Deadlines
UNCW offers fall and spring admission to international applicants. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis once they become complete.
- Fall - April 1
- Spring - October 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).
Application Process
International undergraduate applicants will need to apply as a first-year or transfer student depending on entry type. International Application checklists for first-year and transfer applicants can be found on the following tabs.
INTERNATIONAL FIRST-YEAR APPLICANTS
First-year applicants must submit the following items:- Completed online application.
- Fall (August): April 1
- Spring (January): October 1
- 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 in application
- Official transcripts, translated to English (translation must be certified), of grades from secondary school.
- In order to be “official”, transcripts must be sent directly from the school administrator/ counselor. Student uploaded transcripts will not be accepted.
- TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or Pearson test of English score unless:
- English is the applicant's native language.
- English was the primary language of instruction at the applicant’s secondary school
- 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 ELC program.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS
International transfer student applicants must submit the following:
- Completed online application.
- Fall Deadline: April 1
- Spring Deadline: October 1
- 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 post-secondary institutions.
- The applicant must have foreign transcripts evaluated by an accredited credential evaluation service after admission and prior to enrollment in order to receive credit at UNCW. The applicant must choose a company that belongs to the National Association of Credential Evaluators (NACES), such as Spantran.
- 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 ELC program.
English Proficiency:
International applicants applying as a first-year or transfer student must meet one of the following criteria:
- TOEFL: minimum of 71
- IELTS: minimum of 6.0
- Duolingo: minimum of 105
- Pearson: minimum of 54
- iTEP Academic: minimum of 3.7
English proficiency can be waived if a student meets one of the following:
- English is native language
- English is primary language of secondary/post-secondary school
- Applicant has an SAT-I critical reading score of 450 or higher or an ACT minimum score of 20 on the reading section.
- Completion of two college-level courses of English composition at a U.S. college or university and received a “B” or higher
- Completion of Level 3 (Advanced) ELC program
UNCW offers the following scholarship opportunities to undergraduate international students:
- Incoming Undergraduate Degree-Seeking International Student Scholarship
- Global Student Ambassador Scholarship
The financial resources page has a breakdown of both scholarships.
UNCW Tuition & Fees
To research outside sources for funds, please review the following websites:
Financial Assistance Websites
- EducationUSA Special Opportunities and Financial Aid
- International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search
- eduPASS scholarship-positions.com
- Scholarships for International Students
- InternationalScholarships.com
- InternationalStudent.com
- PrivateStudentLoans.com
- ScholarshipExperts.com
- InternationalStudentLoan.com
- FundingUSstudy.org
- MPOWER Financing
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.
Additional International Student Info
Contact UNCW
UNCW Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Phone: (910) 962-3243
Fax: (910) 962-3038
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.