems are different across the world. To help you determine if your degree is comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree and to understand the documents that need to be submitted for admission, please review the requirements for the country from which your credential was earned.
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How to complete the graduate application
In the graduate admission video series below, learn how to apply to Arizona State University using the graduate admission application. An ASU admission representative guides you through each section of the application, answering frequently asked questions about the steps to apply.
Personal information
The first step in completing the ASU graduate application is the personal information section. We walk you through each of these fields and address questions you might have about this section of the application.
Part 1
Part 2
Academic history
The second section of the application focuses on your prior academic history, including any colleges or universities you previously attended. Watch as we guide you through these scenarios and explain how to fill out each part based on your situation.
Part 3
Part 4
Residency
The information in the residency portion of the graduate application helps the admission office determine if you are an in-state, out-of-state or international student. In this video, we cover these terms in detail and explain how to accurately fill out this part of your application.
Part 5
Degree selection
One of the final sections of the graduate application is the degree section. If you’re unsure of which major is best for you, we offer resources that might help you decide.
Part 6
Supplemental information
The information that is requested in the supplemental information session will differ by degree. In this guide, the admission representative will walk you through how to submit common supplemental material.
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Additional information
Finally, in the additional info section, you are able to submit unofficial transcripts for the admission process. In this video, you will learn some tips to help you upload the documents successfully.
Part 12
The ASU international graduate student admission process
Follow these steps to apply to Arizona State University as an international graduate student.
Step 01
Ensure you meet admission requirements.
If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident student, see the graduate admission steps and requirements.
The university maintains minimum standards for consideration for admission to graduate degree programs. Applicants should review these university standards as well as application materials and timelines for submitting your application for the degree program of your interest.
Step 02
Complete the graduate admission application and submit the nonrefundable application fee.
Complete the application for graduate admission, which is for degree, certificate and nondegree-seeking prospective students. If you are interested in a program in the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, visit the college's admission site for the application and instructions. When you complete your application for admission, you will be asked to submit your payment for the application. ASU accepts Visa or Mastercard. The application fee is dedicated to the administrative cost of processing all applications received and is not refundable under any circumstance, regardless of the admission decision, the date of filing, time of review, or if for whatever the reason the application is withdrawn or you are unable to enroll in class.
Application fee:
International: $115
Step 03
Have official transcripts sent to Graduate Admission Services.
Official transcripts are certified copies of official documents from each secondary school, college, university or technical school attended. Records must include courses completed, grades or marks earned, and certificates or degrees awarded. Include a certified English translation of all documents not written in English.
You must have one set of official transcripts from every college and university from which you earned a bachelor's degree or higher sent to ASU. If your school(s) cannot send them directly to ASU, you may send them yourself, making sure they meet one of the following requirements:
- Original academic credentials issued by the registrar of the institution attended, bearing the original raised or colored seal of the institution and the signature of the institution’s registrar, academic official or recognized international organization.
- Photocopies of original academic credentials that have been verified as true copies of the original by a responsible official of the institution attended or by an education representative of the country’s government or embassy. Each page must bear the verifying official’s signature and stamp. Verifying officials include the U.S. consulate/embassy in your home country (e.g., U.S. consulate in India) or country-specific embassy/consulate if you are in the U.S. (e.g., Indian Consulate/Embassy in U.S.).
- Photocopies of original academic credentials that have been certified by a recognized international educational organization, such as Education USA .
For more information about sending transcripts, please visit admission.asu.edu/apply/transcripts
Note: Any document ASU receives becomes property of ASU and will not be returned to you.
Note: Photocopies certified by a notary public are not official. Scanned copies are also not accepted in lieu of original official academic documents. Exception: Scanned copies of the front and back of the degree certificates are acceptable to be emailed to gradtranscripts@asu.edu. Transcripts must follow the guidelines above to be deemed as official.
All international transcripts must be submitted in their original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by one of the following:
- Issuing university or college.
- Official translation service. Need assistance locating a translation service? Visit the American Translators Association to search for a translator for your target language. atanet.org
- Ministry of Education, consulate or embassy.
- Education USA (EdUSA).
The translation does not take the place of submitting official academic records in the original language. The translation is in addition to the official academic record. Translations may not be completed by the student. Translations certified by a notary public are not acceptable.
Note: Current ASU students and alumni do not need to request official transcripts from ASU.
Mailing information
To expedite the processing of your application, please write your application reference number on all documents and envelopes submitted to ASU. Materials submitted without your application reference number will delay the processing of your application.
If sending by FedEx, DHL or UPS:
Graduate Admission Services
Arizona State University
1150 East University Drive Building C, Room 226
Tempe, AZ 85281
Step 04
Provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Have your TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score sent directly to ASU, or provide proof of completion from Global Launch.
TOEFL
The official TOEFL score report can be sent directly to ASU from the Educational Testing Service. ASU's TOEFL institutional code is 4007. For information about this test and registration procedures, contact ETS at PO Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA or visit www.toefl.org.
IELTS
For information about this test and registration procedures, contact the IELTS Office, University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate, 1 Hills Road, Cambridge/CB1 2EU, UK or visit www.ielts.org.
PTE
For information about the Pearson Test of English, visit www.pearsonpte.com.
Global Launch
ASU accepts completion of the Global Launch the Online or Campus Immersion English Language program, the English for Graduate Admission and Achievement online self-paced course, or the English Proficiency for Graduate Studies + CEFR Certificate online course.
Learn more about Global Launch.
Duolingo English test
Graduate minimum score of 105.
Step 05
Submit your official test scores and any additional materials.
Please make sure all additional materials required by your department have been submitted. Even though you have submitted the application online, your application may be considered incomplete until all additional materials are received. Please note that any document ASU receives becomes property of ASU and will not be returned to you.
Official test scores
Your program may require you to have official test scores (such as GRE, GMAT, etc.) sent directly to ASU. Test scores must be received directly from the agency administering the test. Photocopies and faxes are not acceptable. Please note that ASU does not accept the GRE General Test at home.
Additional materials
See your program of interest in Degree Search or check with the department offering the degree regarding required support materials. These may include a statement of purpose or writing sample, portfolio, curriculum vitae, biographical sketch or resume, etc. Many support materials are uploaded as part of the online application for admission. Depending on your graduate program, letters of recommendation may also be requested.
Step 06
Prepare visa and immigration documentation.
All international students planning to attend ASU first need to apply for an I-20 in order to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa.
Additional factors by program
Factors that may also be considered include test scores (such as the GRE or GMAT), the type of coursework completed during undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation, and any other supporting documents you may be asked to submit for your application.
See your program of interest in Graduate Degree Search to learn more about factors considered for admission.
What you need to apply to graduate school
All documents must be an original or an attested copy with an original institutional seal and/or signature. Photocopies, notarized copies, faxes or scans are not considered original documents. All documents must be translated into English if not done so already. Documents certified by a notary public are not accepted. Official transcripts are certified copies of official documents from each secondary school, college, university or technical school attended. Original academic credentials are issued by the registrar of the institution attended, bearing the original raised or colored seal of the institution and the signature of the institution’s registrar, academic official or recognized international organization.
You must have one set of transcripts from every college and university from which you earned a bachelor’s degree or higher sent to ASU. Official transcripts must be sent directly to ASU Admission Services from the issuing institution's records office either by mail or through a secured electronic transcript service. For transcripts sent through a secured transcript service, please select Arizona State University from the vendor's dropdown list to ensure the transcript is routed to the correct place. If an email address is requested, you can route to gradtranscripts@asu.edu. ASU accepts unofficial transcripts as part of the application. This is the only way we will accept unofficial transcripts. Emailed transcripts are not acceptable. If you submit unofficial transcripts and are admitted to the university, you will be required to send official transcripts to the university. Official transcripts are original academic credentials issued by the registrar of the institution attended, bearing the original raised or colored seal of the institution and the signature of your institution's registrar, academic official or recognized international organization. If you attended ASU, you do not need to request ASU transcripts to be sent.
Your program may require you to have official test scores (such as GRE, GMAT, etc.) sent directly to ASU. Test scores must be received directly from the agency administering the test. Photocopies and faxes are not acceptable.
Please note that ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home. Please refer to https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate/english-proficiency for acceptable exams for English proficiency requirements.
See your program of interest in Degree Search or check with the department offering the degree regarding required support materials. These may include a statement of purpose or writing sample, portfolio, curriculum vitae or biographical sketch or resume, etc. Many support materials may be uploaded as part of the online application for admission. Depending on your graduate program, letters of recommendation may also be requested.
English proficiency
International students must submit proof of English proficiency
Visa and immigration
If you are residing in the U.S. on a valid visa, you will need to provide proof of your current visa. Please enlarge the image if you fax the copy to 480-965-5158.
To expedite the processing of your application, please write your application reference number on all documents and envelopes submitted to ASU. Materials submitted without your application reference number will delay the processing of your application.
If sending by stamped mail:
Arizona State University
Graduate Admission Services
PO Box 871004
Tempe, AZ 85287-1004
If sending by FedEx, DHL or UPS:
Arizona State University
Graduate Admission Services
1150 East University Drive Building C, Room 226
Tempe, AZ 85281
Professional third-party evaluations
ASU provides in-house credential evaluations of your academic coursework at no extra cost. However, if you have already had your academic credentials evaluated, ASU will accept course-by-course evaluations from these four agencies:
- Educational Credential Evaluators.
- Foreign Credentials Service of America.
- Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute.
- Scholaro.
Note: Official evaluations do not take the place of submitting official academic records. The evaluation is in addition to the official academic record. If the evaluation agency includes academic records they used to complete their evaluation and indicates that the evaluation was based on official or authenticated records, we may accept those documents as official.
Important admission dates
The university maintains minimum standards for consideration of admission to graduate degree programs. Applicants should review these standards and also review standards, application materials and timelines for submitting your application for the degree program of interest.
Application deadlines are set and enforced by academic program offices. Specific deadline information can be found in the program descriptions on Degree Search. Please contact the academic program office offering the program for exceptions.
Fall 2024
Sept. 1, 2023
Application opens
Feb. 1, 2024
First day to issue I-20/DS-2019.
July 22, 2024
Final day to issue I-20/DS-2019 outside the U.S.
July 23–Aug. 22, 2024
Mandatory SEVIS check-in with the International Students and Scholars Center.
Aug. 22, 2024
Final day to issue I-20/DS-2019 for SEVIS transfer students within the U.S.
Aug. 22, 2024
First day of classes and deadline to check in with ISSC.
Spring 2025
Feb. 1, 2024
Application opens
Sept. 1, 2024
First day to issue I-20/DS-2019.
Dec. 6, 2024
Final day to issue I-20/DS-2019 outside the U.S.
Dec. 6, 2024–Jan. 6, 2025
Mandatory SEVIS check-in with the International Students and Scholars Center.
Jan. 13, 2025
Final day to issue I-20/DS-2019 for SEVIS transfer students within the U.S.
Jan. 13, 2025
First day of classes and deadline to check in with ISSC.
Frequently asked questions about international graduate admissions
How do I apply to ASU as an international graduate student?
To apply to ASU as an international graduate student you must meet certain university and program requirements, as well as demonstrate proof of English proficiency. Review this page for admission and English proficiency requirements, application procedures and deadlines for graduate students.
What is a financial guarantee?
A financial guarantee provides evidence that you have sufficient funds available to pay for your studies. All international applicants on an F-1 or J-1 student visa must provide a Financial Guarantee form dated within the past six months and signed by an authorized bank representative of a recognized sponsoring agency in the U.S. ASU will not process the SEVIS Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 before we receive your financial guarantee.
Can international students apply for financial aid?
International first-year and transfer F-1 students may be considered for ASU’s New American University Scholarship. Award amounts range from $3,000 to $10,000. You will be automatically considered for this award if you have all your application materials submitted to ASU by April 1. You may also apply for scholarships and other financial aid in your home country, however, international students are not eligible to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.