International Application Deadlines
In order to account for the time in obtaining visas, international applicants are expected to apply for fall programs by February 1. After that date, you must contact your program in order to proceed further in the application process.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Before you apply to a URI graduate program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or the equivalent of a four-year degree at an international university that is evaluated by an approved agency. Most four-year degrees from accredited non-U.S. institutions are recognized as equivalent, but three-year bachelor’s degree programs from universities in India and some other Asian countries are not.
If you have a non-equivalent three-year degree, you will need to complete an additional year of undergraduate study, usually 18-to-24 credits at the 300-400 (advanced undergraduate) level. You can complete this work at your home institution, at URI, or at another accredited institution in the United States. Please note that completing this undergraduate coursework does not guarantee acceptance into a URI graduate program, and it cannot be applied toward the requirements for your graduate degree plan.
Language Proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit an official test report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within the past two years. You must arrange for ETS to report your scores directly to CAS. The ETS institution code for URI is B886 for GradCAS, B887 for EngineeringCAS, and B888 for BusinessCAS. You do not need to specify a department.
Required scores on the Internet-based (iBT) and Computer-based TOEFL:
- An overall score of 80 or above (82 for teaching assistantship consideration), AND
- Minimum scores in the following areas:
- Reading: 19
- Writing: 18
- Listening: 17
- Speaking: 18 (the suggested minimum speaking score for a teaching assistantship is 20)
- If you are below the minimum in one area by two points, or in two areas by one point, but have an overall score of 80 or above, the Dean will make a determination if you can be considered.
The minimum score on the Paper-based TOEFL is 550. Individual programs may require a higher score; please check the requirements for your specific program.
* Minimum scores as of 12/6/2021
Other scores that may be accepted in place of TOEFL scores (please check with your department):
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): All scores must be sent directly to URI. Required minimum score of 6.5, AND minimum scores in the following areas:
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 6.5
- Listening: 6.5
- Speaking: 6.5 (The suggested minimum speaking score for a teaching assistantship is 7)
- Duolingo English Test: Required minimum score of 115 (Score of 120 for a teaching assistantship)
- Pearson Test of English: Required minimum scores are Reading 53, Writing 59, Listening 47, and Speaking 47 (62 for international teaching assistants)
- Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): Required minimum score of B2
* Minimum scores as of 10/29/2024
A Language Proficiency Exam is not required if an applicant satisfies one or more of these conditions:
- Citizenship of Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Guyana, Ireland, New Zealand, United States, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English speaking country of the Caribbean
- A college or university degree earned in the United States or in one of the countries listed above
- A degree earned from the American University in Beirut, American University in Bulgaria, American College in Greece or from Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey
Immigration Information
If you are accepted to URI and choose to enroll, you will need to provide financial documents to the Office of International Students and Scholars along with your application for the Form I-20. The Graduate School does not need this information to process your application.
Visit URI’s Office of International Students and Scholars for information on student visas and the Form I-20.