International Applicants
Stanford’s assessment of a foreign degree is based on the characteristics of a national educational system, the type of institution attended, and the level of studies completed. The following guidelines indicate the minimum level of study of applicants from recognized academic institutions outside the U.S.
Minimum level of study required of applicants of who wish to apply for graduate study at Stanford:
| Country |
Minimum Level Required |
| Britain |
British patterned education – bachelor’s degree with honors. |
| France |
Maitrise from university or completion of three-year diplome d’ingenieur
from grandes écoles. Note: the gradue (graduate
certificate) does not meet the minimum requirement. |
| Germany |
The diplom, magister artium (M.A.) or staatsexamen. |
| Other European countries |
University degree requiring four years of study. |
| Middle East |
University degree requiring four years of study. |
| Canada |
Three-year bachelor’s degree from Quebec, four-year bachelor’s degree from other provinces. |
| Latin America |
University degree requiring four years of study. |
| India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal |
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or medicine, master’s
degree in all other fields.(Note: A three-year
bachelor’s degree in any subject is not considered sufficient for graduate
study at Stanford. The two-year master’s degree following the three-year
bachelor’s degree from India is required. |
| Philippines |
Five-year bachelor’s degree or four-year bachelor’s degree plus one year of graduate work. |
| Russian republics |
University diploma requiring four years of study. |
| Other Asian countries |
University degree requiring four years of study. |
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Arrange to have two official transcripts (academic records) from every postsecondary institution you have attended for at least one year as a full-time student sent directly to the department to which you are applying. See Mailing Materials.
Tips for Submitting Academic Records
- Academic records should give detailed information on the content and quality of your performance, courses taken each year, and grades received.
- The grading scale of the institution and your rank in class should be noted whenever possible.
- Degrees must be verified by official copies of diplomas or conferral statements on academic records.
- Academic records must be original documents bearing the institutional seal and official signature of the Registrar or copies verified by a school administrative officer.
- If the institution does not issue in English, original language records must be submitted with official English translations. We accept translations issued by the institution or a professional translating service. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.
Stanford University reserves the right to require additional academic documents. If we are unable to verify the nature or authenticity of your academic documents, you may be asked to obtain an evaluation from a foreign credential evaluation service.
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Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. TOEFL
(Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are required
of all applicants whose first language is not English. For detailed
information, see Admission
Requirements.
Test of Spoken English. In addition to the TOEFL, some
departments require the Test of Spoken English (TSE).
See Graduate Programs
and Deadlines.
English Language Proficiency Program
International students enrolled at Stanford must be able to read English with ease, understand rapid idiomatic English as used in lectures and group discussions, and express thoughts quickly and clearly in spoken and written English. Admission is offered only to students who are fully prepared in English or who have advanced intermediate proficiency in English that could be raised to the required level by enrollment in a summer intensive English program.
Stanford University offers a six-week Intensive English and Academic Orientation Program in the summer for students who plan to begin graduate study in the Autumn Quarter. For more information http://www.stanford.edu/group/efs or contact:
English for Foreign Students
Language Center, Building 30
Stanford, CA 94305-2015
Voice: +1 650-723-3636
Email: triesen@stanford.edu.
Stanford English Placement Test
The English for Foreign Students Office administers an English placement test at the beginning of each quarter. This test may be a required condition of admission for students whose native language is not English.
- The test assesses the ability to understand, speak, and write American English with particular emphasis on active speaking and writing.
- Results are evaluated in terms of the students’ intended academic programs at Stanford and the University’s requirements for that program.
- The results of the test determine whether students will be required to take courses in English in addition to their academic courses.
- Completion of a degree program may be lengthened if the English courses are required.
- Students who hold teaching assistantships or who are enrolled in a PhD program that has a teaching requirement will be evaluated in a separate test for oral communication in English.
- A special English course for teaching assistantships is available for students who are found to need additional language training before beginning their teaching assignments.
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- In order to register as students, the University requires that all those who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents obtain and maintain an appropriate visa status for their stay in the United States.
- The F-1 Student Visa is obtained with an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility which is issued by Stanford.
- The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is obtained with an DS-2019, which is issued by Stanford or a sponsoring U.S. agency.
- Certificates of eligibility (I-20/DS-2019) are issued to International students who have accepted our offer of admission, met the English language proficiency requirement, and verified sufficient financial resources for at least one academic year.
- Students who are on visas must maintain continuous, full-time enrollment and are subject to U.S. Immigration laws covering such items as employment on and off campus, change of degree, transfer of school, and extension of study.
- The Graduate Admissions Office will send additional, detailed information on visas to admitted students.
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The Bechtel International Center is a meeting place for students and scholars from throughout the world and for Americans at Stanford who are interested in international affairs.
The International Center staff works closely wish academic departments and administrative offices on campus on issues unique to international students, such as immigration policy and procedures, academic and financial difficulties, transactions with foreign governments, English proficiency, housing, and general adjustment to life at Stanford. Many programs and services are offered to family members of international students.
For additional information on the services provided by the Bechtel Center, go to http://www.stanford.edu/dept/icenter/.
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