The University of Memphis believes that the presence of international students on campus enriches the educational environment for all. The University is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students on the "F-1" student visa.

Prospective students should check with the appropriate program for specific deadlines. International applicants should file complete credentials at least four months before the beginning of the semester for which enrollment is sought. Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure full consideration.

Complete credentials include all the documents listed above under "Admission Requirements" as well as those listed below under "Additional Requirements."

The application should be completed and returned to Graduate Admissions, Wilder Tower 101, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, 38152-3370.

A non-refundable application and processing fee of sixty dollars US (US $60.00) is required of every international applicant, unless previously paid. Applications received without the application fee will not be processed.

International admission applications (graduate and undergraduate) will only be accepted through Self-Service Banner. The Office of Admissions no longer accepts hard-copy (paper) applications. Payment of the application fee is by credit card.

Applicants will be selected on a competitive basis and, therefore, admission will not be granted to all applicants who meet only the minimum requirements. Some academic units may have additional requirements such as portfolios, proficiency examinations, auditions, etc.

All transcripts, test scores, and other credentials must be accompanied by an official English translation of these documents and must be on file in Graduate Admissions at least four (4) months before the desired enrollment date.

Additional Requirements

In addition to admissions requirements described above, international students must supply the following:

TOEFL Scores: All applicants who will be attending the University on a visa and who are not native speakers of English and are not graduates of the University of Memphis must supply a minimum score of 550 on the paper or 210 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some units, however, require a higher TOEFL score; check program descriptions for specific requirements. Testing locations and other information can be obtained from www.toefl.org or by writing to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, U.S.A. All test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the University of Memphis, institution code R-1459.

Required Evaluation of Credentials: Applicants whose highest degree is from a foreign university must have their credentials evaluated. The university will accept evaluations done by any credentialing agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services' website ( www.naces.org ). The course-by-course report is required. Departments may provide a scholarship to cover the cost of the credential evaluation for selected scholar-applicants. If a department decides to provide scholarship funds the department will collect the necessary documentation and fees and forward them to the selected credentialing agency. For additional information about the selection process, please contact the graduate program coordinator. For general information on the equivalency of international degrees click here.

Affidavit of Support and Financial Statement: An applicant who holds or will require an "F-1" student visa must supply, on the form provided by the University, sufficient evidence of financial support for the applicant and all members of his/her family who will accompany the applicant to Memphis. This requires that the applicant certify that his/her intent is to attend the University full-time and that no employment, other than assistantships, will be required. An affidavit of support and financial statement are not required for admission; however, international students (F-1) requiring issuance of Form I-20 must supply sufficient evidence of financial support for the applicant and all members of his/her family requiring issuance of dependent Form I-20.

Health Certificate: Within 30 days from the first day of classes, each international student must submit a certificate from a licensed US physician or other qualified U.S. medical authority verifying freedom from tuberculosis. Failure to do so shall result in denial of enrollment. In the event that a student either has tuberculosis or has potential tuberculosis requiring medical treatment, continued enrollment will be conditional upon the determination by a licensed US physician that such enrollment does not present a risk to others and upon the student's compliance with any medical treatment program.

Health Insurance: All international students must purchase health insurance before they are allowed to enroll. Click here for more information.

Readmission: International students who wish to apply for readmission to the University must meet the deadlines stated above.

Intensive English for International (IEI) Students

The Graduate School will conditionally admit highly qualified international students who do not quite meet our TOEFL standards if they simultaneously enroll in Intensive English and achieve fluency. Students will be given one year to meet the English requirement (level 5). Students will pay the IEI fees until they meet the language criterion. If they take courses outside of IEI, they will be charged additional tuition at the regular rate. They will not be eligible for assistantships until they are fully admitted.