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International Applicants

International applicants should follow the standard application procedures, as well as those listed below.

Expected Level of Study for International Students

International applicants should visit UC Davis Graduate Studies Expected Level of Study to view the minimum level of study expected of international applicants prior to graduate enrollment at UC Davis. Successful applicants generally rank high in their graduating classes and have excellent test scores. Not all well-qualified applicants may be offered admissions due to the limited number of spaces available in highly competitive programs.

Required Academic Records

Applicants are required to submit official records from each academic institution attended after secondary/high school. All official academic records must be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translations prepared by the issuing institution.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants must submit official TOEFL iBT or IELTS examination scores unless they have earned or will be earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from either:

  • A regionally accredited U.S. college or university where English is the sole language of instruction, OR
  • A foreign college or university that lists English as the sole language of instruction in the IAU World Higher Education Database. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed (or if not language is listed at all), the waiver does not apply. We will not review or accept any other documentation.

Please note: you may be eligible for an admissions exception for demonstrating English Language Proficiency if you have been working in the U.S. for 2 or more years. To learn more, please reach out to (link sends email)gsm-admissions@ucdavis.edu. Additional coursework may be required.

Language Proficiency Exams TOEFL iBT/IELTS English Test

There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment. Unless you are exempt from the standardized English language proficiency test requirement per above, you must take the TOEFL iBT or IELTS assessment. 

TOEFL iBT and IELTS exam scores are valid for two years from the date the test was taken. Scores may be used in your application only if the official score report is valid through September 1 of the year you plan to start your program. It is your duty to confirm with the admissions office receipt of your official test score prior to its expiration. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of jobs and internships are available to international students?

Internships and jobs vary but employment is allowed only under limited conditions. It is critically important that you secure an adequate, reliable and continuing source of funding for your entire course of study before you decide to come to the United States. If you have been in F-1 status for one full academic year and are in good academic standing, you may apply to work off-campus up to 20 hours per week during school and up to 40 hours per week during vacations.

Depending on the visa, international students are allowed to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week. An RA (Research Assistant) or TA (Teaching Assistant) position can earn up to $1,400 per month per 20 hours worked per week. MBA Student Summer Internships are with Finance Departments, Strategic Business Analyst Internships, Corporate Planning & Analysis, Consulting, International Trade & Investment Divisions, Marketing, etc.

What are the chances of working in the U.S. after completing my degree?

Visa quotas change every year, consequently it’s very difficult to speculate the opportunities that will be available in the future. The type of visa you hold, the industry you’re targeting and the functional area of your expertise will determine your chances for employment. There are several web sites and organizations that address the international job market, and probably have a better handle on the situation, including The Foreign MBA.

What are the resources available for international students?

UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS), within Global Affairs serves more than 10,000 international students, faculty, and researchers and their accompanying family members who come to UC Davis each year.  

SISS can assist you and your family with visa and immigration issues while you are at UC Davis. In addition to preparing the necessary documents to apply for a U.S. visa, SISS assists international students and scholars in maintaining legal status while in the United States. SISS also provides orientation, assistance, information, and referral to international students, faculty, and researchers regarding financial, personal, cultural, and academic concerns.

Visit the UC Davis Services for International Students & Scholars Office (SISS) or call (530) 752-0864.