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UF: A World-Class University

The University of Florida welcomes applications from non-US students, who form an integral part of its cross-cultural diversity and contribute greatly to its international standing in the global community.

Please read the information on this webpage carefully, so you will know what is required of you as a non-US applicant and what UF has to offer you as a student from abroad.

The Application Process

Please carefully read all the information on our application process webpage, so you understand how the process works and what you must submit as a part of it. It also provides all the forms, codes, addresses and links you need to apply. You can access this webpage by clicking on this link: The Application Process.

UF International Admissions Webpage

Also, please consult the information on the UF Office of the Registrar's international admissions webpage, which features a number of important resources for non-US applicants. You can access this webpage by clicking on this link: UF Office of the Registrar International Admissions.

Certification of Financial Responsibility Form

All non-US applicants must submit a Certification of Financial Responsibility Form to the UF International Center (UFIC) as part of the application process. Without this form, UFIC cannot determine your eligibility for the student visa required for your admission. This form verifies that you have pre-existing funds on hand to cover your first year of studying and living in the United States. For a copy of this form, click on this link: Certification of Financial Responsibility Form.

This form is a PDF file that you can read, fill out and print with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If your computer does not already have Adobe Acrobat Reader on it, you can download it for free by clicking on this link: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

International Student Visas

Please read up on what you must do to get a student visa from the US government by clicking on this link: Destination USA: Official US State Department Visa Information Website.

Admission Language Requirements:
IELTS, MELAB or TOEFL

All non-US and Puerto Rican applicants must submit IELTS (International English Language Testing System), MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores as part of the application process, unless they are citizens of a country where English is an official language, have spent at least one academic year as a full-time student at a college or university in a country where English is an official language, earned a prior bachelor's degree, master's degree or doctoral degree at an accredited university in the United States or have official proof of successfully completing the UF English Language Institute's program before applying. Click here to see a list of countries whose citizens are exempt from these English testing requirements: English Testing Exempt Countries.

Employment Language Requirements:
TSE/SPEAK

Florida law requires all non-US students who are going to be graduate teaching assistants — even if exempted from the IELTS, MELAB and TOEFL requirement — to prove adequate command of the English language. Before getting a graduate teaching assistantship, they must submit TSE (Test of Spoken English) or SPEAK (Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit) scores that meet the required minimums. Students who do not have TSE scores take the SPEAK Test on the UF campus. For more information on TSE and SPEAK requirements, click on this link: TSE and SPEAK Testing.

UF Academic Written English Program

If you are admitted to UF with English test scores below the required minimums (320 verbal GRE, 6 IELTS, 77 MELAB, 80 Internet-based TOEFL, 213 computer-format TOEFL or 550 paper-format TOEFL), you must take the UF Academic Written English Program's screening test at the start of your first semester at UF. The department you are majoring in may require you to take this test regardless of your scores, too. This test is free. If you do not pass this test, you must take and pass EAP 5845 Academic Written English during your first semester in your program. To find out more about this program, click on this link: UF Academic Written English Program.

UF Academic Spoken English Program

The UF Academic Spoken English Program provides courses designed to improve your English-language speaking and comprehension skills. You may choose to take one of its courses if you do not feel confident about your skills in these areas. You also may be required to take one of its courses if the UF Graduate School or the department you are majoring in does not feel your skills are strong enough for competitive performance in the classroom or research arena. This program also monitors non-US students' SPEAK or TSE scores, which are required and must meet a certain minimum if they are going to be awarded a graduate teaching assistantship. To find out more about this program, click on this link: UF Academic Spoken English Program.

UF International Center (UFIC)

The UF International Center helps non-US students, faculty, scholars and their dependents with immigration, admissions, orientation, academic and personal counseling, emergency assistance, community relations and student activities. It also serves as a liaison with faculty, staff and non-university agencies. For more information, visit its website by clicking on this link: UF International Center.

UF English Language Institute (ELI)

The UF English Language Institute (ELI) offers non-degree-credit intensive programs for non-US students and professionals who want to improve their ability to speak, read and write English and become more familiar with American life and culture, so they can become more comfortable and successful in real-life settings in education and business. It also provides housing assistance, academic advisement and other services. To find out more about what UF ELI can do for you, visit its website by clicking on this link: UF English Language Institute.

Other Useful Information

There are links to some more useful information to help you prepare for graduate school and get through the application process smoothly:

Department Contacts
ETS: Educational Testing Service (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, TSE)
Graduate Catalog
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
MELAB: Michigan English Language Assessment Battery
UF International Center
US State Department Visa Information Website

If you have any other questions, please contact the department you want to major in. Good luck! The University of Florida looks forward to receiving your application soon!