International Transfer Admission Requirements

Apply as a transfer student if you are a high school graduate who has registered or enrolled at a college, university, or any other school after graduating from high school OR if you have earned a bachelor’s degree at another college or university and are seeking to earn another bachelor’s degree, or teacher licensure at the University of Iowa.

How to Apply

The international application is intended for students who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, including refugees, asylees, temporary visa holders, and those who require a visa to study in the United States.

Submit your application.
You can apply through either the University of Iowa application.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning mid-September. International Application deadlines vary depending on your area of study.
Pay the application fee.
The $80 application fee is non-refundable. No application fee waivers are available unless you will be graduating from a high school inside the U.S. and financially qualify for a waiver.
Upload your academic records.
Within your Admissions Profile in MyUI, upload copies of all required official transcripts from every secondary school (high school), college, university, technical/vocational institute, or professional institution you have attended.

Examine the Country Specific Admissions Requirement List to learn more about the required credentials and minimum academic standards needed for Admissions. Iowa offers college credit for a variety of exams.
Meet our English Proficiency Requirement.
See details of our English Proficiency Requirements. If applicable, have the testing agency send us your TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.
Have your ACT or SAT scores sent by the testing agency.
Our institution code is 1356 for the ACT; 6681 for the SAT.
ACT or SAT is required if:
- You plan to use ACT/SAT to meet the English Proficiency Requirement
- You plan to apply for scholarships (some awards require an ACT or SAT score)

No Harm ACT and SAT Test Score Policy and Admission Process: Standardized test scores will only be used if they benefit the applicant in the admission and scholarship review process. Typically, students who are admitted with a strong academic record and submit test scores above the institutional averages (at or above 26 ACT/1230 SAT) will have more opportunities for larger merit scholarships compared to those admitted without a test score. The University of Iowa is test optional, but applicants are encouraged to take the ACT or SAT and follow the Regent Admission Index (RAI) process and provide all materials required (ACT or SAT Scores, GPA, HS Core Courses). Full Standardized Test and Admissions Process

If You Attended a College or University Outside the United States

You must meet the following requirements for admission:

Upload copies of original transcripts issued by all colleges or institutions you attended outside the U.S. in the Tests/Documents section of your Admissions Profile in MyUI. An English version of the transcript will be required in addition to the original transcript if the original is not issued in English.
You must have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher on at least 24 semester hours of academic coursework earned after high school graduation (36 quarter hours) of acceptable graded credit,
Students with fewer than 24 semester hours will be considered for admission based on a combination of high school and college academic records
Meet our English Proficiency Requirement

Transferring Credit from Colleges Outside the United States

Recognized university course work beyond grade 12 may be accepted toward fulfilling your degree requirements at Iowa. Consideration is given on a subject-by-subject basis, and course descriptions may be necessary to make the final determination. If course descriptions are needed, you will be notified by the Office of Admissions. You can also earn transfer credit from the Global Assessment Certificate Program (GAC).

If You Attended a U.S. College or University

You must meet the following requirements for admission:

Have official transcripts sent from every U.S. college or university you have attended.
Meet our English Proficiency Requirement.

Admission requirements will vary depending on your area of study; matching the requirements for transfer applicants who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Review our Undergraduate Areas of Study or Transfer Admission Requirements for more details.

Transfer Planning Resources and Transfer Policies

Application Deadlines

The deadlines to apply for most undergraduate programs (excluding some programs in education, nursing, and business):

May 1

for Fall and Summer semesters.
We will continue to accept applications after May 1 on a space available basis.
All transfer applicant official transcripts and documents must be received by Admissions prior to Aug. 1