Admissions Requirements

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SIU will now accept undergraduate application materials via email for admission purposes.  You will receive rapid admission decisions by emailing your transcripts, passport, and English proficiency test scores to our admissions office at the following address: intladmissions@siu.edu.  Please note that issuance of immigration documents (such as your Form I-20) may be delayed until we receive your financial statement.  Please direct any questions to our undergradaute international admission office at +1 618-453-3070 or by email at intladmissions@siu.edu.

As there is considerable variation between educational systems throughout the world, international students are considered for admission based on a holistic review of their former academic work, English proficiency, and evidence of adequate financial resources.

SIU has no application deadline for most majors for undergraduate international students. However, it is recommended that students submit all required materials at least 2 months in advance of the semester start date as to allow for adequate visa processing time.

These requirements apply to ALL undergraduate Major classifications unless otherwise noted:

(1) Application & Fee: The application fee of $40 cannot be waived for undergraduate students.

(2) English Language Requirement: Any one of the following methods will automatically meet the minimum English requirement.  Applicants who do not meet the automatic English language admission requirement will undergo a holistic review to determine potential admissibility. 

  • TOEFL (IBT internet-based test) - 68
  • TOEFL (paper based test) - 520
  • ITEP - 3.6 (academic plus only)
  • IELTS - 6.0
  • DUOLINGO- 95
  • PTE- 47
  • 2 Face-to-face English composition classes taken in the U.S. at the college level with a grade of A or B
  • More than 48 college-level credit hours completed at a U.S. institution
  • If an applicant is from a country whose primary language is English (Exempt Countries)
  • Graduation from a U.S. high school having spent the final 2 years in the U.S. 
  • Meeting the SAT or ACT requirements for admission of domestic freshmen (23 ACT or 1140 SAT)

 

SIU grants conditional admission (for most undergraduate majors) to international students who meet the minimum academic requirements for admission except for English Proficiency. Students admitted conditionally will be required to attend the Center for English as a Second Language until they meet the English requirement.

(3) Academic Requirements:

Transfer Students: A student will be considered a transfer student if he or she has taken any coursework at college/university level.

  • Student who have completed 12 credits or more at another college/university  - submit college/university transcripts showing a GPA of 2.0 or greater on ALL coursework
  • Students who have completed 0-11 semester hours at the college/university - submit high school AND university/college transcripts showing 2.0 cumulative GPA on all coursework (4.0 scale) and proof of high school graduation
  • 5 Passes on the GCE O or A-level exams (under the Cambridge/ed excel model) is accepted

All documents/transcripts must be in an original form bearing the official seal of the issuing institution. Attested copies bearing an original stamp and signature of the attester may be accepted if an original transcript is unavailable to obtain.  Scanned copies will be accepted for admission purposes during the 2023-2024 school year, but original documents must be submitted upon arrival.

Applicants should submit official test scores or high school diplomas/certificates, or proof of graduation as applicable

(4) Financial Statement: (minimum requirement is listed in the "Total Financial Statement Required" column)

International students must submit proof of assured financial resources sufficient to pay for their entire first year of tuition, fees, and living expenses.  While a Financial Statement is NOT required for admission, immigration documents will not be issued until sufficient proof of funding is received.  An official bank statement which shows the balance of the account within the last 6 months serves a sufficient proof of funding.  The minimum amount required for admission can be found here in the Minimum Financial Statement column.

Students who wish to bring their spouse and/or child as an F-2 or J-2 dependent must also give proof of sufficient financial resources for each. A student must show an additional $5,000 for a spouse and/or $2,500 per child. Students can be admitted without financial proof for dependents, however, immigration documents will not be issued for dependents until sufficient proof of funding is received.

(5) Not required for admission: (for most undergraduate majors)

  • personal essays
  • recommendation letters
  • SAT or ACT test scores*

*Freshmen students may be eligible for the High Achievers Tuition Rate based on SAT/ACT scores and transfer students may be eligible for the High Achievers Tuition Rate based on GPA (3.0 and above on a 4.0 scale ).