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International Students

Prospective Students

Are you an international student considering applying to attend UNCW?

Find out about how to apply, visas and documentation needed, English proficiency requirements, financial considerations, and more.

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Are You an International Applicant?

If you have or require one of the following, you will be considered an international student:

  • You Require UNCW's F-1 Visa Sponsorship
  • You will be studying on another visa (H1B, L2, etc.)

If you have one of the following, you will be considered a domestic student:

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Green Card
Visas & Documentatation
English Proficiency
Financial Considerations
Deadlines & Applying

Financial Documents

All international applicants who want to have UNCW sponsor their F-1 visa are required to:

  • Provide a letter of financial support (if not providing funds personally).
  • Attach a document from a financial institution (typically a letter from a bank) verifying that funds are available for study at UNCW.

These documents provide evidence of the applicant's ability to pay for all expenses for at least one year of study, including expenses for any dependents who might accompany him or her. Until a completed International Student Data Form and accompanying financial documents are received proving an applicant has at least $38,955 available, a Form I-20 for securing a visa cannot be issued. All documents above will be handled through the Office of International Programs after a student is admitted.

Visas

The I-20 for an F-1 visa will be issued only when all requirements have been met. Once an applicant is admitted, an acceptance letter, along with the I-20, will be sent to the student. Next, the student must take the information to the home country consulate or embassy, where the decision is made whether or not to grant the F-1 visa to the student. Please note that securing an appointment in your native country with the embassy or consulate may take time and cause unforeseen delays.

No UNCW Visa Sponsorship Wanted?

International students who want to attend UNCW in a legal status other than F-1 student (e.g., H4, E2, L2, etc.) do not need to submit proof of financial support or the International Student Data Form. They must provide a copy of their current visa.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Students

UNCW ESL students who have been accepted to a UNCW degree program must submit the International Student Data Form and financial documents to the Office of Admissions so that the Office of International Programs can issue them a new I-20 reflecting the change of degree level.

English Proficiency Requirements (One of the Following)

Waiver Exceptions

  • SAT-I Critical Reading sub-section score of 490 or higher (first-year students only). *Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. UNCW's school code is 5907.
  • ACT Reading sub-section score of 20 or higher (first-year students only). Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. UNCW's school code is 5907.
  • A student successfully completes Level 4 in UNCW's ELC program. Level 4 participants must maintain a 2.67 GPA and have an attendance rate above 80% while in the ELC program.
  • Completion of two college-level courses in English composition at a U.S. college or university with a grade of B or higher (transfer students only).

For those needing to strengthen proficiency, UNCW offers an English Learning Center (ELC).

We also offer conditional admission to applicants who have demonstrated strong academic performance but need additional English language preparation in order to be successful in their program of study.

Financial assistance for UNCW for international students is extremely limited since the out-of-state tuition at UNCW is lower than at many comparable institutions.

To research outside sources for funds, please review the following websites:

Financial Assistance Websites

Every international undergraduate applicant who wants to have UNCW's F-1 sponsorship must present evidence of sufficient financial resources to meet projected expenses. This information will be requested by the Office of International Programs after a student is admitted if visa sponsorship is needed.

Deadlines

UNCW offers three deadlines for applications. Applications are not reviewed or evaluated until they become complete (the application and all credentials have been received).

Applicants will receive a decision approximately four to six weeks from the time their application becomes complete and ready for review. We strongly recommend you apply four to six months before the term you plan to enter the university. Applying after the stated deadlines increase the risk that there will not be enough time needed to process all the required paperwork.

  • Fall - April 1
  • Spring - October 15 (Note: Space is extremely limited.)
  • Summer - February 1

How to Apply

When possible, we strongly encourage the use of an online application (more than 95% of our applicants applied using an online application last year).

Take me to the applications!

Application Process

There are several items you must submit in order for your application to UNCW to be considered. These include:

  • International Application for Admission
  • Non-Refundable $80 Application Fee
  • Academic Records (official transcripts, translated into English, for coursework completed outside of US)
  • Recommendation letter from a teacher or school official (freshman only)
  • Proof of English Proficiency
International Application Checklists

International First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants must submit the following items:

  • Completed online application.
    • Fall (August): April 1
    • Spring (January): October 15
  • Non-refundable $80 application fee (check or money order in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank, payable to UNCW).
  • Essay & short answer
  • An official transcript, translated into English (translation must be certified), of grades from secondary school.
  • TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or Pearson test of English score unless:
    • English is the applicant's native language.
    • Applicant has an SAT-I critical reading score of 450 or higher or an ACT minimum score of 20 on the reading section.
    • A student successfully completes Level 4 in UNCW's ESL program.

International Transfer Applicants

International transfer student applicants must submit the following:

  • Completed online application.
    • Fall Deadline: April 1
    • Spring Deadline: October 15
  • Non-refundable $80 application fee (check or money order in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank, payable to UNCW).
  • Official high school (secondary school) transcript, translated into English (translation must be certified).
  • Translated transcripts from institutions attended beyond secondary school.
    • If the applicant wishes to receive academic credit, these transcripts (unless from a U.S. institution) must be evaluated by an accredited credential evaluation service. The applicant must choose a company that belongs to the National Association of Credential Evaluators (NACES).
  • TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or Pearson Test of English score unless:
    • English is applicant's native language.
    • Applicant has completed 2 college-level courses in English composition at a U.S. college or university with a grade of B or higher.
    • A student successfully completes Level 4 in UNCW's ESL program.

Non-Degree Seeking Admission

UNCW offers students the opportunity to enroll in classes for credit as an International non-degree seeking student.

Depending on your situation and educational goals, one of the two options may be appropriate. Please feel free to contact the Office of International Programs for information.

Visiting International

Students currently enrolled in another college or university abroad, who intend to return to their home institution, may attend UNCW as permission (visiting) international student in the fall or spring semester.

A student may only attend as a permission student for two consecutive semesters (not including summer sessions).

Visiting Study Abroad

Students currently enrolled in another domestic college or university, who intend to return to their home institution, have the opportunity to attend UNCW's study abroad program as a visiting study abroad student during the summer sessions.

Additional International Student Info

English Learning Center Find out more about the English Language Center and the supportive English language learning community at UNCW. Find Out More
International Financial Assistance Explore scholarships for International Students and find out more about paying your bill. View Finance Info
F-1 Pre-Arrival Steps Find out how to apply for the F-1 Visa and see other next steps to be completed. See Next Steps

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UNCW Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Phone: (910) 962-3243
Fax: (910) 962-3038

admissions@uncw.edu

601 College Rd
Wilmington, NC, 28403

Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Summer hours:
Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

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