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International transfer student admission

How to transfer colleges as an international student

Comparable requirements to a high school diploma

Arizona State University recognizes that educational systems are different across the world. To help you determine if your academic credentials are comparable to a U.S. high school 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.

How to complete the undergraduate application as an international transfer student

Your info


The first step in completing the ASU undergraduate application is the My Information section. We walk you through each of these fields and address questions you might have about this section of the application.

 

Academic history


The second section of the application focuses on your prior academic history, including high school and 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.

Grades


All students have the option to self-report high school grades in the My Grades section of the application, though self-reporting is not required. In this video, we walk you through this process and explain what courses you should include, how to add these courses to your application and more.

Residency


The information you share in the residency portion of the undergraduate 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.

Choose a major


One of the final sections of the undergraduate application is the Choose Major section. If you’re unsure about what major is best for you, we offer resources that might help you decide. And, you can always change your major later.

Submit


Now all that’s left is to review your application, submit it and pay the application fee. In this video, we review how to pay the application fee and what the next steps are now that you’ve submitted your application to ASU.

International transfer student admission requirements

Academic requirements

Transfer students are considered anyone with 12 or more transferable credits completed post high school. Transfer students must have a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA (a "C+" or better where "A"=4.00). Some majors have higher admission requirements. To find the requirements for your specific program, please visit ASU's Degree Search.

Some ASU programs may have higher admission and English proficiency requirements and may consider a minimum ACT or SAT score.

You must have and present a completed high school diploma or certificate.

You must submit official transcripts from every high school, college and university you attended, regardless if a degree was earned.

For more information on the process, additional requirements for students with additional credits and other information, visit transfer apply.

Aptitude requirement

You must meet one of the following:

  • Transfer students with 12–23 transferable credits must also have a minimum 2.50 cumulative transfer GPA and meet first-year student admission requirements.
  • Transfer students with 24 or more transferable credits must have a minimum 2.50 cumulative transfer GPA.
  • Transfer students who have earned an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited higher education institution must have a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (for Arizona residents) or 2.50 cumulative GPA (for nonresidents).

Some majors have higher admission requirements. To find the requirements for your specific program, please visit ASU’s Degree Search.

“A” = 4.00; ASU accepts college-level courses in which you have earned a “C-” or better.

Competency requirements

International students who attended four years of high school in the U.S. are required to meet the competency requirements.

  • English: four years (composition/literature based).
  • Math: four years (algebra I, geometry, algebra II and one course requiring algebra II as a prerequisite).
  • Laboratory science: three years total (one year each from any of the following areas are accepted: biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences, and physics) .
  • Social science: two years (including one year American history).
  • Foreign language: two years (same language).
  • Fine arts: one year.

International students who completed high school outside the U.S. are required to meet the following competency requirements:

  • Math: four years (algebra I, geometry, algebra II and one course requiring algebra II as a prerequisite).
  • Laboratory science: three years total (one year each from any of the following areas are accepted: biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences and physics).

Important deadlines

You must submit your application for admission to ASU, along with the application fee, by the deadline specified for each semester. To expedite the evaluation of your application, please remember to submit official transcripts, test scores and supporting credentials along with your application.

Fall 2024

Feb. 1, 2024
Application priority deadline

July 22, 2024
Final day to issue I-20/DS-2019 outside the U.S.

July 22, 2024–Aug. 22, 2024
Mandatory SEVIS check-in with ISSC

Aug. 22, 2024
Final day to issue I-20/DS-2019 for SEVIS transfer students within the U.S.

Aug. 22, 2024
Final day to issue I-20/DS-2019 for transfer students within the U.S.

Aug. 22, 2024
First day of classes

 

Spring 2025

Nov. 1, 2024
Application priority deadline

Dec. 6, 2024
Final day to issue I-20/DS-2019 outside the U.S.

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

 

 

Note: Applications for summer that are not completed in time for the start of the summer sessions will be reviewed for admission for the fall semester.

Note: International students who have been admitted for the fall semester who would like to begin attending classes during the summer must contact Admission Services by May 1. Otherwise, I-20s will be created for the fall semester.

Make sure to apply as early as possible to allow time for all documentation and processes to be completed.

How to apply to ASU

Step 01

Complete the undergraduate application for admission and pay the nonrefundable application fee.

Apply online with ASU’s Application for Admission or the Common Application. ASU accepts only one application. We have no preference between the ASU application and the Common Application. If two applications are submitted, one will be canceled in our system. The application fee is $85 (U.S. Dollars) and is nonrefundable.

ASU’s Application for Admission Common Application  

Step 02

Activate My ASU and your ASURITE User ID.

You will receive your ASURITE User ID and activation code via email within one to three business days of submitting your application. If you have previously applied to ASU, your ASURITE User ID will remain the same. You'll use your ASURITE User ID to log in to My ASU. If you have previously applied to ASU, your ASURITE User ID will remain the same. If you have not previously activated My ASU, have your activation code sent to you by submitting your ASU ID number and last name. If you have trouble logging in with your ASURITE User ID, contact the ASU Help Desk at 855-278-5080 or contact.asu.edu.

Check application status

Step 03

Have official transcript(s) and examination results sent directly from your school(s) or exam board to Admission Services. Provide English translations of all documents not issued in English.

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 issued in English.

For more detailed information on submission of international transcripts and English translations, please visit our transcripts page.

High school transcripts

If you have not completed an associate degree or higher from a U.S. regionally accredited university or college, you must submit one of the following:

  • Official high school transcript with a graduation date.
  • Official U.S. GED/HiSet transcripts.
  • Affidavit of Completion of Secondary School Education.

ASU accepts hand-delivered official high school transcripts in sealed envelopes from applicants. (ASU does not accept faxed high school transcripts.)

NOTE: Transfer applicants with 24 or more transferable semester credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university or recognized international university, including previously completed ASU credits, and who will be 22 or older by the start of the requested semester of admission, will not be required to submit a high school transcript for admission. Once all prior college or university transcripts and outstanding admission items are received and verified, the high school transcript requirement will be waived. Transfer applicants are required to have graduated from an approved high school (or equivalent) prior to the semester of requested admission to ASU, and to include this information on the application for admission.

Step 04

Provide evidence of English language proficiency.

Have your TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo English test or Cambridge English exam 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 http://www.ets.org/toefl.

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 English Language program or English for Undergraduate Admission and Achievement online self-paced course. Learn more about Global Launch.

Duolingo English test 
Learn more about the Duolingo test.

Cambridge English
ASU accepts the B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency Exams. For information about Cambridge English Language Assessments, visit cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests.

 

Undergraduate English proficiency

Step 05

American university admission reminders and secondary and post-secondary documentation.

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 the original is not issued in English.

Note: Before mailing or sending any documentation, you must fill out an ASU application. Sending documents before doing so will delay the processing of your application. It is also recommended that you include your ASU EMPLID on the envelope of any documents being mailed to ASU.

Do you have any college credits?

  • All college coursework must be reported at the time of filling out your application.

  • We must see all transcripts/academic records from all institutions that you have ever attended (regardless of whether you have finished the program at that institution or not).

  • All documents not issued in English must be accompanied by an English translation.

  • Access the transfer credit guide to check your college credits. 

Professional third-party evaluations 

ASU provides in-house credential evaluations of your secondary and postsecondary academic records at no extra cost. However, if you have already had your academic credentials evaluated, ASU will consider course-by-course evaluations from the four agencies below:

Note: Official evaluations do not take the place of 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.

Step 06

Check application status.

Once you’ve completed all these steps, ASU will review your application. To see if you have any missing items, and to review your admission status and I-20 status, sign in to My ASU using your ASURITE User ID, which is sent to you after you apply for admission.

Step 07

Submit your student visa application.

All international students planning to attend Arizona State University will need to first apply for an I-20 in order to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa.

Student visa info


 

Additional resources

Frequently asked questions about international transfer admission

How do I apply to ASU as an international transfer student?

To apply to ASU as an international transfer student, you must meet certain academic requirements, as well as demonstrate proof of English proficiency. Review this page for admission and English proficiency requirements, application procedures, and deadlines for undergraduate students.

Requirements

How do I transfer credits to an American university?

When you transfer to ASU from another college or university, the following general standards for transfer credits apply. Use ASU transfer tools to learn how credits will transfer and begin creating your roadmap to graduation.

Transfer tools

How many credits can be transferred to ASU?

You can transfer a maximum of 64 credits from a regionally accredited community, junior or two-year college for courses in which you have earned a “C” (4.00=“A”) or better.

View more FAQs